SEZ Accountant

Position Title: SEZ Accountant

Department: Finance & Compliance

Reports To: Group Financial Controller

Location: Tatu City Special Economic Zone Kiambu County Kenya

Entities Covered: Step Up Technologies SEZ Limited (SUT SEZ)

Direct Reports: None

Employment Type: Full-Time Permanent

About the Role

The SEZ Accountant is the custodian of all financial records customs documentation and regulatory compliance for SUT SEZ. This role carries end-to-end ownership of the entitys books of accounts import and export documentation SEZ Authority (SEZA) reporting duty and tax exemption administration and inventory accounting within the Tatu City Special Economic Zone. The role holder ensures that SUT SEZ operates in full compliance with Kenyas Special Economic Zones Act (2015) the East African Community Customs Management Act and all KRA requirements while maintaining accurate timely and audit-ready financial records that support the manufacturing operations of Vision Plus.

Key Measures of Performance

Financial Accuracy & Timeliness

Monthly books closed within 5 working days of month-end.

100% on-time filing of all statutory returns (VAT PAYE NSSF NHIF NITA Housing Levy).

Zero material findings in external and internal audits.

SEZ Compliance & Reporting

100% on-time submission of quarterly and annual SEZA reports.

Zero penalties or fines arising from customs or SEZ non-compliance.

Accurate maintenance of duty exemption utilization records (variance < 2%).

Customs & Documentation

Zero customs holds due to import/export documentation errors.

Complete and accurate SEZ materials movement register at all times.

Inventory & Production Accounting

Physical inventory count vs system variance within acceptable thresholds.

Accurate BOM costing and production variance analysis completed monthly.

Organization Reporting Structure:

Key Responsibilities:

Day-to-Day Accounting & Financial Management (25%)

Maintain accurate and up-to-date books of accounts for SUT SEZ in Zoho Books / Zoho Inventory.

Process and record all financial transactions purchases sales payments receipts journals and inter-company transactions between SUT SEZ and KIL.

Prepare monthly bank reconciliations accounts payable/receivable reconciliations and general ledger reviews.

Process supplier invoices verify supporting documentation and manage the payment cycle.

Maintain the fixed asset register for all manufacturing plant and equipment within the SEZ.

Prepare monthly quarterly and annual management accounts and financial statements for SUT SEZ.

Manage petty cash and ensure proper documentation and reconciliation.

Ensure timely filing of all statutory returns VAT PAYE NSSF NHIF NITA and Housing Levy.

2. SEZ Compliance & Reporting (20%)

Ensure full compliance with the Special Economic Zones Act 2015 and the SEZ Regulations 2016 (and subsequent amendments).

Prepare and submit all periodic reports required by SEZA:

Quarterly performance reports

Annual returns and audited financial statements to SEZA

Investment and employment reports

Production and output reports

Capital expenditure and technology transfer reports

Monitor compliance with SEZ licence conditions minimum investment thresholds employment targets and export obligations.

Maintain records and documentation supporting all SEZ tax exemptions and incentives (corporate tax VAT customs duty stamp duty).

Liaise with SEZA officials during inspections audits and compliance reviews.

Track and report on SEZ performance metrics as required by the regulator.

Monitor changes to SEZ legislation and advise management on compliance implications.

3. Import & Export Documentation & Customs Compliance (25%)

Prepare review and manage all import documentation for raw materials components and capital goods entering the SEZ:

Import Declaration Forms (IDF) / Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC)

Custom Entry forms (IM4 IM7 IM8 for SEZ imports)

Bills of Lading / Airway Bills Commercial Invoices Packing Lists Certificates of Origin

KEBS import standardization marks (ISM) and exemption documentation

Prepare and process export documentation for finished goods leaving the SEZ:

Export Entry forms (EX1 EX2 EX3)

Certificates of Origin (COMESA EAC AfCFTA)

Domestic Purchase Certificates for goods moving from SEZ to domestic territory

Duty remission and exemption claim documentation

Maintain the SEZ materials movement register (goods received WIP finished goods scrap/waste goods dispatched).

Coordinate with customs clearing agents shipping lines freight forwarders and KRA Customs.

Ensure compliance with the EAC Customs Management Act and Regulations.

Manage and reconcile duty exemption certificates and monitor utilization against approved allocations.

Process and track all customs bonds and guarantees related to SEZ operations.

Support implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme where applicable.

4. Tax & Incentive Administration (10%)

Administer and document all SEZ fiscal incentives:

Corporate Income Tax exemptions / reduced rates applicable to SEZ enterprises

VAT zero-rating and exemptions on goods and services consumed within the SEZ

Customs duty and import VAT exemptions on raw materials machinery and capital equipment

Stamp duty exemptions on instruments executed within the SEZ

Withholding tax exemptions where applicable

Maintain proper documentation to support all tax exemption claims during KRA audits.

Prepare and file SEZ-specific tax returns and declarations.

Reconcile input VAT on SEZ imports versus output VAT on domestic sales and manage the reverse VAT mechanism.

5. Inventory & Production Accounting (10%)

Maintain accurate inventory records for raw materials semi-finished goods and finished goods within the SEZ bonded area.

Conduct or support periodic physical inventory counts and reconcile to system records.

Track and account for production wastage scrap and by-products in line with SEZ regulations.

Support costing of manufactured goods including BOM direct labour and manufacturing overhead allocation.

Reconcile materials consumption to production output and investigate variances.

6. Stakeholder Coordination & Liaison (10%)

Act as the primary point of contact for SEZA KRA Customs KEBS and Tatu City SEZ administration on accounting and compliance matters.

Coordinate with external auditors tax advisors and legal counsel on SEZ-related matters.

Work closely with the warehouse and production team to ensure accurate goods movement documentation.

Liaise with the KIL finance team on inter-company transactions transfer pricing documentation and consolidated reporting.

Support external and internal audits by providing timely and accurate documentation.

Performance Standards & KPIs

Non-Negotiable Standards

Always:

Ensure 100% accuracy and completeness of all customs and import/export documentation before submission.

Submit SEZA quarterly and annual reports on or before the stipulated deadline.

Maintain complete audit trails for every SEZ tax exemption and duty remission claim.

Reconcile all inter-company transactions with KIL within the monthly close cycle.

Report any suspected compliance breach or regulatory change to management immediately.

Safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of all financial records and customs documentation.

Never:

Process or approve any import/export documentation without complete and verified supporting documents.

File statutory returns or SEZA reports late.

Allow duty exemption certificates to expire or be utilized beyond approved allocations without authorization.

Make entries in the books of accounts without proper authorization and supporting documentation.

Misrepresent production data inventory records or compliance status to any regulatory authority.

Our Core Values Applied to This Role:

Academic and Professional Qualifications:

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) minimum Grade C (required).

Diploma or Certificate in Logistics Supply Chain Management or Transport Management (preferred).

Minimum 23 years experience in logistics coordination fleet management or distribution in a consumer goods environment.

Proficiency in Zoho Inventory or a comparable logistics management system.

Experience managing 3PL providers and negotiating delivery SLAs.

Valid driving licence (advantage covers for Driver where necessary).

Strong MS Excel skills ability to build and maintain delivery trackers and cost reports.

Strategic Competencies:

Regulatory Acumen: Deep understanding of SEZ legislation customs law and tax regulations; ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory frameworks to daily operations.

Financial Rigour: Unwavering commitment to accuracy in financial reporting reconciliations and statutory compliance; ensures audit-readiness at all times.

Stakeholder Management: Skilled at building and maintaining productive relationships with regulatory authorities (SEZA KRA KEBS) and internal cross-functional teams.

Process Orientation: Designs and maintains robust documentation and control processes for import/export workflows duty exemptions and inventory tracking.

Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves compliance gaps documentation discrepancies and financial variances proactively before they escalate.

Adaptability: Stays current with evolving SEZ legislation customs procedures and tax regulations; adjusts processes and advises management accordingly.

Other Job Requirements:

Key Contacts Internal & External:

Internal: Group Financial ControllerChief Accountant (KIL)Warehouse & Logistics Team (SUT SEZ)Production Team (SUT SEZ).

Required Skills:

Academic and Professional Qualifications: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) minimum Grade C (required). Diploma or Certificate in Logistics Supply Chain Management or Transport Management (preferred). Minimum 23 years experience in logistics coordination fleet management or distribution in a consumer goods environment. Proficiency in Zoho Inventory or a comparable logistics management system. Experience managing 3PL providers and negotiating delivery SLAs. Valid driving licence (advantage covers for Driver where necessary). Strong MS Excel skills ability to build and maintain delivery trackers and cost reports. Strategic Competencies: Regulatory Acumen: Deep understanding of SEZ legislation customs law and tax regulations; ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory frameworks to daily operations. Financial Rigour: Unwavering commitment to accuracy in financial reporting reconciliations and statutory compliance; ensures audit-readiness at all times. Stakeholder Management: Skilled at building and maintaining productive relationships with regulatory authorities (SEZA KRA KEBS) and internal cross-functional teams. Process Orientation: Designs and maintains robust documentation and control processes for import/export workflows duty exemptions and inventory tracking. Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves compliance gaps documentation discrepancies and financial variances proactively before they escalate. Adaptability: Stays current with evolving SEZ legislation customs procedures and tax regulations; adjusts processes and advises management accordingly.

Required Education:

Academic and Professional Qualifications:Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) minimum Grade C (required).Diploma or Certificate in Logistics Supply Chain Management or Transport Management (preferred).Minimum 23 years experience in logistics coordination fleet management or distribution in a consumer goods in Zoho Inventory or a comparable logistics management managing 3PL providers and negotiating delivery driving