Otobong (Otty) Shobajo
Leicester
Summary
Seasoned finance professional with over a decade of industry expertise, blending a deep understanding of financial forecasting, budget administration, and cash flow management with a passion for driving strategic growth. Known for leveraging astute analysis and research to craft meticulous annual budgets, I have a proven track record of spearheading continuous improvement initiatives, enhancing departmental processes, and optimising workflows for maximum efficiency. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, I am poised to make an impactful contribution in any finance role, driving success and propelling organisations toward their financial objectives.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
26
26
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Finance Assistant
Supply@Me Capital Plc
London
2022.02 - Current
- Ensures that all financial transactions are entered into Xero, including customer invoices, purchases, credit notes, and staff expenses
- Initiates and manages weekly payment runs for suppliers' invoices, proactively addressing and resolving any issues related to payments and invoices
- Monitors accounts payable and receivable statuses, keeping financial records up-to-date.
- Prepares bank and account reconciliations monthly
- Prepares month-end tasks such as posting journals, e.g., prepayments, accruals, depreciation, and VAT returns, completing monthly balance sheet reconciliations and intercompany reconciliations, and producing management reports.
- Supports finance manager with monthly internal management reporting, periodic external financial reporting, forecasting, and general financial analysis
- Manages payroll processes, liaising with HR/People teams and external payroll providers
- Assists with year-end audit.
- Compiling reports relating to budgets, expenses, and payroll for review.
- Observes strict confidentiality policies to maintain data integrity.
Finance Manager
Aspen Energy Limited
Lagos, Nigeria
2017.04 - 2021.12
- Managed timely and accurate reporting of various financial transactions and information for detailed analysis.
- Monitored and reviewed financial controls, processes, and procedures to enable best practice development.
- Consolidated comprehensive management accounts, integrating income statements, cash flow, and balance sheets.
- Worked to scale and enhance finance function, implementing new processes and refining existing ones.
- Administered payroll processes for accurate, timely salary disbursements.
- Served as finance business partner to drive strategic business decisions for Aspen Energy.
- Directed budgeting and forecasting activities to align financial goals with Aspen Energy's objectives.
- Managed and maintained KPI reporting tools to ensure availability of accurate and up-to-date financial data for informed decision-making.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including engineering, project management, and sales, to align financial and operational strategies.
- Led coaching and training initiatives for finance team, implementing targeted professional development programs to enhance finance team's skills in financial analysis, reporting, and compliance.
Accountant
Aanupact International Ltd
Lagos, Nigeria
2014.01 - 2017.02
- Maintained accurate and up-to-date financial records, overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries
- Contributed to budget development and financial forecasting, analysing variances to ensure alignment with financial goals.
- Prepare regular financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, aiding in decision-making processes.
- Performed periodic expense variance analysis between budget, forecast, and actual amounts.
- Accurately documented all cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and line of credit transactions.
- Analysed monthly reporting to reconcile production operations and the general ledger.
Finance Officer
Stakeholder Democracy Network
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2012.07 - 2013.12
- Efficiently processed monthly payroll for 40 staff members.
- Prepared accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions for processing weekly, ensuring meticulous attention to detail to reduce errors.
- Processed journals and compiled supporting documentation to review to maintain quality control standards.
- Provided financial performance reports as part of monthly reporting, monitoring data, and information processing to minimise errors by 99%.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - ACCA
- Student Member
Diploma of Higher Education - Accounting and Finance
2001.04 - 2018.01
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
2001.04 - 2010.08
Skills
- Xero proficient
- Coaching and training
- Data analysis
- Month-end reports
- Invoicing and collections
- Financial management
- Payroll operations
- AR/AP expertise
- Budgets and forecasting
- Corporate tax preparation
- Sage adept
- Advanced QuickBooks knowledge
- Balance sheet reconciliations
- VAT returns
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Monthly Finance Reporting
Accomplishments
- Developed and nurtured a strong business relationship with Seplat Energy, negotiating a long-term manpower services contract to increase Aspen Energy’s revenue by 15%.
- Restructured the manpower services division, aligning staffing levels with project demands, reducing idle time by 30%, and increasing overall workforce productivity.
- Provided critical financial analysis that influenced the decision to pursue a strategic partnership, resulting in a successful joint venture that expanded the company's service offerings.
Trainings
- Introduction to Data Analytics for Accounting Professionals
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU)
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Corporate Finance, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
- Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate
- Advanced Financial Reporting: Accounting for Business Combinations and Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements, University of Illinois
Timeline
Finance Assistant - Supply@Me Capital Plc
2022.02 - Current
Finance Manager - Aspen Energy Limited
2017.04 - 2021.12
Accountant - Aanupact International Ltd
2014.01 - 2017.02
Finance Officer - Stakeholder Democracy Network
2012.07 - 2013.12
Ecole Superieure Sainte Felicite - Diploma of Higher Education, Accounting and Finance
2001.04 - 2018.01
University of Calabar - Bachelor of Science, Accounting
2001.04 - 2010.08
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - Some College (No Degree), ACCA