Benson Nzimi
Nairobi
Summary
Dedicated financial management professional with demonstrated strengths in financial accounting, reporting, audits, tax management, budgeting, and treasury management. Good at troubleshooting problems and building successful solutions. Excellent verbal and written communicator with a strong background in cultivating positive relationships and exceeding goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Manager
ICEA LION Life Assurance Company Limited
2023.06 - Current
- Led and completed automation of non-production payments to streamline and simplify the process while enhancing controls .
- Provided leadership to the IT and finance teams to continuously improve the payment systems by identifying gaps and proposing solutions.
- Led and provided support the teams working on Host-to-Host payments system for main insurance payments. System assisted in simplifying processes while enhancing controls.
- Worked with Operations and Finance Teams to resolve long outstanding bank reconciliations issues including the development of an automated bank reconciliation system.
- Fully managed end of period reporting including implementation of monthly reporting under the IFRS 17 standard.
Finance and Administration Manager
CAREPAY NIGERIA LIMITED
2020.04 - Current
- Steered the establishment of accounting, financial management, and operating processes for a new subsidiary
- Responsible for financial management, HR management, and overall office administration
- Developed the company's pricing structure in a new market and successfully sold to a key client
- Improved day-to-day operations of the finance department and increased reporting efficiency from the 5th to the 3rd working day of the subsequent month
- Collected $170k in long outstanding receivables from a key client after reconciling the accounts and managing the relationship
- Improved start-up cash runway by more than 90 days by taking advantage of the complex foreign exchange environment in Nigeria
- Analyzed expense data and identified opportunities that lowered expenses by 15%.
Finance Manager
CAREPAY KENYA LIMITED
2016.11 - 2020.03
- Responsible for overall financial management and business reporting for the company
- Conducted end-of-month closing and generated a credible set of financial statements with only 1 week of induction upon joining the company
- Improved the financial reporting deadline from the 10th to the 5th of the subsequent month
- Resolved a complex reconciliation of system data which in turn closed a $100k dispute with a key partner
- Extended cash runway for a start-up by 60 days pending the conclusion of a new funding round through conservative cash management policies and negotiating with key service providers.
Head of Operations
FSD KENYA
2015.06 - 2016.10
- Directed administrative staff handling finance, procurement, ICT support, and HR
- Led the negotiation of a $14m contract, saving the organization more than $2m in the process
- Provided financial oversight to a $100m project, ensuring full compliance with donor accounting and reporting requirements
- Led the implementation of SAP software for accounting and operations.
Finance Manager
KPMG KENYA
2008.05 - 2015.05
- Managed the financial closing process, including posting transactions and journals, and closed various business processes
- Produced monthly financial statements and donor reports to comply with legal and multiple donor requirements
- Supported project management efforts through data analysis, due diligence reviews of potential grantees, cost controls, and risk reviews.
Senior Financial Accountant
AAR Health Services Ltd
2005.01 - 2008.04
- Created detailed reports including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash flow statements
- Managed month-end closing activities, including reconciling accounts, reporting on revenue, and reviewing expenses
- Managing cash flow, accounts payables, accounts receivables and the budgeting process.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Ongoing - Finance
Mount Kenya University
Thika, KenyaBachelor of Commerce - Accounting
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, KenyaSkills
- Financial reporting
- Financial analysis
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills
- Comprehensive GAAP knowledge
- Good understanding of IFRS 17 reporting
- Budgeting
- Internal controls
- Tax management
- HR and payroll management
- Cashflow and treasuring management
- Managing procurement and contracting
- Financial audits
- Managing performance KPIs
Other qualifications
CPA - Kenya
Timeline
Finance Manager
ICEA LION Life Assurance Company Limited
2023.06 - Current
Finance and Administration Manager
CAREPAY NIGERIA LIMITED
2020.04 - Current
Finance Manager
CAREPAY KENYA LIMITED
2016.11 - 2020.03
Head of Operations
FSD KENYA
2015.06 - 2016.10
Finance Manager
KPMG KENYA
2008.05 - 2015.05
Senior Financial Accountant
AAR Health Services Ltd
2005.01 - 2008.04
Master of Business Administration - Ongoing - Finance
Mount Kenya University
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
University of Nairobi
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