Head of Finance

Chief Financial Officer – Easy Coach; 2014 to November 2024 As the Chief Financial Officer, I provided strategic financial leadership by strengthening governance, accuracy, and compliance across the organization while driving operational efficiency and cost optimization. I led financial planning, reporting, systems automation, and branch performance management to support Easy Coach’s growth, stability, and long-term profitability. Strategic Planning, Cost Optimization and Performance Management • Guided the execution of a 5-year business plan in partnership with RSM, ensuring actionable implementation, measurable outcomes, and alignment with organizational priorities. • Introduced branch accounting structures that allowed every branch to operate as an independent cost center, strengthening performance tracking, cost allocation, and operational discipline. • Drove department efficiency improvement initiatives that resulted in significant cost optimization and improved capacity utilization across the business. Financial Leadership, Reporting and Governance • Directed the full spectrum of financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting, tax compliance, and financial governance across the organization. • Oversaw external audits, internal controls, risk management frameworks, and compliance with KRA and regulatory requirements, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy, discipline, and transparency. • Provided strategic insights to Directors and Shareholders through monthly and quarterly reporting, in-depth performance reviews, and presentation of all financial working papers for board and shareholder meetings. Financial Systems Strengthening and Automation • Led the successful implementation of SAP ERP and later Sage Pastel Evolution ERP, including comprehensive branch accounting modules and a fully structured Fixed Asset Register. • Streamlined financial systems, reporting procedures, and workflow integration, resulting in faster reporting cycles, improved interdepartmental collaboration, and reduced audit queries. • Developed and deployed automated monthly profitability reporting for over 60 branches, enabling real-time decision-making and enhanced accountability. Financial Reporting • Consistently presented comprehensive monthly and quarterly financial reports to Directors and Shareholders, ensuring informed decision-making and maintaining full transparency through meticulous preparation of all working papers. • Enhanced operational accountability by developing and implementing monthly profitability reporting for more than 60 branches, which significantly improved visibility into branch-level performance and drove timely corrective actions. Notable Achievements • Played a pivotal role in registering Easy Coach for the Top100 Mid-Sized Companies Awards by KPMG, leading to the company achieving top rankings in its category for several years and later graduating to Club 101 after surpassing the KSh 1 billion turnover threshold. • Delivered clean annual external audits with no management letter issued by strengthening financial controls and ensuring exceptional accuracy in financial reporting, which reinforced stakeholder confidence in the organization’s financial integrity. • Maintained exemplary tax compliance by ensuring precise filings and rigorous adherence to regulatory requirements, enabling the Company recognized as a Large Taxpayer to complete multiple KRA audits with zero penalties. • Produced highly accurate management accounts that required no adjustments by external auditors, demonstrating the reliability of internal financial processes and elevating the credibility of the Finance Department. • Successfully identified and resolved a major fraud issue that had gone undetected by internal audit, strengthening financial safeguards and preventing future losses by tightening control mechanisms and transactional oversight. • Successfully executed a 5-year business plan in partnership with RSM by translating strategic recommendations into actionable initiatives, enabling steady progress toward organizational growth targets. • Spearheaded the implementation of SAP ERP, which transformed workflow integration, increased operational efficiency, and dramatically improved financial reporting timelines across the organization. • Achieved over 15% reduction in direct and indirect overheads by driving efficiency improvements, optimizing operational processes, and improving capacity utilization, leading to significant cost savings. • Introduced a full-fledged branch accounting model that enabled each branch to function as a separate cost center, resulting in clearer accountability, better financial discipline, and more accurate performance management. • Led the design and rollout of Sage Pastel Evolution ERP—covering branch accounting modules and a detailed Fixed Asset Register thereby enhancing data integrity, asset tracking, and synchronized branch operations. • Streamlined and standardized accounting procedures, resulting in timely, accurate financial reporting and smoother audits with minimal queries, demonstrating improved efficiency and operational excellence in the finance function.

Finance Manager

As the Finance Manager, I provide strategic leadership in financial planning, controls, and resource management to strengthen the company’s financial stability and growth. I ensure accurate reporting, regulatory compliance, and effective decision support while driving efficiency and sound financial governance across the organization. Financial Leadership, Growth and Resource Management • Drive organizational growth, solvency, and profitability by strategically sourcing, allocating, and managing financial resources while maintaining accurate and reliable financial records. • Provide financial leadership that supports long-term stability through proactive credit management, cash-flow oversight, and mitigation of financial risks. Strategy Development and Internal Controls • Lead the formulation and execution of the company’s finance function strategy, ensuring internal controls are robust, effective, and aligned with corporate objectives. • Develop and implement accounting policies, systems, and financial operating models that enhance efficiency, accountability, and compliance across the organization. Financial Planning, Budgeting and Reporting • Oversee end-to-end financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making. • Deliver periodic financial reports with actionable insights and recommendations that improve performance, guide management decisions, and promote organizational agility. Compliance, Audit Management and Transaction Oversight • Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions, adherence to statutory requirements, and full compliance with regulatory filings. • Coordinate external audit processes, ensuring audit readiness, comprehensive documentation, and well-maintained internal controls that lead to smooth and timely audit outcomes. Advisory and Risk Management • Advise senior management on financial impacts of ongoing and new business ventures, enabling effective investment decisions, cost-saving opportunities, and strengthened risk mitigation strategies. • Conduct continuous financial analysis, monitor key performance indicators, and adjust strategies based on emerging trends, operational shifts, or market conditions. Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Collaboration • Build and maintain effective financial relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, banks, auditors, regulators, and executive leadership. • Contribute to organization-wide strategic planning as part of the senior management team, integrating financial insights into broader corporate objectives. Operational Finance, Controls and Reporting • Supervising month-end closing procedures, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant financial data across all business units. • Strengthening accountability and operational discipline through continuous monitoring of financial processes, performance metrics, and adherence to best practices in financial management.

• Master of Business Administration (Global) – Investment Banking

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)