Waza Lukasha
Lusaka
Summary
Accomplished Acting Regional Financial Controller with extensive experience in financial management, audit, and compliance. Proven track record in enhancing financial reporting accuracy, streamlining processes, and implementing robust internal controls. Demonstrated expertise in budget planning and management, financial planning and analysis, and regulatory compliance awareness. Adept at leading cross-functional teams to improve overall financial performance and collaborating with regional sales teams to establish revenue forecasts. Strong interpersonal communication skills combined with a problem-solving mindset ensure effective leadership under pressure. Career goal: To leverage extensive experience in finance to drive strategic growth and operational efficiency within a dynamic organisation.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Acting Regional Financial Controller
Cellulant Corporation Limited
10.2024 - Current
- Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal regulations by staying current on industry developments and updating company policies accordingly.
- Led cross-functional teams on special projects to improve overall financial performance across the organization.
- Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining data collection processes and implementing rigorous monthly review procedures.
- Enhanced interdepartmental communication by establishing regular financial update meetings and providing comprehensive reports.
- Implemented robust internal controls to safeguard company assets, prevent fraud, and ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Promoted a culture of accountability within the organization by regularly reviewing financial results against target metrics and addressing variances as needed.
- Optimized cash management practices through diligent monitoring of accounts receivable and payable balances.
- Collaborated closely with regional sales teams to establish revenue forecasts based on historical trends and market conditions.
- Prepared financial statements for subsidiaries in Southern Africa region
Finance Manager
Cellulant Zambia Limited
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Streamlined month-end close process, reducing time spent on manual tasks and improving data accuracy.
- Enhanced budget management by implementing expense tracking and cost reduction strategies.
- Increased financial efficiency by streamlining and automating financial reporting processes.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, federal tax regulations; timely filing of all required documents, mitigating potential penalties or fines.
- Trained new and existing staff members in various financial procedures to prepare for job requirements.
- Monitored budget and revenue trends, compiling reports for company leadership to inform decision-making.
Assistant Manager
PwC Zambia
07.2023 - 04.2024
- Preparation and Review of Annual Financial Statements to ensure compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the Zambia Companies Act.
- Taking charge of deliverables issued to the Board on a timely basis i.e. Audit plan, Audit committee report, Board report, and Annual Financial statements.
- Preparation of detailed audit reports, including findings, recommendations, and risk assessments for management and Board of Directors review.
- Manage budgets, identify scheduling constraints, and monitor team progress. This involves training staff and helping less experienced staff manage workloads and assignments. I also give timely and balanced feedback to ensure I support the development of others
- Leading all technical consultations on all my engagements, including completing any necessary research and forming an initial point of view ahead of time.
- Understanding Hot topics such as ESG (Sustainability reporting) (including service offerings from other lines of service: Tax & Risk assurance) to spot opportunities at my clients and also actively participating in business development activities such as proposals for potential clients
- Generated strategic weekly Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets, motivating and incentivising staff to continually achieve and exceed expectation.
- Actively engaging in the development of others by facilitating training of junior staff members e.g milestone courses, industry courses, local office lunch and learn sessions.
- Oversee all communications of Learning and Methodology in the firm to ensure everyone is taking ownership of their engagements and attaining high quality, strong independence testing results which has resulted in positive internal inspections results for the period I have been in charge
- Developed strong relationships with clients through constant communications
Senior Associate 2 (Team Manager)
PwC Zambia
07.2022 - 06.2023
- Identifying financial, operational, and business risks in the organization through understanding of the business.
- Coordinated and organized resources to execute audit projects by prioritizing multiple, concurrent projects to deliver high-quality results.
- Monitoring team performance against budgets and ensuring that the team is working as efficiently as possible to meet client deadlines and manage budgets
- Prepare and Review financial statements to ensure consistency with Company accounting policies and International Accounting Standards
- Kept calm and applied strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts. This involved addressing situations before they became a crisis and developed solutions to avoid recurrence.
- Delivered high level of service to clients to both maintain and extend relationships for future business opportunities.
- Prepared audit deliverables ( Audit plan, Audit report etc) to the Board.
- Identified weaknesses of existing control systems and made suggestions for remediation. Tracked this Quarterly with client to ensure compliance.
- Trained, developed and provided performance management initiatives to staff.
- Managed data collection, visualisation and reporting for projects of different scale and applications.
- Leveraged on data tools (such as Halo, Alteryx, PowerBi) to identify and communicate data insights and identify opportunities for efficiency.
Senior Associate
PwC Zambia
01.2022 - 06.2022
- Identified control gaps in processes, procedures and systems through in-depth research and assessment and suggested methods for improvement
- Gathered and analyzed financial data to determine improvement efforts
- Established internal control systems by updating audit programs
- Evaluated operational risk, developed audit plans and documented results.
- Executed comprehensive audit programs based upon approved audit plan for evaluation of management controls provided over institutional activities.
- Identified risks using audit fundamentals and best practices.
- Adhered to audit principles, standards and practices to maintain good company standing.
- Coordinated and organized resources to execute audit projects.
- Complied with established internal procedures by examining reports, processes and documentation
- Developed and enforced audit policies and administrative and technical functions
- Developed auditing program to address risks and evaluate regulatory requirements
- Performed strategic planning, execution and finalization of audits
- Enhanced audit controls by improving planning and testing processes
- Worked audit engagements for wide variety of industries, including engineering, manufacturing, non-profit and human resources.
- Led and managed teams of minimum 2 and maximum 3 individuals on audit projects still meeting audit deadline despite man-force
- Prepared and communicated audit plans to senior management team.
Experienced Assurance Associate
PwC Zambia
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Performed audits of operational and financial areas to check compliance.
- Presented audit results to management teams, delivering information in non-technical terms for easy understanding.
- Managed and trained team members to enhance audit department performance and increase operational efficiency.
Audit Associate
PwC Zambia
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Communicated results of audits to upper management through factual written reports and oral presentations.
- Interacted with clients to request information and relay to audit team.
- Performed audit procedures to validate financial report data.
- Assessed program goals and processed related regulations in order to complete in-depth audits.
- Supported independent certified public accountants in performance of annual audits, collaborated with external IT auditors and followed up on information systems reviews for appropriate management actions.
- Managed auditing procedures and reduced banking requirements based on accuracy and streamlined procedures.
- Oversaw annual audits, reducing banking requirements from full audit to compilation based on consistent accuracy of reporting.
- Planned and executed audits in accordance with accepted standard operating procedures.
- Reviewed internal audit controls.
- Established alternative audit, accounting and internal control procedures and recommended process improvements to aid clients in addressing deficiencies.
- Created and performed internal control testing based on client's internal risks and procedures.
- Identified, researched and resolved financial reporting and auditing issues.
- Participated in interviews, performed observations and evaluated pertinent information to supplement audit findings
- Provided assistance and support to Audit Manager in performing accounting analysis according to rigorous schedules
Audit Assistant
PKF Zambia
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Established internal control systems by updating audit programs
- Followed up on reviews to assess and report on completion or progress of corrective actions
- Identified audit risks, prepared budgets and coordinated with management and audit team in preparing related reports
- Maintained professional knowledge by attending trainings
- Gathered and analyzed financial data to determine improvement efforts.
Education
CMI - Certified Business Development
Britts Imperial University College,
United Arab Emirates02.2026
Master Of Arts - Entrepreneurship
Britts Imperial University College,
United Arab Emirates02.2026
MBA - International Business
Britts Imperial University College
United Arab Emirates02.2026
LZICA - Chartered Accounting
Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountant
Lusaka Zambia04.2024
Full CIMA - CIMA
Self Study
Zambia2024
Bachelor of Arts - Business Studies and Finance
University of Greenwich
Zambia12.2022
Advanced Diploma - CIMA
ZCAS University
Zambia01.2015
Diploma - CIMA
ZCAS University
Zambia06.2013
Grade 12 School Certificate - GCE 'O Level'
Kasisi Girls Secondary School
Zambia12.2011
Skills
- Budget planning and management
- Financial planning & analysis
- Business development
- Flexible & Adaptable
- Preparation of Financial Statements
- Interpersonal Communication
- Computer skills (MS Office)
- Problem-Solving and Calm under pressure
- Working capital management
Accomplishments
- Prepared consolidated financial statements for the group in the absence of the Group Financial Controller, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Turned around cash flow for the Zambian subsidiary by successfully managing receivables, enabling the clearance of vendor obligations overdue by more than 365 days.
- Achieved a strong performance rating within three months of joining the organization, reflecting adaptability and impactful contributions.
- Trained junior finance staff in accounting, financial controls, and system utilization, enhancing team capabilities and fostering knowledge transfer.
Affiliations
- Professional Member
- CIMA,
- Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants
- University of Greenwich - Alumni
Additional Information
Industries worked in as an auditor: Energy, Mining, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Real Estate, Agriculture, and Financial Services
References
- Shem Kimondo - Group Financial Controller - +254 722 861415 - kimondo.mwangi@outlook.com
- Chisela Chashi - Finance Manager - Cellulant Zambia Limited - +260 961044726 - chisela.chashi@cellulant.io
- Kaunda J Mwenya - Senior Manager - PwC Zambia - +260 978383953 - kaundamwenya@yahoo.co.uk
Timeline
Acting Regional Financial Controller
Cellulant Corporation Limited
10.2024 - Current
Finance Manager
Cellulant Zambia Limited
04.2024 - 09.2024
Assistant Manager
PwC Zambia
07.2023 - 04.2024
Senior Associate 2 (Team Manager)
PwC Zambia
07.2022 - 06.2023
Senior Associate
PwC Zambia
01.2022 - 06.2022
Experienced Assurance Associate
PwC Zambia
07.2021 - 12.2021
Audit Associate
PwC Zambia
06.2019 - 06.2021
Audit Assistant
PKF Zambia
01.2019 - 05.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Business Studies and Finance
University of Greenwich
Advanced Diploma - CIMA
ZCAS University
Diploma - CIMA
ZCAS University
Grade 12 School Certificate - GCE 'O Level'
Kasisi Girls Secondary School
CMI - Certified Business Development
Britts Imperial University College,
Master Of Arts - Entrepreneurship
Britts Imperial University College,
MBA - International Business
Britts Imperial University College
LZICA - Chartered Accounting
Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountant
Full CIMA - CIMA
Self Study
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