Daniel Mwatha
Summary
Finance Manager with proven expertise in grants and budget management at Porticus Africa Ltd. Achieved successful audits and compliance through effective financial analysis and reporting. Strong leadership and communication skills bolster risk assessment strategies and stakeholder engagement, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards across multiple programs.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Manager and Operations Lead
Porticus Africa Ltd
10.2023 - Current
- In charge of finance department tasks- transactions processing, payments, and monthly group reporting.
- Manages and is responsible of the regional finances including supervising the accountant.
- Preparation of monthly management reporting and IFRS compliance Financial Statements.
- Supports country management in risk assessments at local level and in implementing appropriate actions for mitigation, including data protection compliance in cooperation with global and according to local regulation.
- Partners with global HR to maintain office policies and procedures. Perform local HR activities (e.g. local recruitment activities, on- and off boarding, maintenance of employee files, liaising with benefit providers/social partners).
- Represents the regional office in the global office operations team and contribute to build up the global agenda.
- Periodical declaration of VAT, calculation of tax provision and preparation of tax returns.
- Coordinates local risk and compliance activities (e.g. local audits and partner due diligence).
Program Finance- Lead
The AECF
05.2019 - 09.2023
- Company Overview: AECF is a Development Institution that is funded by multiple donors and implements programs in Agribusiness and REACT sectors with a presence in twenty-four countries in Africa and offices in seven countries.
- I prepare all SIDA reports for all programs funded by SIDA more than fifteen programs (with a budget of over USD 80M). I review all donor reports for (FCDO, GAC, RNE, USAID, and AUSAID) supervisor and guide the finance officers in charge.
- Excelled in leading Donor and Institution audits-more than three audits for every fiscal year.
- Lead in programs and institution budgets preparation, Train and support country and program officers complete yearly and/or quarterly financial projections and forecasts.
- Prepare monthly financial management reports and BVAs for all programs by the 15th of each month, coordinate and lead the meetings to discuss the Underspending and overspending in each program.
- Manage all related treasury functions including approving payments in the ERP and on the various bank systems. Negotiate favorable exchange rates for the organization.
- Lead in automation of finance process and procedures in AECF, From a semi-manual system to a fully automated system - Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP.
- AECF is a Development Institution that is funded by multiple donors and implements programs in Agribusiness and REACT sectors with a presence in twenty-four countries in Africa and offices in seven countries.
Finance Officer
The AECF
05.2017 - 05.2019
- Treasury management, proposing the most efficient investment options for the organization, executing payments in the most efficient way, preparing bank reconciliations.
- Providing support to the program team on the disbursements of grants to various investees and ensuring that payment advice is shared with the relevant partners.
- Preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual budgets versus actual expenditures for various donor funded programs.
- Handling donor financial reports and ensuring that compliance with various donor requirements is met.
- Coordinating both donor and institutional audits.
- Reviewing all expenses before uploading them on the NAV system to ensure that they are charged to the right donor and the cost is shared as per the cost allocation policy.
- Facilitating review of all invoices received in the finance department and ensuring that all suppliers' payments are done effectively and efficiently.
- Reconciling suppliers' accounts and ensuring that they have the right balances at the end of each month.
Senior Auditor
Deloitte & Touché
08.2012 - 04.2017
- Prepare an audit plan that comprehensively addresses identified risks to ensure client satisfaction by offering value adding audit.
- Lead the engagement team on the field and act as a link between the client and the audit manager and partner.
- Prepared Audit reports and IFRS/GAAP Compliant Financial statements.
- Recommended and followed up on implementation of internal control systems as well as preparation of individual, partnership, and corporate income tax returns.
- Worked on compilations, reviews and audits of Companies, Non-Governmental organizations and Project funded projects.
- Perform detailed qualitative and quantitative analytical review to enhance our understanding of the entity`s financial performance and of its financial position relative to the previous periods, and the general industry's performance.
- Review the audit assistant`s work to ensure quality is observed while identifying skills and knowledge gaps and subsequently coach and train them as well as client accounting teams.
Education
MBA - Global Entrepreneurship and Strategy Management
USIU-Africa
09.2025
Bachelor of Commerce Degree - Accounting Option
University of Nairobi
12.2012
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) -
Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board
06.2011
Skills
- Grants and budget management
- Financial analysis and reporting
- Planning and forecasting
- Auditing and compliance
- Tax and payroll management
- Leadership and supervision
- Budget proposal preparation
- Decision-making skills
- Communication skills
- ICT proficiency
- Project management
- Risk assessment strategies
- Regulatory compliance oversight
- Stakeholder communication
Training
- The 6 Critical Practices of Leading a Team, AECF Leadership Development Program- Franklin Covey, 2022
- Data-driven Decision Making, PWC Course through Coursera, 2021
- Dynamics 365 Business Central ERP Training, Polaris Kenya Limited, 2020
- Financial Modelling Training Workshop, Lattice Consulting Limited, 10/16/17 to 10/18/17
- Various training and conferences offered by ICPAK
- ERP training for Microsoft Navision and Business Central Accounting Software
- Various e-learning and onsite training on IFRS, Internal Controls Management, Deloitte
References
- Cyprian Shilaho, Former Finance Manager, The AECF, +254 733 671 648
- Mrs. Rose Bella Okoth, Former Audit Manager, Deloitte, +254 729 55 94 71
- Peter Ngigi, Director of Operations - AECF
Career Profile Summary
I am a highly skilled finance, audit, and qualified accounting professional with over a decade of proven exemplary work. I have diverse experience in Accounting & Auditing, Budgeting and Financial Management, Financial Analysis and Planning, decision-making, internal controls review and formulation, Tax laws, and general Statutory compliance. Additionally, I am well versed in procurement, Payroll, and Payments Processing. My international experience spans Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and broader Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as global exposure working with a company headquartered in the Netherlands. I am a keen communicator, having collaborated with non-finance staff and Program teams in various countries, demonstrating strong planning abilities, problem-solving, interpersonal, leadership, and people management skills. I have a passion for delivering quality and making an impact in the development world.
Timeline
Finance Manager and Operations Lead
Porticus Africa Ltd
10.2023 - Current
Program Finance- Lead
The AECF
05.2019 - 09.2023
Finance Officer
The AECF
05.2017 - 05.2019
Senior Auditor
Deloitte & Touché
08.2012 - 04.2017
MBA - Global Entrepreneurship and Strategy Management
USIU-Africa
Bachelor of Commerce Degree - Accounting Option
University of Nairobi
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) -
Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board
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