About Solar Panda
Solar Panda is a Canadian high-growth, clean-tech company providing home solar systems and appliances to customers in Kenya who lack access to electricity. Our loan-to-own model enables families to afford reliable electricity and life-changing appliances, significantly improving their lives.
Solar Panda provides innovative solar power systems for lighting and TV in rural communities. Our loan-to-own model allows households to have electricity for less than the daily cost of kerosene and mobile phone charging. With over 1 billion people worldwide without access to electricity, we believe that access to electricity should be a right for everyone, everywhere.
Role Profile
The Finance Manager will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations of Solar Panda Kenya, ensuring robust financial management, regulatory compliance, accurate reporting, effective cash flow management, and strategic financial planning.
The role will serve as a key business partner to the leadership team, providing financial insights that drive sound decision-making while maintaining strong internal controls and governance standards.
This role reports to the Group CFO.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead preparation of monthly and annual financial statements and manage month-end/year-end close, ensuring compliance with IFRS and company policy.
- Partner with department heads on pricing, profitability, and operational efficiency; deliver financial insights that support investment and expansion decisions.
2. Budgeting, Forecasting & Treasury
- Lead annual budgeting and periodic forecasting; build financial models to support strategic decisions and investigate variances.
- Manage liquidity, working capital, and rolling cash flow forecasts; oversee banking relationships and payment processes.
3. Accounting Operations & Internal Controls
- Oversee accounts payable/receivable, payroll accounting, and the general ledger, ensuring accurate records and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Establish strong internal controls and segregation of duties; supervise the finance team and identify/mitigate financial and operational risks.
4. Tax, Statutory Compliance & Audit
- Ensure timely filing and payment of all statutory obligations (VAT, PAYE, corporate income tax, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, WHT, and others), acting as primary liaison with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
- Coordinate external and internal audits, prepare supporting documentation, and implement audit recommendations.
5. Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, building a culture of accuracy and accountability, including performance reviews and succession planning.
Academic Qualifications & Work Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Commerce, or a related field; CPA(K), ACCA, (or equivalent) required; Master's Degree (MBA or Finance-related field) will be an added advantage.
- 7–10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including 5+ years in finance management or senior leadership. Experience in renewable energy, PAYGo financing, fintech, telecoms, FMCG, or microfinance is a plus, along with a track record in budgeting, forecasting, audit, treasury, and managing multi-functional teams.
Personal Attributes
- Strong grounding in IFRS, Kenyan tax regulations, FP&A, treasury, internal controls, and audit/compliance management.
- Advanced Excel and ERP systems experience (NetSuite, SAP, Dynamics, Oracle, or similar).
- High integrity, strong leadership, and excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, comfortable in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The Finance Manager will be measured on:
- Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and forecasting.
- Cash flow management, working capital optimization, and strength of internal controls.
- Audit outcomes and regulatory/tax compliance.
- Team performance and support for business growth objectives.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization transforming lives through clean energy.
- Dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Professional development and career growth opportunities.
- Opportunity to work with a talented and diverse team.