Esther Wangari Chege

Experience

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  East African Breweries PLC (EABL)

  Oct 2006 - Sept 2017

  - Manage a team direct reports as well as indirect reports working in the reporting process area.- Support and work with the management team to deliver on the SLA targets / Key Performance Indicator in the business case (process excellence, lower cost, efficient service) from a Reporting stand point with adherence to surrounding internal control.- Support the Corporate /Market Functions in ensuring the subsequent relationships with counterparties are maintained and controlled, and financials are reported accurately on time.- Manage people for success - by taking responsibility for the outcomes of the team, knowing individuals in the team, coaching and supporting the team’s development, and leading a mind-set of continuous process improvement.- Delivery of defined and approved Key Performance Indicators and Service Level Agreements and co-ordinates analysis and solves arising issues in aim to continuously deliver the defined service level in the following areas:-Full Data Quality result-Intercompany mismatch-General Ledger (GL) reconciliation completeness -General Ledger Action Tracker- Chart of Account compliance- Ensures effective and robust process controls in place and compliance by all RTR Team membersACHIEVEMENTSo Introduced a balance sheet review control whereby I reviewed the various balance sheet accounts to ensure proper accounting and all risks called out ahead.o Decreased the time it took to manage accounts receivables and payables for year-end closings, by a staggering 75% by ensuring we have monthly control meetings and trend analysis done.o Trained over 5 finance and accounting staff members, during their induction periods with the company.o Worked with the financial controller to have a precision limit which helped in trend analysis and comparison purposes Show less -Participate on the month-end close reporting processes in accordance with the agreed internal and group timetable. Ensure the completeness and the accuracy of financial records.-Assist the treasury manager in the daily transactions and correspondence with the banks e.g updating bank mandates & accounts opening.-Analysis of Forex Movements gains and losses, interest income and costs.-Implemented new procedures for banking operation to achieve efficient cash concentration and reporting.-Created improvements in reconciliation processes which saves up to three hours per week.-Introduced Forecasted daily cash position with the payables and receivable departments which ensured available cash optimization hence reducing the overdrafts. Show less -To contributed ideas, energy, enthusiasm and support to the continuous improvement of the „Purchase to Pay” process-Reconciled vendor accounts and followed the closure of any outstanding issues promptly and courteously.-Streamlined the accounts payable system by restructuring archaic accounts payable procedures.-Introduced and implemented a core audit compliance and controls system that decreased accounts payable audit time by 22% as it ensured strict controls in the day to day running.-Introduced controls that mostly focused on Vendors Debit balances, Reduction of Pre payments and ensuring less advance payments hence lead to the improvement of the working capital management.-Ensured minimal or non unreconcilling balances especially on Key Vendors and Top vendors by value.-Ensure outstanding supplier commitments are analyzed and review and any withheld invoices to offset debits outstanding prepayments to avoid any risk in future. Show less

  • Regional Financial Accountant

    Apr 2014 - Sept 2017

  • Senior Treasury Accountant

    Aug 2009 - Mar 2014

  • Payables Accounts Assistant

    Oct 2006 - Jul 2009
• 

  Diageo

  Oct 2017 - Mar 2020

  FINANCIAL CONTROL-SUPPLY FINANCE MANAGER

  For over 2 years, I worked in this role for Diageo Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC, which is the country’s leading premium spirits company and my responsibilities were:-STRATEGIC BUDGET PLANNING & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT• Led the preparation of annual budgets of up to GBP 12M for the Cost of Sales (COGS) .I also coordinated P&L forecasts, analysed business performance, and provided insights to support future performance & opportunities.FINANCIAL FORECASTING AND ANALYSIS• Managed and cordinated the provision of structured and insightful analysis of financial and non-financial data aimed at realizing productivity hence improving the companies profitability.BUSINESS PARTNERING & REPORTING• Worked on multiple project deadlines and managed to deliver timely, quality and accurate reports. PEOPLE/TALENT MANAGEMENT• Managed a team direct reports as well as indirect reports working in the reporting process area.• Drove and inspired excellence within the team by creating an environment of learning and excellence .CONTROLS, AUDIT & RISK MANAGEMENT• Lead a risk management processes by ensuring that audit and risk assessments are conducted periodically.WORKING CAPITAL & CASH MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION•Achieved an improvement of Gross Margin Rations through analysis of costing and profitability data of all products regularly ACHIEVEMENTS• Achieved efficiency in Utility usages and hence reduction of cost translating into productivity savings of USD 5,000 in the financial year.• Developed a discrepancy management system which included providing weekly reports which resulted to 75% decrease in discrepancies in accounting entries.• Challenged the status quo by providing new ideas and creating projects from scratch which achieved a reduction of risk in balance sheet of USD 594,000 per annum through improper accounting.• Successfuly implemented a Business Intelligence reporting tool (COGS insight) through a project delivery. Show less

• 

  Ol Pejeta Conservancy

  Sept 2020 - now

  Head Of Accounting

  Overseeing all the day to day aspects of the accounting and reporting functions and involved in the supervision and management of general accounting activities, analyses, partnerships, and the maintenance of effective internal controls while ensuring statutory compliance in all accounting initiatives. Working with departmental heads across the business in supporting their financial activities, guiding them through financial process, and interpreting the progress, implications of financial outcomes.maintaining financial oversight of the donor funding financial requirements and obligations. Involved with managing all financial aspects of grants and donor funds and develop procedures, policies and guidelines around financial management and reporting for these projects whilst also ensuring the organisation is audit ready at all times Show less