Job Summary

Vanguard Economics Holding Group (VEHG) Vanguard Economics Holding Group is recruiting a Financial Controller to join our Senior Management Team and lead the finance and accounting function across our regional operations. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for strengthening reporting, ensuring full tax compliance, and driving disciplined budget execution across multiple entities. The Financial Controller will provide strategic and operational leadership to deliver accurate multi-entity financial reporting, maintain robust internal controls, ensure statutory and tax compliance in Rwanda and Uganda, and support management decision-making through timely insights and high-quality reporting. The role also requires practical understanding of the tax and accounting treatment for exported consulting services, particularly across Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, to support cross-border service delivery and invoicing.

Job Details

Key Responsibilities

1) Financial Reporting & Holding Company Accounts

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close across Rwanda entities and oversee Uganda close outputs.
• Prepare and review Board packs, management accounts, statutory financial statements, and holding company reporting (including intercompany reconciliations and consolidation support where applicable, and strategic guidance).
• Ensure balance sheet integrity through strong reconciliations (banks, receivables, payables, accruals, intercompany, fixed assets).
• Deliver variance analysis, performance commentary, and actionable financial insights to senior leadership.

2) Tax Compliance & Statutory Filings (Rwanda & Uganda; Kenya Exposure)

• Ensure end-to-end compliance for applicable taxes (e.g., VAT, PAYE/withholding, corporate income tax, and other statutory submissions as required).
• Maintain up-to-date working knowledge of Rwanda and Uganda tax laws and compliance requirements, ensuring timely and accurate filings.
• Coordinate audits and tax reviews, preparing schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation; respond to queries and assessments promptly.
• Apply sound judgement on the tax treatment of cross-border consulting services, including exports of services, documentation requirements, and compliance considerations in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.

3) Budget Execution & Financial Management

• Support annual budget development and lead budget execution monitoring across entities.
• Track spend vs budget, analyse variances, and recommend corrective actions to protect margins and ensure cost discipline.
• Strengthen cash flow planning, forecasting, and working capital management.

4) Systems, Controls & Process Improvement (QuickBooks)

• Drive high-quality accounting operations using QuickBooks (chart of accounts governance, posting discipline, audit trails, and reporting structure).
• Strengthen internal controls, develop/maintain SOPs, and ensure consistent accounting policies across all entities.
• Improve reporting automation and accuracy through structured templates and reliable monthly packs.

5) People Leadership & Cross-Border Coordination

• Lead, coach, and performance-manage two accountants in Rwanda; supervise and quality-review outputs from one accountant in Uganda.
• Standardize processes, close calendars, and reporting templates across Rwanda and Uganda.
• Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional excellence in the finance team.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Professional Certification: CPA or equivalent (e.g., ACCA or similar).
• Experience: Minimum 7–10 years in a comparable role, preferably within the consulting services sector and/or multi-entity environments.
• Proven experience in:
  • Business reporting and tax compliance
  • Preparation of Board, management, financial, and holding company accounts
  • Budget execution and management
  • Strong proficiency in QuickBooks and advanced Excel skills.

Key Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Rwanda and Uganda tax compliance requirements; exposure to Kenya tax considerations is a strong advantage.
• Practical understanding of the export of consulting services and related cross-border invoicing and documentation.
• Ability to manage multi-entity reporting, intercompany reconciliations, and deadline-driven closes.
• Strong leadership and quality-control mindset with excellent stakeholder management.
• High integrity, strong analytical skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong communication and presentation skills (written and Oral)

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package based on the labour market and candidate’s experience
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• A chance to make a meaningful impact by contributing to transformative projects that drive development across various sectors in Africa

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close across Rwanda entities and oversee Uganda close outputs.
• Prepare and review Board packs, management accounts, statutory financial statements, and holding company reporting (including intercompany reconciliations and consolidation support where applicable, and strategic guidance).
• Ensure balance sheet integrity through strong reconciliations (banks, receivables, payables, accruals, intercompany, fixed assets).
• Deliver variance analysis, performance commentary, and actionable financial insights to senior leadership.
• Ensure end-to-end compliance for applicable taxes (e.g., VAT, PAYE/withholding, corporate income tax, and other statutory submissions as required).
• Maintain up-to-date working knowledge of Rwanda and Uganda tax laws and compliance requirements, ensuring timely and accurate filings.
• Coordinate audits and tax reviews, preparing schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation; respond to queries and assessments promptly.
• Apply sound judgement on the tax treatment of cross-border consulting services, including exports of services, documentation requirements, and compliance considerations in Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
• Support annual budget development and lead budget execution monitoring across entities.
• Track spend vs budget, analyse variances, and recommend corrective actions to protect margins and ensure cost discipline.
• Strengthen cash flow planning, forecasting, and working capital management.
• Drive high-quality accounting operations using QuickBooks (chart of accounts governance, posting discipline, audit trails, and reporting structure).
• Strengthen internal controls, develop/maintain SOPs, and ensure consistent accounting policies across all entities.
• Improve reporting automation and accuracy through structured templates and reliable monthly packs.
• Lead, coach, and performance-manage two accountants in Rwanda; supervise and quality-review outputs from one accountant in Uganda.
• Standardize processes, close calendars, and reporting templates across Rwanda and Uganda.
• Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional excellence in the finance team.

• Strong knowledge of Rwanda and Uganda tax compliance requirements; exposure to Kenya tax considerations is a strong advantage.
• Practical understanding of the export of consulting services and related cross-border invoicing and documentation.
• Ability to manage multi-entity reporting, intercompany reconciliations, and deadline-driven closes.
• Strong leadership and quality-control mindset with excellent stakeholder management.
• High integrity, strong analytical skills, and exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong communication and presentation skills (written and Oral)
• Strong proficiency in QuickBooks and advanced Excel skills.

• CPA or equivalent (e.g., ACCA or similar).
• Minimum 7–10 years in a comparable role, preferably within the consulting services sector and/or multi-entity environments.
• Proven experience in business reporting and tax compliance.
• Proven experience in preparation of Board, management, financial, and holding company accounts.
• Proven experience in budget execution and management.
• Strong proficiency in QuickBooks and advanced Excel skills.