MARTIN KARUNGU KARANJA

• I Work directly under the supervision of the Field Director, and I provide financial advice and assistance on all aspects of the office's operational and programmatic activities to the Field Director, Heads of the Acquisitions, Serials, and Automation Sections, and Library of Congress officials in Washington DC
• As the Budget Officer, I am responsible for the following duties: compiles cost estimates and budget proposals, reviews, analyses and finalizes the cost estimates, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from the departments, field offices, including programmatic aspects
• Prepares relevant documentation, submits and secure budget approval in accordance with the relevant procedures through the office of Director Financial Management, LCSG in Washington DC
• Advice sections/fund centers on budget utilization, ensures expenditures remain within authorized levels and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary
• I ensure correct budget object classes (BOC) accounts are used for the expenditures incurred during the financial period as well as accurate year-end financial reporting in compliance with the US Government and Library of Congress rules and regulations
• Prepares, review and finalize budget performance reports, analyzing and explaining variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures
• Reviews and verifies that appropriate relevant supporting documents have been provided for the processing of payment vouchers and approve thereof and ensures proper filling for essay retrieval and audit purposes
• Review and reconciles various AfriCAP programs accounts, investigate erroneous/invalid entries and take appropriate corrective accounting action
• Prepares and analyzes a cost recovery report and determines the indirect overhead percentage applicable to programmatic activities in that fiscal year
• As Management Officer, I directly manage procurement operations, including contract support operations, information resources receiving, and logistics essential to program operations
• As a supervisor, I am expected to track progress and quality of performance; give advice, counsel and instruct employees on both work and administrative matters; assign work based on priorities with consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments; effect minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and recommend action in more serious cases; identify developmental and training needs; develop performance standards
• I also act as the Field Director in his absence, and I am expected to foster a team approach to achieve the library’s mission and operational goals and monitor the LOC-Nairobi Office’s high standards of customer care

Key accomplishments

• I have meticulously reconciled the AfriCAP balances to a degree of accuracy that has not been previously seen in LOC Nairobi office for years(Quoted from my evaluation report)
• I have been awarded with the highest award in the mission for my contribution in administrating and managing LOC-Nairobi in the absence of the Field director in two occasions (July 2014-July 2015) and (Nov 2020-Oct 2021)

• I was responsible for the administration and management of all financial aspects of the company which included among others: review systems and procedures within the department in order to increase efficiency and compliance with company procedures
• Supervised and reviewed the expenditure function of the company and assisted in the management of strategic planning function including monitoring of performance against strategic plans
• The financial aspect of my duties included: preparation and implementation of the company budgets, special revisions and monitoring
• This also involved the development and management of section’s budgets including payment projections and cash flow forecasts
• I prepared and compiled monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for the company
• I liaised with the human resources department, payroll and the purchasing functions in the maintenance of financial controls relating to workforce establishment and procurement of goods and services
• I worked closely with other managers on areas such as service development, performance management, business planning, service reviews and improvement of key performance indicators
• I provided financial accounting advice to the business units and group functions by interpreting and applying financial reporting standards

Key accomplishment

• Evaluated and reviewed the billing process for Security alarm rentals for year 2007 & 2008 and realized Kes.18 million as unrealized incomeThe said amount was later billed to respective clients and paid.