Gabriel Ngugi
Nairobi
Summary
Distinguished senior-level finance and accounting professional providing insightful and value-adding financial expertise to aid strategic business decisions, exceed operational objectives and direct financial management activities in line with regulatory compliance. Brings particular expertise in delivering efficient and accurate accounting procedures, protocols, and control mechanisms, based on well-practiced skills in creating, leading and implementing financial operations for large programs and donor funded activities. Motivational leader capable of guiding, mentoring, and developing top-performing teams to enable them to fulfil their potential, add value to organizations and optimize resources. Successfully develops strong relationships with stakeholders, colleagues and financial institutions through clear communication, analytical problem solving and strong interpersonal skills.
Accomplished Chief Financial Officer highly effective at driving strategic initiatives with solid financial backing. Eager to leverage 11years of experience.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Finance Officer
IDH Trade
08.2023 - Current
- Streamlined AP/AR processes, resulting in a reduced supplier invoicing timelines to 5 days, ensured faster and streamlined donor and statutory reporting within 10 days of the required deadline, 30% increase in vendor payments and improved cash flow visibility.
- Generate financial reports and forecasts to inform strategic planning.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend actionable improvements.
- Safeguard the organization’s financial health through proactive risk management.
- Supervise financial operations and reinforce internal control systems.
- Lead budgeting, procurement, and operational functions to optimize efficiency.
- Design and execute procurement plans while managing supplier relationships.
- Deliver training and support to enhance procurement processes across teams.
- Manage payroll processing and employee reimbursements with accuracy and timeliness.
- Oversee inventory systems and establish IT support procedures for operational continuity.
- Oversee vendor payments and ensure proper documentation and compliance.
- Prepare internal and external financial reports to support transparency and decision-making.
- Monitor budgets and track expenditures to maintain financial discipline.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies and donor regulations.
- Coordinate with local and international teams to align financial operations and reporting.
- Maintain and optimize ERP systems for efficient financial data management.
- Support financial audits and implement recommendations to strengthen controls.
- Promote financial accountability and contribute to sound fiscal management across the organization.
Senior Finance and Compliance Officer
Mercy Corps
01.2019 - 07.2023
- Company Overview: International humanitarian organization with an annual budget of USD 70 Million.
- Oversee all financial reporting and budget monitoring for this international humanitarian organization with an annual budget of USD 70 Million.
- Involved in financial decision making and strategic planning in the accounting and finance department for USAID, EU, SIDA, EC, Google, MasterCard Foundation, FCDO and other donor budgets.
- Focus on avoiding disallowed or ineligible costs by creating a robust financial risk framework and risk register as well as supporting the procurement team to comply with organizational policies and donor regulations.
- Ensure effective planning, monitoring and implementation of both country and multicounty programs and administrative activities by securing sufficient liquidity in the organization through monthly cash flow projections.
- Ensure punctual month end procedures/closings while leading and mentoring a team of three Finance Assistants to ensure proper maintenance of general ledger and all monthly, quarterly, and annual closings and reconciliations.
- Leverage excellent management skills to provide indirect support to other country offices while ensuring compliance with organizational and donor policies across all field offices and the regional office in Nairobi.
- Save the organization from exchange rate losses and secure optimal exchange rates by building and maintaining a strong relationship with the bank.
- Strengthens internal control systems by regularly reviewing and updating segregation of duties matrix as well as authority approval matrix.
- Act as first port of call for Mercy Corps compliance queries, advising Country Director of all compliance risk areas.
- International humanitarian organization with an annual budget of USD 70 Million.
Finance Officer
Mercy Corps
11.2015 - 12.2018
- Collaboratively developed and customized payroll software to streamline Payroll Operations, which resulted in a significant reduction in the time taken to process payroll and associated reports from seven days to two days.
- Increased both external and internal audit ratings by conducting regular compliance checks on field offices and making recommendations to the Finance Manager.
- Increased the efficiency in tracing and retrieving documents for audits and other reviews by developing and implementing new filing system.
- Supported Program Managers and the Finance Director by monitoring program expenditures, analyzing discrepancies and preparing comprehensive reports on budget vs actual variances.
- Directed profitable growth and mitigated risks through AD-HOC accounting requests, monthly reconciliations, cash counts, end of month reporting, journal entry closing and discrepancy resolution.
- Continuously ensured all vendor payments were made on time and in line with internal company policies as well as approved and reviewed as per the Authority Approval Matrix and authorized as per the approved bank mandate.
Assistant Finance Officer
Mercy Corps
10.2014 - 10.2015
Accounts Assistant
Goodman Agencies Limited
01.2014 - 09.2014
Education
Master of Science - Commerce, Finance, and Investments
KCA University
12-2023
Certified Public Accountant (CPA- K) -
KASNEB
01.2013
Bachelor’s Degree - Commerce, Finance
KCA University
12-2011
Skills
- Cost accounting
- GAAP
- Accounts payable management
- Stakeholder communication
- Tax compliance
- Internal controls
- Payroll administration
- Accounts receivable management
- Financial audits
- Financial statement preparation
- Cash flow management
- Financial analysis expertise
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial reporting
Professional Memberships
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPAK), 21464
Personal Information
Title: Senior Finance and Compliance Officer
Timeline
Senior Finance Officer
IDH Trade
08.2023 - Current
Senior Finance and Compliance Officer
Mercy Corps
01.2019 - 07.2023
Finance Officer
Mercy Corps
11.2015 - 12.2018
Assistant Finance Officer
Mercy Corps
10.2014 - 10.2015
Accounts Assistant
Goodman Agencies Limited
01.2014 - 09.2014
Master of Science - Commerce, Finance, and Investments
KCA University
Certified Public Accountant (CPA- K) -
KASNEB
Bachelor’s Degree - Commerce, Finance
KCA University
Similar Profiles
Kanti NandiKanti Nandi
Sr. Program Officer – Small Tea Growers Sustainability Program at IDH – Transforming MarketsSr. Program Officer – Small Tea Growers Sustainability Program at IDH – Transforming Markets
Marcia Alves de SouzaMarcia Alves de Souza
Técnico em enfermagem at IDH - UPA II PAULO BONI - LUZIÂNIA GOTécnico em enfermagem at IDH - UPA II PAULO BONI - LUZIÂNIA GO
Erin GoodrumErin Goodrum
Recruiter/HR Generalist at IDH, Alliance, DunkinRecruiter/HR Generalist at IDH, Alliance, Dunkin
Festus MutukuFestus Mutuku
Associate Auditor for Ground Services at Kenya AirwaysAssociate Auditor for Ground Services at Kenya Airways
Dereje Ayalew HaileDereje Ayalew Haile
Cold Chain Specialist at UNICEF ESARCold Chain Specialist at UNICEF ESAR