KENNETH OCHIENG

Experience

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  Sidian Bank Ltd (K-Rep Bank Ltd)

  May 2003 - Apr 2005

  Finance Officer

  A leading Micro-Finance Bank that provides a range of finance products for both SMEs and corporates.Ensured financial integrity through meticulous compliance management, accurate reporting, and strategic financial analysis.Key Contributions:-Implemented rigorous quality procedures and investor regulatory compliance standards to assess loan submissions, ensuring adherence to industry best practices and regulatory requirements-Produced month-end closing reports and financial statements in strict accordance with Generally Acceptance Accounting principles (GAAP), providing stakeholders with accurate and reliable financial information for decision-making-Maintained meticulous compliance with accounting practices, classifications, and reporting standards, facilitating seamless cooperation with external auditors and ensuring full compliance with government regulations-Developed and implemented streamlined financial processes and controls to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting, resulting in reduced turnaround times for reporting tasks-Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives to optimize budgeting process, aligning financial strategies with organizational goals and enhancing resource allocation efficiency Show less

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  OPTIWARE COMMUNICATIONS LTD

  May 2005 - Apr 2009

  Chief Acountant

  An ICT company implementing turnkey projects within the East Africa Region and headquartered in Kenya.Lead Financial planning and analysis team. provided financial management reporting including monthly reviews, CEO'S reports, executive meetings, and ad hoc support reporting.Key Contributions:-Developed detailed spending and trend presentations to provide insights into financial performance, empowering decision-makers with valuable data for strategic planning and resource allocation-Generated monthly and quarterly budget reports, conducting thorough variance analysis to identify areas of improvement and optimization-Reviewed various legal and statutory documents, ensuring financial considerations are addressed to mitigate risks -Recommended innovative revenue-generation strategies and cost-saving measures to enhance financial sustainability and efficiency-Established robust internal controls and streamlined financial processes to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and promote transparency-Led cross-functional teams in implementing financial software upgrades, improving data accuracy and efficiency in financial reporting and analysis-Collaborated with departmental heads to align financial strategies with operational objectives, fostering a cohesive approach to financial management across the organization Show less

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  EzyLife Global, formely The Paradigm Project L3C

  May 2009 - Feb 2015

  Manager of Financial Operations

  A subsidiary of an enterprise headquartered in Colorado-USA that distributes renewable clean energy products in low-income countries.Managed finance, HR, and facilities, driving organizational growth through scalable infrastructure, expanded distribution channels, and strategic capital planning alongside grassroots field representatives.Key Contributions:-Spearheaded funding pitch proposals to the Global Alliance of Clean Cook stoves, securing US$ 1million in 2012 and US$ 425 thousand in 2013 for distribution activities in remote areas of Kenya-Skillfully managed financial and diligence requests from major donors, providing precise information to foster successful partnerships and donor support-Developed cost-effective distribution and logistics model, reducing distribution budget allocation by 15% in 2013-Established and maintained financial planning models, including budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans-Managed grant funds for various projects, ensuring timely reporting of fund utilization and performance following standard templates, while also optimizing cash flow projections to support operational needs-Coordinated the accurate recording of all transactions in Netsuite system and promptly addressed queries from the global CFO in the united states-Ensured precise and timely preparation of financial statements in compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements-Implemented cost control measures and strategies to align with overall business objectives-Prepared and distributed Board papers for discussion during local board meetings Show less

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  The Catholic University of Eastern Africa

  May 2013 - Dec 2014

  Part-Time Lecturer

  A leading institution of higher learning committed to providing quality education rooted in Catholic values and principles.-Delivered engaging lectures on Basic Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Financial management to an evening class of 40 students-Facilitated interactive learning sessions through case studies and practical exercises, fostering a deeper understanding of complex financial concepts-Provided personalized guidance and support to students, assisting them in grasping challenging topics and achieving academic success-Collaborated with fellow faculty members to develop innovative teaching methods and course materials, enhancing the overall learning experience for students Show less

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  The Nairobi Club

  Mar 2015 - Sept 2016

  Finance & Administration Manager

  An indigenous Members' Club that offers catering and accommodation services, a fitness and wellness center located in Nairobi.Oversaw financial reporting, budgeting, generating accounting, credit, collateral procurement related financial business cases, and vendor proposal evaluations.Key Contributions:-Spearheaded the successful implementation of new cost reduction initiatives in 2015, achieving a 40% reduction in the hotel's housekeeping expenditure through the application of Gemba Kaizen principles-Implemented menu costing for all food plates offered at the restaurants, resulting in precise price margin setting and a 10% improvement in the hotel's profit margin from 2015 to 2016-Orchestrated the development and maintenance of robust financial systems, processes, and controls to ensure precise and punctual financial reporting-Led the implementation of a performance management process, including objective setting, performance monitoring, and provided valuable feedback to senior management-Managed pivotal relationships with banking institutions, auditors, tax authorities, and external stakeholders, fostering collaborative partnerships-Collaborated closely with departmental heads, offering analytical insights and strategic advice during the budgeting, strategic planning, and forecasting processes-Facilitated the identification of improvement areas across various stages of the investment process, optimizing processes and contributing to cash flow savings and synergies during implementation phases-Coordinated monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing activities, ensuring the accurate preparation of financial statements and timely production of financial reports as per organizational requirements Show less

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  Medionics Healthcare Group

  Oct 2016 - now

  Group Chief Finance Officer

  A healthcare group of companies that provides holistic solutions and materials for pharmacies, hospitals and health laboratories in East Africa. Directing a team of 9 in finance & operations, I oversee Business Operations, Decision Support, Financial planning & Analysis, Business Systems & Legal, and Controllership functions.Key contributions:-Spearheaded risk mitigation strategies, reducing company risk exposure by 30% from 2018 to 2023-Instituted by-monthly performance business reviews with business leaders , resulting in impressive 95% sales target achievement-Optimized working capital management, implementing diverse short-term financing options, leading to a 15% reduction in finance costs-Managed Forex transactions effectively, resulting in a 10% savings on Forex costs through strategic hedging-Created and implemented financial policies and procedures that has enhanced the organization's accounting efficiency by 20%-Developed precise product pricing and costing models, ensuring accurate unit costs, desired margins, notably benefiting sanitary towels and medical product lines-Led the development and implementation of of financial policies, internal controls, and risk assessments, while collaborating with auditors and guiding discussions for operational and financial risk mitigation-Directed the preparation and ongoing monitoring of annual strategic plans in alignment with business objectives, collaborating with senior management to execute the group's strategic vision and evaluate its financial implications-Managed group's investment portfolio, sourcing and evaluating opportunities for maximum returns while minimizing risk exposure-Ensured timely and accurate preparation of financial reports, analyzed financial data to guide strategic decision-making, and led the budgeting process in coordination with departmental heads to optimize resource allocation-Improved cash flow and liquidity, monitored banking relationships and forecasted cash requirements Show less