Tax Associate (1 Position) at Centum – Kenya – April 2025

Tax Associate (1 Position) at Centum – Kenya – April 2025

ESSENTIAL JOB DETAILS

• Position: Tax Associate

• Location: Kenya

• Job Type: Full-Time

• Industry Category: Finance, Taxation, Compliance

• Application Deadline: 7th April 2025 (COB)

• Date Posted: 1st April 2025

INTRODUCTION

Are you a tax professional seeking to work in a dynamic, value-driven investment environment? This opportunity at Centum, a leading investment management company in Kenya and the region, offers you a platform to apply your tax knowledge across diverse industries and international jurisdictions.

As a Tax Associate, you will support complex transactions, ensure tax compliance, optimize fiscal strategies, and engage with a broad network of stakeholders. This is more than just a compliance role—it is a strategic finance position within one of East Africa’s most respected investment companies.

If you are a CPA(K) certified professional with strong analytical capabilities, decision-making skills, and experience handling multi-jurisdictional tax affairs, this is your chance to contribute meaningfully to Centum’s continued growth and operational excellence.

ABOUT CENTUM INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Centum Investment Company Plc is a leading investment management firm listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and cross-listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange. The company’s primary focus is on generating wealth for its shareholders by investing across private equity, real estate, and development sectors in Kenya and the wider East African region.

Centum is known for driving economic impact through strategic partnerships, bold innovations, and sustainable investments. The company is a diversified investment powerhouse with interests in manufacturing, financial services, agribusiness, energy, education, and healthcare.

With a strong governance structure, robust risk management, and value-focused strategies, Centum continues to create long-term value for its portfolio companies while maintaining strict regulatory and compliance standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Tax Associate, you will play a strategic role in supporting the Head of Tax to ensure effective tax compliance, risk management, and optimization across Centum’s portfolio of companies, including offshore subsidiaries.

The responsibilities are grouped into four critical domains:

1. Tax Optimization and Value Creation

• Transaction Structuring
  Support the Head of Tax in designing and implementing tax-efficient structures for group reorganizations, investments, asset transfers, and exits.

• Incentive Identification
  Research and identify applicable tax exemptions, incentives, and industry-specific tax breaks that reduce the overall tax burden on Centum and its portfolio companies.

• Advisory Role
  Provide in-house transaction advisory services, focusing on mergers, acquisitions, and disposals while ensuring fiscal efficiency.

• Cash Flow Improvement
  Take proactive steps to unlock tax refunds from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), enhancing liquidity and cash flow across operating entities.

2. Compliance and Risk Management

• Internal Compliance Oversight

Conduct routine internal tax reviews across portfolio companies to ensure compliance with local and international tax laws.

Implement robust internal controls and monitoring systems for tax risk mitigation.

Supervise timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual tax computations as part of the financial reporting framework.

Collaborate with finance teams to review business transactions for compliance and tax efficiency.

• External Compliance Oversight

Lead the handling of KRA engagements including audits, verifications, and inquiries.

Efficiently manage tax disputes and litigation, aiming for cost-saving and resolution-focused outcomes.

Maintain timely filing of tax returns, including VAT, PAYE, Withholding Tax, and Corporate Tax, for all applicable jurisdictions.

• Offshore Compliance Management

Provide oversight on the tax matters of Mauritius and other offshore subsidiaries.

Ensure full adherence to international tax laws, statutory filing requirements, and governance frameworks for Centum’s global operations.

Monitor cross-border tax implications including BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) risks and transfer pricing regulations.

3. Tax Knowledge Development and Stakeholder Engagement

• Training and Capacity Building
  Organize and deliver customized tax training sessions to key departments including business units, finance teams, and investment officers, promoting continuous learning and risk awareness.

• Stakeholder Communication
  Prepare and distribute monthly or quarterly tax updates, policy change advisories, and actionable tax strategy notes to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Legal Interpretation and Planning
  Analyze emerging tax legislation and case law to assess their implications for Centum’s business strategies and transactions. Support the development of position papers and compliance responses.

4. Cross-Functional Support and Strategic Input

• Provide real-time advisory support to investment deal teams on tax risks during due diligence and contract structuring phases.

• Contribute to process improvement and digitization of tax operations, including use of tax analytics and dashboards.

• Collaborate with external consultants, tax lawyers, and audit firms to optimize Centum’s tax posture and reduce regulatory exposure.

• Participate in internal strategy sessions and budgeting processes where tax optimization impacts operational decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Centum is seeking a competent, committed, and detail-oriented individual who brings strong technical knowledge, a collaborative attitude, and a results-driven mindset.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Law, or any business-related discipline

• Certified Public Accountant – CPA(K)

• A minimum of 3–4 years of relevant work experience in a tax function, ideally within a reputable audit or tax consultancy firm

Required Competencies:

• Solid understanding of Kenyan tax legislation, KRA guidelines, and emerging tax trends

• Experience in handling multi-jurisdictional tax matters, including offshore structures

• Proven ability to negotiate and resolve tax disputes with tax authorities

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to simplify complex tax issues for non-tax audiences

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and stakeholder presentations

• Ability to multitask and manage timelines under high-pressure situations

• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professionalism

• Excellent interpersonal skills and team collaboration

• Keen attention to detail and willingness to deep-dive into documentation and regulation

WHY JOIN CENTUM?

Working at Centum means becoming part of an ambitious, high-performing, and innovation-led organization. As a Tax Associate, you will enjoy:

• Exposure to high-value strategic transactions across multiple sectors

• Working with some of the most talented minds in East Africa’s financial services sector

• A front-row seat in portfolio management, offshore governance, and investment advisory

• An opportunity to sharpen your tax, compliance, and cross-border knowledge

• A supportive environment that values ethics, performance, and personal growth

• Competitive compensation and opportunities for advancement into senior tax or finance leadership roles

• A chance to contribute to national and regional economic transformation through compliant, tax-efficient investment practices

HOW TO APPLY

If you meet the above criteria and are ready to advance your tax career with one of Kenya’s premier investment firms, we encourage you to apply.

Application Deadline: Monday, 7th April 2025 (Close of Business)

Please email your updated CV and a brief cover letter highlighting your tax experience and motivation for joining Centum to:

careers@centum.co.ke

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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