Regional Accounting Lead

The Foundation
We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we're committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Team
The vision of Global Financial & Accounting Services (GFAS) is to provide innovative and scalable global business solutions in accounting, tax, payroll, treasury, sourcing, procurement and financial operations while safeguarding the reputation of the foundation and our related entities, with the highest standards of integrity and operational excellence.

GFAS is a division within the Finance organization at the foundation and an important part of the operations function. Operations supports and enables the six program teams to make investments and to run effectively and efficiently. As a function, Finance employs approximately 200 FTE's. The GFAS division is significant (50+ FTE's), and responsible for financial reporting processes, technical and advisory services, internal controls, vendor due diligence and the accounting functions at the foundation.

Application Deadline: 18/11/2025

Your Role

As the Regional Accounting Lead, Africa, you will report to the Senior Manager, Global Accounting Operations and work in a hybrid work arrangement from our office in Nairobi, Kenya. Your role will require close coordination and ongoing collaboration with Global Accounting Operations and GFAS colleagues located in Seattle while also working closely with the Head of Operations, Africa to ensure strong financial stewardship, operational excellence, and alignment with foundation policies.

You will be responsible for the accuracy and timely recording of all financial transactions (general ledger, subledger, payroll, treasury, and tax), and monthly and annual close of the books. You have strong technical expertise and will prepare financial statements, supporting schedules, tax and other financial regulatory filings for the Africa region.

You will be responsible for managing outsourced accounting services, including training and ensuring compliance with foundation policies and procedures. You will serve as the GFAS subject matter expert on foundation-wide projects and initiatives for the foundation's five Africa offices, located in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Kenya (Nairobi), Nigeria (Abuja), Senegal (Dakar), and South Africa (Johannesburg). This is a Regional Country Office role and requires periodic travel, depending on program and operational needs.

What You'll Do

• Act as subject matter expert of all local accounting and tax guidance for the Africa region including representing GFAS on projects that require collaboration with cross-functional teams including legal, IT, Operations, etc.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures in accordance with local accounting guidance and internal controls.
• General ledger management for financial statement accounts including review of accounting and tax related journal entries and account reconciliations prepared by outsourced accounting vendor.
• Perform monthly and annual analytics of financial statement reports and schedules.
• Prepare financial statements, regulatory filings and supporting schedules in accordance with local regulatory standards for the Africa region.
• Manage financial statement and tax audits for the Africa region.
• Monitor changes to local accounting standards and tax requirements in collaboration with US-based GFAS colleagues and implement new processes to operationalize new or updated guidance.
• Manage contracts and vendor relationships for local outsourced accounting vendors.
• Oversee daily operations of external vendors including setting expectations for outsourced accounting work.
• Act as the main GFAS point of contact for Africa regional office colleagues and help address questions related to finance policies, payments, credit cards, coding etc.
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations, Africa to review and implement process improvements that strengthen financial and operational coordination.

Your Experience

• Bachelor's or other advanced degree, with 10+ years of Accounting/Finance experience.
• CPA/ACCA or equivalent professional certification required.
• Technically proficient in accounting operations and possess knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards in Africa office regions.
• Experience researching sophisticated issues (accounting, payroll, tax, regulatory) and providing well-reasoned recommendations.
• Experience working under pressure, often in a deadline driven and fast paced environment.
• Proficient project management skills with the ability to supervise and lead the work of others, including outside vendors.
• Strong initiative, organization skills and ability to work autonomously and cross-functionally while remaining flexible to changing tasks and priorities.
• Proven ability to bring work/projects to completion by quickly learning relevant information with minimal direction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to influence and engage staff and external partners at all levels.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.
• Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, a solution orientation, and the ability to identify new ways of working, including leveraging automation and AI.
• Understands end-to-end process management, including organizational change and internal controls.
• ⁠Experience working in heavily matrixed environments, across multiple teams and divisions, and managing changing priorities.
• Proven ability to build positive relationships and credibility with business partners and key decision makers.

Other Attributes

• Must have legal authorization to work in Kenya without the need for visa sponsorship
• Ability to travel up to 40% domestically and internationally.
• Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic and operational situations, demonstrating culturally sensitive behaviour with a diverse range of people and a deep commitment to development issues and high standards of personal integrity.

Hiring Requirements
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement
We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.