Francis Watema
Accountant
Nairobi
Summary
Results-driven accounting professional with a strong foundation in financial management and auditing. Detail-oriented and committed to delivering precise financial insights. Proven track record in streamlining financial processes, enhancing accuracy, and ensuring compliance across multiple sectors including logistics and hospitality. Excels in preparing comprehensive financial reports, conducting meticulous reconciliations, and managing tax obligations. Dedicated to contributing to organizational growth through strategic financial planning. Seeks a challenging environment to utilize skills, talents, and interests to their full capacity while supporting organizational processes, people, and systems. Aims to build teamwork within the organization and achieve quality productivity for both self and employer. Proactively contributes to creating a good team atmosphere with a priority for success, growth, and profitability in an organization where quality service is delivered.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Head Office Unit Accountant – 2 Units
Mada Holdings Ltd T/A Mada Hotels
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
12.2024 - Current
- Journal Audits: Conduct daily verification of unit reports, including sales, payments, and expenses, ensuring accurate posting in Tally and ERP systems
- Payments Verification: Reconcile payments against bank statements to maintain financial accuracy and transparency
- Accounts Receivable: Oversee debtor statements and reconcile unit debtors' control accounts to ensure proper collections and financial reporting
- Accounts Payable: Prepare and process payment vouchers for creditors, ensuring timely and accurate disbursement of funds
- Management Reporting: Assist in the preparation of comprehensive daily and monthly financial reports for two business units, supporting informed decision-making
Unit Accountant
Mada Holdings Ltd – T/A Hotel La Mada
12.2022 - 11.2024
- Sales and Payments Audit – Checking and preparing reports of all daily sales posted and ensuring correct settlements on the POS
- Reconciliation of all payment against end day summary of payments and monthly statements
- Night audit – Ensuring daily night audit has been correctly done by the Front office for accuracy of financial statements
- Invoice preparation and Debtor's Follow up – Preparing invoices for all credit sales and dispatch to clients and companies
- Following up on timely settlement of the invoices and preparation of debtors control account as well
- Tax Accounting and Reconciliation – Ensuring all sales tally with Etrs and correcting any mistakes to ensure company's taxes conform the set policies and legislation
- Petty cash Management – Posting and management of daily petty cash expenses
- Costing Reporting and Management – Daily reporting and management of cost reports to ensure maximum output at the lowest possible inputs
- Inventory management – Checking and reconciling daily stock supplies and transfers from Stores to cost centres as well as physical stock taking for all cost centres and comparison with sales
- Updating end month closing balances for inventories
- Assets Management– Monthly stock take for all the companies stock assets and preparation of monthly asset loss reports
- Daily Manpower reporting – Updating daily staff attendance registers and ensuring the company's off/leave day regulations have been followed
- Preparation of end month staff data for payroll preparation
- Utility reporting – Updating daily water, gas, electricity and diesel utilities and preparation of monthly consumption reports
Internal Auditor
J&P Lounge
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
01.2022 - 11.2022
- Financial Reporting & Audit: Reviewed the accuracy of financial reports (journals) and prepared final managerial reports to support decision-making
- Stock Auditing: Conducted thorough stock reconciliations to ensure consistency between manual counts and POS records
- Risk Assessment: Evaluated the company's financial risk exposure and ensured compliance with operational independence standards
- Tax Compliance & Auditing: Ensured company taxes complied with regulatory policies, including VAT, PAYE, Tourism Levy, and Corporate Tax filing
- Asset Management: Verified company assets and liabilities, assessing the disposable value of assets for financial reporting
- Transaction & Bank Reconciliation: Audited company payment accounts and reconciled monthly bank and MPESA statements to maintain financial accuracy
Accountant
J&P Lounge
11.2020 - 12.2021
- Stock & Inventory Management: Conducted daily reconciliation of stock between counters, store records, and POS reports, investigating and resolving any variances
- Fixed Asset Accounting: Managed company fixed assets, tracking damages, disposals, and ensuring accurate balance sheet and general ledger records
- Accounts Payable & Receivable: Processed daily, weekly, and monthly payments in line with company policies while maintaining and updating supplier statements
- Financial Reporting: Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including Stock Journals, Purchase Journals, Balance Sheets, Profit & Loss Statements, Cash Flow Reports, Tax Reports, and Expense Reports to support financial decision-making
- Cost Control & Procurement: Conducted price analysis on stockists and procured inventory from the most cost-effective, authorized suppliers to maximize profit margins
- Petty Cash Management: Oversaw cash flow and expenditures, ensuring compliance with company policies while handling banking transactions and variance analysis
- Payroll Management: Processed monthly payroll accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with labor laws and company policies
- Tax Compliance: Ensured adherence to tax regulations by filing PAYE, VAT, Corporate Taxes, and Tourism Levy accurately and on time
Junior Accountant
Index Cargo Logistics Ltd
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
05.2021 - 10.2021
- Journal Entries & Transaction Recording: Accurately posted journal entries to ensure all financial transactions were properly recorded
- Accounts Receivable Management: Updated accounts receivable records daily, issued invoices, and monitored outstanding balances
- Accounts Payable Reconciliation: Maintained up-to-date accounts payable records and performed regular reconciliations to ensure accuracy
- Petty Cash Management: Processed and recorded daily petty cash transactions, ensuring proper documentation and compliance
- Financial Reporting Support: Assisted the senior accountant in preparing monthly and annual financial reports, contributing to financial planning and decision-making
Accounts Intern
ThaddeusEdwards Consulting Group Ltd
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
10.2018 - 02.2019
- Invoice & Payment Processing: Assisted in preparing invoices and payment vouchers for outsourced clients, ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Financial Document Management: Organized and maintained hard copies of financial records, including invoices, receipts, bank statements, and tax documents
- Tax Filing: Assisted in filing Rent Income Tax and VAT for outsourced clients, ensuring compliance with tax regulations
- Bookkeeping: Recorded and posted daily financial transactions using QuickBooks, maintaining accurate and up-to-date accounts
- Client Reporting: Prepared and distributed monthly financial reports in hard copy format to clients
- Petty Cash Management: Monitored petty cash transactions and assisted in the preparation of monthly expense reports
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Economics And Communication
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya 04.2015 - 01.2020
Certified Public Accounting (CPA) - Intermediate Level
RCM ONLINE COLLEGE
Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya 01.2019 - 01.2020
KCSE -
Kyemundu Secondary School
Makueni Boma, Makueni District, Kenya 01.2011 - 01.2014
KCPE -
Kyemundu Primary School
Makueni Boma, Makueni District, Kenya 01.2002 - 01.2010
Skills
Financial Reporting & Analysis
Attention to Detail & Accuracy
Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
Financial Process Optimization
Procurement & Vendor Management
Budgeting & Cost Control
QuickBooks, Tally, ERP Systems Microsoft Excel, Word & PowerPoint
Fixed Asset Management
Stock & Inventory Auditing
Tax Compliance (PAYE, VAT, Corporate Tax, Tourism Levy)
Bank & MPESA Reconciliations
Accounts Payable & Receivable Management
General Ledger & Journal Entries
Financial Reporting & Analysis
Professional Development
- Good client relations
- Impressive written and verbal communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Time Management and Multitasking skills
- Great attention to detail
- Excellent skills on taxation and statutory compliances
Additional Information
Tito Kisongoa
Financial Consultant & CEO
ThaddeusEdwards Consulting Group Ltd
Tel No: 0722 447 871
Ronald Miriti
Manager
J&P Lounge
Tel: 0716 114 508
Martin Muraya
Unit Manager
Hotel La Mada
Tel No: 0722 312 345
Lawrence Sila
Group Personnel Manager
Mada Holdings Limited.
Tel No: 0711 862 708
Timeline
Head Office Unit Accountant – 2 Units
Mada Holdings Ltd T/A Mada Hotels
12.2024 - Current
Unit Accountant
Mada Holdings Ltd – T/A Hotel La Mada
12.2022 - 11.2024
Internal Auditor
J&P Lounge
01.2022 - 11.2022
Junior Accountant
Index Cargo Logistics Ltd
05.2021 - 10.2021
Accountant
J&P Lounge
11.2020 - 12.2021
Certified Public Accounting (CPA) - Intermediate Level
RCM ONLINE COLLEGE
01.2019 - 01.2020
Accounts Intern
ThaddeusEdwards Consulting Group Ltd
10.2018 - 02.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Economics And Communication
University of Nairobi
04.2015 - 01.2020
KCSE -
Kyemundu Secondary School
01.2011 - 01.2014
KCPE -
Kyemundu Primary School
01.2002 - 01.2010