Vennah

VENNAH KWAMBOKA – CV. Agile and performance-driven Professional with 7 + years of work experience in Accounts payable and grants accounting, managing finances and accounts for donor-funded development projects (donor funds management), corporate financial planning and reporting. I am seeking opportunities where I will use my skills and expertise to improve operational efficiency, maximize utilization of available resources and compliance to donor regulations. ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Key strengths & competencies. In-depth knowledge in DFID, USAID, SIDA, USDA, IFAD, AGRA, RTI and BAF financial rules, budgeting, grants management, procurement, reporting guidelines and procedures. Program budget development, implementation as well as producing budgeted v/s Actual expenditure reports for multi donor funded projects with multiple implementing partners. Partner financial monitoring and reporting, partner’s assessment, training and capacity building. Expertise in managing Accounting and Finance management tasks while ensuring compliance to Donor regulations, IPSAS, IAS, IFRS, GAAP’s and Internal Controls in complex financial environments. Well versed in various taxes including (VAT, Withholding taxes, Instalment taxes, corporate taxes, Income taxes, Advance taxes) and submission of Statutory returns via KRA I-tax system. Proficiency in using Adv. Excel, Integra System, SAP Business one, MS Dynamics Navision, Sage, Pastel, QuickBooks, and use of MPESA systems for bulk payment. In-depth knowledge in risk management practices i.e financial, operational, reputational and ethical risks in donor funder program activities. Good relationship management & negotiation skills in liaising with Suppliers, Banks, KRA, Auditors Donors, and other Regulatory Authorities. Ability to assess priorities, handle a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment, and meet competing deadlines with great attention to detail and quality. Well-developed and effective organizational skills, including the ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Exceptional coordination, interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders. Work experience. Financial Accountant – (Accounts Payable). WWF Kenya | September 2021 to date. Spearheading payment cycles to guarantee timely and compliant payments, ensuring adherence to terms and fostering strong supplier relationships. Key tasks : ▪ Updating supplier’s master data on SAP to facilitate efficiency and effectiveness in the management of supplier payment. ▪ Reviewing all invoices and related documents before journalizing to ensure that all supporting documents are properly attached, approved and are in line with the laid down WWF – Kenya policies and procedures. ▪ Making payments to suppliers through the organization’s banking platform in accordance with WWFKenya finance policy. ▪ Carrying out supplier reconciliation on a monthly basis and resolve any disputes within the shortest time possible. 1|Page ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Processing of travel expense reports by checking for validity, accuracy and completeness and ensure they are accounted for as per the travel policy and ensure correct coding and adequate supporting documents are attached. Carry out monthly staff account reconciliation & issue staff account statements on a monthly basis Monitoring disbursement/receipt schedules, alert relevant project staff of due payments/ liquidations, and maintain appropriate communication and follow-up to facilitate timeliness of financial resource management and compliance with set guidelines. Developing routine and ad hoc status reports, budget updates for different activities to ensure the regular flow of accurate and relevant financial information for enhanced project management and planning. Ensuring that costs are recorded against the correct cost center and account line and that prepayments and accruals are properly recorded, monitored, and cleared. Asset Management i.e carry out monthly deprecation run, updating Fixed Asset Register, carrying out reconciliation of FAR and the General ledger and processing monthly amortization of prepayment accounts Ensuring tax compliance is adhered to by complying with tax controls, procedures and processes that are in place, in addition to identifying and supporting areas of tax planning to enhance operation efficiencies Preparing bank reconciliations for HQ accounts, ensuring that the bank accounts have adequate cash balances by preparing monthly cash forecasts. Liaising with the bank and the organization for certain activities such as; opening & closing of accounts, updating of bank signatories and setting up users to online platforms. Carrying out monthly staff account reconciliation & issue staff account statements on a monthly basis. Ensuring that all payment vouchers, bank reconciliation statements, communications/ letters to Banks, NGO board and other regulatory authorities are archived as per organization’s filing system. Providing support during internal and external audits by providing necessary documentation and explanations. Finance Assistant. Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) | January 2017 – August 2021. Prepared and examined accounting records, financial statements, reports, donor reports and ensured accuracy, completeness and conformance to reporting and procedural standards. Key contributions & achievements. ▪ Posted journal entries to maintain Grant activity accounts in the General Ledger. ▪ Prepared draft financial reports required by funding partners for review by the Regional Finance Manager ▪ Bank reconciliations and constantly reviewed existing banking arrangements to monitor balances, and ensure timely funds transfers. ▪ Prepared Cash Transfer Requests for Regional Offices based on the approved programs, budgets and funds availability. ▪ Managed the liquidity position to ensure efficient implementation of the activities. ▪ Reviewed project budgets in addition to monitoring of expenditures and performing variance analysis, successfully maintaining expenditures within acceptable burn rates. ▪ Guided Budget holders on how to monitor their Budget Vs Actual expenditures resulting to minimized request for re-classing expenses to near 0%. ▪ Recommended budget realignment where there was budget savings as well as overruns which minimized variances and unspent balances at the end of the project. ▪ Checked expenditure for accounting and coding accuracy, adequate support documents and program relevance for all payments. ▪ Prepared Grant expense reports for all programs undertaken by EAGC and ensured accuracy before submission to the partners and management. 2|Page ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Updated the Fixed Assets register to ensure new/disposed assets were accurately captured and that all the EAGC assets had up to date insurance cover. Maintained imprest accounts for staff advances and reconciling the accounts on a monthly basis. Prepared monthly payroll, computed taxes owed and prepared tax returns, statutory and other relevant deductions ensuring accuracy and timely submission. Ensured compliance and enforced internal policies, donor regulations and budget restrictions on all projects. Curbed fraud and unnecessary expenditure by verifying payment vouchers for accuracy and sufficient supporting evidence before handing them over to the Finance Manager for authorization Ensured timely recovery of all advances including travel and mid-month advances and provided monthly update of any outstanding advances to the staff for liquidations. Prepared donor reports when necessary- ensured reporting in the due format of the donors, accuracy of information and timely submission. Ensured compliance to various donor rules and regulations thus mitigating risks arising as a result of noncompliance to donor requirements. Maintained safe custody of project-related expenditure – receipts, vouchers, contracts and all project financial reports in a neatly filed and easily retrievable manner. Intern - Finance & Administration. National Health Insurance Fund | Sept - Dec 2016. Performed day-to-day financial transactions, including verifying, classifying, and recording accounts payable and receivable data. Key contributions: ▪ Posted data to various ledgers, registers and journals following established accounting techniques and procedures. ▪ Recorded accounting transactions and ensured efficient, proper and transparent financial filing systems of all documents relating to finance. ▪ Maintained various ledger accounts including reconciliation of control accounts, revenue accounts, expenditure and cash balances. ▪ Monitored and reviewed various accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness. ▪ Verified and investigated discrepancies, if any, by reconciling vendor accounts and monthly vendor statements. ▪ Prepared mpesa and bank reconciliations on a monthly basis and ensured all variances were resolved within prescribed timeline. ▪ Managed the Branch petty cash of KES 150k +, processed petty cash requests, replenished the petty cash till and reconciled petty cash account. ▪ Analysed revenue and expenditure trends and recommended appropriate budget levels, and ensuring expenditure control. ▪ Posted expenses to the correct journal, ensuring that all expenditure was in line with the budget. ▪ Streamlined petty cash process by introducing controls that had a positive impact on its management leading to a decrease on audit queries on the same. ▪ Customer service. Registered new members and captured their data into the system. ▪ Delivered quality customer service and maintained superior Client satisfaction through provision of effective and efficient reception service to Clients. ▪ Minimized overdrafts and loans by preparation of timely and accurate cash flow forecasts. Additional work experience. 3|Page ▪ Attaché, Operations & Finance Departments. Wakenya Pamoja Sacco Limited. Sept –Dec 2015. ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Academic / Professional training. Bachelor of Arts (Economics). Moi University. October 2013 – June 2018 Certified Public Accounting, CPA (K) Finalist. Achievers School of Professionals. Dec 2014. Certificate in MS Office applications -Achievers School of Professionals. Jan- March 2013. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -Njoro Girls High School .2012. 4|Page