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 entity's 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 Kenya's 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

KPI Area

Standard / Target

Frequency

SEZA Reporting

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

Quarterly / Annual

Customs Compliance

Zero penalties or fines from customs or SEZ non-compliance

Ongoing

Import/Export Documentation

Zero customs holds due to documentation errors

Per shipment

Monthly Financial Close

Books closed within 5 working days of month-end

Monthly

Statutory Returns

100% on-time filing of VAT, PAYE, NSSF, NHIF, NITA, Housing Levy

Monthly

External & Internal Audits

No material audit findings

Annual / As required

Duty Exemption Records

Accurate maintenance with variance < 2%

Quarterly

Inventory Reconciliation

Physical count vs system variance within acceptable thresholds

Quarterly

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:

Core Value

What It Looks Like in This Role

Customer Obsession

Every order picked correctly, every delivery on time, every damaged product reported  the customer experience starts in this warehouse.

Agile Value Delivery

OTIF is 95% or it is not good enough. You flag problems immediately so they are solved today, not discovered by the customer tomorrow.

Teamwork

Warehouse, Logistics, Sales, and Finance are one team. You do not pass a problem to the next shift. You solve it and document it.

Honesty & Accountability

If stock is missing, you say so. If a delivery is delayed, you say so before the customer calls. No surprises. No cover-ups.

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 2–3 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 Controller,Chief Accountant (KIL),Warehouse & Logistics Team (SUT SEZ),Production Team (SUT SEZ).

•