Yahya Haji

Finance Manager with 7+ years of progressive experience in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial reporting, accounting operations, internal controls, cash flow monitoring, audit coordination, and ERP-based finance processes. Promoted twice within AVSI Foundation, with strong experience supporting senior management through budget control, financial analysis, reporting packages, expenditure monitoring, documentation review, and cross-functional coordination. Strong record in management reporting, budget tracking, cost allocation, expenditure monitoring, audit readiness, process improvement, documentation control, month-end and year-end financial processes, and coordination with program, procurement, logistics, operations, partners, auditors, headquarters, and senior management.

Finance Manager at AVSI Foundation, Iraq (2022-11 – Present)

Lead finance governance, budget monitoring, financial reporting, accounting oversight, cash flow control, and internal control processes across AVSI Iraq's finance operations and project portfolios.

• Deliver weekly, monthly, and periodic reporting packages for management, headquarters, and project teams, covering budget control, payroll, AMPE, P&L, variance analysis, and compliance follow-up.
• Drive budget planning, forecasting, cost allocation, budget revisions, and expenditure monitoring in collaboration with program leadership and senior management.
• Strengthen financial compliance by validating expenditure eligibility, budget coding, supporting documentation, ERP postings, and alignment with organizational policies and applicable requirements.
• Review financial transactions, accounting entries, calculations, supporting records, and system postings to safeguard accuracy, completeness, traceability, and compliance.
• Oversee finance and accounting functions, monitor task implementation, guide deadline management, and reinforce consistent application of finance procedures and internal controls.
• Align with project managers, program teams, procurement, logistics, operations, partners, headquarters, and senior management to resolve financial requirements and implementation bottlenecks.
• Oversee treasury and cash flow requirements by reviewing cash movements, conducting cash count controls, monitoring liquidity needs, and verifying system records.
• Improve audit readiness across multiple financial cycles by applying audit recommendations, closing documentation gaps, and enhancing financial tracking and supporting document controls.
• Contribute to Big Four audit processes by compiling audit files, responding to auditor queries, explaining financial transactions, and tracking corrective actions through closure.
• Participate in tender openings, spot checks, compliance reviews, and documentation checks with procurement and logistics teams to strengthen control over procurement-related transactions.
• Develop reporting packages, supporting document checklists, budget tracking files, and finance follow-up tools to improve reporting quality and reduce compliance risks.
• Train staff and local partners on financial procedures, documentation standards, reporting templates, supporting documents, internal systems, and compliance expectations.
• Liaise with international partner organizations on financial follow-up, documentation review, reporting alignment, and exchange of finance-related best practices.
• Advise senior management on financial analysis, budget status, compliance risks, reporting deadlines, audit matters, and finance-related decision support.

Senior Accountant at AVSI Foundation, Iraq (2020-09 – 2022-10)

• Validated accounting entries, financial transactions, payroll records, bank reconciliations, statutory payments, and supporting documentation against AVSI policies and donor requirements.
• Managed month-end and year-end closing inputs by reviewing financial records, reconciling balances, updating budget accounts, and preparing data for financial reporting.
• Controlled bank reconciliation, treasury follow-up, foreign exchange transactions, fixed asset records, depreciation schedules, and financial documentation.
• Administered project budget accounts, including budget line opening, closing, tracking updates, and financial record consistency checks.
• Facilitated internal and external audit work by compiling schedules, organizing supporting records, clarifying transactions, and tracking audit recommendations.
• Guided accountants and newly recruited staff on finance systems, accounting procedures, documentation standards, and internal control requirements.
• Assisted local partners with reporting tools, documentation collection, financial records, and donor compliance expectations.
• Monitored payroll verification and statutory payment processes, including tax and social security-related obligations.
• Worked closely with accountants to improve posting quality, reconciliation accuracy, filing discipline, and consistency in applying finance procedures.

Accountant at AVSI Foundation, Iraq (2018-12 – 2020-08)

• Processed invoices, payment requests, cheques, cash transfers, bank reconciliations, purchase order follow-up, and accounts payable documentation.
• Recorded transactions in Microsoft Dynamics NAV and organized finance files, scanned invoices, supporting records, and audit-ready documentation.
• Performed daily cash count documentation, bank reconciliation preparation, field finance follow-up, and payment tracking.
• Tracked tax and social security payments with government departments in Federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
• Conducted field visits to assist field accountants, review documentation, resolve finance issues, and reinforce compliance with procedures.
• Administered finance archiving systems to keep invoices, checks, payment records, and supporting documents complete, traceable, and ready for review.
• Contributed to external audit preparation by organizing documents, schedules, transaction records, and requested financial information.

Accountant at Plenum Ceramica, Iraq (2018-06 – 2018-11)

• Administered accounting records, payroll processing, supplier payments, beneficiary payments, bank reconciliations, cash counts, and payment transfers.
• Entered financial data into spreadsheets and Al Bayan Accounting System while supporting accurate accounting records and documentation controls.
• Improved accounting procedures and internal control practices to support smoother daily finance operations.
• Explained financial information and accounting processes to non-finance staff when required.

Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Accounting | Duhok Polytechnic University - Technical College of Administration | 2018

KPMG Training Course for the CMA - Certificate of Completion | KPMG Kawasmy & Partners Co. | Completed: 3 July - 4 December 2024 | 129 Training Hours

• Covered CMA-focused areas: Part One - Financial Planning, Performance & Analytics; Part Two - Strategic Financial Management.

CMA Exam Preparation | Management Accounting & Strategic Finance

• Ongoing exam preparation focused on financial planning, performance management, strategic financial management, decision support, budgeting, cost management, and management accounting principles.