Senior Finance Manager

OKAY OKORAFOR

Senior Finance Manager Senior Finance Analyst

Stouffville, L4A 4W5 • 289-***-**** • ****.********@*******.*** • linkedin.com/in/okay-okorafor SUMMARY

Senior Financial Manager with a proven track record in financial management. Skills include budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling. Master's degree in finance achieved. Increased operational income and drove strategic growth initiatives. Extensive data analysis and financial forecasting background facilitated impactful business decisions. Key financial strategies led to significant market share increase. HIGHLIGHT OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in financial statements and performance reviews.

• Extensive knowledge of financial reporting processes in both US (GAAP) and Canada (IFRS)

• Ability to effectively communicate financial information to company executives and stakeholders

• Extensive experience using accounting and ERP systems (QBO, Navision, Xero, Business Central 365, NetSuite, SAGE)

• Built annual year plan during the budget cycle, rolling up all division’s asks and made decisions to deliver expectations.

• Developed new processes and procedures that utilized technology, built efficiencies, and streamlined workflows.

SKILLS

• Financial Planning

• Spend Analysis

• Treasury Management

• Financial Modeling

• Budget & Forecasting

• Commercial Budgeting

• Financial Control & Analysis

• Process Improvement

• Month End Reporting

• Project Accounting

• Data Analysis

• P&L Management

Budget Management

• Budgeted and forecasted for all general and administrative departments, including Finance, IT, HR, and Engineering.

• Created and maintained fixed and variable cost templates for all departments to ensure seamless integration into the main budget/forecast model.

• led the consolidation process of the corporate budget and forecasts.

• Conducted monthly variance analysis by reviewing and analyzing departmental expenses, identifying necessary accruals, and reporting and presenting monthly results to department leads. Commercial Finance

• Collaborated with pricing managers to understand performance drivers during the month-end close, explaining the mix versus rate impact to P&L monthly.

• Conducted standard reconciliation to ensure commercial costs were allocated as per the budget plan.

• Built the national forecast monthly, understanding variances versus budget and prior forecast.

• Built performance review presentations for the ELT on MACO and NSV deep dives. Financial Analysis & Operations

• Developed intimate knowledge of revenue, expense, profitability, headcount, and P&L forecasts, including various types of financial analysis using key performance indicators specific to the commercial real estate industry.

• Assisted Controllers with recovery calculations, and identified shortfalls and opportunities for additional recovery.

• Supported with strategic financial planning, analysis, and risk assessment for client management agreements.

• Prepared and automated profitability analysis and related reports.

• Provided insights to senior management for improvements that lead to cost reduction, and revenue generation.

• Developed and ran analytical tools and processes to improve the quality and transparency of financial results and forecasts and to facilitate ad hoc reporting. Liquidity Management

• Developed and executed comprehensive cash management strategies to optimize liquidity and ensure efficient use of funds.

• Monitored daily cash positions, forecasted future cash requirements, and made recommendations for investments or borrowings.

• Provided accurate and timely reporting on treasury activities, including cash flow forecasts, investment portfolios, and key financial metrics.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Nairagram Nigeria, Nigeria • Senior Manager, Financial Services 06/2023 - 03/2024

(Cross-Border Payments, Fintech, Digital Payments)

• Supervised a multi-functional finance team, optimizing workflows and performance leading to a 30% increase in team productivity.

• Spearheaded the quarterly financial performance analysis and bi-annual strategic planning processes, resulting in a 15% increase in company profitability.

• Implemented robust financial controls and governance, which reduced operating expenses by 11%.

• Oversaw a team in daily management of FX liquidity, cash operations, banking, independent operator financing and cross-border payments. Coordinated and effectively managed the annual renewal of credit facilities with participating banks and payment providers. Determined the need for lines and optimized credit structures.

• Led cross-functional teams to successfully implement SAGE X3 ERP system, enhancing financial reporting accuracy by >50% and reducing month-end closure from 15 to 3 days Patricia Technologies, Nigeria • Senior Finance Manager 03/2021 - 12/2022

(Blockchain, DeFi, Fintech, Payments)

• Led the financial planning and analysis function (FP&A), including budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling to support decision-making processes and resource allocation, enhancing corporate profitability by 18% within 12 months.

• Reduced trading risk by 40% by developing and integrating a crypto trading risk management system with automated thresholds.

• Implemented NetSuite ERP to cut financial close time from 15 to 5 days.

• Negotiated with payment partners & vendors to secure cost-effective contracts, saving the company an average of $450,00 annually.

• Maintained strict financial controls, managed cash flow, optimized working capital, and monitored financial performance.

The Candel Group, Nigeria • Finance Manager Commercial Finance Manager 08/2015 - 02/2021

(CPG Manufacturing - Agrochemicals & Liquid Fertilizers, FMCG)

• Successfully secured 2 billion ($7 million) in debt capital funding, facilitating a 25% growth in an operational capacity.

• Implemented an Excel-based tracking system that increased production and cost-reporting efficiency by 30%, facilitating more data-driven decision-making.

• Optimized demand planning and material requirement planning processes and systems, reducing inventory turnover and improving order fulfillment to 92% via improved process management, proactive demand planning, improved supplier communication, and real-time data access & utilization.

• Optimized cash management by multiple debt restructuring to improve cash flow by over 40%.

• Led the financial planning and analysis functions and managed budgets above $3 million annually. BanyanTree Africa, Nigeria • Senior Finance Consultant 10/2012 - 08/2015

(Business Process Optimization, Consulting)

• Forged strong client collaborations to accurately document business requirements, facilitating the seamless adoption of new software systems.

• Spearheaded data analysis initiatives, uncovering key business trends that informed key recommendations, boosting operational efficiency by 20%.

• Managed project lifecycles meticulously, achieving a 93% success rate through rigorous adherence to schedules and budget constraints.

• Developed and refined sophisticated financial models that enhanced forecasting accuracy by 25%, ensuring the precision of all financial reporting and supporting critical decision-making processes.

• Compiled and delivered weekly financial reports to over 20 clients and business partners, effectively communicating key financial insights and maintaining the integrity of diverse financial operations. Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria • Branch Operations Manager 02/2003 - 09/2009

(Financial Services, Commercial and Retail Banking)

• Performed banking, business administration and financial tasks to guarantee five-star service for clients.

• Complied with established internal controls and policies.

• Oversaw the preparation of timely and accurate branch financial information in compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Implemented robust financial controls and governance, leading to a 12% reduction in operational risks.

• Managed the annual audit process, with less than 2% compliance issues identified for 2 consecutive years

EDUCATION

M.Sc. Accounting & Finance • The University of Edinburgh Business School, UK B.Sc. Accounting • University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

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