Ronalds LLP: Pioneering Cloud-Based Audit, Tax, and Accounting Services in Kenya
Ronalds LLP, a leading accounting and auditing firm in Nairobi, is redefining professional services in Africa through cloud-based audit, tax, and accounting solutions. Under the leadership of Ronald Bwosi, the firm delivers secure, cost-effective, and innovative audit services, tax advisory services, and accounting services in Kenya, catering to both local and international clients.
The interview emphasizes how Ronalds LLP is leveraging Africa’s youthful workforce and cutting-edge technology to provide outsourcing of accounting services, client accounting services (CAS), assurance engagements, tax compliance, and outsourced CFO services. By offering a virtual finance manager for strategic decision-making, Ronalds LLP provides businesses in Kenya and abroad with flexible and efficient financial solutions.
As a proud member of Allinial Global, an independent network of firms in over 110 countries, Ronalds LLP supports global financial consolidation for multinational clients. For example, the firm has successfully partnered with teams in the United States, Germany, Nigeria, and Kenya to consolidate multinational accounts, avoiding bureaucratic challenges faced by larger networks.
The firm also highlights Africa’s competitive advantages over traditional outsourcing hubs like India and the Philippines—clear English communication, high-quality delivery, youthful professionals, and cost-efficiency. With growing trust in African service providers, Ronalds LLP positions itself as a reliable partner for businesses seeking top accounting firms in Nairobi, best audit firms in Kenya, and cost-effective tax compliance services in Africa.
Through strategic outsourcing and technology-driven innovation, Ronalds LLP demonstrates how Kenya is emerging as a global hub for accounting, audit, and tax advisory solutions, making it one of the best alternatives to India and the Philippines for outsourced accounting services.
What is Africa’s role in the global business landscape?
Africa does not only need the world, the world needs Africa. For those who do not understand that and many business people still do not, they will, in twenty years’ time, regret it. If you look at America, especially in the accounting profession, there is a shrinking labour force. My American colleagues running practices there tell me they cannot access labour because of the ageing population. If you look at Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria, you will find the labour they are looking for: young, energetic people. More than 60 percent of the African population is below the age of 25. That gives any firm rising from Africa a competitive edge.
How are you leveraging this youthful labour force?
Our strategy is outsourcing for businesses in America. We now have the necessary technological infrastructure to deliver accounting work, tax services, and assurance engagements from Africa. We are leveraging youthful, well-educated, and passionate labour. They are hungry for work, committed to getting the job done, and the cost of living in Africa is lower, which makes labour less expensive.
What services can you provide to international companies?
One is outsourcing of accounting services, what you normally call Client Accounting Services (CAS). With automation, we can handle client accounting services, maintain books, and prepare financial statements. The second service is assurance, or audit. With limited labour and increased compliance needs in America, we can provide audits. Our team and technology ensure compliance with regulations such as CAS. Third, we can provide tax outsourcing supporting tax returns and compliance. Finally, we can offer outsourced CFO services. Companies can get a virtual finance manager who oversees financial strategy and decision-making remotely, cutting costs.
If I am an American company, why should I choose Africa over local providers or India?
That is the challenge, stereotyping. Many who have not travelled to Africa do not understand our capacity. Historically, Americans outsourced mostly to India, the Philippines, and Bangladesh. But Africa has a competitive edge. In the Asian market, language and clarity of communication can be barriers. In contrast, countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria communicate in clear English. Ugandans, for example, speak English closer to American English. We have tested services from India. While quality can be high, it is expensive. In Africa, we offer quality, clarity, and cost-efficiency.
Can you share a concrete example of outsourcing success?
Yes. An accounting firm in California had been outsourcing to India but was dissatisfied. Through our association, they tested us with a few assignments. They were surprised by the quality, efficiency, and clarity of communication. They could not believe the work was delivered from Africa. We are now signing an MOU to take on more outsourced work.
Do you have other examples?
Yes. One of our clients is a large multinational pharmaceutical company with operations in more than ten countries, including Mali, Germany, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Kenya. Their head office is in Delaware, U.S. They struggled to consolidate accounts globally because large accounting networks require bureaucratic conflict-of-interest declarations. We leveraged our membership in Allinial Global (an independent association of accounting firms in over 110 countries). Because members are independent, we avoided such bureaucracy. We engaged firms in Berlin, Delaware, Nigeria, and Kenya, and put together a global team to deliver the consolidated accounts.
With Allinial Global, does this mean challenges are solved?
Not entirely. Trust remains a challenge. For example, we are still working to build trust with the Australian market. Convincing clients takes time, especially in regions where people have little exposure to Africa. It requires patience and consistent proof of quality. Growth is not a quick fix, it is step by step.
How can you accelerate growth? Through partnerships?
Yes, partnerships are key. A local partner who knows the market accelerates growth. But it is difficult to find open-minded local partners in some regions.
Finally, what message would you like to share with the world about Africa and its business future?
Africa is rising, and the world needs to take it seriously. Beyond natural resources, there is an abundant and growing labour market, offering new service opportunities. Africa can deliver global solutions through skilled, youthful professionals and emerging service industries. The world needs to trust Africans and have confidence in our ability to provide solutions to global challenges.