Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Santosh Varghese Jacob

Chilliwack,Canada

Summary

Strategic Finance Executive with 20+ years of leadership experience driving financial transformation, shared services, FP&A, and enterprise performance across multi-entity retail and healthcare organizations. Based in British Columbia, Canada, with availability for remote, hybrid, or on-site executive finance roles. Recognized for building scalable finance operating models, I have led finance transformation initiatives that reduced operating costs by 20-25%, accelerated month-end close cycles by 30%+, and strengthened governance, audit readiness, and IFRS compliance. My leadership includes the design and implementation of offshore finance shared-services centers, allowing onshore teams to focus on strategic analysis and business partnering. As a trusted partner to CEOs and senior management, I drive FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management, translating financial data into actionable insights. I lead monthly management, market, and sales reviews to improve store-level profitability, pricing effectiveness, and cost discipline-delivering 5-8% improvements in operating margins across retail operations. My background spans financial reporting, consolidation, working capital optimization, internal controls, risk management, and audit leadership, with consistent success improving cash flow efficiency by 15-20%. I bring a balanced leadership style combining analytical rigor, commercial insight, and strong governance. I hold a Master of Studies in Law (IE University) and an MBA Certificate in Global Corporate Compliance, equipping me with a deep understanding of financial governance, regulatory frameworks, and executive accountability. Motivated student eager to apply classroom knowledge to real-world experiences, with a strong willingness to learn and contribute. Effective communicator with a collaborative mindset, ready to bring fresh perspectives and a strong work ethic to any team.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Group Finance Manager

Docib Healthcare
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
10.2022 - 12.2025
  • Led finance transformation initiatives, redesigning finance operating models to improve efficiency, scalability, and cost effectiveness
  • Established and scaled an offshore finance shared-services center to centralize labour-intensive and repetitive activities (AP, AR, reconciliations, master data, reporting support), delivering sustainable cost reduction and productivity gains
  • Developed standard operating procedures (SOPs), control frameworks, and governance models to ensure accuracy, compliance, and service-level performance across onshore and offshore teams
  • Directed Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), including annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and detailed variance analysis
  • Led monthly management, market, and sales performance reviews, providing actionable insights on: Store-level profitability, Revenue trends and product mix, Margin performance and cost leakage, Working capital efficiency
  • Partnered with business and operations leaders to translate financial insights into retail execution improvements, driving: Optimized pricing and promotions, Improved inventory and shrinkage control, Enhanced store-level operational efficiency
  • Oversaw month-end and year-end close, ensuring timely and accurate consolidated financial statements (Balance Sheet & Income Statement) in compliance with IFRS
  • Strengthened internal controls, audit readiness, and risk management frameworks, coordinating external and internal audits
  • Implemented and enhanced ERP and reporting systems, improving data quality, automation, and decision support
  • Strategic finance leader driving finance transformation, shared services implementation, and business performance optimization across multi-entity healthcare and retail operations.

Senior Accountant / Reporting Officer

Carrier HVAC
, United Arab Emirates
09.2006 - 05.2022
  • Led day-to-day finance operations for multiple business units, ensuring accuracy, control, and compliance with IFRS and corporate governance standards
  • Owned consolidated monthly financial reporting and performance reviews, delivering insights to improve operational and commercial outcomes
  • Developed and monitored annual budgets and long-term strategic business plans, performing variance analysis and recommending corrective actions
  • Played a key role in SAP implementation, including UAT testing and Host-to-Host (H2H) bank payment integration, improving payment efficiency and controls
  • Led financial reporting and consolidation, treasury management, banking relationships, and cash-flow forecasting at group level
  • Provided sales and commercial finance support, including: Pricing and costing analysis, Project appraisals and investment evaluation, Process reviews and ERP enhancements
  • Strengthened internal controls, SOX-aligned compliance, and audit readiness, partnering with internal and external auditors
  • Continuously enhanced business performance reporting, improving timelines, dashboards, and qualitative/quantitative KPIs
  • Progressive finance leader with 15+ years supporting multinational operations across financial reporting, consolidation, FP&A, treasury, audit, compliance, and business partnering.
  • Enhanced cash-flow visibility and treasury efficiency, reducing payment cycle delays
  • Successfully supported multiple audits with minimal adjustments, reinforcing governance and compliance confidence

Accountant

LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS (L.L.C.)
Dubai, UAE
04.2001 - 08.2006
  • I was accountable for establishing risk-based audit plan to set out the priorities of audit function, consistent with the Group's objectives.
  • Instrumental in ensuring audit resources were sufficient; achieved approved audit plan by Risk & Audit Committee.
  • Collated and compiled reports with observations, comments & recommendations based on carried out work while coordinated with cross-functional teams for approving processes of all accounts-payable invoices.
  • Consistently worked towards processing of vendor invoices and maintain up-to-date system.
  • Maintained close track of customer and vendor accounts
  • Collated and compiled data for drafting of: Batch summary reports for verification and approval, Monthly sales reports and administer general ledger reconciliations
  • Collaborated with auditors both within and outside of the company to ensure legal compliance
  • Maintained confidential and secure storage of important financial information

Education

Masters - Master in Global Corporate Compliance

IE University
Segovia, Spain
06.2022

Certificate of Achievement - Building Successful Relationships Through Kindness, Empathy & Compassion

IE Business School
Segovia, Spain
12.2021

Certificate of Achievement - US Corporate Law and Compliance Governance

New York University School of Law
Segovia, Spain
12.2021

Bachelor - Bachelor of Commerce

Nagpur University
Nagpur Maharashtra India
05.1998

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Infor Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Budget management
  • Financial reporting
  • Internal controls
  • Shared services management
  • ERP implementation
  • Financial analysis
  • Financial planning
  • Compliance oversight
  • Data analysis
  • Risk management
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Problem solving
  • Change management
  • Financial policy development
  • Tax compliance
  • Financial systems implementation
  • Working capital management
  • Staff training
  • Skilled in [software]
  • Performance reviews
  • P&L tracking
  • Strategic planning
  • IFRS expertise
  • Financial budgeting
  • Financial revenue
  • Budget forecasting
  • Transfer pricing
  • KPI development
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Financial management
  • Problem-solving
  • Lender relationships
  • Coaching and training
  • Improvement recommendations
  • Sustainable business models
  • Financial modeling
  • Customer relationship development
  • Performance analysis
  • Workflow coordination
  • Variance analysis
  • Capital budgeting

Certification

Carrier Global/PwC SOX Training in Auditing, Information Technology & Personal Development

Languages

English
Full Professional
Hindi
Professional
Tamil
Professional
Malayalam
Professional
Marathi
Professional

Timeline

Group Finance Manager

Docib Healthcare
10.2022 - 12.2025

Senior Accountant / Reporting Officer

Carrier HVAC
09.2006 - 05.2022

Accountant

LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS (L.L.C.)
04.2001 - 08.2006

Masters - Master in Global Corporate Compliance

IE University

Certificate of Achievement - Building Successful Relationships Through Kindness, Empathy & Compassion

IE Business School

Certificate of Achievement - US Corporate Law and Compliance Governance

New York University School of Law

Bachelor - Bachelor of Commerce

Nagpur University
Santosh Varghese Jacob