Emma Achato
Deputy Director Finance, Gatsby Africa
Nairobi
Summary
Experienced senior finance professional with 20 years working experience in charity and public sectors, including 11 years at senior management level. Skilled in leading large teams at headquarters and field offices, overseeing finance, procurement, IT, and administrative functions. Dedicated to employee development through coaching and mentoring. Managed budgets of up to USD 24 million, collaborating with diverse donors and executing projects for international aid agencies such as DFID, OSF, NORAD and SIDA. Proficient in strategic planning, risk management, budgeting, financial reporting, audit, procurement, logistics, and cash flow management. Holds an MBA, ACCA, CPA , and Bachelor's degrees in Commerce and Applied Accounting, and Certified Internal Auditor, seeking to apply professional knowledge and experience for organizational success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Deputy Director Finance
Gatsby Africa
04.2022 - Current
- Developed thought leadership around specific topics and emerging practice areas in support of budget, financial and operational goals.
- Liaised between organization and affiliates and managed networking relationships with funders, partners and vendors.
- Worked closely with management to provide effective assistance for specific aspects of finance operations.
- Improved coordination and communications across organization to increase operational efficiency.
- Ensured regulatory compliance across all departments through diligent monitoring of policies, procedures, documentation requirements.
- Collaborated with legal, accounting and other professional teams to review and maintain compliance with regulations.
- Prepared and submitted accurate, timely management and financial reports and project budgets
- Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to facilitate successful collaborations on joint projects.
- Developed strategic plans to achieve organizational goals, ensuring alignment with company''s mission and vision.
- Trained and mentored new employees on industry practices and business operations.
- Spearheaded the risk management process for the finance unit.
- Led team of 8 finance professionals in special projects and daily operations
Senior Finance Manager
Msingi East Africa
10.2021 - 03.2022
- Efficiently managed the financial accounting, reporting, treasury management, financial systems, budgeting, and
compliance aspects of the organization. - Streamlined month-end close process through automation initiatives that increased data accuracy while reducing time spent on administrative tasks.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments, commissions and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Established internal audit procedures to validate and improve accuracy of financial reporting.
Regional Controller
Msingi East Africa
02.2019 - 07.2020
- Led the strategic development and implementation of finance initiatives at Msingi, driving the creation of budgets, financial metrics, and efficient cost allocations.
- Conducted in-depth expense analyses, managed accounting operations, and ensured compliance with financial regulations and audit requirements.
- Proactively responded to audit queries and maintained meticulous financial records to high standards for internal and external auditing purposes.
Head of Finance and Administration
World Wide Fund For Nature
08.2013 - 01.2019
- Developed and implemented a transparent and accurate cost recovery methodology.
- Established an efficient budget control system to optimize financial management.
- Led successful transition from Sage ACCPAC to Oracle Financials accounting software.
- Achieved clean audit reports consistently during my tenure at the organization.
- Achieved a 24% growth in financial sustainability, initially from a deficit to surplus position.
- Improved workflow efficiency by streamlining task assignments within the finance and admin team, providing training and mentorship to staff.
- Created comprehensive financial sustainability and risk plans for WWF Uganda.
- Established internal audit procedures to validate and improve accuracy of financial reporting.
Financial Management Specialist
Financial Management And Accountability Programme
07.2009 - 08.2013
- Orchestrated timely submission of financial statements accounts for Luwero and Jinja Districts in Uganda leveraging accounting software.
- Conducted training sessions for Heads of Finance in new town councils of the Northern and Eastern region on financial statement preparation.
- Provided comprehensive training to finance officers in the districts of the Northern region of Uganda on bookkeeping and accounts preparation.
- Completed financial accounting software training for 500 end users in local governments, as well as management training and preparation of training manuals.
- Executed pre and post go-live activities, ensuring users were well-informed of their roles with the new system and providing support for initial transaction processing.
- Achieved successful go-live within project schedule for Pallisa, Kapchorwa, Jinja, and Mukono Local governments in Uganda.
- Implemented EFT payments effectively in Pallisa, Kapchorwa, Jinja, and Mukono LG’s across all commercial banks in Uganda.
Education
Certified Internal Auditor - Internal Audit
Institute of Internal Auditors
Florida, USA 04.2001 -
CPA - Accounting
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Uganda
Kampala, Uganda 04.2001 -
MBA - Finance
Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Applied Accounting
Oxford Brookes University
United Kingdom 04.2001 -
Accountancy Certification - Accounting
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
United Kingdom 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda 04.2001 -
Skills
Planning and Budgeting
undefinedAccomplishments
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Awarded bronze medal winner overall 3rd best performer in ACCA finalists of 2006 exam sitting
2. Awarded prize winner for ACCA paper 2.6 (Internal audit and review)
3. Attained First class Honor’s for Bachelor of Applied Accounting degree (Oxford Brookes)
CONSULTING WORK DONE
• I was a Speaker at seminar on the topic “Preparing for Audits in EU Development Cooperation projects and
Humanitarian Aid Funding” hosted by the European Academy for Taxes, Economics and Law from 25th-26th
February 2016 in Berlin, Germany
• I was a Speaker at seminar on the topic “EU Financial Accounting in International Cooperation and
Development Projects on 19-20 June 2017 in Berlin, Germany
Referees
Available upon request
Timeline
Deputy Director Finance
Gatsby Africa
04.2022 - Current
Senior Finance Manager
Msingi East Africa
10.2021 - 03.2022
Regional Controller
Msingi East Africa
02.2019 - 07.2020
Head of Finance and Administration
World Wide Fund For Nature
08.2013 - 01.2019
Financial Management Specialist
Financial Management And Accountability Programme
07.2009 - 08.2013
Certified Internal Auditor - Internal Audit
Institute of Internal Auditors
04.2001 -
CPA - Accounting
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Uganda
04.2001 -
MBA - Finance
Heriot Watt University
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Applied Accounting
Oxford Brookes University
04.2001 -
Accountancy Certification - Accounting
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting
Makerere University
04.2001 -
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