Financial Operations & Accounting Administrator

About us:

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. Lenders on Kiva can start with as little as $25 to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s gender equity and support for women, refugees, climate change, small businesses, agriculture, and more. Since our founding, over two million people have invested over $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 100 countries and over 5 million borrowers.

As we work toward our mission, Kiva invests in building and retaining a global team of talent to add to our values-driven and digital-first culture. Our organization is supported by over 700 volunteers and 130+ full time employees dispersed around the world, as well as within team hubs located in San Francisco, Nairobi, Bogota, and Bangkok. Kiva’s team is growing as we pursue exciting new opportunities to scale our impact and create a financially inclusive world.

Kiva's values:

Impact first - This is why we exist. This is the drumbeat we march to. Every day.

Extreme ownership - Own it; you, your relationships, your impact. Insist that others support you and hold you accountable.

Be curious and bold - Never stop learning. Question assumptions. Take Risks and dream big.

Inclusion. Equity. Diversity. - Without reservation and without caveat. In our hiring, in our workplace and in our impact in the world.

Honor and integrity - Do the most right thing in the most right way. Cherish diversity and respect each other.

Love and kindness always - Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And don't say it mean. Clarity. Courage. Kindness.

Role overview:

In close coordination with the Kiva User Funds (KUF) Finance & Operations Team, the Financial Operations & Accounting Administrator will leverage operational finance skills and a knowledge of accounting fundamentals to undertake daily, weekly, and monthly operational, finance, and accounting tasks, also providing local operational support for the Nairobi office and the greater region. A successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively, exercising sound judgment, initiative, and autonomy while collaborating successfully with colleagues across geographically dispersed offices. They will be able to navigate multiple systems, becoming an expert on Kiva’s homegrown systems to confidently own and lead processes and provide cross-functional departmental support in a global time-zone, remote-first workplace.

This role is part of the Kiva User Funds (KUF) Finance and Operations Team, which is responsible for managing and overseeing the flow of funds between lenders and borrowers across Kiva’s lending programs, including MFI partners, managed lenders, individual lenders, and direct borrowers. The team collaborates closely with departments across Kiva, including Impact Investments, Strategic Partnerships, US Direct Lending, Engineering, and Kiva Microfunds Finance, to ensure the accurate, efficient, and accountable movement of funds. This role will report to the KUF Finance & Operations Manager.

At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in Nairobi, Kenya on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately, we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

Key responsibilities include: 

Operations:

• Support in the core finance and operational activities alongside the KUF Finance & Operations Team, ensuring timely and accurate delivery, including:
  • Post daily bank transactions,
  • Investigate and clear payment discrepancy queues
  • Review and post weekly lender withdrawals, including flagging any potential cases of fraud for further review
  • Verify, prepare, and submit monthly payments to partner organizations
  • Support in the preparation, timely reporting, and payments of annual unclaimed property filings
• Review lender and donor contracts to ensure deposits, fees and withdrawals are processed accurately and timely
• Partner across 5 departments to participate, investigate, answer, and follow up on inquiries regarding process issues, transactions and incidents related to lending partners, direct borrowers, individual lenders and managed lending
• Partner alongside the Engineering team to optimize system processes and limitations by identifying and addressing system bugs and enhancements through JIRA tickets, following up on issues and attending and contributing at regular meetings.

Finance & Accounting:

• Push all accounting transactions to Netsuite on a monthly basis
• Record regular monthly and ad-hoc adjusting journal entries in Netsuite
• Prepare, reconcile and submit monthly financial closing reports to the KUF Finance & Operations Manager, including the KUF and KDAF Trial balances, investigating, identifying and resolving variances.
• Support in the preparation of month end revenue reports
• Prepare and file all KUF bank reconciliations and bank statements.
• Support the KUF Finance & Operations Manager in the annual KUF audit
• Act as a flexible and supportive member of the finance organization, providing back up and deepening financial skill set

Core competencies:

• Passionate about our mission and willing to embody our values of impact first, extreme ownership, be curious and bold, inclusion equity and diversity, honor and integrity, love and kindness always
• Ability to quickly learn Kiva specific systems, system limitations, and processes
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute operational processes successfully with a high degree of independence, detail-orientation, and prioritization
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to manage and troubleshoot system functions with Engineering support
• An optimistic outlook and the desire and patience necessary to work in a transformative, dynamic environment
• Commitment to a strong sense of community and integration with other team members

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of related experience in an accounting and/or financial operations role, ideally with a multinational company or NGO
• Experience with Excel, Gsuite products, Salesforce, Netsuite or Looker preferred
• Experience creating and maintaining clear, organized documentation of accounting processes and procedures
• Experience working in the non-profit sector, a plus but not required
• Experience utilizing AI tools to improve efficiency, a plus but not required

What we offer:

• A work-from-home position; final candidate must be authorized to work in Nairobi, Kenya.
• An opportunity to improve real lives, solve hard problems, and change the world
• Friendly, supportive, and adventurous environment with a team of engaged colleagues
• A comprehensive, industry-leading benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, parental leave, professional development, and unlimited PTO. Some of these benefits have eligibility requirements. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid for by Kiva.
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from colleagues and partners around the world.
• We offer JOON, a flexible lifestyle spending account that gives you an annual stipend to spend on Wellness, Professional Development, or Working from Home.

A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kiva's culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!

We will only accept applications directly from candidates. Kiva will not be responsible for any recruiting agency fees, absent a formal agreement.