LEAH WANJIRU NYAMBURA
Nairobi
Summary
Strategic Finance and Operations professional with over 10 years of experience managing large-scale donor-funded portfolios and complex organizational workflows. Expert in aligning financial strategy with programmatic goals to drive operational efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainable growth. Proven track record in ERP implementation (SAP, SAGE), tax compliance, and cross-functional leadership. Currently completing a Master of Commerce at Strathmore University to further bridge the gap between financial insight and integrated business performance.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Finance Manager
Shining Hope for Communities
04.2025 - Current
- Strategic Alignment: Successfully bridged finance and operations by aligning $XM budgets with programmatic goals, significantly improving resource allocation and delivery timelines.
- Process Optimization: Streamlined workflows between Finance, HR, and Program teams, enhancing inter-departmental efficiency and ensuring 100% regulatory compliance.
- Data-Driven Leadership: Designed and implemented KPI dashboards to monitor operational impact, enabling senior leadership to make informed, real-time decisions.
- Developed and implemented financial strategies to optimize resource allocation and enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Led budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering stakeholder engagement.
- Mentored finance team members, promoting professional development and enhancing team performance through training initiatives.
- Analyzed financial data trends to inform strategic planning and identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency gains.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate financial perspectives into program planning and execution.
- Oversaw compliance with financial regulations, safeguarding organizational integrity and mitigating risk exposure.
- Streamlined month-end close process, reducing time spent on manual tasks and improving data accuracy.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, federal tax regulations; timely filing of all required documents, mitigating potential penalties or fines.
- Trained new and existing staff members in various financial procedures to prepare for job requirements.
- Developed strategic plans for day-to-day financial operations.
- Prepared cash flow projections, cost analysis and monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
Finance and Operations Manager Consultant
Moderate Ltd
06.2018 - Current
- Workflow Mapping: Increased operational output by mapping end-to-end procurement-to-service workflows and eliminating critical bottlenecks.
- Performance Metrics: Developed integrated KPIs, including inventory turnover and employee productivity metrics, to provide actionable management insights.
- Asset Utilization: Maximized the utilization of technicians and equipment through the implementation of improved scheduling and maintenance procedures.
- Liquidity Management: Created rolling monthly and quarterly financial forecasts (FP&A) that successfully predicted and mitigated cash flow shortfalls.
- Streamlined operational workflows to enhance productivity and reduce bottlenecks.
- Implemented process improvements resulting in increased efficiency across multiple departments.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through regular feedback and performance evaluations.
- Developed training programs for staff to promote skill advancement and operational excellence.
- Championed safety protocols to maintain a secure working environment, reducing workplace accidents significantly.
- Implemented quality control systems to boost overall product consistency and reliability.
- Led cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives, driving organizational objectives.
Senior Finance Officer
Shining Hope for Communities
06.2021 - 03.2025
- Payroll & Compliance: Directed payroll processing for 1,300+ employees, ensuring rigorous adherence to statutory deductions and internal audit standards.
- Financial Reporting: Managed end-to-end donor reporting and grant budget monitoring for high-value portfolios, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
- ERP Enhancement: Spearheaded the refinement of SAGE and SAP processes, increasing reporting accuracy and reducing manual processing time.
- Led financial planning and analysis initiatives to optimize resource allocation.
- Streamlined reporting processes, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and regulations.
- Mentored junior finance staff, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing.
Finance Coordinator / Accounts Assistant
Shining Hope for Communities
07.2015 - 05.2021
- Supported a successful ERP system implementation through staff training and workflow optimization.
- Maintained robust financial ledgers and donor reporting for audit readiness.
Education
MBA - Ongoing
Strathmore University
Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya06-2027
BBA - Finance Option
KCA University
Nairobi, Kenya12-2018
Business Accountancy
KCA University
Nairobi,Kenya12-2013
Skills
- Grant administration and regulatory compliance
- ERP software expertise
- Compliance risk management
- Comprehensive audit coordination
- Financial statement preparation (IFRS/GAAP)
- Cost control strategies
- Analytical support for strategic choices
- Workflow automation and coordination
- Training in budget management across function
- Customer satisfaction and Problem-solving
- Financial planning and reporting
- Coaching, mentoring and training
- Operations management and process improvement
- Logistics management
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Improved forecasting accuracy by 15% through redesigned financial planning and scenario modeling.
- Automated KPI reporting, reducing monthly reporting time from 10 days to 3 days.
- Accelerated month-end close by 25% while increasing general ledger review accuracy.
- Optimized cash flow, cutting outstanding open items by 30% via structured fortnightly reviews.
- Implemented budget control system, ensuring SLA compliance for BVAs and lowering daily support requests.
- Delivered audit-ready compliance, supporting donor audits with zero major findings.
- Established grant management protocols, achieving 100% adherence to donor requirements across multi‑million-dollar portfolios.
- Reduced onboarding time for junior finance staff by 50% through structured training materials and mentorship.
- Aligned finance with strategy, embedding financial analysis into decision-making and optimizing resources across 10+ projects.
Certification
Member: Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK)
References
- Lydia, Salome, Senior Finance Manager, valleydiah@gmail.com, 254728904422, Shining Hope for Communities, P.O Box 8303-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
- Edward, Gachuna, Former Chief Finance Officer, egachuna@gmail.com, +254707397669, Shining Hope for communities, Nairobi, Kenya
- Silas, Murianki, Former Chief Finance Officer, +254720461283, Shining Hope for communities, Nairobi, Kenya
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Leadership: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Operational Strategy, Performance Management
- Financial Governance: Donor Compliance (Mastercard/Global Fund), Tax & Regulatory Compliance, Audit Coordination
- Operational Excellence: Systems Optimization, Procurement & Spend Controls, Workflow Automation
- Data & Technology: ERP Systems (SAP, SAGE, QuickBooks), Advanced Excel, KPI Dashboard Design
Languages
English
Full Professional
Swahili
Full Professional
Timeline
Finance Manager
Shining Hope for Communities
04.2025 - Current
Senior Finance Officer
Shining Hope for Communities
06.2021 - 03.2025
Finance and Operations Manager Consultant
Moderate Ltd
06.2018 - Current
Finance Coordinator / Accounts Assistant
Shining Hope for Communities
07.2015 - 05.2021
MBA - Ongoing
Strathmore University
BBA - Finance Option
KCA University
Business Accountancy
KCA University