Results-driven Finance Specialist and accountant with a proven track record at GIZ, showcasing eight (8) years of experience in managing project financial operations, from full-cycle accounting to budgeting to reporting and auditing, alongside strong teamwork and collaboration skills. Excelled in staff management and financial software proficiency, driving efficiency and accuracy in project financial operations.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Specialist
GIZ, AGRIBIZ EU CO-FINANCING
2021.05 - Current
Recruited to advise and handle complex finance, accounting and administrative issues that affect the implementation of Project activities within the Northwest operational areas of Ghana
Lead the preparation for annual audits, resulting in no significant audit findings in the last three years.
Streamlined third party receivable settlement processes, reducing the delay in settlement of advances given out.
Prepares and submits responses to requests from team leads, and requirements of auditors.
Provides accurate financial forecasts in the form of budgets for management, aiding in strategic decision making on the implementation of events and projects.
Identified process issues and made recommendations for improvement or correction.
Prepared monthly reconciliation of bank accounts and took corrective actions on deviations.
Enhanced internal control systems and procedures to mitigate risk and support opportunities.
Assisted in successful second level EU audits by maintaining detailed documentation and providing timely responses to auditor inquiries.
Prepared monthly reconciliation of bank accounts and took corrective actions on deviations.
Optimized cash flow management, ensuring timely payment of invoices and reducing outstanding debts from service providers.
Provided administrative support to the project team, in organizing meetings and workshops, coordinating travels, and maintaining project files and documentation.
Provided training and support to project staff on finance and administrative related matters.
Prepared and monitored budgets for projects and programs and recommending adjustments as and when necessary.
Prepared bi-weekly cash and bankbook reports with the accompanying vouchers, cash count report and bank reconciliation statements to the Country Office
Assisted with recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new department employees.
Coordinated procurement processes and handled contracts with vendors, consultants, and other service providers up to a threshold of EUR 10,000.
Office Manager
GIZ - COMPETITIVE CASHEW INITIATIVE, COMCASHEW
2017.02 - 2018.09
Handled contracts up to 2500 EUR value (tendering processes, preparation, ensuring related documentation per GIZ principles)
Managed the daily reconciling of cash book and cash accounts as well as bank account using the winpaccs accounting software.
Prepared vouchers and receipts of project bank and cashbook for completeness and allocation to cost units and categories, according to GIZ cost centers and EU co-finance requirements.
Updated the inventory profile of the project office regularly using the Onsite Asset Management Software, filing of inventory update documents, and ensured proper labeling of new assets procured.
Successfully handled the organization of several events (tendering processes and ensuring proper delivery of services)
Prepared transfers and other bank remittance documents to initiate payments to service providers and other clients
Monitoring status of contract (Service contracts, FA and LSc) implementation and submission of reports for subsequent payments.
Accounting Assistant
Directorate Of Finance, University of Cape Coast
2014.09 - 2016.08
Processed payments and documents such as invoices, journal vouchers, employee reimbursements, and statements.
Applied proper codes to invoices, files, and receipts to keep records organized and easily searchable.
Managed high-volume invoice processing tasks while consistently meeting tight deadlines for vendor payments.
Expedited invoice processing with effective communication between internal departments and external vendors.
Assisted in the preparation of monthly financial statements for timely and accurate reporting to management.
Safeguarded company assets, maintaining accurate inventory records and conducting periodic physical counts.
Education
Chartered Accountants Certification - Final Level 3
Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG)
Accra, Ghana
MBA - Accounting
University of Cape Coast
Cape Coast, Ghana
01.2024
Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting & Finance
Developed and implemented a system of tracking old and pending third party receivables from 2018 leading to the discovery of several vouchers which had not been settled for proper retirement to be done in pursuit of reducing receivables to the barest minimum and proceeded to improve efficiencies in the accounts receivables system by creating a tracker to monitor advances (travel and fuel) issued to staff for it to be settled in real time.
Ensured the successful organization of the 1st and 2nd AgriBusiness Fair organized in Wa Municipal together with a contracted event management firm in 2019 and 2021
Supported logistically with the successful implementation of a 4-session Greenhouse management workshop for District Agric Extension Officers held in Dormaa Ahenkuro in 2023
Successfully assisted with the implementation of a warehouse management training for Agric Extension Officers in the North West Operational areas in 2024.
Chartered Accountants Certification - Final Level 3
Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG)
MBA - Accounting
University of Cape Coast
Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting & Finance
University of Cape Coast
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