PAUL-MIKI WALTER AKAZARA
Markham,ON
Summary
Talented Financial Trade Officer offering twelve years of experience in trend monitoring, market pricing and deal-making. Gifted in oral and written communication, contract negotiation and dispute resolution. Desire to bring expertise to dynamic position with room for career growth and opportunity to make lasting impact on team profitability. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Middle Office Trade Specialist
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd
Ghana
11.2023 - 05.2024
- Increased client satisfaction by resolving trade discrepancies and ensuring timely settlement of transactions.
- Coordinated effectively with external auditors during annual reviews by providing accurate documentation and insightful answers to queries related to trade activities.
- Contributed to ongoing process improvement initiatives by identifying areas of inefficiency in current workflows and proposing innovative solutions for enhancement.
- Reduced operational risk by developing robust controls and monitoring processes for trade activities.
- Reviewed daily trade blotters for accuracy before submitting them to senior management for approval purposes.
- Supported regulatory compliance efforts through diligent record-keeping and timely reporting of trades to relevant authorities.
- Provided comprehensive training to junior team members on various aspects of middle office trade support functions, enhancing their productivity and expertise levels.
- Enhanced trade processing efficiency by streamlining workflows and implementing automation techniques.
- Participated in cross-functional projects aimed at improving overall middle office operations through enhanced processes, systems, or organizational structures.
- Worked closely with the back office team to ensure accurate booking of trades, proper settlement instructions, and timely resolution of any post-trade issues.
- Compiled and analyzed data to determine approaches to improve sales and performance.
- Discussed financial options with clients and provided informed suggestions.
Trade Team Leader, Collections and Guarantees
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd
01.2021 - 11.2023
- Authorize Documentary Collections, Open Account, Advance Payment and Guarantees and ensure appropriate chares are applied to avoid income leakage
- Approve Letter of Commitment updates in ICUMS to enable client carry out further export
- Conduct periodic training to the business on the various trade instruments for ease of sales
- Go on periodic client visit to educate clients on the various trade instruments and offer advice to tailor the client’s business needs.
Trade Officer
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Processed documentary collections and trade transfers
- Ensured appropriate charges are applied as per concession to avoid income leakage
- Ensured trade transfers are updated on Integrated Customs Management Systems to allow clients clear their goods from ports smoothly
- Conducted MI analysis monthly for the department.
Voucher Processing Centre - Integrator Team
Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Processed salaries received from clients
- Ensured prompt and correct manual entries related to outward transfers
- Complied with operational risk and rigor standards in respect of protecting customers and the organization’s assets
- Ensured a high level of customer service to clients.
Customer Service Advisor
Beige Bank Ltd (Maamobi Branch)
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Provided exemplary customer service to select customers and listened to customers to identify and understand their current and future needs; provided the right solutions to meet clients’ needs
- Deepened customers’ relationships by providing a simple, seamless and efficient service whilst ensuring commercial opportunities were identified and referred
- Identified and drove new ways to make banking services more simple, personal and fair for customers through the education of digital channels, internet banking, phone banking and self-service points, to meet clients’ varying needs.
Trade Operations Assistant
Standard Chartered Bank Ltd
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Processed transactions for all spokes/Central Processing Centre
- Ensured compliance with trade operations general procedures and controls and operational risk requirement
- Received transaction from clients at front desk and properly examine documents to be sure all required documents for trade transactions are submitted
- Ensured bid bonds/guarantees are duly signed on time for clients’ collection
- Requested and applied forex deal from Global Market to effect trade transfers/transactions
- Liaised with clients/RMs about outstanding trade documents to be presented in case of advance payment transfers
- Reconciled fax control sheets at close of business or do EOD for transactions received through Filenet.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science -
University of Ghana
Legon, Ghana06.2012
West African Senior School Certificate Examination -
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School
Accra, Ghana06.2006
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)
- Data analysis
- Regulatory compliance
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Excellent communication skills
- Customer focused
- Strong problem solving abilitiies
Certification
- Certified Trade Finance Professional (CTFP), 01/01/2022
- Basic and Intermediate ICT Certificate, 01/01/2011
- Statistical Packaging for Social Sciences (SPSS), 01/01/2010
References
Available upon request
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Middle Office Trade Specialist
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd
11.2023 - 05.2024
Trade Team Leader, Collections and Guarantees
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd
01.2021 - 11.2023
Trade Officer
Absa Bank Ghana Ltd
01.2015 - 01.2021
Voucher Processing Centre - Integrator Team
Barclays Bank Ghana Ltd
01.2014 - 01.2015
Customer Service Advisor
Beige Bank Ltd (Maamobi Branch)
01.2013 - 01.2014
Trade Operations Assistant
Standard Chartered Bank Ltd
01.2011 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science -
University of Ghana
West African Senior School Certificate Examination -
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School