Accountant

Job description

Job Summary: We are seeking a versatile and proactive Accountant to provide high-level financial support to a portfolio of diverse businesses. This is not just a “number-crunching” role; you will serve as a strategic partner, helping businesses build robust financial foundations, ensure tax compliance, and strengthen internal controls. A significant portion of this role involves mentorship and training, where you will empower business owners and their teams through financial literacy programs and hands-on bookkeeping coaching. This position offers the unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the growth and sustainability of multiple businesses. You won’t just be managing books; you will be building the financial infrastructure that allows entrepreneurs to thrive. The ideal candidate is a proactive, senior finance professional with experience managing complex financial operations across multiple businesses, projects and loan portfolios, and leading others to deliver accurate, compliant and timely financial work. Managing and maintaining financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting principles and regulations, and providing essential financial insights to support effective decision-making within the organisation. Responsible for a range of financial activities, from recording transactions and reconciling accounts to preparing financial statements, tax compliance and assisting with audits.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Needs Assessment & Systems Design

• Conduct accounting and finance needs assessments for portfolio businesses and prepare clear narrative assessment reports with recommendations.
• Design charts of accounts tailored to each business model.
• Deploy, configure and improve accounting systems, including opening balances, data migration and reporting templates, and ensure data accuracy and effective staff adoption.
• Develop dashboards that give business owners and management actionable financial insights.
• Develop, update and implement financial manuals, policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for procurement, approvals, payables, receivables, payroll and cash management.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Oversee the preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, and ensure complete, up-to-date accounting records (general ledger, journals, reconciliations).
• Consolidate portfolio-level financial reports and ensure consistent accounting practices across businesses.
• Prepare monthly financial analysis reports with clear commentary on revenue, margins, costs and cash flow.
• Reconcile Profit & Loss figures to source records (bank statements, sales and purchase records) and correct errors.
• Identify financial risks such as loss-making product lines, insolvency indicators and heavy debt or interest burdens, and advise on corrective action.

Tax Consultation & Compliance

• Ensure timely submission of all statutory returns (URA, NSSF), including VAT, PAYE, withholding tax, and provisional and annual income tax returns.
• Monitor regulatory updates and guide businesses on their compliance implications, including VAT registration and deregistration.
• Review NSSF remittances and statutory deductions for completeness and accuracy.
• Draft formal correspondence to URA and compliance notices to business directors.

Internal Controls, Audit & Risk Management

• Strengthen procurement, approval, payment and reporting controls, and develop internal control frameworks to prevent fraud and errors.
• Conduct periodic internal audits and special investigations and prepare formal investigation reports.
• Implement corrective actions, provide actionable recommendations to business owners, and ensure adherence to financial policies.
• Maintain complete audit trails and support external audits with minimal findings.

Financial Projections, Cash Flow & Loan Portfolio

• Analyse unit economics, cost structures and pricing for portfolio businesses.
• Build financial models, cash flow projections and budgets, track budget vs. actual performance, and assess each business’s financial runway.
• Provide scenario planning and financial modelling to support hiring, investment and other strategic decisions.
• Oversee loan disbursement, tracking, repayment and performance monitoring for portfolio businesses where applicable.
• Prepare investment-readiness documentation and financial inputs for loan and investor applications.
• Prepare investor and lender materials, including pitch decks and loan applications.

Project, Grant & Programme Accounting

• Manage end-to-end project and grant accounting, including cost allocations and burn rates.
• Prepare programme completion reports and portfolio-level reports for partners and funders
• Prepare technical and financial proposals, action plans and work plans for tenders and new engagements.

Team Leadership, Training & Capacity Building

• Deliver financial management training to business owners and their teams on bookkeeping, cash flow, P&L statements, balance sheets and internal controls.
• Supervise, coach and review the work of junior accountants and support their recruitment, onboarding and performance management.
• Act as a long-term advisor, guiding businesses through scaling challenges.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• A full ACCA/CPA qualification is required.
• At least 7 years of experience in accounting, audit or financial advisory, including at least 2 years in a senior or supervisory finance role.
• Proven experience setting up accounting systems (e.g., Zoho Books, QuickBooks) for SMEs.
• Strong working knowledge of Uganda tax laws and URA and NSSF compliance.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects, multi-project environments or loan portfolio management is an advantage.
• Experience working with startups, SMEs or business support programmes is highly valued.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a passion for solving startup financial problems.
• Strong accounting expertise, including IFRS for SMEs and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and financial modelling skills, with advanced Excel.
• Ability to write clear, professional financial reports for business owners who are not accountants.
• Internal audit and forensic investigation skills.
• Solid understanding of project finance, grant management and loan portfolio tracking.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High integrity, attention to detail, and ability to manage several client engagements accurately.
• May require occasional travel to meet with Enterprises or handle administrative tasks at offsite locations.

About Organisation

StartHub Africa (NGO) and SHA Consulting Group Limited form together StartHub Africa, a hybrid-social venture with the vision to unlock the potential of changemakers to create innovative and scalable businesses across Africa.

Requirements

bachelor degree 84