Financial Analyst Certified Public
Resume:
Francois SONGA
MBA, CPA, BSc Hons Acc, FMVA®
Accounting Audit Finance Financial Modelling Business Strategy Financial Planning & Analyis Budgeting& Forecasting Grants management Procurements &Logistics
Compliance Risk Management Professional Tax Consultancy I am a results-oriented Professional Accountant with over 7 years of experience in financial leadership and strategic planning. I hold CPA and FMVA® cerƟficaƟons, an MBA, and a first-class honors Bachelor's in AccounƟng. My experƟse encompasses financial management, procurement, grants management, audiƟng, and regulatory compliance across various sectors, including internaƟonal NGOs and public enƟƟes. I have successfully managed projects with budgets exceeding $500 million, funded by organizaƟons such as the Green Climate Fund, African Development Bank, and USAID. Currently, I am a Program Finance Officer at IUCN, overseeing mulƟple projects and partners, while also consulƟng for UNOPS to opƟmize financial reporƟng and internal controls.
CONTACT
Address
Kigali, Rwanda
Nyarugenge
Status: Married
Phone number
***********@*****.***
KEY SKILLS
Financial reporƟng
and analysis
Experience directly
managing,
developing, and
mentoring staff.
Experienced in
USAID, EU, WB, GIZ
Proficiency in ERP
systems
Corporate capacity
building and training
Procurement and
contract
management
Grants and sub-
awardees monitoring
Regulatory
compliance
Advanced Excel
Excell aƩenƟon to
details
Financial reporƟng
and analysis
KEY ACHIEVMENTS
Successfully managed a $60 million USAID-funded project, achieving compliance and Ɵmely reporƟng while enhancing resource efficiency.
Managed financial operaƟons for seven projects with diverse funding sources, ensuring strict donor compliance and effecƟve resource allocaƟon.
Coordinated internal and external audits, resulƟng in clean reports for all audits conducted during the fiscal year.
Developed and implemented dashboards for proacƟve financial data analysis, providing key insights that influenced project management decisions.
Created comprehensive financial strategies with risk miƟgaƟon plans, achieving 100% regulatory compliance and enhancing financial stability.
Conducted rigorous reviews of implemenƟng partners' disbursement requests, ensuring fund availability and compliance with contractual obligaƟons.
Monitored expenditures through Budget vs. Actual analyses, leading to decreased overspending and improved financial oversight.
Performed field visits and spot checks to ensure proper resource uƟlizaƟon and accurate financial reporƟng from partners.
Led special invesƟgaƟons that recovered $7.2 million in misappropriated funds, significantly enhancing internal control processes.
Led and trained the finance team of project implemenƟng partners and project managers, significantly enhancing their proficiency in financial procedures and compliance. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE-IUCN Program Finance Officer June -2024 – Present
Managing financial resources for seven projects funded by diverse donors, including the European Union, Green Climate Fund (GCF), GIZ, World Bank, USAID, SIDA, and African Development Bank, ensuring strict adherence to donor requirements and enhancing project credibility.
CollaboraƟng effecƟvely with implemenƟng partners such as Rwanda Forestry Authority, Enabel, World Vision, Cordaid, SNV, and ICRAF to deliver accurate, Ɵmely, and comprehensive financial reports, which has significantly reduced reporƟng errors and improved overall transparency.
Reviewing implemenƟng partners' disbursement requests to verify fund availability and proper support, along with managing requisiƟons, travel authorizaƟons (TAs), issuing purchase orders (LPOs), processing staff advance requests and expense claims, handling vendor payment requests, and generaƟng detailed transacƟon reports using Jet Report.
Providing Ɵmely and precise monthly financial reports that support informed decision- making processes, alongside conducƟng thorough balance sheet reconciliaƟons, TB
Business and
strategic planning
BudgeƟng and
forecasƟng
Cash management
and resource
mobilizaƟon
Data analysis and
visualizaƟon
Financial
management,
AudiƟng and internal
control
establishment
Strategic financial
planning and
Leadership
QuickBooks, Sage
Pastel line, ..
Excellent
interpersonal,
communicaƟon, and
organizaƟonal
LANGUAGES
English : Proficient
French : Intermédiate
Kinyarwanda
HOBBIES
Playing football
Reading books
TradiƟonnel dance
ReconciliaƟon and reviewing the General Ledger to enhance financial management systems and minimize discrepancies in financial records.
EffecƟvely controlling project budgets to opƟmize resource allocaƟon and minimize risks, leading to reduced project overspending. Rigorous review of partner financial reports ensures transparency and results in fewer discrepancies idenƟfied during audits.
Monitoring and tracking expenditures through Budget vs Actual (BVA) analysis, leading to decreased overspending and improved budget management, while ensuring adherence to budgets through comprehensive financial analyses and effecƟve risk miƟgaƟon strategies.
Overseeing contract management, procurement, and regulatory compliance, maintaining accuracy and Ɵmeliness in financial transacƟons to ensure adherence to established protocols.
CoordinaƟng internal and external audits of grant finances, resulƟng in clean audit reports for all audits conducted during the fiscal year, thereby ensuring accountability and transparency.
Monitoring and managing project cash flow, opƟmizing cash uƟlizaƟon, idenƟfying financial risks, and developing effecƟve miƟgaƟon strategies to ensure financial stability.
Providing training and capacity-building iniƟaƟves to enhance financial management skills for partners and staff, resulƟng in improved proficiency in managing financial operaƟons.
Streamlining financial processes to maximize program impact and achieve high levels of compliance, enhancing operaƟonal efficiency.
ImplemenƟng and maintaining robust risk management strategies to ensure ongoing financial stability across all projects.
INTRAHEALTH INTERNATIONAL INC-USAID INGOBYI PROJECT Senior Finance Officer (SFO) Jan -2020 – 30 June 2024
Managed monthly financial reporƟng, analysis, budgeƟng, and cash flow forecasƟng, including detailed Budget vs. Actual and Cost Share reporƟng, which supported strategic decision-making and resource allocaƟon.
Reviewed payment requests, performed balance sheet reconciliaƟons, and assessed staff advances and expense claims, ensuring accuracy and integrity in financial reporƟng and controls.
Reviewed the General Ledger and prepared comprehensive financial and expenditure reports, maintaining robust financial systems and controls that enhanced organizaƟonal efficiency.
Developed budgeƟng strategies and analyzed budget performance reports. Conducted financial follow-ups, including Variance Analysis (BVA), to track performance against financial goals.
Implemented dashboards for proacƟve financial and non-financial data analysis, reporƟng key project indicators and providing strategic insights that informed management decisions.
Ensured the accuracy of financial documents and the Ɵmely submission of reconciliaƟons. Supervised staff on financial policies and procedures to enhance compliance and operaƟonal efficiency.
Approved payment and journal vouchers, managed bank accounts, and ensured adherence to organizaƟonal policies, USAID regulaƟons, and local laws, thereby safeguarding financial integrity.
Monitored and managed cash flow, opƟmizing cash uƟlizaƟon while idenƟfying financial risks and developing effecƟve strategies for miƟgaƟon to ensure ongoing financial stability.
Oversaw subrecipient monitoring while collaboraƟng with implemenƟng partners to enhance staff capacity and ensure compliance with donor and tax regulatory requirements, thereby fostering accountability and strengthening partnerships.
Chaired the procurement commiƩee and conducted risk management acƟviƟes, effecƟvely leading teams to idenƟfy and miƟgate potenƟal risks while ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
Acting Grants and Subwardees Manager Feb -2020 – 30 June 2020
Reviewed budget versus actual analyses to assess financial performance, ensuring alignment with organizaƟonal goals and validaƟng sub-grant financial reports for USAID compliance, thereby maintaining transparency and accountability in funding.
Ensured proper cost allocaƟon in line with financial agreements and USAID regulaƟons, facilitaƟng accurate reporƟng and adherence to donor requirements, which strengthened financial integrity.
Monitored the financial funcƟons of implemenƟng partners to ensure accuracy and accountability, contribuƟng to effecƟve financial management and reinforcing trust in collaboraƟve projects.
OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL OF RWANDA-OAG
Finance and Compliance Auditor Oct -2017 – 31 Dec 2019
Conducted financial audits, compliance assessments, and internal control evaluaƟons for various enƟƟes, including government projects funded by internaƟonal organizaƟons, ensuring effecƟve uƟlizaƟon of public funds.
IdenƟfied and addressed financial and compliance risks, prepared comprehensive audit reports with acƟonable recommendaƟons, and presented findings that improved operaƟonal efficiency and strengthened internal controls.
Conducted special invesƟgaƟons to recover misappropriated funds, strengthening internal control processes and enhancing financial integrity. Also evaluated contract management, procurement processes, and financial statements for regulatory compliance. JALI HOLDIING GROUP
Branch Accounts Manager April -2017 – 30 Sept 2017
Devised a robust financial strategy that included risk miƟgaƟon plans and opportunity forecasƟng, ensuring regulatory compliance while coordinaƟng budget preparaƟon, financial forecasts, and variance reporƟng.
Prepared consolidated financial reports, conducted thorough analyses, and provided training to finance staff, ensuring accuracy in transacƟons and effecƟve management of accounts, which opƟmized resource uƟlizaƟon and contributed to cost-saving iniƟaƟves. NETLA CONSULTING LTD
Project Finance Auditor Jan -2016 – 31 March 2017
Ensured project budgets aligned with organizaƟonal goals, accurately forecasted expenditures, and uƟlized resources efficiently, while idenƟfying and resolving discrepancies to maintain financial integrity.
Assessed internal controls and recommended improvements for enhanced effecƟveness, effecƟvely communicaƟng audit findings and recommendaƟons to stakeholders through clear and concise reports.
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANCY EXPERIENCE
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR PROJECT SERVICES (UNOPS) Financial Analyst Consultant, Global, (Part-Time, Home-Based) ……. July 2024 – Present
Conduct independent verificaƟons of ImplemenƟng Partners’ financial statements per UNOPS/CiƟes Alliance procedures, reviewing over five financial reports monthly.
Ensure accuracy and compliance of expenditures with budgets and contractual obligaƟons, idenƟfying and recƟfying discrepancies in audited transacƟons.
Assess and enhanced internal control systems and financial management pracƟces, implemenƟng best pracƟces to improve compliance with UNOPS/CiƟes Alliance policies.
Produce detailed verificaƟon and financial analysis reports, offering acƟonable insights and recommendaƟons that influenced strategic decisions and shaped financial strategies. DNR PARTNERS CPA LTD
Audit and Consulting Manager, Part time Jan -2018 – 31 Dec 2023
Led audit engagements, ensuring compliance, and analyzing financial statements for accuracy.
Provided consultancy to private investors on internal controls, developed financial and HR manuals, and managed diverse client porƞolios. Reviewed financial statements for IFRS compliance, acted as a liaison between clients and upper management, and prepared audit reports. And Client engagement, project management, team leadership, and conƟnuous improvement
UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA(UR)
CPA Trainer (Lecturer), Part time Jan 2020 – 30 Sept 2024
Prepared training materials and coached MINECOFIN Staff and University of Rwanda students on exam preparaƟon and report generaƟon.
Delivered capacity-building iniƟaƟves to Government of Rwanda budget managers, covering Financial Management, AccounƟng, ReporƟng, TaxaƟon, Strategic Business, Leadership, AudiƟng, and Financial AccounƟng through the UR. EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Academic degrees
Master in Business AdministraƟon (MBA) in AccounƟng & Finance from the University of Kigali - Graduate with a first-class grade and 3.21 GPA.
Bachelor’s Sciences Hons in AccounƟng from the University of Rwanda- CBE (Former SFB) graduated with First Class Hons in AccounƟng and 3.26 GPA
High School at Ecole Secondaire de St Esprit de Nyanza-A2 in AccounƟng obtained Grand disƟncƟon.
Professional Certifications and Membership
CerƟfied Public Accountants (CPA) accredited by the InsƟtute CerƟfied Public Accountants of Rwanda, A member of InsƟtute of CerƟfied of Public Accountants of Rwanda.
Financial Modelling and ValuaƟon Analyst (FMVA®) accredited by Corporate Finance InsƟtutes (CFI).
Business Intelligence and Data analyst from Corporate Finance InsƟtute-in Progress
Procurement and LogisƟcs CerƟficate accredited by the Charted InsƟtute of LogisƟcs and Transport
Financial Management for Humanitarian and Development Professional (FMD Pro). Training Certificates awarded
Advanced Sustainable Development in PracƟce, UNITAR
Green Economy and Trade, United NaƟons InsƟtute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Advanced Sustainable Development in PracƟce, United NaƟons InsƟtute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
Training in Advanced Finance (TAF), UNOPS
MarkeƟng PiloƟng, Spark Microgrants
REFERENCE
Available Upon Request
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