Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

SAMUEL MUNENE WAMBUGU

Finance Specialist
Nairobi,Nairobi

Summary

Seasoned and strategic finance professional with over 11 years of progressive experience delivering high-impact financial planning, treasury, reporting, and control solutions across automotive, mobility, insurance, and telecommunications sectors. Currently serving as Finance Specialist – Accounts Payable at MTN Kenya Ltd, with a proven record of optimizing vendor management, driving ERP and banking systems integration, and delivering real-time financial insights to guide executive decisions. Expert in cash forecasting, FX rate negotiations, cost control, and audit compliance, with additional strengths in budgeting, cross-functional leadership, and intercompany reconciliations. A results-oriented contributor to financial transformation, performance improvement, and process automation in dynamic, growth-focused environments.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
2
2
Languages

Work History

Finance Specialist – Accounts Payable

MTN Kenya Ltd
05.2023 - Current
  • Oversee full-cycle invoice processing and vendor payment operations.
  • Manage intercompany reporting and reconciliation across multiple entities.
  • Lead cash flow planning, forecasting, and optimization efforts.
  • Monitor expenses and track cost-of-sale variance linked to revenue performance.
  • Support budgeting and conduct detailed variance analysis with department heads.
  • Automate invoice and payment workflows for improved efficiency.
  • Engage with vendors to resolve discrepancies and negotiate favorable terms.
  • Prepare AP aging reports, operational cost analyses, and cash projections.
  • Support both internal and external audits with proper documentation.
  • Spearheaded the integration of banking platforms with Oracle ERP, ensuring seamless vendor payment processing, enhanced transaction transparency, and reduced manual reconciliation efforts.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Developed a dynamic cash planning model that enhanced short-term liquidity management.
  • Improved expense tracking accuracy by linking budgets to real-time cost centers.
  • Reduced audit findings by ensuring consistent documentation and early issue flagging.
  • Enabled margin analysis reporting by linking COS with actual revenue streams.
  • Delivered end-to-end bank integration with Oracle, significantly improving straight-through processing, vendor satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

Senior Payable Accountant

Toyota Kenya Ltd
05.2018 - 04.2023
  • Led deployment of Synertrade Procure-to-Pay (P2P) system, including UAT development and testing.
  • Managed Oracle Payables integration with procurement workflows.
  • Oversaw vendor ledger reconciliation and recovery of unutilized credits.
  • Prepared weekly/monthly cash forecasts and optimized supplier payment scheduling.
  • Monitored OPEX and COS budgets and produced monthly management reports.
  • Ensured tax compliance (WHT, VAT, Income Tax) and supported external audit teams.
  • Performed intercompany reconciliations and trial balance reporting in FCCs.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Delivered over KES 10M in cost savings via vendor term renegotiations and processing efficiency.
  • Reduced AP cycle time by 25% through automation and control improvements.
  • Built budgeting and variance models improving forecast accuracy by 20%.
  • Enhanced audit controls by deploying document workflows and internal checks.

Cash & Bank Officer

Toyota Kenya Ltd
09.2016 - 04.2018
  • Managed company-wide daily cash receipts, deposits, and bank GL clearing.
  • Prepared and executed liquidity forecasts to support operational funding needs.
  • Negotiated FX rates with banks to reduce currency exposure and increase savings.
  • Placed reserve cash into interest-bearing instruments, boosting treasury returns.
  • Supported journal posting and inter-branch reconciliation using SAP.
  • Advised outlet supervisors on cash handling and expense controls.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Generated measurable interest income through optimized reserve placements.
  • Minimized FX losses through proactive negotiation of currency exchange rates.
  • Improved cash utilization by aligning payment cycles with collection schedules.
  • Supported central treasury in aligning forecast models with working capital needs.

Accounts Officer (GIB Reconciliation)

The Madison Insurance Group
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
01.2016 - 06.2016
  • Executed timely and accurate reconciliation of insurance policyholder accounts and investment fund balances.
  • Analyzed discrepancies between general insurance and investment ledger postings, coordinating with underwriting and claims departments to ensure alignment.
  • Prepared and posted journal adjustments to rectify misstatements and ensure integrity of financial data.
  • Monitored suspense accounts and followed up on long-outstanding items, significantly improving reconciliation closure rates.
  • Maintained compliance with regulatory reporting standards (IRA, CBK) and internal controls.
  • Key Highlights:
  • Reduced reconciliation discrepancies by improving coordination between finance and underwriting departments.
  • Strengthened financial reporting accuracy by resolving high-volume pending items within legacy accounts.
  • Supported audit readiness through improved documentation and transaction traceability in the insurance portfolio.
  • Supported month-end closing process by preparing comprehensive journal entries and adjusting balances as necessary.

Accounts Assistant

The Mater Hospital
Nairobi, Nairobi Province
10.2014 - 12.2015
  • Supported daily accounts payable and receivable transactions, including invoice verification, billing, and payment runs.
  • Maintained and updated the general ledger with accurate journal entries and reconciliations across patient billing, pharmacy, and radiology departments.
  • Monitored inpatient and outpatient billing cycles and collaborated with medical billing officers to reduce delays in claim processing.
  • Reconciled insurance payments and patient accounts, ensuring alignment between hospital services rendered and third-party remittances.
  • Prepared petty cash and imprest account reports and assisted in monthly financial close activities.
  • Key Highlights:
  • Improved billing turnaround time by supporting automation and follow-up on claim disputes.
  • Helped reduce billing discrepancies and enhance accuracy in patient account postings.
  • Contributed to improved revenue assurance through proper tracking of receivables from insurers and corporate clients.

Teller / Senior Teller

SMEP Microfinance Bank
03.2013 - 10.2014
  • Processed high-volume over-the-counter and back-office customer transactions including deposits, withdrawals, loan repayments, and cheque clearances.
  • Ensured accurate end-of-day balancing, cash float reconciliation, and vault management in line with CBK compliance standards.
  • Provided frontline support in client onboarding, account servicing, and loan disbursement operations.
  • Ensured audit trail integrity by maintaining meticulous transaction documentation and daily reconciliation logs.
  • Supported branch reporting, cash flow forecasts, and branch-level expense monitoring.
  • Key Highlights:
  • Maintained 100% compliance on all teller audits during tenure, with zero discrepancies.
  • Reduced customer service turnaround time by improving transaction queue workflows.
  • Strengthened financial controls by instituting a teller log verification system that minimized balancing errors.

Education

Bachelor of Commerce - Finance Option

Kenyatta University
Nairobi

Diploma -

Kenya School of Monetary Studies
Nairobi

CPA -

Private Study
Nairobi

Skills

  • Experience with Oracle and SAP

  • Advanced financial modeling skills

  • Experience with reconciliation tools

  • Tax compliance software proficiency

  • Collaborative software proficiency: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace

Skilled in analyzing financial reports

Proficient in liquidity management

Certification

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – ISACA Member No. 1508797

References

Available upon request.

Accomplishments

  • Spearheaded Synertrade UAT and rollout, enhancing procurement transparency and automation.
  • Built margin-tracking reports at MTN to align costs with revenues and improve profitability insights.
  • Recovered aged vendor credits through rigorous reconciliation, enhancing supplier relationships.
  • Designed integrated financial models supporting strategic decisions across departments.
  • Reduced audit findings significantly through enhanced documentation standards and controls.
  • Negotiated FX deals that saved the business on cross-currency payments and minimized exposure.
  • Delivered cost savings exceeding KES 10 million via process re-engineering and spend control.

Timeline

Finance Specialist – Accounts Payable

MTN Kenya Ltd
05.2023 - Current

Senior Payable Accountant

Toyota Kenya Ltd
05.2018 - 04.2023

Cash & Bank Officer

Toyota Kenya Ltd
09.2016 - 04.2018

Accounts Officer (GIB Reconciliation)

The Madison Insurance Group
01.2016 - 06.2016

Accounts Assistant

The Mater Hospital
10.2014 - 12.2015

Teller / Senior Teller

SMEP Microfinance Bank
03.2013 - 10.2014

Bachelor of Commerce - Finance Option

Kenyatta University

Diploma -

Kenya School of Monetary Studies

CPA -

Private Study

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SAMUEL MUNENE WAMBUGUFinance Specialist