Shem Magwa

Detail-oriented Accountant with over five years of progressive experience in financial reporting, general ledger and bank reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and audit and tax compliance. Proficient in QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Excel, and Google Workspace, with a strong record of maintaining accurate financial records, strengthening internal controls, and ensuring compliance with IFRS and statutory tax requirements (VAT, PAYE, and Withholding Tax). Known for accuracy, sound analytical judgment, and the ability to work independently under deadline pressure while supporting management with timely, reliable financial information.

Finance Officer — PSC Internship Programme at New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Limited (KCC) (2026-01 – Present)

Reporting to the Finance Manager

• Process supplier invoices, credit notes, and vendor payment vouchers accurately using QuickBooks and other financial systems, ensuring proper authorization and coding to correct general ledger accounts.
• Reconcile general ledger expense accounts on a monthly basis and maintain supporting schedules to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Prepare prepayments, accruals, and provision schedules as part of the monthly close process, ensuring expenses are recognized in the correct accounting period.
• Compute and process statutory deductions including VAT and Withholding Tax, ensuring timely remittance and compliance with KRA regulations.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly financial reports, management accounts, and cash flow forecasts for review by the Finance Manager.
• Coordinate departmental budgeting activities, monitor actual expenditure against budget, and flag variances for management attention.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors during audit assignments, providing supporting documentation and responding to audit queries.
• Support accounts payable operations by resolving payment queries, following up on outstanding invoices, and maintaining organized financial documentation.
• Perform periodic stock and asset verification exercises and reconcile findings with the fixed asset register.
• Assist in preparing schedules and working papers used in statutory financial statement preparation.
• Support the presentation and filing of VAT returns and other statutory financial reports.
• Support the finance team during audits, budgeting, and other financial activities.

Accountant at Ambira Sub County Hospital (2024-10 – 2025-12)

Reporting to the Hospital Superintendent and Board of Directors

• Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management and the Board, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of submission.
• Conducted monthly bank reconciliations and general ledger reconciliations, identifying and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Managed the full accounts payable cycle, including invoice verification, payment scheduling, and monitoring of supplier accounts.
• Supported accounts receivable reconciliation and cash management, including monitoring of revenue collection points and daily cash counts.
• Prepared cash flow forecasts and budget performance reports to guide management decision-making.
• Coordinated the annual budgeting process and monitored expenditure against approved budget lines throughout the financial year.
• Ensured timely computation and submission of VAT and other statutory tax returns in compliance with regulatory deadlines.
• Supported internal and external audit processes by preparing financial documentation, schedules, and presenting Board papers.
• Strengthened financial controls and internal processes to ensure compliance with IFRS and hospital financial policies.
• Maintained the fixed asset register and coordinated periodic asset verification and depreciation computation.
• Supervised petty cash management and imprest accounting, ensuring proper documentation and timely retirement.
• Supported accounts payable and receivables activities, including payment and invoice tracking.
• Assisted in reviewing invoices and supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Key Achievements
• Successfully coordinated audit preparation and resolved audit queries raised by external auditors.
• Improved revenue recovery through enhanced reconciliation processes and stronger receivables follow-up.
• Introduced QuickBooks into departmental operations, improving reporting efficiency and accuracy.

Trade Finance & Treasury Operations Officer at African Banking Corporation Limited (2023-09 – 2024-10)

Reporting to the Finance Manager

• Reconciled multi-currency suspense and CIT accounts (EUR, USD, KES) daily, investigating outstanding entries with branches and posting or reversing corrections in IMAL to maintain zero-balance positions, verified and authorized by designated signatories.
• Maintained Treasury back-office records including deal tickets in the Islamic treasury module, payment and receiving instructions for FX and investment deals, placement settlement instructions, and SWIFT deal confirmations.
• Processed inward and outward SWIFT/RTGS payments: verified test keys and cover in Nostro/CBK and Head Office General Suspense accounts, applied daily FX conversion rates, posted customer credits in IMAL, and issued timely confirmations to branches.
• Prepared and registered Letters of Guarantee, input and transmitted Letters of Credit via SWIFT, verified documentation compliance, booked and collected trade finance charges in IMAL, and advised customers on LC amendments and requirements.
• Guided branches on trade finance tariffs, documentation standards, and product requirements to support consistent service delivery.
• Compiled regulatory reporting, including daily and monthly CBK Foreign Exchange returns and weekly TFA reports.
• Acquired and onboarded new customers in line with company procedures and business growth targets.
• Built and maintained strong customer and market relationships to support business development.
• Conducted proper KYC and due diligence to ensure customer viability prior to onboarding.
• Generated leads, conducted site visits, and processed loan applications from initiation through approval.
• Gathered market intelligence and supported business growth initiatives across the branch.
• Established and implemented repayment plans, monitoring adherence to agreed terms.
• Maintained accurate accounting records and analytical cashbooks, ensuring all transactions were properly recorded and supported.
• Managed accounts payable and the creditors' ledger, ensuring supplier accounts were reconciled and settled within agreed terms.
• Prepared monthly financial, expenditure, and management reports for review by the Finance Manager.
• Conducted monthly bank reconciliations and reconciled creditor balances using QuickBooks.
• Processed VAT, PAYE, and Withholding Tax returns, ensuring accurate computation and timely filing with KRA.
• Supported annual budgeting and expenditure analysis, tracking spend against budget and highlighting variances.
• Assisted external auditors during annual audits by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Analyzed financial data to support management decision-making on cost control and resource allocation.
• Verified and attached all suppliers' E-TIMS invoices in line with KRA requirements to ensure tax compliance.
• Wrote and printed cheques and processed RTGS payments for supplier and vendor settlements.
• Maintained and organized records of payment documentation and supporting vouchers for audit trail purposes.
• Assisted in payroll data verification and coordination with HR for accurate and timely staff payments.
• Assisted in processing and reconciling E-TIMS, bank transactions, and daily financial records.

Audit Intern at Koru County Club (2021-06 – 2023-06)

Reporting to the Director

• Maintained accurate bookkeeping records, cashbooks, and accounting documentation in support of day-to-day operations.
• Processed daily receipts and payments, ensuring all transactions were properly recorded and supported by valid documentation.
• Performed bank reconciliations on a regular basis and promptly investigated and resolved discrepancies.
• Prepared payment vouchers and audit schedules in support of internal and external audit requirements.
• Assisted in preparing monthly and annual financial reports for review by the Director.
• Verified supporting documentation for financial transactions to ensure completeness and compliance with internal controls.
• Supported the implementation and day-to-day use of QuickBooks for daily transaction processing and reporting.
• Collaborated with procurement and operations teams to ensure accuracy of purchase records and reporting.
• Assisted in conducting stock counts and reconciling physical stock against accounting records.
• Reviewed source documents and vouchers as part of pre-audit checks prior to final financial reporting.
• Assisted in maintaining and updating daily transaction journals and financial records.
• Assisted with financial data entry, filing, and maintenance of accounting records.
• Key Achievements
• Led audit preparation and addressed audit findings successfully.
• Recovered lost revenue through improved reconciliation processes.
• Implemented QuickBooks to improve accounting efficiency; developed financial policies that strengthened tax compliance.

Bachelor of Commerce in Finance Option – Pioneer International University (2022)