Peris Wangu Kirongothi-• - • Kenya • https://www.linkedin.com/in/periskirongothi-/
SUMMARY
Seasoned Accountant with over 18 years multinational experience in a PLC and elementary financial reporting exposure in a UN
affiliate. I have managed tax compliance and intragroup & intercompany financial reporting for a business that has 35 subsidiaries
in over 8 countries in East and Sub-Saharan Africa serving multinationals, SMEs, the public sector, UN agencies and NGOS.
EXPERIENCE
WPP SCANGROUP PLC, Group Senior Accountant-Tax
Jul 2022 - Present
Champion 100% company’s tax compliance, by coordinating timely and accurate monthly payment of VAT, Withholding VAT,
Reverse VAT and Corporate Tax, for the eighteen subsidiaries of the business estimated to be valued at over KES 40M monthly.
Spearhead change and innovation in the tax division of the business, by keeping abreast on tax laws and enlightening team
members, departmental heads as well as senior management on the same.
Strategic business partner in matters pertaining to tax, by preparing tax provision schedules and payment reports, which direct
management on budgeting and financial planning.
Promote the tax unit’s operational excellence, by regularly conducting statutory tax compliance audits by the KRA and
coordinating outsourced tax preparation work to ascertain accuracy and timeliness in tax reporting and payment.
Successfully resolved numerous tax queries by KRA within the group as each entity will have several queries periodically valued
at over KES 500M, emanating from tax payment projections, variances in tax amounts and ensured seamless VAT refunds
application and audits. In addition, I have effectively resolved substantial errors from previous and current incorrect tax filings.
WPP SCANGROUP PLC, Group Senior Accountant
Jun 2013 - Jun 2022
Effectively managed intergroup and intercompany account reconciliation for over 40 non-Kenyan subsidiaries and associates of
the business and safeguarded accuracy and completeness of payments, before sign off, whilst ensuring cross border tax laws
within the countries across the world are adhered to.
Supported the checking of accuracy and completeness of the annual reports for 18 Kenyan subsidiaries of the group, as well as
facilitated external audit.
Managed the fixed asset register valued at KES 112M and ensured it’s regularly updated by heading the accurate recording and
classification of additions and disposals, as well as the correct computation of depreciation for both resident and non-resident
companies related to the group on a monthly and quarterly basis.
Supported the cash flow management by ensuring timely and accurate submission of monthly tax projections, thereby ensuring
sufficient working capital needed for the business operations.
Spearheaded tax compliance by ensuring timely and accurate preparation and payment of monthly taxes namely: VAT,
Withholding VAT, Reverse VAT and Corporate tax for the business, as well as conducted monthly compliance check on tax
compliance collating compliance reports for the 35 Group’s subsidiaries in Kenya and foreign countries. Moreover, I liaised with
tax advisors in 3 foreign markets to resolve matters affecting the companies in those countries.
Led the inhouse tax training for non-finance managers, that increased their awareness on tax regulations on zero rated and
exempt sales, cross border transactions, disbursements, reimbursements, withholding tax rates and applicability, double tax
agreements, timely submission of VAT exemption certificates for aid-funded clients and various other taxation queries arising
from the various transactions with suppliers and and customers, which helped enhance the business statutory compliance.
WPP SCANGROUP PLC, Group Accountant
May 2010 - May 2013
Solely managed all tax related functions, from preparation, filing and submission of taxes, to enhancing tax statutory compliance
through conducting of tax training and audits to ensure all the pertinent tax obligatory requirements are met by all units of the
business.
Significantly reduced the variance in the overheads, by analysing and tracking overheads reports to ensure the business spend
doesn’t exceed the set projections, as per the stipulated budgets, thereby ensuring that the budget parameters were maintained
and consequently safeguarding the business against debt.
Played a key role in business development by supporting the tendering process of the organisation, through the provision of
the pre-requisite financial statements. Moreover, I also provided the management with timely and accurate financial ratios, that
provided them with an overview of the financial performance of the business and available options for business growth.
WPP SCANGROUP PLC, Junior Accountant
May 2008 - Apr 2010
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Successfully managed the accounts payable unit of the business and ensured accountability of every expense and timely
payment of over 30 suppliers. In addition, I was responsible for regularly updating and safeguarding the creditor’s ledger.
WPP SCANGROUP PLC, Accounts Assistant
Apr 2006 - Apr 2008
Actively supported accounts payable management and tracked payments to ensure strict adherence to set budgets.
Streamlined the vouching of cash advanced to employees to complete clients’ projects, by conducting forensic audits on expense
(receipts), to safeguard the accountability of cash dispensed.
Sera Software East Africa Limited, Office Administrator
Oct 2005 - Dec 2005
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Intern
Jun 2004 - Aug 2004
EDUCATION
McKinsey Institute
• May 2022 - Nov 2022
SKILLS
Leadership • People Management • Tax Strategy • Tax Planning • Tax Filings • Staff Training • Related party
transactions • Credit Control • Transfer Pricing • External Audits
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