Judy W. Mwavali | Finance Manager
Nairobi, Kenya
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An exceptional finance manager who successfully manages finances ensuring profitability and business growth.
Proven record of maximizing profits and reducing costs whilst delivering opportunities for growth to senior
management, experience held in agritech and manufacturing industries. Proficient in use of Xero, Quickbooks,
Sage X3, additionally holding a CPA-K membership. Also, possess great communication skills and business
acumen. Responsible, passionate and motivated with a drive for excellence and continuous improvement.
WORK EXPERIENCE
October 2019 – Present
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Manage Apollo’s in-house accounting team and ensure that all work is completed in a timely manner
and month end reports presented.
Manage recruitment and performance for the accounting team including making suggestions for
capacity expansion as needed.
Oversee day-to-day bookkeeping for the four entities under the Apollo Group (Kenya, Zambia,
Netherlands and US).
Manage the month end process and ensure all tasks are carried out and reports ready by agreed
timelines.
Coordinate with HR and members of the accounting team to ensure that payroll is carried out in a
timely manner each month, and that statutory filings are completed and paid on time.
Work with the Director of Finance and CEO to develop a structure for the Apollo entities that reflects
the nature of core transactions carried out by Apollo Agriculture and ensures compliance with tax and
regulatory frameworks in all its jurisdictions.
Oversee VAT returns for Apollo Agriculture Ltd (Kenya) and Apollo Agricultur B.V. (Netherlands).
Be the main Apollo contact with key banking service providers in Apollo Agriculture.
Work with the auditors to manage the consolidated audit process and ensure audit reports are
available on a timely manner.
Prepare the annual consolidated budget including helping to develop and implement the process, and
providing reporting and analysis to Apollo stakeholders as required.
Work with the Director of Finance to develop the finance reporting and analysis function at Apollo
including developing a reporting framework, carrying out specific analyses as requested, and
providing structured information to the broader Apollo team, particularly senior management.
Work with the technology team, CTO and Director of Finance to implement new financial
management systems and develop processes to ensure accurate financial information is extracted
from Apollo’s core database.
Conduct month end close tasks together with the accounting team and prepare them with accuracy.
Prepare monthly budget versus actuals reports and explain the variances seen on the report to senior
management
March 2018 – September 2019
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APOLLO AGRICULTURE LTD, Finance Manager
BURN MANUFACTURING USA LLC, Finance Manager
Do and oversee day-to-day bookkeeping and finance function for all existing and future BURN
companies/entities and ensure that the books are up to date and correct.
Lead the finance team and ensure that all work is being completed in a timely manner.
Manage the month, quarter and year end processes and ensure all tasks, including consolidations, are
carried out and reports ready by agreed timelines.
Audit preparations for all BURN companies and liaise with the auditors.
Forex dealings with the banks and negotiation of the best rates to ensure that loss in exchange rates
are as low as possible.
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VAT calculations and returns for each month and make sure the returns are filed.
Tax calculations and returns for all BURN entities and make sure the returns are filed on time.
Liaise with relevant tax authorities on any tax related issues.
Cash Management, liaise with all banks and sort out any issues that arise.
Arrange credit facilities with suppliers.
Help prepare grant reports and documentation.
Manage the fixed asset register by ensuring monthly update, depreciation and reconciliation.
Do month end procedures and prepare reports for the Chief Financial Officer.
May 2017 – Feb 2018
BURN MANUFACTURING USA LLC, Senior Finance Officer
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Lead the finance team and ensure that all work is being completed in a timely manner
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Manage the month end process for the head office and the branch and ensure all tasks are carried
out and reports ready by agreed timelines.
Carry out payroll for expats and offer assistance in the Kenyan payroll whenever it is required
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Prepare VAT calculations and ensure that the return is filed
Make sure that all legal and statutory taxes have been filed correctly and on a timely manner.
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Act as the key contact for auditors during the audit process
Liaise with KRA on any tax related issues that need to be addressed
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In charge of all raw materials purchase process from placing the order to actual receipts of the goods
from China.
In charge of credit control, making sure payments are done and received on time.
Ensure that the company procedures are followed to get cash advances and all documentation
handed in for reconciliation purposes.
Manage company cashflow ensuring that payments are planned and the company has adequate cash
runway for essential payments
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June 2015 – April 2017
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BURN MANUFACTURING USA LLC, Finance Officer
Prepare and submit monthly submissions to KRA which includes V.A.T, P.A.Y.E, KEBS and withholding
tax and make sure payment is done on a timely manner.
Receive invoices from suppliers, enter them in Quick books and pay promptly.
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Be the main BURN contact with Standard Chartered and Equity Banks to sort out any issues that arise.
Liaise with Supply Chain Manager on raw materials procurements both in Kenya and China, post bills
for these, create POs, ensure documentation and enter payments.
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Work with the auditors on the ground to ensure all documentation provided to them
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Management of all vendor accounts both at the HQ in the US and at the branch in Kenya.
Preparing reports for management which included supermarket reports, vendors and customers’
reports, expense reports.
August 2014 – May 2015
BURN MANUFACTURING USA LLC, Finance Assistant
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Make payments to suppliers
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Arrange credit facilities with suppliers where possible
Help prepare grant reports and documentation
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Carrying out bank and cash reconciliations on a monthly basis.
May 2014 – August 2014
Trans Business Machines Ltd, Finance Intern
• Bank and cash reconciliations
• Helped in filing tax returns
• Ensure safe custody of the financial documents
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Help in posting invoices and petty cash expenses to Hansa World Enterprise.
Feb 2014 – May 2014
Invesco Assurance Company Ltd, Finance Intern
• Reconciliation of advocates’ fees.
• Prepare reports about payment plans for advocates.
• Book-keeping
EDUCATION
Jan 2021 – Present:
JKUAT, Master of Business Administration - Finance
Feb – July 2017:
African Management Institute, Management Development Programme
May 2010 - June 2012:
JKUAT, Certified Public Accountant
May 2010 - December 2013:
JKUAT, Bachelor of commerce – Finance Option
2005 - 2008:
Bahati Girls Secondary School Mean grade A-
2001 - 2004:
Westways Primary School Mean Grade A
KEY COMPETENCIES
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Team management and very strong interpersonal skills
Attention to detail and aptitude for figures.
Ability to take initiative, organize and prioritize work.
Ability to meet deadlines and cope with constant work pressure.
Ability to work well in a team
Tax Filing
Preparing company budgets
INTERESTS
Start-up businesses, social impact, leadership training, making friends and reading financial articles.
References are available on request.
