IM

Ian Mutuma

Payments and Finance Operations Specialist

Nairobi, KE

About

Payments and Finance Operations Specialist with practical experience in handling high-volume transactions, reconciliations, and exceptions in fast-moving environments. Comfortable monitoring multiple payment channels, spotting unusual transaction activity, and supporting AML and KYC processes in line with regulatory standards. Experienced in working with payment providers, and cross-functional tech teams to resolve system issues and streamline processes. Passionate about building reliable, customer-centric digital payments systems across the continent.

Skills

Payments OperationsSettlementsTransaction ReconciliationsException Handling
AML MonitoringKYC MonitoringRisk IdentificationComplianceEscalation
Internal ControlsAudit SupportSOPsProcess Improvement
Advanced ExcelSQLPower BI
High attention to detailStrong communication skillsHigh level of integrity and confidentialityComfortable working in fast-paced tech environments

Projects

Experience

Payment Operations Specialist

Sportserve - Nairobi

• Processed, monitored, and reconciled over 500 digital transactions daily, including deposits, withdrawals, and settlements across multiple payment channels. • Investigated failed payments, transaction anomalies, and exceptions, resolving issues promptly in line with SLAs and internal control requirements. • Monitored transaction activity for fraud, AML, and KYC risks, escalating suspicious cases in accordance with compliance policies. • Worked closely with payment providers and finance team, risk, and technology teams to resolve system issues and settlement discrepancies. • Maintained audit-ready reconciliation reports, exception logs, and operational documentation. • Contributed to process improvement initiatives by documenting workflows and controls, improving operational consistency and onboarding efficiency.

2024-11 - Present

Business Strategy Intern

Kenya Power and Lighting Company - Nairobi

• Supported enterprise risk management efforts by developing and maintaining departmental risk registers for the Finance and Strategy functions. • Analyzed financial and operational data to support budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls assessments. • Contributed to a nationwide data collection and reporting project across all 47 counties, ensuring data accuracy, consistency, and integrity. • Supported controls assessments and policy reviews by translating financial insights into clear, practical operational recommendations.

2023-09 - 2023-12

Education

ALX Africa

Certificate in Data Science

2025-05 - Present

Mount Kenya University

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance

- 2024-08