Joseph Karimu
Freetown,BC
Summary
Chartered Certified Accountant with over 17 years private and public sector experience. Major strengths include being futuristic, an Includer, focus, harmony, and an achiever, resulting in improved profitability and sustainability. Recognised for being detailed-oriented with integrity and professionalism. A team player dedicated to motivating and mentoring colleagues within multicultural settings.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Managing Director
MANO MINING AND LOGISTICS LIMITED
Freetown
05.2023
- Leading the team executing the contract mining project at Sierra Rutile Limited, Area 1.
Finance Director
GOLDTREE (SIERRA LEONE) LIMITED
Freetown
04.2022 - 04.2023
- Led the finance team of Goldtree (Sierra Leone) Limited, a major player in the palm oil industry in Sierra Leone operating palm plantations of 8,000 ha on five plantations
- Goldtree’s operations are based on the independent farmers and nucleus plantations, with a milling operation that produces certified organic crude palm oil
- The mill is equipped with a palm kernel crushing plant to produce organic, certified crude palm kernel oil
- Supported the growth objectives of the company through the restructuring of the finance department, implemented sound processes and systems set-up
- Was responsible for financial reporting, including planning cycle, performance analysis and taking the role as a Business Partner to the Managing Director
- Collaborated with functional heads across the company to ensure financial activities were properly conducted, documented, and reported in accordance with reporting standards
- Managed the external audit and tax (CIT and GST) processes and lead in the preparation of financial statements and external reporting.
Financial Management and Resource Mobilisation Specialist
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY SERVICES – KPMG EAST AFRICA
Freetown
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Worked on a World Bank Agribusiness Development Fund Project, under the Government of Sierra Leone, focused on the financial management and resource mobilisation aspect of the project
- Portfolio size of 17 agribusinesses with total investment of $ 17 million
- Monitored and assessed the implementation of each Grantee’s project, ensuring efficient utilization of the funds disbursed
- Worked with Grantees to strengthen the financial management systems of their organizations through the application of industry best practice
- Worked with Grantees to make them investment ready and connected them to financial institutions or impact investors for resource mobilization
- Prepared reports on the Fund and Grantees performance on a quarterly and annual basis for submission to the Project Coordinating Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Chief Finance Officer
ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY AUTHORITY
Freetown
09.2019 - 04.2021
- Led the finance team of Sierra Leone’s national electricity distribution authority
- Managed a team of 54, focusing on improving the performance of the authority and managing the implementation of donor funded projects geared towards improving the sustainability of the authority
- Prepared monthly management accounting reports, highlighting variances between budget and actual performance, and advised Senior Management and Heads of Department on the status of their budget utilization and projects with the aim of proffering solutions on the transparent and effective utilization of the Authority’s resources
- Managed the external financial reporting of the Authority through the preparation annual financial statements in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for submission to the Board and other key stakeholders within the Energy Sector in Sierra Leone
- Maintained and updated the Authority’s financial model which is then incorporated into the overall country Energy Sector model and presented to the Energy Sector Steering Committee on a periodic basis
- Designed and implemented daily treasury reporting that is shared with key stakeholders at the Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Finance to keep them abreast of the Authority’s financial performance and position
- Developed financial control policies that were used to enhance the control environment of the Authority as well as ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework
- Was responsible for the financial management and reporting of the World Bank funded Energy Sector Utility Reform Project (ESURP) through International Development Association (IDA) for the improvement of the operational performance of the national electricity distribution utility.
Finance Manager
SUNBIRD BIOENERGY (SL) LIMITED (formally Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited)
Makeni
01.2017 - 05.2019
- Managed the finance department of Sierra Leone’s largest agricultural investment, an investment portfolio of $ 500 million
- Sunbird Bioenergy is an agro-industrial and renewable energy operation that produces bioethanol (anhydrous fuel grade) from sugarcane for export and domestic use and generates “green” electricity for Sierra Leone’s national grid
- Developed a well-functioning finance department through the recruitment of qualified and experienced finance professionals to occupy key positions in the finance department
- Developed financial model with different scenarios that was presented to various investors during the divestment of ownership in Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited by Addax and Oryx Group
- Was part of the team that worked on the investor fund raising for the sale of majority stake in Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited by the Addax and Oryx Group to Sunbird Bioenergy (SL) Limited
- Managed the external financial reporting of the Company through the preparation of annual financial statements in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for submission to the Shareholders and external use
- Renegotiated certain agreements that led to cost savings for the company and converted all local companies’ contracts from foreign currency to local currency thereby saving the company from adverse FX rate fluctuations.
Senior Financial Accountant
SUNBIRD BIOENERGY (SL) LIMITED (formally Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited)
Makeni
10.2014 - 12.2016
- Designed new sets of management accounting reporting templates that helped Board and Senior Management to make effective financial decisions
- Managed the budgeting and forecasting process of the company by leading discussions with Senior Management and Heads of Department on the strategic objectives and priorities of the company and compiling the budget document for presentation to Senior Management and Board of Directors of the company
- Designed and implemented Activity Based Costing (ABC) for the agriculture and factory operations, thereby liking actual costs to the various farm and factory activities which provided more clarity of the company’s financial operations
- Managed the external financial reporting of the Company through the preparation of annual financial statements in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for submission to the Shareholders and external use.
Management Accountant
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
Rutile
05.2013 - 09.2014
- Led the management accounting team of Sierra Rutile Limited, managing an annual operating budget of $ 125 million
- Sierra Rutile Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Iluka Resources, a leading mineral sands company, operating world-class assets in Sierra Leone
- The company produces high quality rutile, ilmenite and zircon from the world’s largest natural rutile deposit
- Led the team that re-designed the costing system of Sierra Rutile Limited to activity-based costing (ABC) and designed new sets of management accounting reports aligning the company’s reporting structure to ABC systems
- Coordinated the monthly close process ensuring that costs are recorded against the correct activities, consistently, and in a timely manner
- Also developed a monthly close checklist to guide and ensure a smooth closing process
- Prepared monthly management accounts analyzing performance by comparing the company’s actual performance to the approved budget and providing the necessary commentary on the variances
- Incorporating dashboards related to business performance in the management accounts and improve performance metrics and quality of data
- Led the Company’s annual budgeting process through liaising with various Heads of Departments and prepared the final budget presentation pack for onwards submission to the Chief Finance Officer, for presentation to ExCom and the Board of Directors
- Prepared quarterly forecast by identifying any risks and opportunities on both costs and revenue with the aim to align the approved annual budget to the company’s actual performance
- Also prepared the company’s financial model, which projects the financial performance and viability of the mines.
Reporting Manager
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK (GAMBIA) LIMITED
Banjul
04.2010 - 04.2013
- Managed the bank’s reporting function through periodic reporting to different stakeholders including the Central Bank of The Gambia, Group Finance based in London, Regional Hub based in Accra, Ghana and the Senior Management and Board Members of the bank
- Designed new sets of local regulatory reports used by the Bank for its reporting to the Central Bank of The Gambia
- Enhanced the Bank’s Asset and Liability (ALCO) pack that helped in the effective management of the Bank’s treasury function
- Prepared the annual statutory financial statements of the bank in line with the Companies Act 1955 and the Banking Act 2009, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the Central Bank of The Gambia prudential guidelines
- Managed the Bank’s external audit process thereby achieving favorable (unqualified) audit opinion throughout my tenure as Reporting Manager.
Deputy Chief Accountant
CFAO MOTORS (GAMBIA) LIMITED
Banjul
10.2009 - 03.2010
- Managed the financial accounting function of CFAO Motors, the authorised dealer for Toyota and Suzuki vehicles in The Gambia
- Ensured that all month -end close procedures such as accrual and prepayment amortization, depreciation of fixed assets, revaluation of foreign assets and liabilities are done monthly
- Also reconciled all bank accounts monthly
- Ensured that all journal entries raised by the accounting clerks are reviewed and approved prior to posting in the general ledger
- Assisted the Financial Controller in preparing the annual financial statement and liaised with external auditors during the annual audit process.
Project Accountant
NOVA SCOTIA GAMBIA ASSOCIATION
Banjul
09.2008 - 09.2009
- Managed the Global Fund for Malaria project for which Nova Scotia Gambia Association (NSGA) was an implementing agency
- Prepared financial reports for onwards submission to NSGA Board of Directors and Donor Partners such as Global Fund and Canadian International Development Agency
- Prepared quarterly budget for project implementation
- Reviewed liquidation of advances disbursed to Project Coordinators.
Assistant Financial Accountant
SANKUNG SILLAH AND SONS LIMITED
Banjul
12.2006 - 08.2008
- A member of the finance team of the largest manufacturing company in The Gambia, producing soap and plastic products
- Verification of cashbook postings and bank reconciliations
- Conduct monthly inventory stock – count
- Assist the Financial Accountant in the preparation of the annual financial statements.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - undefined
Oxford Brookes University
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - undefined
United Kingdom
Accounting Technician qualification - undefined
Association of Accounting Technicians
Skills
Documented processes and drafted SOPs to comply with regulations and company policies
Oversaw operations and provided corrective feedback to achieve daily and long-term goals
Mentoring and training
Versatile Managing Director with proven abilities across all levels of organizational management Talented in developing partnerships, overseeing personnel and developing tactical plans to meet strategic goals Proven leader with significant background in [Area of expertise]
Timeline
Managing Director
MANO MINING AND LOGISTICS LIMITED
05.2023
Finance Director
GOLDTREE (SIERRA LEONE) LIMITED
04.2022 - 04.2023
Financial Management and Resource Mobilisation Specialist
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY SERVICES – KPMG EAST AFRICA
05.2021 - 12.2021
Chief Finance Officer
ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPLY AUTHORITY
09.2019 - 04.2021
Finance Manager
SUNBIRD BIOENERGY (SL) LIMITED (formally Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited)
01.2017 - 05.2019
Senior Financial Accountant
SUNBIRD BIOENERGY (SL) LIMITED (formally Addax Bioenergy (SL) Limited)
10.2014 - 12.2016
Management Accountant
SIERRA RUTILE LIMITED
05.2013 - 09.2014
Reporting Manager
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK (GAMBIA) LIMITED
04.2010 - 04.2013
Deputy Chief Accountant
CFAO MOTORS (GAMBIA) LIMITED
10.2009 - 03.2010
Project Accountant
NOVA SCOTIA GAMBIA ASSOCIATION
09.2008 - 09.2009
Assistant Financial Accountant
SANKUNG SILLAH AND SONS LIMITED
12.2006 - 08.2008
Master of Business Administration (MBA) - undefined
Oxford Brookes University
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - undefined
United Kingdom
Accounting Technician qualification - undefined
Association of Accounting Technicians