Venance John
Dar es Salaam
Summary
Versatile professional adept in financial analysis, audit support, account reconciliations and collections. Proficient in preparing financial statements, monitoring controls and completing closings. Highly detail-oriented, proactive, and diligent.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Group Finance Manager
DERM Group (T) Limited
Dar Es Salaam
10.2022 - Current
- Developed annual budget and financial plans for the group.
- Analyzed financial performance of the group's businesses to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Managed cash flow forecasting process and liquidity risk management activities.
- Prepared monthly consolidated financial statements and reports for senior management review.
- Coordinated with external auditors during year-end audit process.
- Reviewed all corporate transactions to ensure compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
- Provided support in developing and implementing effective internal controls over financial reporting.
- Identified areas of improvement in current accounting processes to increase efficiency.
- Designed operational procedures to streamline month-end close process and improve accuracy of financial data reported.
- Performed detailed analysis of variances between actual results versus budget and forecast results, providing insight on underlying drivers of variance.
- Assisted in the preparation of quarterly tax filings for various jurisdictions in which the group operates.
- Assisted with special projects such as acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring initiatives.
- Reviewed contracts related to finance and accounting matters including leases, vendor agreements.
- Provided guidance on complex accounting issues when required.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure proper treatment of transactions from an accounting perspective.
- Established relationships with banking partners and other third parties involved in financing activities for the group.
- Maintained strong working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, industry standards and best practices related to finance and accounting matters.
- Trained staff members on accounting processes and procedures as needed.
- Calculated and prepared checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
- Analyzed financial data to determine efficient use of resources.
- Analyzed actual financial results vs budget to prepare variance reporting to functional groups.
- Strategized on fund procurement through banks and other financial institutions.
- Supervised and mentored finance team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensured accurate and timely compliance with tax filing requirements and other regulatory obligations.
- Checked payroll, vendor payments and other accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Developed invoicing systems and internal controls to boost billing efficiencies.
- Created financial management mechanisms to minimize financial risk to business.
- Invested funds and recommended appropriate dividend issuances based on historical dividend patterns and expected cash flows.
- Used hedging to mitigate financial risks related to interest rates on company's borrowings.
Chief Accountant
Jubilee Insurance
Dar Es Salaam
10.2020 - 10.2022
- Developed, implemented and maintained accounting systems for all financial transactions.
- Reviewed, analyzed and verified accuracy of financial documents such as invoices, bills and ledgers.
- Prepared monthly account reconciliations to ensure accuracy of financial statements.
- Supervised the day-to-day operations of the accounting department including accounts payable and receivable and payroll processing.
- Managed the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts in accordance with company policies.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends, variances and discrepancies while providing corrective action plans when necessary.
- Assisted in developing internal controls to minimize risk and improve efficiency throughout organization.
- Ensured timely payment of taxes by preparing tax returns on a quarterly basis.
- Provided guidance to other staff members on proper accounting procedures.
- Reviewed contracts for potential risks or liabilities related to taxation or regulatory matters.
- Monitored cash flow activities including forecasting future needs.
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing financial results on a monthly basis.
- Maintained accurate accounts for cash, fixed assets and other transactions.
- Performed audits of operational and financial areas to check compliance.
- Oversaw full accounting cycle and prepared applicable financial statements.
Audit Manager
Mazars Tanzania
Dar Es Salaam
02.2019 - 09.2021
- Conducted risk-based audits to evaluate internal controls, compliance with laws and regulations, and accuracy of financial statements.
- Developed audit programs to assess the effectiveness of processes within the organization.
- Reviewed client data for accuracy and completeness in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Identified areas of potential risk and provided recommendations for corrective action plans.
- Managed a team of auditors to ensure timely completion of projects.
- Prepared detailed reports summarizing audit results and findings.
- Ensured that all audit activities were conducted in accordance with professional standards.
- Coordinated with external auditors on various aspects of audits and reviews.
- Provided training to staff members on accounting principles, procedures, and best practices.
- Analyzed complex financial information related to client operations and offered solutions for improvement.
- Assisted in developing new policies and procedures designed to enhance internal controls.
- Evaluated operational efficiency by reviewing current systems, processes, documents, records.
- Performed follow-up reviews to ensure corrective actions were implemented properly by management teams.
- Documented test results from audit fieldwork including conclusions drawn from the tests performed.
- Monitored changes in regulatory environment affecting clients' business operations and adjusted audit plans accordingly.
- Maintained an up-to-date knowledge base of relevant accounting standards and industry trends.
- Researched tax issues as needed for specific engagements or clients.
- Reviewed financial statements prepared by other departments prior to release.
- Participated in special projects such as due diligence engagements or fraud investigations.
- Collaborated closely with colleagues across multiple departments on initiatives related to process improvements or cost savings initiatives.
- Managed completion of planned audits, reviewed records, and procedures for accuracy to accomplish objectives and appraised policies and plans under audit review.
- Directed completion of planned audits, assessed records and procedures for accuracy to accomplish objectives and appraised policies and plans under audit review.
- Conducted audits on internal controls and developed reports on findings.
- Collected and analyzed financial data to identify improvements for controls and compliance.
Senior External Auditor
Ernst & Young
Dar Es Salaam
07.2015 - 02.2019
- Reviewed and evaluated financial statements, identified discrepancies and reported findings to management.
- Developed audit programs, plans and strategies for external audits.
- Performed analytical reviews of financial information to identify trends or irregularities in the data.
- Conducted operational audits of internal systems, processes, procedures and controls.
- Performed compliance testing with applicable laws, regulations and standards.
- Analyzed accounting records such as general ledgers and trial balances to assess accuracy of reporting.
- Assessed internal control design effectiveness and reliability of financial reporting systems.
- Prepared detailed audit reports on results obtained from fieldwork activities.
- Identified areas of improvement in internal controls and proposed solutions to strengthen them.
- Evaluated the adequacy of disclosure notes included in financial statements.
- Provided consultation services on complex technical accounting issues related to external auditing matters.
- Reviewed client's documents such as contracts, invoices, purchase orders, for accuracy and completeness.
- Documented audit evidence according to accepted professional standards.
- Communicated audit observations and recommendations to clients' management team verbally or written form.
- Monitored progress made by clients in implementing corrective actions recommended from previous audits.
- Developed relationships with key personnel within client organizations for better understanding of their business operations.
- Participated in special projects related to risk assessment, process documentation or system implementation support.
- Advised clients on best practices in terms of corporate governance and risk management policies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
University of Dar Es Salaam
Tanzania06-2015
Skills
- Cash Flow Management
- Debt management
- Internal Controls
- Cost accounting
- Investment Analysis
- Performance Analysis
- Financial Management
- Variance Analysis
- Financial Analysis
Languages
Swahili
First Language
English
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - National Board of Accountants and Auditors
Timeline
Group Finance Manager
DERM Group (T) Limited
10.2022 - Current
Chief Accountant
Jubilee Insurance
10.2020 - 10.2022
Audit Manager
Mazars Tanzania
02.2019 - 09.2021
Senior External Auditor
Ernst & Young
07.2015 - 02.2019
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - National Board of Accountants and Auditors
Bachelor of Science - Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
University of Dar Es Salaam
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