Open to opportunities

Mark Tarus

@marktarus

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Chief Financial Officer with 19+ years driving compliant, automated finance operations and efficiency.

Kenya

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead finance teams end-to-end—strengthening internal controls, budgeting, and reporting—while optimizing systems (SAP/ERP) and partnering with executives to drive sustainable cost efficiency and compliance.

I’m a results-oriented Finance and Accounting professional with over 19 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, reporting, and internal controls. I’m recognized for high integrity and attention to detail, and I focus on fiscal discipline—optimizing costs, reducing risk, and enabling executive decision-making through accurate analysis.

In my Chief Financial Officer role, I’ve led statutory compliance, budgeting and cash flow planning, asset portfolio management, and ERP implementation support, while strengthening internal controls and improving forecasting reliability. I also bring hands-on expertise across audit readiness (external audits with KPMG), accounts payable risk reduction (three-way matching and supplier reconciliations), inventory and stock control, and system optimization—building process efficiencies through SAP finance/costing and reporting automation such as Cognos Financial Reporting.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Freelance Accounting & Tax Support

Current

Freelance

Oct 2025 - Present (9 months)

Provided accounting and tax support services, including eTIMS invoice setup and usage support. Prepared financial reports and supported clients with KRA compliance and timely filings.

Financial Reporting Tax Compliance KRA Filings Record keeping Accounts Support

Chief Financial Officer

Lengetia Agencies

Aug 2023 - May 2025 (1 year 9 months)

Led financial operations including plants set up, capitalization, commissioning, and internal controls. Managed budgeting and cash flow planning and supported statutory compliance and system optimization.

Commissioning Strategic Planning Internal Controls Statutory Compliance Financial Statement Analysis Budgeting Product Optimization

Senior Accountant

Mount Elgon Orchards

May 2016 - Aug 2023 (7 years 3 months)

Coordinated external audits and strengthened controls to reduce audit risk. Managed budgeting and monthly closing, treasury/cash flow, donor-funded expenditure reviews, and compliance with IFRS standards for trust accounts.

External Audit Coordination KPMG Debt Management Budgeting and forecasting Financial Statements Treasury Risk Management Process Mapping Donor Funded Expenditure Review IFRS Trust Accounting Stock Management SAP ETIMS Tax Compliance KEPHIS compliance

Chief Accountant & SAP FICO Specialist

DPI Simba Ltd

Jul 2015 - Jan 2016 (6 months)

Oversaw ledger review, financial statement preparation, and cash flow planning. Implemented improved financial reporting through Cognos and supported VAT/withholding tax compliance and internal controls within SAP.

Financial Statements VAT Withholding Tax Product Costing Inventory Management Petty Cash Internal Controls External Audit Support

Plant Accountant

Unga Limited

Aug 2012 - Jul 2015 (2 years 11 months)

Managed inventory levels and valuations for finished goods and raw materials and supported external audits. Prepared financial statements and contributed to asset register controls, payables process SOPs, KPI monitoring, and risk assessments.

Finished Goods and Raw Materials External Audit Coordination Financial Statements Asset Register Management Casual Wage and Salary Authorization Claims Processing KPIs Risk Assessment SOP Development

Senior Accountant

Bidco Oil Refineries Ltd

Feb 2010 - Jul 2012 (2 years 5 months)

Ensured timely statutory payments and prepared management accounts with accurate asset register updates. Conducted monthly currency revaluation/hedging support, prepared quarterly consolidated financial statements, and supported external audit preparation.

Management Accounting Hedging Product Costing Cash Flow Management Audit Preparation PwC Coordination Subsidiary Reporting Financial Statement Preparation

Accountant

Bidco Oil Refineries Ltd

Feb 2006 - Jan 2010 (3 years 11 months)

Processed invoices and managed supplier payments with a focus on timely and accurate VAT returns. Supported customs charge verification, credit control to reduce bad debts, and accurate handling of currency differences.

Invoice Processing Accounts Payable Support VAT Returns VAT Compliance IDF Fees VAT Credit Control Sales Credit Limit Monitoring Accounting Standards Write Off of Currency Differences Supplier Relationship Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Kenyatta University

Master of Business Administration, Finance

2018 - 2025

Earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Finance from Kenyatta University (2018–2025).

Reward Institute

Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K), Accounting

2009 - 2011

Completed Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) studies at Reward Institute (2009–2011).

Catholic University of Eastern Africa

Bachelor of Commerce, Finance

2000 - 2005

Grade: 2nd class Honours Upper Division

Earned a Bachelor of Commerce with a Finance option from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (2000–2005), graduating with 2nd class Honours Upper Division.