Procurement Officer Senior Accountant

IRENE JULIA KARIUKI

P.O. Box **-*****, Nairobi Kenya. Email: *************@*****.*** Tel: +254-***-***-***

CAREER PROFILE SUMMARY

I am a highly accomplished senior accountant and a financial controller with 10+ years of proven expertise, in diverse sectors. I offer an exceptional record of driving financial strategy, process improvement, and operational excellence. I am recognized as a strategic leader who leverages deep accounting expertise, data-driven insights, and strong communication skills to optimize financial performance, enhance profitability, and mitigate risk across complex, fast-paced environments. I am adept at translating complex financial information into actionable business intelligence that supports informed, data-driven decision-making at the executive level.

Most importantly, I excel at developing comprehensive financial plans, budgets, and forecasts aligned with business objectives, using advanced modeling and data analysis to provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making. I implement robust financial reporting processes to monitor performance, identify trends, and uncover operational and cost efficiencies, preparing accurate, insightful financial statements and regulatory filings. I ensure compliance with accounting principles and industry standards, proactively managing financial and operational risks.

Throughout my career, I have streamlined technology-enabled financial processes to increase productivity and data integrity. I partner with cross-functional leaders to devise financial strategies supporting growth, profitability, and competitiveness, serving as a trusted advisor. I lead finance teams, driving continuous improvement, innovation, and a culture of accountability. I am a collaborative partner who excels at aligning cross-functional teams around common goals and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. I am committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and compliance while consistently delivering sustainable results.

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCE

Accounting and Financial Management Expertise: In-depth expertise in financial reporting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP), Proficiency in preparing and analyzing financial statements, expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling, and understanding of tax planning and compliance

Financial Control Expertise: Highly effective in managing and regulating an organization's financial resources and operations to ensure they are being used efficiently, accurately, and in alignment with the company's strategic objectives.

Strategic Financial Decision-Making Abilities: Excellent ability to analyze financial data and identify key trends and insights, Skilled in translating financial information into actionable business strategies, Expertise in financial risk management and mitigation, and Proficiency in capital budgeting and investment decisions

Leadership and Management Skills: Effective in communication and interpersonal skills, Ability to lead and manage a team of finance professionals, Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities and Experienced in change management and implementation of new financial processes

Compliance and Regulatory Knowledge: Excellent understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, Expertise in ensuring financial compliance and reporting and Knowledge of internal controls and audit requirements

Technology and Data Analytics Proficiency: Familiarity with financial management software and systems, Ability to leverage data analytics to drive business insights, and Proficiency in using spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel) for financial modeling

Business Acumen and Strategic Thinking: Excellent understanding of the organization's overall business operations and goals, Ability to align financial strategies with the broader business objectives, and Skilled in identifying and capitalizing on financial opportunities

Ethics and professional integrity: Adherence to professional codes of conduct and ethical standards, Commitment to maintaining the highest levels of transparency and accountability

Adaptability and Continuous Learning: Excellent ability to stay up-to-date with evolving financial regulations, standards, and best practices, Willingness to continuously expand their knowledge and skillset, and Adaptability to changes in technology, business models, and industry trends

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Expertise: Excellent ability to work effectively with other business functions (e.g., operations, marketing, HR), Strong interpersonal skills to facilitate cross-departmental coordination, and Understanding of how financial decisions impact and are impacted by other areas of the business.

Project Management and Organizational Skills: Proficient in planning, prioritizing, and executing multiple financial initiatives, Ability to manage complex projects and deadlines, and Strong organizational skills to maintain financial records and documentation

Data-driven decision-making: Skilled in leveraging data and analytics to inform financial strategies and recommendations, Proficient in using data visualization tools to communicate financial information, and Ability to interpret and draw insights from large and complex financial datasets

Stakeholder Management and Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, Ability to present financial information to diverse stakeholders (e.g., executives, board members, investors), and Skilled in managing relationships and expectations with internal and external stakeholders

WORK EXPERIENCE

ASSISTANT FINANCIAL CONTROLLER / SENTRIM KENYA - NAIROBI, KENYA 09/2023 - CURRENT

Recommending ways to reduce costs and enhance revenue, and preparing documentation for both Internal & External Auditors.

Analyzing financial statements for discrepancies and alerting the management if necessary, reconciling accounts monthly to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance, and delegating financial responsibilities to the accounting team.

Overseeing the company's financial operations and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and legal requirements.

Preparing and analyzing financial reports, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, regularly.

Monitoring and reconciling the general ledger, accounts receivable, and accounts payable to maintain accurate financial records.

Collaborating with the accounting team to ensure timely and accurate processing of invoices, payments, and other financial transactions.

Coordinating the preparation of the annual budget and forecasting future financial performance and assisting with the implementation and maintenance of internal controls to safeguard the company's assets.

Liaising with external auditors and regulatory bodies to facilitate smooth audits and ensure compliance and identifying opportunities for cost savings and process improvements to enhance the company's financial efficiency.

Participating in the development and implementation of financial policies and procedures.

Providing financial analysis and recommendations to the Financial Controller and other senior management to support decision-making.

Mentoring and training junior members of the finance team to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Staying up-to-date with changes in accounting regulations, tax laws, and industry best practices to maintain the company's financial practices.

Compiling and analyzing financial information to prepare reports for management, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Implementating and monitoring of internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure adherence to financial regulations.

Coordinating audits, both internal and external, by preparing documentation and facilitating audit processes to ensure timely completion and compliance.

ACCOUNTANT / PAN PACIFIC SERVICED SUITES NAIROBI - NAIROBI, KENYA 03/2023 - 07/2023

Conducted trainings to keep the team's skills and knowledge up to date, and as part of the Pre-opening team, i prepared and assisted with the procedures, Procurement, and implementation.

Documented cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and line of credit transactions

Completed daily cash functions like account tracking, payroll, and wage allocations, reconciliations of cash, banking's recordings, and resolving discrepancies

Maintained up-to-date knowledge of professional accounting standards to manage financial recordkeeping, detect and corrected mistakes early on, and implemented systems to avoid recurring issues

Analyzed, reconciled, and remitted taxes appropriately keeping the organization current with updated and well-maintained compliance records

Protected company financial data with strict use of internal and regulatory information protection protocol and maintained and reconciled creditor’s accounts, including processing invoices and payments.

Managed the company's accounts payable and accounts receivable, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices, payments, and collections.

Prepared monthly financial reports, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, and presented them to the management team.

Reconciled the general ledger, bank accounts, and other financial accounts regularly to maintain the integrity of the accounting records.

Prepared the annual budget and forecasted the company's financial performance for the upcoming fiscal year.

Implemented and maintained internal control procedures to safeguard the company's assets and ensure compliance with accounting standards and legal requirements.

Coordinated with external auditors during the annual audit process, providing requested documentation and information to facilitate a smooth audit.

Analyzed financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities and revenue-enhancing initiatives, and presented recommendations to the management team.

HEAD ACCOUNTANT / AERO CLUB OF EAST AFRICA NAIROBI WILSON - NAIROBI, KENYA 06/2022 - 11/2022

Verified, allocated, posted, and reconciled accounts payable and receivable and raised rental invoices to the tenants promptly and ensuring they were paid as per the set rates

Monitored expenditures, analyzed revenues and determined budget variances, reported the same, and ensured that the monthly reports were accurately prepared and on and promptly.

Processed and reconciled the payroll as well as Managed statutory accounts PAYE, HELB, NSSF & NHIF, reviewed, recommended, and modified the accounting systems and procedures

Facilitated the tax audits and all tax returns, analyzed financial variances, and performed the relevant reconciliation.

Performed month-end accounting activities such as reconciliations and journal entries and managed the day-to-day accounting activities of the Aero Club of East Africa.

Prepared and finalized financial statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards, and oversaw budget preparation and financial forecasting processes.

Coordinated and facilitated audits, ensuring timely completion and compliance with regulatory requirements, and implemented and maintained internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure financial integrity.

Provided financial analysis and insights to support decision-making by senior management and managed payroll processing and employee benefits administration.

Liaised with external stakeholders including auditors, tax authorities, and regulatory bodies, supervised and trained accounting staff, fostering their professional development and ensuring team effectiveness.

Prepared and filed monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns in compliance with local tax regulations, and managed cash flow and treasury functions, ensuring adequate liquidity for operational needs.

Conducted financial analysis to assess the club's financial performance and identified areas for improvement and implemented cost control measures to optimize expenses while maintaining service levels.

Managed the club's investment portfolio and monitored investment performance and collaborated with department heads to develop and monitor departmental budgets.

Prepared financial reports and presentations for stakeholders, ensuring compliance with policies and regulations, resolved accounting discrepancies, and facilitated the resolution of financial issues.

Evaluated and recommended improvements to accounting systems and procedures to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

OTHER PAST EXPERIENCE

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT / DOUBLETREE BY HILTON NAIROBI HURLINGHAM - NAIROBI, KENYA 02/2018 - 03/2021

Oversaw the preparation of the accurate and timely monthly financial report, and protected company financial data with strict protocols. Reviewed daily finances, implemented credit policy and assisted with budgeting and conducted audits, maintained accounts, processed payroll and taxes.

Coordinated month-end, audits, and purchases, increased accuracy through account reconciliation, and prepared tax returns and financial system updates.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE & CREDIT CONTROLLER / FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON NAIROBI AIRPORT - NAIROBI, KENYA 06/2017 - 01/2018

Recommended revenue-boosting strategies, presented account reconciliation summaries, oversaw financial reporting and submissions, and collaborated cross-functionally on objectives.

Provided exceptional customer support, resolved customer disputes professionally, collected on delinquent accounts, contacted customers on overdue payments, and responded to customer inquiries.

PAYABLE ACCOUNTANT / WESTON HOTEL NAIROBI - NAIROBI, KENYA 07/2014 - 02/2016

Minimized aging accounts, pursued payments, maintained positive supplier relationships, made timely vendor payments via multiple systems, and achieved accuracy targets by verifying invoices.

Supported inventory management with reconciliations and streamlined financial transaction processing

ASSISTANT STOREKEEPER & REVOLVING ACCOUNTANT / SAMCO HOLDINGS LTD, EKA HOTEL - NAIROBI, KENYA 03/2012 - 06/2014

Assisted with budgeting, invoicing, and reconciliation, processed reimbursements, increased account accuracy and evaluated data, and recommended cost-control improvements.

Handled special requests, cross-trained in roles, maintained store cleanliness and organization documented various financial transactions, improved data analysis to optimize practices, and diminished outstanding debts through analysis

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

Certified Public Accountant Part 1-3 (Section 1- 6) Finalist / Pinnacle Business School - Nairobi, Kenya 2012 – 2015

Diploma in Information Technology / Computer Ways Training Institute - Nairobi, Kenya 2003 – 2004

REFERENCES

Available upon Request

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