Benjamin Kuku Fossoh
Douala
Summary
Forward-thinking CFO and Controller with both public and private accounting and financial reporting experience. Offering proven track record of exceptional accuracy in reporting and auditing. Strong leader with calm presence and builds relationships across all organizational levels. Skilled in managing shareholder and board member relationships with excellent mediation and negotiation skills. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Finance Officer
Air Liquide Central Africa Region
Douala
06.2021 - Current
- Directed the preparation of consolidated financial statements according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Coordinated year-end audit with external auditors and ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Provided guidance on complex accounting issues related to revenue recognition, foreign currency transactions, derivatives and investments.
- Reviewed monthly and quarterly financial results to ensure accuracy of information reported to the Board of Directors.
- Prepared annual budgeting process in accordance with company's strategic objectives.
- Advised senior management regarding long-term financial planning decisions such as investments or divestitures.
- Conducted regular reviews of internal controls; identified any weaknesses or gaps in existing processes.
- Maintained oversight over accounts payable and receivable processes; monitored vendor contracts.
- Analyzed current and past trends in key performance indicators including all areas of revenue, cost of sales, expenses and capital expenditures.
- Analyzed operational processes and implemented continuous improvement initiatives to promote profitability and efficiency.
- Managed company-wide budgets, payroll, accounting and other financial operations.
- Collaborated with business unit managers to prepare annual financial reports, tax returns and pension plan financial statements.
- Coordinated financial statement reviews to coordinate variance reporting, analysis of year-to-date and forecast performance against expectations.
- Monitored business trend forecasts and adjusted budgets and operational plans to maximize growth and opportunities.
- Developed corporate risk management programs by establishing strict documentation and financial guidelines and spearheading risk management committee.
Finance and Administration Manager
Towergate Insurance
Manama
01.2019 - 05.2021
- Conducted periodic reviews of operational expenses against budget allocations.
- Assisted in preparation of budgets and forecasts for all departments within the organization.
- Oversaw payroll processing functions such as timekeeping, benefits administration and tax filing requirements.
- Organized the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports for management review.
- Coordinated banking relationships, including opening new accounts, managing lines of credit and administering loan agreements.
- Reviewed and monitored financial transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Managed employee benefit programs including health insurance plans, retirement plans, vacation time tracking.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers for goods or services required by the organization.
- Monitored accounts receivable, payable activities to ensure timely payments, collections.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws by monitoring changes in government regulations related to finance and accounting practices.
- Supported budget, trend and forecasting operations to help company make financial plans.
- Interpreted and applied legal, contractual and accounting requirements to maintain compliance.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Maintained regular performance appraisals for subordinates through verbal, written and on-going review programs.
- Built financial models to allocate resources, forecast cash and investment needs and make capital budgeting decisions.
Finance Manager
MyAgro International
Bamako
10.2016 - 12.2018
- Prepared financial documents such as budgets, forecasts and reports.
- Coordinated with other departments within the organization regarding budgeting matters.
- Managed financial transactions involving general funds and contracts to reduce cashflow challenges.
- Approved and qualified applications for financing, closed sales contracts and cross-sold insurance products while complying with state laws.
- Performed due diligence activities prior to making strategic investments or acquisitions.
- Reviewed financial projections relating to business and industry trends and identified areas requiring improvement.
- Strategized on fund procurement through banks and other financial institutions.
- Developed forecasting models utilizing historical data trends to predict future revenues and expenses.
- Identified opportunities for cost savings through process improvements and automation initiatives.
- Invested funds and recommended appropriate dividend issuances based on historical dividend patterns and expected cash flows.
- Built financial models to allocate resources, forecast cash and investment needs and make capital budgeting decisions.
- Developed or analyzed information to assess current or future financial status of firms.
Chief Accountant
Kosan Crisplant Cameroon S.A
Limbe
07.2014 - 09.2016
- Monitored cash flow activities including forecasting future needs.
- Reviewed contracts for potential risks or liabilities related to taxation or regulatory matters.
- Entered and maintained accounting records to accurately show receipts and expenditures.
- Prepared monthly account reconciliations to ensure accuracy of financial statements.
- Managed the preparation of annual budgets and forecasts in accordance with company policies.
- Managed general and subsidiary ledgers, revenue distribution and operating expenses across multiple accounts, logging depreciations and costs.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends, variances and discrepancies while providing corrective action plans when necessary.
- Supervised the day-to-day operations of the accounting department including accounts payable and receivable and payroll processing.
- Integrated financial information into business decision-making, budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning processes.
- Updated and managed accounts payable databases, employing access controls to protect data.
- Minimized internal accounting department backlogs by updating accounts and generating reports.
- Presented audit results to management teams, delivering information in non-technical terms for easy understanding.
- Liaised with auditors to complete annual audits and maintain compliance with local, state and federal requirements.
- Maximized tax refunds by striving to obtain taxable income, deductible expenses and allowance details.
- Diminished financial discrepancies and accurately reconciled accounts using detailed data analysis results.
Internal Auditor
Kosan Crisplant S.A
Limbe
01.2011 - 06.2014
- Documented audit findings in formal reports presented to senior management team.
- Drafted audit reports to display findings.
- Assisted external auditors during annual audits by providing necessary information.
- Developed audit programs and internal control systems to identify areas of risk.
- Investigated discrepancies that were uncovered during audits.
- Completed comprehensive audits of financial and business control systems and operational frameworks.
- Reviewed financial documents to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Analyzed business operations and identified opportunities for improvement in internal control systems.
- Identified potential fraud risks and developed strategies to mitigate them.
- Reviewed company policies against best practices to better understand level of compliance.
- Collaborated with other departments across the organization on various issues related to financial reporting.
Education
Master of Science - Accounting And Finance
University of Northampton
United Kingdom09-2020
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Accounting And Finance
Remote
Australia08-2019
Bachelor of Science - Accounting And Finance
University of Buea
Buea, Cameroon12-2010
Skills
- Stakeholder Communication
- Cost-Reduction Strategies
- International Finance Knowledge
- Strategic Planning Abilities
- Financial Analysis Expertise
- Cash Flow Management
- Team Leadership and Development
- Project Management Abilities
- Quantitative Analysis
- Financial Reporting
- Audit Coordination
- Financial Administration
- Financial Management
- Business Forecasting
- Reporting Skills
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Australia
Languages
English
First Language
French
Upper Intermediate (B2)
B2
Professional Trainings
⦁ Finance and Budgets in Emergencies by Save The Children – 2020
⦁ Financial Management for Development and Humanitarian Professionals (FMD Pro) by Humanitarian Leadership Academy - 2020
⦁ Guided overview of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Financial Management Practices and Procedures. E-learning: - 2020
⦁ Financial Management for Development and Humanitarian Professionals (FMD Pro) by Humanitarian Leadership Academy - 2020
⦁ USAID Financial Reporting Training E-Module. – 2016
⦁ Risk Management by Humanitarian Leadership Academy - 2021
⦁ Participation in local and regional seminars and training workshops organized by Air Liquide on IFRS, risk assessment and soft kills. - 2021 – Present
Affiliations
Sports - Football
Music - Guitar player
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Chief Finance Officer
Air Liquide Central Africa Region
06.2021 - Current
Finance and Administration Manager
Towergate Insurance
01.2019 - 05.2021
Finance Manager
MyAgro International
10.2016 - 12.2018
Chief Accountant
Kosan Crisplant Cameroon S.A
07.2014 - 09.2016
Internal Auditor
Kosan Crisplant S.A
01.2011 - 06.2014
Master of Science - Accounting And Finance
University of Northampton
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Accounting And Finance
Remote
Bachelor of Science - Accounting And Finance
University of Buea
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Australia
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