Chisenga Matukutuku
Lusaka
Summary
With 18 years of cross-functional experience in accounting, compliance, risk management, and grants oversight, I bring a broad skill set and deep industry insight. My strong analytical capabilities and expertise in capacity building—paired with a results-driven mindset—enable me to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments. Having worked across both nonprofit and private sectors, I adapt seamlessly to diverse organizational cultures and collaborate effectively with stakeholders from varied backgrounds. Known for quickly mastering complex systems and upholding high reporting standards, I earned promotions in each of my last three organizations, including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Analyst
USAID (United States Agency for International Development)
02.2020 - 07.2025
- Strengthened financial integrity of USAID-funded projects by reviewing and contributing to the financial analysis sections of contracts, agreements, and implementation letters to ensure consistency with project designs and compliance with funding requirements.
- Improved project feasibility evaluations by analyzing budgets, advance requests, and financial reporting systems, and providing actionable recommendations on alternative financing and project viability.
- Proactively tracked project funds, providing quarterly updates to the Health Office and notifying leadership of significant changes to enable responsive financial planning.
- Led pre-award financial assessments of prospective grantees and contractors, evaluating accounting systems, internal controls, and financial capacity to inform funding decisions.
- Guided implementing partners on financial regulations, cost principles, and USAID-specific compliance requirements, enhancing their operational readiness and capacity to deliver programs effectively.
- Conducted follow-up reviews and site visits, preparing detailed trip reports with recommendations for improving financial performance and control systems, and tracking implementation of corrective actions.
- Ensured compliance and accuracy by reviewing project vouchers, indirect cost claims, budget line expenditures, and liquidation of advances—escalating unresolved balances over 30 days for leadership action.
- Coordinated internal control reviews and risk assessments, contributing to the design and implementation of the Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework and USAID Forward initiatives.
- Maintained audit databases and served as the Mission’s focal point for audit coordination, liaising with the USAID Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Zambian Auditor General, and award recipients to close out audit recommendations effectively.
- Acted as the Financial Management Office (FMO) representative to the Health Office, participating in strategic meetings and ensuring seamless communication between finance and program teams.
- Managed quarterly accrual exercises and obligation reviews by coordinating with program staff and ensuring proper documentation supported estimates and certifications.
- Supported budget formulation and justification, providing financial insights to guide the Health Office’s resource requests and aligning program needs with available funding.
- Prepared detailed scopes of work for financial reviews, evaluating internal controls, financial compliance, and the adequacy of accounting systems to ensure fiduciary accountability.
- Led compliance testing of Mission management controls, mitigating operational risk and supporting a strong control environment.
- Reason for Leaving: Agency Closure
Accountant
USAID (United States Agency for International Development)
05.2017 - 01.2020
- Oversaw USAID/Zambia’s financial operations, managing an annual program budget of $333M and an operating expense budget of $5M, ensuring financial integrity, compliance, and alignment with USAID and Congressional requirements.
- Optimized funding allocation by streamlining the recommendation and disbursement process for program funds, operating expenses, and Local Currency Trust Fund requests, improving alignment with strategic priorities and regulatory guidelines.
- Strengthened internal decision-making by providing expert financial guidance on complex transactions to technical and support teams, enhancing the accuracy and consistency of accounting practices.
- Ensured regulatory compliance through comprehensive reviews of sub-commitments, obligations, and fund availability, while maintaining accurate, timely entries of draft and final transactions in the USAID Accounting System.
- Enhanced financial transparency by preparing and reviewing mission-wide fiscal reports, including fund status by project and funding source, supporting clear reporting and informed resource management.
- Improved budget execution and forecasting by leading quarterly and annual reviews of unexpended obligated balances, identifying de-obligation opportunities and necessary upward adjustments.
- Maintained compliance with USAID’s Automated Directives System (ADS) by accurately tracking and reconciling unliquidated obligations, ensuring sound financial management.
- Supported accrual accuracy by coordinating with project managers on computations and adjustments, improving financial planning and reporting outcomes.
- Reconciled cross-Mission payments by processing all Intra-Agency Payments (IPACs), coordinating with USAID/Washington and other Missions, and working with the Chief Accountant to resolve outstanding balances, ensuring accurate reporting on Agency Location Code payments.
- Reason for Leaving: Promotion
Senior Compliance Officer
Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ)
02.2016 - 05.2017
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of potential sub-awardees’ health management, accounting systems, and financial controls, ensuring eligibility for funding and accurate posting of approved data into the CHAZ Sun Accounting System.
- Served as primary liaison for sub-awardees under the AIDSRelief-Transition Project, delivering clear guidance on annual budgets and obligated funds while monitoring spending to ensure alignment with approved allocations.
- Led development of corrective action plans in response to internal and external audit findings, following up with sub-awardees to ensure timely resolution of audit queries and strengthened internal controls.
- Ensured compliance documentation by verifying that each sub-awardee maintained complete files with fully signed grant agreements and supporting documents for reference and accountability.
- Identified financial management training needs of sub-awardees and worked collaboratively to incorporate targeted interventions into customized training plans, thereby enhancing grantee capacity and compliance with donor standards.
- Provided structured feedback to sub-awardees on capacity gaps and recommended tailored support to address deficiencies and improve financial governance.
- Prepared critical financial input reports, including cash balance updates and retirement summaries, for integration into the grants management system to ensure accurate tracking and oversight.
- Compiled and finalized technical updates for review meetings, presenting key performance insights and financial findings to senior management for decision-making.
- Reason for Leaving: Career Advancement
Compliance Officer
Churches Health Association Of Zambia (CHAZ)
04.2013 - 01.2016
- Served as the lead liaison for assigned sub-awardees, providing critical information on annual budgets and obligated funds, while ensuring partners adhered strictly to budgetary constraints and donor compliance requirements.
- Monitored sub-awardee spending and fund utilization through regular site visits and desk reviews, verifying financial and programmatic reports to support timely and accurate disbursement of funds.
- Prepared and submitted key financial inputs, including retirement reports and cash balance summaries, for system updates within the grants management platform to maintain up-to-date financial records.
- Tracked and followed up on questioned costs identified during financial and programmatic reviews, ensuring timely resolution and documentation to support audit readiness.
- Enforced timely reporting by issuing reminders and actively following up with sub-awardees ahead of reporting deadlines, significantly reducing late submissions and improving reporting compliance.
- Resolved programmatic and operational disputes among sub-awardee teams, acting as a neutral facilitator to ensure effective collaboration and uninterrupted implementation of project activities.
- Supported internal compliance functions, assisting the Senior Compliance Officer in preparing materials for Technical Review meetings and finalizing high-quality reports for presentation to senior management.
- Reason for Leaving: Promotion
Project Accountant
John Snow Inc - USAID DELIVER/SCMS
05.2012 - 03.2013
- Provided critical financial oversight, supporting the Financial Systems Manager in managing all JSI financial activities and serving as the primary point of contact for both local and Washington-based staff in their absence.
- Led daily accounting operations for the project, including managing the JSI field accounts system, examining vouchers, reconciling advances, projecting expenditures, and tracking accruals—ensuring consistency met reporting deadlines, reviewing and submitting complete monthly financial reports and databases to JSI/Washington by the 10th and resolving all queries by the 20th, enhancing transparency and accountability.
- Strengthened financial planning by assisting in the preparation of monthly cash flow forecasts for Washington DC, supporting informed decision-making and efficient fund utilization.
- Improved cost recovery and accountability by managing staff mobile phone usage, billing for personal use, and collecting reimbursements to reduce unnecessary organizational expenses.
- Supported compliance with USG and JSI financial regulations, contributing to audit readiness and ensuring adherence to legal requirements, including employee tax obligations and VAT-free exemptions.
- Enhanced budgeting accuracy by maintaining open coordination with technical advisors, ensuring alignment between activity plans and financial projections.
- Maintained effective procurement and inventory controls, tracking outstanding purchase orders in the SCMS system and submitting accurate monthly inventory logs to headquarters.
- Improved documentation quality and audit readiness, verifying completeness of all e-filed vouchers before dispatch to Washington.
- Reinforced internal controls, reconciling staff advance accounts biweekly, auditing Finance Assistant entries, and ensuring all financial records—including registers, receipts, and retirements—were accurate and up to date.
- Reduced financial discrepancies by regularly reconciling QuickBooks staff advance balances against summary sheets, ensuring consistency and reliability in financial reporting.
- Reason for Leaving: Career Advancement
Provincial Finance and Administration Officer
John Snow Inc-USAID DELIVER/SCMS
09.2010 - 04.2012
- Ensured timely and accurate financial processing by preparing, recording, and supporting all payments with complete documentation in line with organizational policies.
- Submitted accurate financial reports to the central office on a monthly basis, contributing to informed decision-making and centralized oversight.
- Provided strategic financial guidance to the Provincial Public Health Logistics Advisor, enhancing budget alignment with programmatic goals.
- Monitored and enforced compliance on staff advances, ensuring timely retirements and preventing outstanding liabilities.
- Oversaw efficient petty cash management, maintaining records, receipts, and reconciliations to support operational fluidity.
- Prepared monthly budgets and cash forecasts, enabling proactive financial planning and resource allocation.
- Directed daily administrative operations of the provincial office, ensuring continuity of services and adherence to operational standards.
- Supervised a team of administrative staff, including Administrative Assistants and the Office Assistant, fostering accountability and task completion.
- Collaborated with the training department to coordinate logistical arrangements for workshops, including venue bookings and participant reimbursements.
- Served as liaison officer between the Mongu provincial office and the central office, facilitating smooth communication and coordination.
- Maintained up-to-date inventory records, safeguarding organizational assets and supporting quarterly audits.
- Implemented office security protocols, enhancing safety for staff and protecting organizational property.
- Reason for Leaving: Promotion
Project Accountant
St Theresa’s Mission Hospital - Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - Aids Relief project and Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) Malaria and Income Generating Activities (IGA) Projects
05.2008 - 08.2010
- Prepared accurate monthly and annual financial reports for both CRS and CHAZ, contributing to informed decision-making and donor accountability.
- Maintained and updated the Cash Book using the PASTEL accounting software, ensuring completeness and accuracy of financial data.
- Prepared payment vouchers and executed payments, maintaining proper documentation and compliance with internal control procedures.
- Banking, Payroll & Regulatory Compliance
- Served as an authorized bank agent, facilitating secure and timely financial transactions on behalf of the organization.
- Ensured compliance with national regulations by processing timely monthly statutory payments including PAYE and NAPSA to relevant Zambian authorities.
- Prepared monthly bank reconciliations, payrolls, and annual budgets, maintaining accuracy and timeliness under CHAZ and CRS financial policies.
- Managed imprests to support smooth operational cash flow and transaction traceability.
- Supervised the Cashier, overseeing daily financial transactions, ensuring adherence to financial procedures, and mentoring for accuracy and compliance.
- Reason for Leaving: Career Advancement
Assistant Accountant
Nash Explosives Ltd
12.2007 - 04.2008
- Managed end-to-end financial accounting processes, including all purchases, sales, and expense ledgers, ensuring accurate posting to the general ledger and generation of timely month-end and trial balance reports.
- Prepared monthly financial statements, including profit and loss accounts, cash flow forecasts, and bank reconciliations, supporting management with critical financial insights for decision-making.
- Maintained the cash book and cash floats, ensuring accurate records of inflows and outflows and enabling smooth operational liquidity.
- Processed monthly payroll and ensured accurate and timely submission of statutory obligations such as PAYE, NAPSA, and VAT, maintaining full compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Generated and recorded invoices in the sales day book, and posted expense transactions in the purchases day book, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial documentation.
- Reason for Leaving: Career Advancement
Education
Management Accountant under Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Certificate -
Self Study
01.2014
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Diploma Certificate - undefined
Zambia Institute of Management - Chingola Campus
01.2006
Grade 12 ‘O’ Level Certificate - undefined
Fatima Girls Secondary School
01.2003
Skills
- PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Management Reporting for Decision-Making
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Risk Management and Internal Controls
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Financial Strategy Development & Implementation
- Project Appraisal & Monitoring
- Donor & Grants Compliance (USAID, CHAZ, CRS)
- ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Leadership & People Management
References
Chanda, Musonda, Supervisory Financial Analyst, cmusonda.zm@gmail.com, +260 977 824507, USAID/Zambia
Affiliations
Professional Affiliation: Fellow Member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA)
Timeline
Financial Analyst
USAID (United States Agency for International Development)
02.2020 - 07.2025
Accountant
USAID (United States Agency for International Development)
05.2017 - 01.2020
Senior Compliance Officer
Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ)
02.2016 - 05.2017
Compliance Officer
Churches Health Association Of Zambia (CHAZ)
04.2013 - 01.2016
Project Accountant
John Snow Inc - USAID DELIVER/SCMS
05.2012 - 03.2013
Provincial Finance and Administration Officer
John Snow Inc-USAID DELIVER/SCMS
09.2010 - 04.2012
Project Accountant
St Theresa’s Mission Hospital - Catholic Relief Services (CRS) - Aids Relief project and Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) Malaria and Income Generating Activities (IGA) Projects
05.2008 - 08.2010
Assistant Accountant
Nash Explosives Ltd
12.2007 - 04.2008
Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Diploma Certificate - undefined
Zambia Institute of Management - Chingola Campus
Grade 12 ‘O’ Level Certificate - undefined
Fatima Girls Secondary School
Management Accountant under Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Certificate -
Self Study
Similar Profiles
YEHUDE SIMON VALCÁRCELYEHUDE SIMON VALCÁRCEL
Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - All In For DevelopmentCommunication and Knowledge Management Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - All In For Development
Gregory A. LittletonGregory A. Littleton
Case Controller/Security Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)Case Controller/Security Specialist at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Tshepo Dick MaodiTshepo Dick Maodi
Regional Head of Disbursements at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)Regional Head of Disbursements at United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Nicolas Nawej KashamaNicolas Nawej Kashama
Principal Enterprise Architect Consultant at North Node Consulting LimitedPrincipal Enterprise Architect Consultant at North Node Consulting Limited
MIKE KAYANDAMIKE KAYANDA
Fleet Operaions Assistant at CJ SMART CARGO ZAMBIA LTDFleet Operaions Assistant at CJ SMART CARGO ZAMBIA LTD