Junior Financial Controller
Majid Al Futtaim
Quick Take
Support store-level financial operations by preparing reports, validating payroll, managing stock controls, and analyzing performance to help senior finance staff make informed decisions.
Bachelor's degree in Finance/Commerce, 2+ years of hands-on finance or accounting experience (preferably retail), and ability to independently prepare and interpret financial statements.
Join a globally recognized retail conglomerate with clear exposure to multinational operations, competitive salary of KES 60–100K/month, and strong foundation for advancement into senior financial controller roles.
Job Description
Majid Al Futtaim, one of the leading retail and lifestyle conglomerates in the Middle East and Africa, is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Junior Financial Controller to join its finance team in Nairobi. This role sits at the heart of store-level financial operations and offers a fantastic opportunity for a finance professional looking to deepen their expertise in retail financial management within a globally recognized organization.
Reporting to the Store Financial Controller, the successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting financial reporting, stock management, payroll validation, and budget oversight. If you are passionate about numbers, thrive in structured environments, and are eager to grow within a multinational retail setting, this could be the perfect next step in your career.
- Assist the Store Financial Controller in preparing accurate and timely financial reports covering Profit & Loss, cash flow statements, and balance sheet summaries on a monthly basis.
- Review and validate payroll data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely processing in line with company policy.
- Oversee and manage store stock control processes from initial counting through to validation, including shrinkage analysis and goods-receiving procedures.
- Support internal and external audit processes by ensuring financial controls and procedures are consistently adhered to and audit recommendations are implemented.
- Contribute to financial planning activities including annual budgeting cycles and periodic forecasting exercises.
- Analyze store and departmental financial performance, producing insights that support management decision-making.
- Monitor store budgets on an ongoing basis, flagging variances, anomalies, and potential compliance issues to senior finance staff.
- Assist in implementing and maintaining robust finance policies across store operations.
- Participate in stock-take exercises at the store level, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established procedures throughout every stage.
- Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, or a closely related field from a recognized institution.
- Must demonstrate at least 2 years of hands-on experience in a finance or accounting role, preferably in a retail or fast-paced commercial environment.
- Must be able to prepare and interpret financial statements including P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet reports independently or with minimal supervision.
- Must demonstrate the ability to perform payroll reconciliations and identify discrepancies before processing.
- Must be able to execute end-to-end stock-take processes, including shrinkage analysis and variance reporting.
- Must show strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple financial tasks and deadlines simultaneously without compromising accuracy.
- Must demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities when faced with financial discrepancies or audit findings.
- Must exhibit meticulous attention to detail in all financial documentation, reporting, and compliance-related activities.
- Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Excel is highly desirable.
The estimated monthly salary for this role ranges from KES 60,000 to KES 100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Majid Al Futtaim is known for offering competitive remuneration packages within the retail sector. Benefits are expected to include medical cover, performance-based incentives, and exposure to world-class retail finance operations. Specific benefits will be confirmed during the recruitment process.
Ideal candidate: A finance graduate with 2–4 years of experience in financial controlling, accounting, or auditing — particularly within retail, FMCG, or a multi-unit commercial environment. You are highly organized, comfortable working with large datasets, and thrive under deadline pressure. You take initiative, communicate clearly with non-finance stakeholders, and are eager to learn from senior finance professionals in a multinational setting.
Do NOT apply if: You have no prior formal finance or accounting experience, if you are uncomfortable with routine stock and payroll processes, or if you prefer a purely strategic finance role with no operational responsibilities. Candidates without a relevant degree in Finance, Business Administration, or Commerce will not be considered.
To apply for the Junior Financial Controller position at Majid Al Futtaim, follow these steps:
- Prepare an updated CV highlighting your finance experience, key achievements, and relevant qualifications.
- Write a concise cover letter explaining why you are the right fit for this role and what value you bring to Majid Al Futtaim's finance team.
- Submit your application through Majid Al Futtaim's official careers portal or via the job platform where you discovered this listing.
- Ensure all documents are submitted in PDF format and that your contact details are clearly visible on your CV.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening interview followed by a technical assessment.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, or related field
- Minimum 2 years hands-on experience in finance/accounting role (retail or commercial environment preferred)
- Ability to independently prepare and interpret P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet statements
- Proficiency in payroll reconciliation and variance identification
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple financial tasks and deadlines simultaneously
Nice to Have
- Experience with inventory management systems and stock-take procedures
- Knowledge of retail-specific financial controls and compliance frameworks
- Familiarity with enterprise accounting software (SAP, Oracle, or similar)
- Professional certification in accounting (CPA, ACCA, or equivalent)
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Salary Context
Competitive entry-level salary for Junior Financial Controller in Nairobi, positioned at mid-to-upper range for this seniority.
The KES 60,000–100,000 monthly range is solid for a junior-level finance role in Nairobi with 2 years' experience, reflecting the multinational status of Majid Al Futtaim. Retail finance roles in Kenya typically pay 15–25% less than corporate finance roles, so this posting skews toward the generous end; progression depends heavily on qualifications (degree level, professional certifications) and prior retail experience.
About Majid Al Futtaim
Majid Al Futtaim is a major retail and lifestyle conglomerate headquartered in the Middle East with significant operations across Africa, including Kenya. Known for operating premium retail chains and lifestyle brands, the company is a large-scale, professionally managed organization with strong financial governance standards. Working here offers exposure to multinational best practices, established career pathways, and credibility in the East African finance market.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through your experience preparing a monthly P&L statement—what challenges have you faced and how did you resolve them?
- 2
Describe a situation where you identified a discrepancy in payroll data. How did you investigate and resolve it?
- 3
Tell us about your experience with stock-take processes. How would you handle a significant shrinkage variance?
- 4
Majid Al Futtaim operates across multiple markets. How would you ensure consistent financial controls across a busy retail store with high staff turnover?
- 5
What experience do you have with budget monitoring and variance analysis? Give us an example of how you flagged an issue to senior management.
Application Tips
Highlight specific experience with retail or fast-paced commercial finance—mention store-level P&L management, inventory reconciliation, or payroll processing by name and impact (e.g., 'Reduced payroll discrepancies by 40% through tighter reconciliation controls').
Emphasize proficiency with financial systems and tools used in stock management and reporting; mention any ERP platforms, Excel expertise, or accounting software you've mastered.
Demonstrate attention to detail and compliance mindset—reference audits you've supported, control improvements you've implemented, or how you've ensured policies are upheld under pressure.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Clear reporting line to Store Financial Controller provides mentorship and structured development opportunity.
- Multinational, established employer with strong governance means access to professional systems, training, and credible career progression.
- Salary range (KES 60–100K) is competitive for a junior role and suggests transparent pay scales aligned with experience and qualifications.
- Role explicitly mentions exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning—not just transaction processing—indicating genuine skill-building potential.
Watch Out
- Job description is truncated at the end ('Must demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities when faced with…')—clarify what specific scenarios the role requires problem-solving for.
- No mention of benefits, allowances, work environment (on-site/hybrid), or training/professional development support—typical for multinational retailers but worth confirming during application.
A Day in the Life
Your week combines scheduled financial tasks with dynamic store operations. Monday and Tuesday involve preparing or validating payroll submissions, checking for errors, and coordinating with HR to resolve discrepancies before processing deadlines. Mid-week, you're deep in stock control—reviewing goods-received reports, flagging shrinkage anomalies, and preparing variance summaries for the Store Financial Controller. Thursdays typically bring budget reviews: you monitor departmental spend against forecasts, flag variances, and compile performance dashboards. Fridays are dedicated to month-end or week-end close activities, including P&L reconciliation, balance sheet checks, and preparing audit-ready documentation. Throughout, you're in constant communication with store operations staff, answering questions about financial procedures and ensuring compliance with company policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to apply for the Junior Financial Controller role at Majid Al Futtaim?
You must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, or a related field, and have at least 2 years of hands-on experience in a finance or accounting role, ideally in a retail or commercial environment.
Is the Junior Financial Controller role at Majid Al Futtaim remote or on-site?
The job posting indicates the role is based in Nairobi and involves store-level operations, suggesting it is primarily on-site. Confirm flexible work or hybrid arrangements directly with the recruiter.
How much does a Junior Financial Controller earn at Majid Al Futtaim?
The posted salary range is KES 60,000–100,000 per month. The exact offer within this range will depend on your qualifications, experience, and professional certifications.
What are the career growth opportunities for a Junior Financial Controller at Majid Al Futtaim?
You can progress to Senior Financial Controller, Store Financial Controller, or regional Finance Manager roles as you gain experience. The multinational scale of Majid Al Futtaim also opens pathways to head office finance roles in planning, analysis, or operations.
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