Maureen Apio

MAUREEN APIO Ugandan | Kampala, Uganda | --| LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-a-a SUMMARY Organized and dependable Financial Executive and Business Consultant with proven experience in business development, offering keen financial acumen to lead businesses to profitability in both lean times and periods of growth with an expansion mind versed in navigating complex financial challenges. Strong history of achieving both financial and non-financial business goals with effective controls and planning with talent for overcoming operational issues and driving proactive improvements. EDUCATION World Quant University- October 2022- Ongoing- Master’s degree of science in Financial Engineering. Corporate Finance Institute – June 2022 – September 2022- Financial Modeling and Valuation Analysis Makerere University – August 2014 – January 2018- BA, Business AdministrationAccounting Option. WORK EXPERIENCE Senior Finance Officer November 2022- to December 2023 Latitude Trade Company- Kampala Uganda • Spearheaded a stringent accountability framework across Sourcing locations - Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kagadi, and upcoming Mayuge. Reduced unnecessary spending by 20%, mitigated misuse of company funds, eliminating fraud and theft incidences. • Organized and ensured timely submission of comprehensive petty cash registers, cash reports, and cash budgets, resulting in improved transparency and accuracy. • Implemented a robust system for tracking and maintaining accountability of company materials and assets, resulting in a streamlined monthly reporting process and reduced discrepancies by 30%. • Devised and executed proactive risk mitigation strategies, significantly reducing instances of theft and fraud across company operations. • Completed routine stock and cash count certificates, buyer audits after each harvest, ensuring compliance and accuracy, thereby fortifying the company's financial integrity. • Managed and mentored a team of seven sourcing accounts members, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance. Implemented cashless payment systems, driving efficiency and minimizing cash-related risks. • Provided financial oversight and support for the Chocolate business, contributing to its accountability and financial management, ensuring alignment with the company's overall objectives. • Worked closely with Accountant to ensure accurate and timely submission of data for bookkeeping, resulting in improved financial record accuracy and compliance. Reconciliation Accountant January 2022 – September 2022 Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd- Kampala, Uganda • Gathered and meticulously analyzed data to guarantee the accuracy and compliance of financial statements and bank reconciliations with the statutory and GAAP guidelines, mitigating errors and ensuring legal appropriateness. • Utilized Microsoft Dynamics to prepare diverse reconciliation and accounting reports, enhancing reporting efficiency and accuracy, leading to improved decision-making. • Researched and swiftly resolved accounting discrepancies, employing strategic methods to rectify errors, resulting in enhanced accuracy and reliability of financial records. • Provided valuable advice and recommendations on optimizing financial systems, controls, and processes, driving corrective actions and improvements that increased efficiency and compliance standards. • Prepared and initiated precise journal entries and payroll records, ensuring meticulous accuracy and compliance with accounting standards, fostering a reliable financial reporting framework. Chief Accounting Officer January 2020 – December 2021 Godson Export Commodities Ltd – Kampala, Uganda • Elevated client service quality by 15%, coordinating with departments to optimize service delivery and billing accuracy for contracts, boosting client satisfaction. • Provided effective supervision across departments, optimizing duties and responsibilities, resulting in a 20% improvement in departmental operations and service quality. • Improved operational efficiency by 30% through proactive analysis, issue resolution, and strategic system updates, ensuring precise record-keeping and streamlined inventory management. • Directed a team of four accounting staff, strategically streamlining financial workflows, reducing errors by 25%, and enhancing efficiency in payment processing, reporting, and budgeting. • Achieved 100% tax compliance through meticulous monthly filings while producing accurate management reports and ensuring adherence to accounting standards for internal and external audits. • Demonstrated strategic financial leadership, represented the accounting department in meetings, and implemented accounting strategies that increased profits by 10%, while effectively managing a team of four staff members. • Provided comprehensive support during internal and external audits, ensuring seamless audit processes, accurate data provision, and compliance with audit requirements, contributing to the successful completion of audits and addressing audit queries efficiently. Senior Accounts Consultant January 2019 - December 2019 JT Pecuvestments Limited – Kampala, Uganda • Advised clients on adopting best accounting practices and procedures, providing tailored recommendations that optimized their financial processes, fostering better financial management and decision-making. • Conducted targeted training sessions for the accounts team, enhancing their skills in managing accounts effectively, resulting in a 25% increase in team efficiency and proficiency. • Orchestrated meticulous budgets and forecasts for clients, ensuring alignment with financial goals and regulatory compliance, resulting in 100% tax compliance for all clients. • Produced comprehensive monthly management reports with enhanced precision, contributing to more informed decision-making processes for clients, resulting in a 15% increase in forecast accuracy. • Reviewed and enhanced the quality of accounts consultants' work, implementing strategies that improved accuracy by 20% in financial reports and statements. Accounts Consultant May 2018 - December 2018 JT Pecuvestments Limited – Kampala, Uganda • Maintained client accounts in adherence to GAAP standards, ensuring accurate reconciliation of all statements, bolstering financial integrity and compliance by 100%. • Maintained client accounts in adherence to GAAP standards, ensuring accurate reconciliation of all statements, bolstering financial integrity and compliance by 100%. • Updated and managed clients' accounts information proficiently across diverse accounting software platforms, improving data accuracy and accessibility by 20%. • Ensured 100% accuracy in filing returns (VAT, PAYE, and NSSF) for clients, maintaining strict compliance with tax regulations and deadlines, avoiding penalties and ensuring smooth tax operations. • Prepared comprehensive and insightful management reports for clients, facilitating clearer insights into financial performance and strategic decision-making. Accountant January 2016 to April 30th-2018: Employment with RBJ Farm and Diary Limited. • Managed billing for contracts, ensuring 100% accuracy and conducting monthly evaluations, leading to precise contract billing and financial integrity. • Supervised and monitored all departmental duties and responsibilities, ensuring adherence to standards, resulting in a 20% improvement in departmental operations and performance. • Monitored stock accounts and prepared detailed status reports for fixed assets, ensuring accurate inventory management and a 100% reconciliation rate of all statements. • Regularly updated accounting systems, ensuring their functionality and relevance on a daily basis, reducing system downtime by 20% and enhancing operational efficiency. • Coordinated with management and departments to ensure optimal service quality for all clients, leading to a 20% increase in client satisfaction ratings. • Produced accurate balance sheets and income statements, providing crucial support to internal and external auditors, resulting in a 15% decrease in auditing discrepancies. • Meticulously maintained accounting transaction records, evaluating outcomes effectively, leading to a 30% improvement in data accuracy and decision-making. • Identified accounting process inefficiencies, conducted research, and implemented solutions that enhanced workflows, improving efficiency by 25% across departments. • Supervising and Monitoring of all duties and responsibilities carried out by all departments. SKILLS           Financial Analysis Compliance and regulatory knowledge Communication and coordination Inventory management Software proficiency Audit Support and Integrity Client relationship management Team management and leadership Strategic financial management Process Improvement. REFEREES Mr. Lawrence Ssali email:-Position: Branch Manager Mr. Billy Lwigale email:-Position Finance Manager  