James Combey
Grants And Finance Specialist
Kissy
Summary
Accomplished finance professional with strong proficiency in diverse financial functions, including financial reporting, end-to end grants financial management, financial risk and compliance management etc. Extensive experience working with projects management and business development teams on budgeting and budget management, analyzing data for top-level decision-making, forecasting and business planning. Possess an innate ability to influence, coach/train others and produce dynamic and long-lasting results.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Financial Accountant
SICPA (SL) Ltd
10.2023 - Current
- Optimized processing of transactions on SAP consistent with company policies and applicable finance standards
- Administer General ledger and sub-ledgers (the Chart of Accounts) to support effective classification of transactions for smooth and compliant financial reports
- Apply relevant tax laws on transactions and effect prompt settlement of fiscal and other statutory liabilities
- Support timely closure of financial periods and supported year-end processes in December 2023
- Reconciled key balance sheet accounts, including monthly bank reconciliation
- Analyze monthly purchase price variances (PPV) and make appropriate adjustments in SAP.
- Streamlined payroll processing through automation improvements resulting in reduced errors and increased efficiency
Interim Country Finance Manager
PLAN international sierra leone
02.2017 - 09.2023
- Led completion and timely submission of country program annual budget of €15m for FY23
- (Mar 2022)
- Coordinated annual budget submission for FY 24 assisted substantially in completing budgets for FY24
- Submitted five-year financial forecasts along with key assumptions (Mar 2022 and Mar 2023)
- Completed first country KP06 report (budget re-forecast, cashflow planning report) and submitted same to Regional Finance Manager for West & Central Africa Regional Office in Dakar (Sep 2020)
- Prepared and presented finance quarterly KPI reports at Country Leadership Team (CLT) and Extended Country Leadership Team (ECLT) -Multiple times
- Supervised and led team of five (5) on all finance deliverables for more than 15 months in total
- Coordinated due diligence assessments for partnership and multiple (successful) financial audits on projects.
- Optimized financial resource allocation by conducting in-depth variance analysis and adjusting spending plans according to evolving business needs
- Enhanced financial reporting accuracy by conducting thorough analysis and reconciliations of accounts
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives, identifying areas for improvement in resource allocation and utilization
- Developed insightful financial presentations for executive leadership, guiding strategic decision-making processes
- Mentored junior finance professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and career development within the department
- Led the finance team to deliver timely and accurate month-end closings, enhancing overall efficiency
- Strengthened internal controls, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements
Ag Operations Manager, GECT Project
Plan International Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone
02.2020 - 03.2020
- The Girls Education Challenge Transition (GECT) project was a GBP 12m multi-pillar,multi-year education consortium project funded by FCDO to support increased enrollment and retention of girls in schools. seven districts across Sierra Leone
- Completed and submitted budget revision for Plan and Partner FAWE (Jan2020)
- Prepared and submitted separate and consolidated financial reports for Plan and FAWE (Feb2020)
- Advised Consortium partners on monthly budget exchange rates (Jan & Feb 2020).
Grant Finance Specialist
Plan International Sierra Leone
Freetown
09.2019 - 09.2023
- Prepared and submitted financial reports for donor-funded projects (EU, Comic Relief/FCDO, Dubai Cares, MFA Netherland, BMZ, Unilever foundation, GPE/World Bank, etc
- Designed, for management use, project profitability monitoring reports for “The Integrated School Feeding projects” with annual budget exceeding ten (10) Million Euros in FYs 22 and 23
- Led the development of fully costed budgets for proposals submission taking into account Plan's approved annual cost ratios while adhering to donors' funding conditions
- Facilitated training sessions at start-up meetings on financial management and grant compliance for Plan and implementing partner staff
- Facilitated training sessions on project management system and tools
- Prepared project monitoring reports in local currency (BvAs) to assess budget/expenditure performance and assist project managers complete their quarterly budget alignment (Country KPI).
- Developed Excel tool used to analyze payroll costs recovery monthly
- This facilitated the timely and accurate recovery of payroll costs on multiple funding sources
- Analyzed central overhead costs (apportionable costs) monthly, updated and ran automatic cost apportionment tool in SAP
- CO was able to achieve unprecedented levels of costs apportioned to grants and met a regional KPI for FY23
- Completed monthly grants income reconciliation for submission to the Global hub (Plan HQ)
- Improved turn-around time with record accuracy in grants set-up
- Met consistently global KPI scores on grants management and budget re-forecast
- Overdue grant report was reduced by more than 50% within a month and brought down to nil by June 2023
- Grant spend KPI maintained a green status due to accurate planning and spend forecast.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.
Senior/Country Accountant
PLAN international sierra leone
Freetown
02.2017 - 08.2019
- Analyzed cash needs and uploaded approved country cash requests on‘Business Planning and Consolidation' (BPC) platform on fortnightly basis
- Introduced, as lead accountant, a focused Review of financial documents using checklists
- Reduced average transactions processing time by 25% through effective staff engagement and delegation, capacity building and improved system practices
- Led timely financial closing processes at month and year ends ensuring all actions were completed and key balance sheet accounts reconciled (02/2017 – 08/2019)
- Reduced reconciling items on monthly bank reconciliation statements from over 200 confused items to under 30 traceable items in three months
- Analyzed country finance data and helped CO resolved issues of overspending that was already a concern at regional office at the time (Feb/mar 2017)
- Ensured taxes were deducted as due and paid over on time to the National Revenue Authority
- Completed quarterly financial reports (Pack 2) for country program; ensured accuracy and completeness while also complying with applicable accounting standards
- Assisted audits operations and also supported the implementation of action points.
Senior Accounts Officer (GL Supervisor)
Dangote cement (sl)ltd
07.2016 - 01.2017
- Coordinated detailed units budget submission and consolidated the master budget for fiscal year 2017 with key assumptions and forecasts
- Supervised GL operations and, managed the chart of accounts and cost Centre assignments
- Supported the preparation of month-end and year-end financial reports up to 31st December 2016
- Led month-end and year-end finance GL closing processes
- Acted as key resource person on SAP (finance & controlling) and provided additional support/ hands-on training on SAP to finance staff
- Led a successful GL clean-up exercise which reconciled significant variances between legacy records and SAP.
Program Accountant
PLAN international sierra leone
Makeni, Bombali District
09.2012 - 11.2016
- Performed all actions necessary for effective cashflow management at the program unit level
- Processed payments and program advances within set thresholds
- Provided support to the PU staff on budget management matters
- Reviewed invoices and program budgets
- Prepared PU Financial reports and bank reconciliation statements.
Accounts Officer
Arik air limited
Freetown, W
07.2009 - 09.2012
- Prepared annual operating budget for Sierra Leone duty station along with initial monthly spend forecasts
- Managed finance relationships with other institutions
- Approved daily cash sales reports and filed relevant supporting documents
- Reviewed and recommended invoices for payment
- Negotiated contract for handling services securing 30% cost reduction
- Processed payroll and managed monthly statutory payment compliance
- Completed monthly bank reconciliation
- Operationalized proposals for converting refund requests to instant cash credits available for new tickets
- Managed corporate deposit accounts initiative
- Led on customer Grievances management and litigations.
Education
B.Sc. (Hon) Accounting -
Bayero University, Kano
Nigeria 09.2003 - 11.2007
Skills
MS Office (Advanced Excel, Power Pivot, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook etc)
Financial Reporting & Variance Analysis (entity, projects, and donor reports)
Technological Literacy: SAP, SAP BI, Power BI, BPC, Dynamics GP)
Project Management (SAP PS, Projects & Programmes module-PPM)
Tax and compliance management
Finance Process Mapping and Internal Controls Review
Customer Relationship and Credit management
Due diligence Checks on business transactions
General Ledger / Chart of Accounts Management
Cross-functional collaboration & Team Leadership
Websites
Certification
Executive Diploma in Data Analytics, Athena Global education (UNIATHENA), 06/2023, https://docs.uniathena.com/prod/course/certificate/125_1687011133_certificate.jpg
Timeline
Financial Accountant
SICPA (SL) Ltd
10.2023 - Current
Ag Operations Manager, GECT Project
Plan International Sierra Leone
02.2020 - 03.2020
Grant Finance Specialist
Plan International Sierra Leone
09.2019 - 09.2023
Senior/Country Accountant
PLAN international sierra leone
02.2017 - 08.2019
Interim Country Finance Manager
PLAN international sierra leone
02.2017 - 09.2023
Senior Accounts Officer (GL Supervisor)
Dangote cement (sl)ltd
07.2016 - 01.2017
Program Accountant
PLAN international sierra leone
09.2012 - 11.2016
Accounts Officer
Arik air limited
07.2009 - 09.2012
B.Sc. (Hon) Accounting -
Bayero University, Kano
09.2003 - 11.2007