Accountant-Tax

Safaricom is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Accountant – Tax to join its Finance Division and support the company’s tax compliance, regulatory reporting, and strategic tax planning activities. This opportunity is ideal for professionals looking for tax accounting jobs in Kenya, careers at Safaricom, or Finance & Accounting job opportunities within a leading telecommunications company.

Key Job Information

• Position: Accountant – Tax
• Location: Safaricom House, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Experience Level: Mid-level
• Application Deadline: 24 November 2025, 23:55

About Safaricom

Safaricom is the leading telecommunications provider in East Africa, committed to transforming lives by connecting people to opportunities, information, and digital solutions that drive economic empowerment. Since its founding in 1997, the company has grown into a regional leader operating at the intersection of technology, mobile connectivity, financial inclusion, and digital innovation.

With over 42 million active customers, Safaricom plays a central role in the social and economic framework of Kenya. The company supports more than one million jobs directly and indirectly and continues to shape the regional digital economy through pioneering innovations, including the globally acclaimed mobile money platform M-PESA. Safaricom is publicly listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and generates annual revenues of close to KES 298 billion.

The organization is deeply committed to integrity, innovation, inclusion, and excellence—values that define its culture, guide employee behavior, and shape customer experiences. Safaricom consistently invests in developing its people, offering continuous learning opportunities, career progression, and exposure to world-class financial systems and technologies.

Job Description

The Accountant – Tax plays a critical role in ensuring accurate and timely tax compliance across the business. Reporting to the Senior Manager – Tax, this role supports the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns, ensures adherence to statutory deadlines, and maintains proper documentation to reduce tax exposure risks. The position also collaborates closely with internal teams, auditors, and regulatory authorities to resolve tax matters, interpret evolving tax policies, and provide guidance on tax implications for business activities.

This role contributes significantly to the organization’s financial integrity by supporting tax planning, analyzing tax risks, reviewing expenses for optimal claimable credits, and ensuring proper reconciliation of tax accounts. It also supports the continuous improvement of financial systems, participates in statutory audits, and contributes to tax training initiatives within the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly Withholding Tax (WHT) and Withholding VAT returns, including all supporting schedules, ensuring timely statutory filings.
• Prepare corporate tax returns for all designated subsidiaries, ensuring accuracy and completeness for reporting and compliance.
• Coordinate quarterly instalment tax payments within required deadlines.
• Reconcile VAT and WHT receivable balances against tax certificates and general ledger accounts, and follow up on outstanding certificates.
• Review expenses to support optimal input VAT recovery and compliance with tax legislation.
• Support tax planning initiatives and identify opportunities for tax optimization and exposure mitigation.
• Ensure accurate computation of import duties and maintain supporting documentation for all import tax obligations.
• Liaise with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), internal teams, and external auditors to address tax-related inquiries promptly.
• Support evaluation and implementation of tax policy changes arising from the Finance Act or gazetted amendments.
• Participate in monthly balance sheet reviews and prepare supporting schedules.
• Assist in developing tax training content and delivering internal tax education sessions.
• Analyze fixed asset additions to determine qualifying investment allowances.
• Support statutory and regulatory audit processes by preparing necessary tax information and schedules.
• Uphold Safaricom’s safety, health, and wellbeing standards and maintain adherence to all internal policies and controls.

Required Qualifications

• Honors degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Full professional certification such as CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in tax accounting or similar roles within reputable organizations, accounting firms, or law firms.
• Strong understanding of Kenyan tax legislation, compliance standards, and statutory reporting requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with large corporate tax environments or multinational companies.
• Advanced skills in financial systems, tax reconciliation tools, and ERP platforms.
• Strong analytical capabilities and familiarity with complex tax planning scenarios.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.

Benefits and Compensation

Safaricom offers a competitive compensation package aligned with its position as a market leader. Employees enjoy comprehensive benefits, including health coverage, pension plans, professional development support, and access to cutting-edge digital tools and systems. The company fosters a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and employee wellbeing, ensuring long-term career growth and opportunities for advancement within the Finance Division and beyond.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply using the Apply Now button below. Applicants are encouraged to update their candidate profile and attach their most recent resume before submitting.