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LEONARD SHAWA
Senior, Financial Services Audit
Hamilton,Pembroke
Summary
I am a dedicated Senior Audit professional with expertise in team leadership, coaching, audit planning, execution, and reporting. Proficient in IFRS and US GAAP audits, I excel in client relations and training junior staff to build strong teams. Experienced in managing large audits under tight deadlines, I consistently deliver high-quality work with integrity and ethics, enhancing client satisfaction.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certificates
2
2
Languages
Work History
Senior, Financial Services Audit
KPMG Bermuda
Hamilton
03.2023 - Current
- Lead group audit engagements, develop audit plans, and execute fieldwork in compliance with standards.
- Identify, assess, and test internal controls and audit risks in financial services.
- Serve as primary contact for clients, communicate findings, and maintain strong relationships.
- Supervise and mentor audit associates, review workpapers, and ensure audit quality.
- Prepare audit documentation and reports, ensuring compliance with auditing standards.
- Stay updated on accounting standards and industry practices.
- Uphold KPMG's code of conduct, maintain independence, and promote ethical behavior.
Audit Supervisor
Deloitte
Lilongwe, Malawi
12.2022 - 03.2023
- Reviewed audited financial, operational and regulatory compliance deficiencies and conducted follow-ups.
- Maintained communication clients throughout auditing process to deliver status updates.
- Interacted with internal staff and clients to improve operational knowledge of relevant tax issues and business implications.
- Trained and mentored department staff on policies and procedures to establish strong foundation for client development and service activities.
Audit Senior
Deloitte
Lilongwe, Malawi
06.2022 - 11.2022
- Suggested key budgetary changes to increase company profits.
- Enhanced audit controls by improving planning and testing processes.
- Cooperated with senior leaders to create operating budgets and initiate financial planning.
- Completed audit papers by thoroughly documenting audit tests and findings.
Audit Semi-Senior
Deloitte
Lilongwe
12.2021 - 06.2022
- Planning the audit through assessment of business and audit risks of audit clients. This basically involves understanding the entity and its environment, including the entity’s internal control and designing and implementing responses to the assessed risks of material misstatement
- Identifying and assessing the risks associated with specific financial statements line items through understanding the financial reporting process.
- Perform accounting research to solve issues that arise during the course of the audit engagement
- Testing the design and implementation as well as operating effectiveness of internal controls for clients from different industries and making recommendations on improvements
- Performing substantive tests for various account balances, class of transactions and disclosures
- Auditing donor funded projects for different donor funded organizations. This entails tracking grants expenditure ensuring compliance to donor policies and procedures and that internal controls are adhered to in the procurement and project disbursements, evaluating whether projects expenses incurred are within the scope of the project and ensuring completeness and accuracy of financial project reports
- Preparation and Production of financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Assessing compliance with applicable laws and regulations by clients.
- Performing agreed upon procedures with clients and reporting factual findings thereon.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Created plans and communicated deadlines to complete projects on time.
- Worked within applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
Audit Trainee
Deloitte
Lilongwe
04.2020 - 12.2021
- Performed risk assessment in various industries including NGOs, microfinance, banks, manufacturing, telecommunication, tobacco, and health and responded to the assessed audit risks by performing audit procedures.
- Developed understanding of company audit methodology, approach and tools while working under supervision of licensed auditors.
- Proofread audit and tax reports and year-end financial statements to verify accuracy.
- Compiled general ledger entries on short schedule with 100% accuracy.
- Conducted technical and analytical reviews of tax returns to check for accuracy and qualified deductions.
- Performed analytical review of audit documents such as budget review for going concern testing purposes.
- Prepared management and audit reports and other documentation to support audit opinion.
- Identified major risk areas and gaps in internal controls, process notes and risk control matrices to plan and perform audit procedures.
- Reviewed clients' control systems and procedures for internal control to assess for compliance and signs of fraud.
- Inspected cash on hand, notes receivable and payable and negotiable securities to confirm accurate records.
- Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
- Analyzed information of payments to vendors against contracts to find overpayments, writing claims to retrieve over payments from clients.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of tax codes, legislation and tax programs.
- Completed audit papers by thoroughly documenting audit tests and findings.
- Enhanced audit controls by improving planning and testing processes.
- Identified audit risks, prepared budgets and coordinated with management and audit team in preparing related reports.
- Evaluated design and operating effectiveness of audit areas.
Assistant Lecturer
University of Malawi, the Polytechnic
Blantyre
06.2019 - 03.2020
- Accounting-lecturing, giving tutorials and tutorial instructions, conducting seminars.
- Developed easy and open rapport with students to encourage engagement and academic progress.
- Used variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Reviewed teaching activities and identified and implemented strategies to improve student learning outcomes.
- Initiated and facilitated classroom discussions.
- Supported positive image of university by being responsive and promptly responding to requests and inquiries.
- Provided constructive and timely feedback to students to advise on areas of concern and suggest improvements.
- Met with students during and after office hours to address concerns and offer feedback.
- Dispersed, collected and graded assignments to give detailed feedback.
- Created and designed quizzes, tests and projects to assess student knowledge.
Audit Intern
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
Blantyre
12.2018 - 01.2020
- Performing audit procedures in NGOs, financial institutions, security and manufacturing companies; performing stock and cash counts in banks, estates, etc.
- Proofread audit and tax reports and year-end financial statements to verify accuracy.
- Developed understanding of company audit methodology, approach and tools while working under supervision of licensed auditors.
- Inspected cash on hand, notes receivable and payable and negotiable securities to confirm accurate records.
- Identified major risk areas and gaps in internal controls, process notes and risk control matrices to plan and perform audit procedures.
- Upheld strict confidentiality protocols with client details and tax return information.
- Completed audit papers by thoroughly documenting audit tests and findings.
- Evaluated design and operating effectiveness of audit areas.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of tax codes, legislation and tax programs.
- Carried out audit assignments as assigned from time to time.
- Prepared work papers according to the firm’s standards.
- Assisted in performing audit of the various sections of the statement of comprehensive income such as: sales, cost of sales, operating expenses, salaries and wages.
- Assisted in performing audit of certain areas within statement of financial position sections such as: Property, plant and equipment, receivables, inventories, payables and accrued expenses, loans and bank & cash.
- Ensured that basic PwC techniques are applied accurately and consistently in all areas of work delegated.
Primary Teacher
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
Mchinji
08.2017 - 12.2018
- Teaching, preparing schemes of work, progress books, student management, etc.
- Used learning stations to incorporate colors, shapes and textures to help students develop communication skills and build relationships.
- Prepared and administered grade-specific tests and examinations regulated by school district to monitor students' growth and to report progress to parents.
- Taught core subjects of math, science, technology and life skills.
- Created study guides, research materials and syllabi for students.
- Created and presented clever lessons to engage students and focus on core subjects necessary for personal and academic growth.
- Developed learning objectives for each subject area to quantify learning and set benchmarks.
- Distributed and collected classroom materials such as worksheets, quizzes and tests.
- Disciplined students who engaged in cheating, plagiarism or other wrongdoing.
- Coached students on physical and emotional safety as part of health curriculum.
- Developed positive rapport with students of various and diverse backgrounds.
- Maintained positive and professional classroom environment throughout school year.
- Assessed and improved lesson plans through implementation and experimentation.
- Worked one-on-one with students to determine strengths, weaknesses and learning patterns.
- Developed communicative relationships with students and parents to support learning.
- Maintained student portfolios to monitor learning progress and completion of work required for promotion to next grade level.
- Directed class discussions to spark conversation about key concepts, complex problems and overarching themes.
- Scheduled and directed field trips and hands-on activities to foster student learning and creativity.
- Designed daily lesson plans customized to student needs.
- Fostered positive and pleasant classroom culture while maintaining learning development goals.
- Provided warm, supportive environment for developing academic, social and emotional growth.
Education
Bachelor of Accountancy - BAC
University of Malawi, The Polytechnic
Blantyre 08.2015 - 03.2020
Skills
Computer skills
Microsoft excel, word, ppt
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to communicate financial information to Non-financial colleagues
Data analysis skillsAudit preparation
Pre-Audit Analysis
Financial Reporting
Accounting and GAAP compliance
Quantitative and qualitative financial analysis
Preparing and reviewing financial statements
Self-motivated and team player, adaptable and innovative
Fluent in English, Chichewa and Tumbuka
Knowledge and practical experience of IFRS, IAS and other laws and regulations
Ability to work under pressure and with minimum supervision
Professional, ambitious, accountable and approachable
Trustworthy, integrity, hardworking and result oriented
Staff development and coaching
Project Management
Quality control and supervision
Audit preparation
Quality auditor
Budgeting
Coaching
FInancial analytics
Asset management
Accomplishments
- Currently studying towards CFA, Level I registered
OTHER PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION AND TRAININGS
- Primary Teacher Certificate of Education (PTCE); Institution: Kasungu Teachers Training College (2-years, graduated in 2015)
- Training name: Kubicle, Data analytics, Power BI, SAP CRM, use of DataSnipper; Facilitator: Deloitte Africa; Venue: Virtual (Zoom, Skype, eLearning, and Microsoft Teams), 2020-2021
- Training name: Audit training: Inventory count, IT, audit & assurance service delivery; Facilitator: PwC HR Manager; Venue: Lilongwe Office Boardroom (PwC), 2019.
Certification
Diplomate Accountant (ICAM Malawi)
Additional Information
LEADERSHIP AND AWARDS
- Deloitte Audit and Assurance Stars of Africa Top Nominator 2021
- Deloitte Impact Winter Initiative Top Nominee 2021 (Malawi)
- Certificate of Excellence for achieving strong credit (2019)
- Distinction recognition certificate (2018)
- Secretary General for the Society of Accountancy Students in 2017/2018
Interests
Playing and watching football
Being involved in productive arguments
I enjoy mostly when I find people arguing about the future of my profession as accountant/auditor.
I enjoy bringing insights that would prompt people's mind to bring ideas on what would be the best way to never be overtaken by the machines or robots.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
Warren Buffett
Referees
- Kuda Tichiwangana, Manager. KPMG in Bermuda, Crown House, 4 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 08. Contact: +14417341012
- Kondwani Msowoya, Senior Audit Manager (he is my supervisor at Deloitte). Deloitte Malawi, PO Box 30364, Lilongwe. Contacts : +265 (0) 886 46 31 90 ; kmsowoya@deloitte.co.mw
- Alexander Banda, Audit Manager (formerly Audit Senior @ PwC and he was my supervisor). AuditConsult, Post Office Box 31033, Lilongwe 3. Contacts: +265 (0) 888 38 63 84; alexander.banda@auditconsult.mw
- Mrs M. Zuze, Senior Lecturer (she was my supervisor and teaching partner at University). Malawi University of Business and Applied Science, Private Bag 303, Chichiri, Blantyre 3. Contacts: +265 882 28 22 95/ 998 73 22 46; mzuze@poly.ac.mw/ mpolokeng.zuze@gmail.com
Affiliations
CPA Bermuda (Members Only)
Timeline
Senior, Financial Services Audit
KPMG Bermuda
03.2023 - Current
Audit Supervisor
Deloitte
12.2022 - 03.2023
Audit Senior
Deloitte
06.2022 - 11.2022
Audit Semi-Senior
Deloitte
12.2021 - 06.2022
Audit Trainee
Deloitte
04.2020 - 12.2021
Assistant Lecturer
University of Malawi, the Polytechnic
06.2019 - 03.2020
Audit Intern
Pricewaterhouse Coopers
12.2018 - 01.2020
Primary Teacher
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
08.2017 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Accountancy - BAC
University of Malawi, The Polytechnic
08.2015 - 03.2020