Senior Financial Manager Federal & Public Sector

ZAKA MULBAH KUAWOGAI

Laurel, MD ***** 443-***-**** *********@***.*** Active Secret Clearance (DoD)

ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Seasoned and results-driven professional with extensive experience overseeing full-cycle accounting operations, including month-end close, grant management, and budget versus actual analysis. Well-versed in developing effective fiscal strategies, supporting federal government financial processes, and strengthening internal controls across private and public sectors. Proven expertise in accounts reconciliation, budgeting, financial reporting, audit readiness, and compliance with OMB A-123, US GAAP, and GASB standards. Strong ability to lead high-performing teams, resolve complex discrepancies, and provide strategic insights to improve financial performance.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

● Financial Planning & Reporting

● Federal Government Accounting

● Financial Statement Audit Support

● Team Management & Staff Training

● Accounting Operations Management

● Grant Management

● Financial & Variance Analysis

● Financial Strategy Development

● Program Budgeting & Monitoring

● Accounting System Quality Control

● Account Reconciliation

● Journal Entries Preparation

● General Ledger Management

● Pre- & Post-Audit Preparation

● Client Relationship Management

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

•Ensured compliance with OMB A-123 Appendix A & C, reducing risks related to improper payments.

•Applied OMB A-11 and A-136 standards to support accurate budgeting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.

•Promoted compliant financial practices by applying US GAAP, GASB, GAS, taxation, and international accounting standards.

•Maintained compliance with OMB A-123, A-133, FAR 116 and 117, and OMB circulars across financial operations and reporting.

•Managed public sector financial functions, including procurement, human resources management, and periodic report preparation.

•Led financial and project management for programs funded by USAID, World Bank / IDA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, WFP, IFAD, ADB, EC, OFDA, and INGO / NGO partners, maintaining alignment with international financial reporting systems.

•Contributed to relief, development, and disaster programs across Kosovo, Albania, West and East Africa, Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Southern Sudan, Zaire, and Europe while serving at Lutheran World Federation / Lutheran World Service.

•SQL

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

AOC Global Services, LLC (with EY DoD) June 2025 – Oct 2025

Senior Manager (US Army Contract)

Strengthened audit readiness for U.S. Army real property assets by analyzing business processes and identifying key risks and internal control gaps. Collaborated with stakeholders to align audit requirements with operational processes and ensure readiness for external review.

•Improved compliance with federal audit standards by evaluating and documenting internal controls across real property functions

•Supported DoD contract objectives by delivering risk assessments and actionable recommendations to enhance control effectiveness.

Significance Inc. (DoD, MCICOM), MD Feb 2025 April 2025

Senior Consultant (Federal Government Contractor)

Support Order-to-Cash (O2 C) processes within DAI / Oracle system, ensuring accurate revenue recognition and financial transaction processing. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to resolve system and process issues within DAI / Oracle systems. Strengthen financial data integrity by validating transactions, monitoring system outputs, and supporting reconciliation activities.

•Improved financial operations by analyzing O2C workflows and identifying opportunities for process optimization and efficiency.

•Ensured compliance with federal financial regulations and DoD standards by maintaining documentation and audit-ready records.

Hamilton Enterprise (U.S. Census Bureau), MD Oct 2024 – Nov 2024

Senior Consultant

Improved audit readiness and risk mitigation by evaluating financial processes and identifying control gaps. Maintained adherence to federal regulations and audit standards by documenting findings and supporting corrective action plans. Supported financial governance and accountability by collaborating with stakeholders to enhance control frameworks and audit processes.

•Strengthened internal controls and compliance by supporting A-123 audit program and executing internal audit procedures.

BWG (U.S. Department of Agriculture – FNS), VA Nov 2022 – Aug 2024

Senior Consultant

Reconciled multi-year accounts receivable using AREOS, STARS, and FMMI systems, ensuring accuracy and audit readiness across federal financial records. Performed internal audits, established control systems, and supported financial statement audits. Managed grant accounting operations, including fund accounting, financial reporting, and budget versus actual analysis for nonprofit and government programs. Executed automated and manual accounting processes, maintaining precise journal entries. Improved budget performance tracking by overseeing program budgets and aligning actual expenditures with planned allocations. Supported organizational decision-making by providing strategic planning and oversight of accounting operations.

•Resolved financial discrepancies and disputes by conducting root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.

•Ensured adherence to US GAAP, GASB, and international accounting standards in all financial operations and reporting.

•Developed team capability and performance by managing and training accounting staff aligned with organizational goals.

•Maintained compliance with A-123 internal controls while preparing detailed reports and account analyses for customers.

•Strengthened accounting operations by leading month-end close processes and ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting.

•Enhanced system quality and performance by implementing accounting process controls and continuous improvement initiatives.

•SQL

Eagle Harbor (U.S. Coast Guard, International Affairs), VA Aug 2021 – Oct 2022

Senior Accountant

Drove budget alignment and fiscal integrity by conducting Program Element Status (PES) reconciliations. Improved team capability and operational efficiency by training senior accounting staff and team members on financial management best practices. Supported departmental operations and financial processes by assisting head accountant with accounting and administrative duties.

•Restored financial accuracy and historical record integrity by organizing and reconciling prior fiscal year documents.

•Enhanced financial tracking accuracy and accountability by preparing and maintaining detailed Status of Funds reports.

•Maintained regulatory compliance and risk mitigation by completing required cybersecurity and anti-deficiency training.

Core Group, Washington, DC July 2019 – April 2020

Senior Accountant

Streamlined financial operations by partnering with director of finance, executing accounting activities and ensuring accuracy in daily transactions. Prepared journal entries for review, supporting accurate financial reporting and month-end close processes. Maintained organized financial records and documentation to support audit readiness and compliance.

•Improved financial accuracy by reconciling subsidy accounts to general ledger accounts and resolving discrepancies.

•Ensured timely payments by reviewing invoices and validating financial documentation within Concur and Great Plains systems.

Tuba Group, Falls Church, VA Sep 2016 – March 2019

Senior Accountant / Financial Consultant (Army National Guard Readiness Center Defense of Department Education Activity)

Ensured audit readiness and financial accuracy for ARNG programs by reviewing audit documentation for completeness and compliance. Resolved audit findings and implemented corrective actions while following up on Notices of Findings and Recommendations (NFRs). Enhanced financial transparency and reconciliation accuracy by preparing Fund Balance with Treasury (FBwT) reconciliations using DFAS DRRT data. Strengthened financial reporting by preparing FIAR narratives and financial statement process documentation.

•Promoted financial data accuracy and compliance by reviewing journal vouchers (JVs) for DFAS Comptroller approval.

•Optimized internal control processes and operational efficiency for DoDEA by refining business processes and procedures.

•Improved internal control effectiveness and compliance by supporting OMB A-123 internal control processes and frameworks.

•Supported defense financial operations by collaborating with agencies, including Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).

Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency / GRA), Falls Church, VA Nov 2007 – Aug 2016

Senior Consultant

Managed O2C processes within DAI / Oracle systems, supporting end-to-end financial operations. Promoted financial accuracy and accountability by performing revenue reconciliations and resolving discrepancies across multiple DoD financial systems. Prepared Statement of Budgetary Resources and quarterly financial statements using USSGL crosswalks, DAI, and DDRS trial balances for Defense Health Agency reporting. Delivered actionable financial insights by preparing reports for management by appropriation and program code. Strengthened audit readiness and response capabilities by supporting federal audit initiatives and ensuring compliance with OMB A-123 internal control standards. Performed operational reviews to assess compliance and identify process improvement opportunities across financial programs. Provided technical guidance and policy interpretation to resolve financial issues and support decision-making.

•Enhanced reporting, analytics, and financial data visibility by leveraging DAI and OBIEE systems.

•Improved financial transparency by resolving negative balances identified in Oracle and DAI status reports.

•Maintained accurate Fund Balance with Treasury reporting and reconciled accounts between DAFS and DAI systems.

•Developed service-wide financial procedures, guidelines, and documentation to standardize operations across programs.

•Ensured accurate interagency financial transactions by executing reimbursable reconciliations across WAAS and I-BEAM systems.

•SQL

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate Director HIAS, Silver Spring, MD

Senior Consultant Deloitte & Touche LLP, Federal, Washington, DC

Senior Contract Auditor IMRG / Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), Washington, DC

Field Senior Accountant Chemonics International, Washington, DC

CDC Grant Manager American Red Cross / International Services, Washington, DC

Assistant Controller – Division of Administrative Services Kansas Insurance Department, Kansas State Government, Topeka, Kansas

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Accounting The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

Bachelor of Business Administration University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING

Public Policy Walden University

Internal Control Deloitte & Touche LLP

Yellow Book (Government Auditing Standards)

Audit Documentation Deloitte & Touche LLP

Common Fraud Schemes Deloitte & Touche LLP

Consideration of Fraud Deloitte & Touche LLP

Fraud Risk Assessment Deloitte & Touche LLP

Internal Control in Accounting Information Systems

Governmental Auditing USDA

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Association of Government Accountants (AGA)

American Society of Military Comptrollers – (Certified Defense Financial Manager Program)

Contact this candidate