Projects Accountant

Burhani Engineers Ltd, a leading EPC Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering firm operating across East and Central Africa, is seeking a highly capable Projects Accountant to join its Nairobi team. This is a senior finance role at the heart of the company's project delivery engine, responsible for the full financial lifecycle of multiple concurrent engineering and construction projects — from budget origination through to final account settlement and audit readiness.

You will serve as the financial steward across a dynamic multi-project contracting environment, working in close collaboration with Project Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and site teams across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. A critical expectation of this role is your ability to leverage digital tools, ERP systems, and business intelligence platforms to automate reporting, integrate data streams, and provide real-time financial visibility to senior leadership.

• Lead preparation, implementation, and continuous monitoring of project-specific budgets aligned to Bills of Quantities (BoQs), contract values, and project programmes.
• Develop rolling monthly and quarterly financial forecasts incorporating scope changes, variation orders, and project progress updates.
• Maintain live budget-vs-actual dashboards using advanced Excel or ERP/project management tools for project managers and the Management Board.
• Integrate budget data with project scheduling tools such as MS Project or Primavera to align financial and time-based planning.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports including project P&Ls, cost-to-complete (CTC) analyses, and earned value reports on a monthly and ad-hoc basis.
• Produce detailed variance analyses comparing actual costs against budgets and forecasts, supported by clear management commentary.
• Consolidate multi-project financial data into company-wide portfolio reports for the Head of Finance and the Management Board.
• Utilise ERP/accounting system reporting modules (SAP, Sage, QuickBooks, or equivalent) to generate structured management accounts.
• Produce KPI dashboards covering utilisation rates, cost burn, project profitability, and WIP schedules using Excel pivot tables, Power BI, or equivalent BI tools.
• Monitor and track all project expenditures — labour, materials, subcontractors, plant, and preliminaries — against approved budgets in real time.
• Identify cost overruns and uncommitted costs early, escalating risks with recommended corrective actions.
• Review and validate subcontractor invoices, supplier payments, and progress claims against contract terms and certified work.
• Support project managers in preparing and submitting client progress claims and interim payment applications.
• Maintain compliant project accounting records including journal entries, cost allocations, accruals, and project closeout reconciliations.
• Assist in internal and external audits, providing complete and organised project financial documentation.

• Minimum 6 years of hands-on project accounting or cost accounting experience, preferably within an EPC, construction, or engineering contracting environment.
• Demonstrate ability to prepare and manage multi-project budgets, forecasts, and earned value analyses independently.
• Proficiently operate ERP accounting systems (SAP, Sage, QuickBooks, or similar) and generate management-ready financial reports.
• Build and maintain advanced Excel models (pivot tables, dynamic dashboards, financial models) and/or Power BI reports for real-time project financial tracking.
• Interpret Bills of Quantities, variation orders, and contract documents to validate cost claims and revenue recognition.
• Communicate complex financial data clearly in writing and verbally to non-finance stakeholders including engineers and project managers.
• Apply IFRS or relevant accounting standards to project revenue recognition (e.g. percentage-of-completion method) and cost accruals.
• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA (K) or ACCA qualification is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrate experience working in a multi-country or multi-site project environment is an added advantage.

Burhani Engineers Ltd offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Based on Kenyan market benchmarks for a senior project accountant role in an EPC/engineering environment, the estimated monthly gross salary range is KES 120,000 – 200,000. Final offer will reflect the candidate's depth of experience and competencies assessed during the recruitment process.

• Competitive salary aligned to seniority and experience
• Exposure to large-scale regional EPC projects across East Africa
• Professional development opportunities within a growing engineering group

Ideal candidates are finance professionals with at least six years of project accounting experience in a contracting, construction, or engineering firm. You thrive in fast-paced, multi-project environments, are highly analytical, and are comfortable translating numbers into actionable insights for operational teams. You are proficient with ERP systems, advanced Excel, and ideally Power BI, and you take ownership of financial accuracy without waiting to be prompted.

Do not apply if you have only worked in commercial accounting, retail, or service-sector environments with no exposure to project-based cost management, or if you have fewer than 4 years of relevant experience. This role requires immediate contribution and does not include an extended learning curve.

• Prepare an updated CV clearly outlining your project accounting experience, industries worked in, and ERP/tools proficiency.
• Submit your application through the Burhani Engineers Ltd careers portal or the job platform where this role is advertised.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial screening interview followed by a technical assessment.
• Applications close on 19 June 2026 — early submissions are encouraged as screening is ongoing.