ALPHONSUS NATANIELA PIO
25 Niranji, Tamavua, Suva | PO Box 16072 Suva, Fiji | Mobile (679)9706083 | Tel. (679)3322213 [email protected]

SUMMARY

A self-motivated Chartered Accountant with the ability to motivate, inspire and lead a group of individuals with diverse skills and experience. Outstanding leadership and demonstrated track record of leading the Finance team in achieving consistent and exceptional results over the years.

An effective and reliable financial adviser to the organizations that I was employed. A team player, mentor and have demonstrated the ability to serve in various capacities within the organization.

A passionate professional and has a fascination with AI systems. A problem-solver, a curious mind, and the ability to analyze and interpret data and information of organizations accounting activities.

Admiration for continuous learning on a personal and professional level.

COMPETENCIES

– Management & Financial Reporting
– Cash Flow Forecasting & Liquidity Reporting
– Budget Formulation & Reporting
– P & L Analysis & Reporting
– GL Reconciliation & Bank Reconciliation
– GAAP Accounting
– Internal Controls, Internal Audit & Reporting
– Process & Procedure Streamline
– Investment Analysis & Reporting
– Taxation (Fiji)
– IFRS Provisioning (Financial Instrument & Rights of Use Asset)
– Risk Management
– Accounting MIS system (MYOB, CITADEL, FISCAL)
– Staff Administration & Appraisal, Payroll Administration, Cashier Administration
– CAPEX Administration, Fixed Asset Register Maintenance & Administration
– Insurance Renewal
– Policy Review & Development
– Board Secretarial Duties & Reporting
– MS Office Applications Expert
– Expenditure Controls & Cost-Saving Measures
– Basic I.T Troubleshooting
– Job Costing  & Reporting
– Stocktake Process & Procedures, Result Analysis & Reporting
– Report Writing, Presentation, Negotiation
– Excellent Leadership Skills, Great Motivator, Mentorship
– Analytical & Interpretation, Problem Solving
– Solid Work Ethic

ACHIEVEMENTS

MERCHANT FINANCE PTE LTD, Suva, Fiji

·         Reliable & successfully performed the financial adviser role to the Executive Management and the Board of Directors

·         A key member of a successful Executive Management team

·         8  successive years of unqualified audit opinion and minimal external audit issues reported

·         Minor internal audit issues reported as per Internal Audit reports on finance department operations

·         Effectively controlled expenditure levels and implemented cost-saving measures contributing to favorable bottom line

·         8 successive years effectively managed the Borrowing (Term Deposit) portfolio (>FJ$100m)

·         Successfully implemented new IFRS 9 Financial Instruments & IFRS 16 Rights of Use Asset (2019)

·         Refined financial report formats for various reporting channels (internal & external)

·         Timely monthly & annual MIS rollover

·         Timely submission of periodic financial and statutory reports to Management, Holding Company, Reserve Bank of Fiji and, for Internal & External auditing

·         Timely submission of various tax returns as per Tax Authority (FRCS) requirements

·         Streamlined processes and procedures for key back-office functions, departments, and branches

·         Mentor in various aspect of the company resulted in employee promotions, department staff attaining Degree qualifications, professional memberships and continued further tertiary education (Post-graduate & Master level), proficiency in MS Excel application and received annual employee performance awards (Fijian Holdings Ltd Awards)

·         Successfully conducted the 2016 financial year company staff performance appraisals, successfully tabled and approved by the HR subcommittee and Board of Directors

·         Part of company HR Interview panelist

·         8 successive years of achieving 90% – 100% bonus rating for the finance department

·         A key member of the 2019 Fijian Holdings Ltd CAPEX Committee approving projects and fixed asset proposals for value more than $15k. 100% involved in the approving of approximately more than $5m of projects for the FHL group of companies

·         A key member of the 2019 Credit Risk Management Committee approving loans within the range of $0.750m – $1.000m. 80%-90% involved in the approving of approximately more than $2m loans

·         Achieved 100% ratings on monthly risk assessment conducted by the Holding Company

·         Successfully managed the I.T department, and implemented audit findings and key projects

·         Prepared and submitted financial projections on the proposed HQ Building to an independent assessor for further audit and assessment

·         Involved in the preliminary phase (research) and reporting on new MIS proposal to I.T subcommittee

·         Continued consultation with MIS vendor on the successful implementation of system report changes  as per Company and Fiji law requirements

·         Timely and successful implementation of Board decisions

INDUSTRIAL & MARINE ENGINEERING LTD, Suva, Fiji

·           Reliable and successful financial adviser to the General Manager and Management

·           Effectively monitored job costing cycle for Workshop and Dry Docking operations contributed to consistent achievement of favorable gross profit margin (65% – 75%)

·           Effective expenditure controls and consistently implemented cost-saving measures on the workshop, merchandise, and dry-docking operations contributed to improving profit margin by 10 % – 15%

·           Timely submission of periodic financial reports to Management, Holding Company and for Internal & External Auditing purposes

·           Effective staff mentorship and training, improved staff productivity and performance

·           Implemented effective internal controls on fuel consumption for dry-docking operations

·           Enhanced and implemented effective internal controls on merchandise operations

CARPENTERS FIJI LTD, Suva, Fiji

·           Effective and successful supervision of the audit team, achieved 90% – 100% audit assignments and reporting as per the annual audit program

·           Successfully carried out special/ad hoc and investigation/fraud audits and reporting

·           Successful implementation of audit recommendations at various Companies improving internal controls, processes, procedures and internal audit awareness

·           Annual review of audit programs based on audit findings and recommendations

·           OHS Internal Audit expert

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

MERCHANT FINANCE PTE LTD, Suva, Fiji

Independent Consultant, January 2020 – Present

Hired to conduct four (4) specific projects namely (a) development of Term Deposit Policy (b) review of Finance Policy (c) review of Liquidity Ratios and (4) review of existing MIS system performance and new MIS system proposal.

MERCHANT FINANCE PTE LTD, Suva, Fiji

Head of Corporate, 2017 – 2019

Manager Finance & Administration, 2014 – 2017

Assistant Manager Finance & Administration, 2013 – 2014

·         Served as financial adviser to Chief Executive Officer, Executive Management and Board of Directors

·         Direct supervision of the Finance department to ensure quality performance of key back-office functions of;

– Receivables & Payable, Reporting
– Payroll Runs Administration & Reporting
– Fleet Management & Insurance Renewal
– Monthly & Annual System Rollover & Reporting
– General & Property Administration, Special Projects
– Expenditure Controls & Cost-Saving Measures
– Loan Creation & Disbursement
– Chart of Accounts Maintenance, MIS Maintenance
– CAPEX Management, Fixed Asset Register Maintenance
– Board/Subcommittee Administration, Reports & Reporting
– Investment Analysis & Proposal & Reporting, Investment Register Maintenance
– Tax & Superannuation Compliance & Reporting
– Internal & External Audit Requirements
– Cash Management, Liquidity Management & Reporting
– Profit & Loss Analysis
– Financial & Management Reports & Reporting
– Budget Preparation & Reporting
– GL Reconciliation, Bank Reconciliation & Reporting
– Statutory Reporting
– Finance Policy Compliance, Internal Controls Review & Compliance
– Term Deposit Creation, Analysis, Maintenance & Reporting
·         Direct supervision & administration of the I.T department

·         Overall management of Borrowings (FIXED TERM DEPOSIT) portfolio (approx. over FJ$100m)

·         Staff mentoring and professional training

Financial Accountant, 2011 – 2013

·         Direct supervision of the Finance department (7 staff)

·         Staff mentoring

Acting CEO, Aug 2018 – September 2018

·         Relieved duties include finance and overall company operations

Company Secretary, 2017 – 2019

·         Performed administrative tasks, Board report compilation & reporting

Board Subcommittee Secretary (Asset & Liability), 2013 – 2017

·         Performed administrative tasks, subcommittee report compilation & reporting

INDUSTRIAL & MARINE ENGINEERING LTD (IMEL), Suva, Fiji

Divisional Accountant, 2008 – 2011

·         Served as financial adviser to the General Manager and Management.

·         Direct supervision of Accounts department to ensure quality performance of key back-office functions of;

– Receivables & Payables, Reporting
– Payroll Runs Administration & Reporting, HR Administration
– Fleet Management & Insurance Renewal
– Monthly & Annual System Rollover & Reporting
– Chart of Accounts Maintenance, MIS Maintenance
– Expenditure Controls & Cost-Saving Measures
– Merchandise Costing & Pricing
– Merchandise Stocktake, variance analysis & Reporting
– Workshop & Drydocking job costing & pricing
– Workshop & Drydocking Repairs & Maintenance Costing
– CAPEX Management, Fixed Asset Register Maintenance
– Tools Register Maintenance
– I.T troubleshooting
– Internal & External Audit Requirements
– Cash flow Management & Reporting
– OHS Compliance & Reporting, Company Policy Compliance & Reporting
– Management Reporting
– Tax & Superannuation Compliance & Reporting
– Profit & Loss Analysis
– GL Reconciliation, Bank Reconciliation & Reporting
– Budget Preparation & Reporting
 

CARPENTERS FIJI LTD, Suva, Fiji

Acting Internal Audit Manager, June 2006 – October 2006

·         Relieved duties include department supervision and operations

Internal Audit Supervisor, 2003 – 2008

·         Performed and supervision of audit assignments and reporting on various subsidiary companies operating as hardware, supermarkets, service stations, homeware, computer retail, warehouses, finance, properties, vehicle franchise, workshop repairs, vehicle & machinery parts, heavy machinery repairs, HQ departments, OHS, shipping agency, engineering workshop, and dry docking.

·         Audit work paper & report review, audit program review, consistent completion of approved audit assignments as per the annual audit program

·         Managed audit team on special/ad hoc audits, fraud investigation audits, stock takes and reporting

·         Attended Audit subcommittee meetings, compilation of reports and follow-up on implementation progress

·         Team staff appraisal, staff mentoring and professional training

Internal Auditor, 2002 – 2003

·         Performed internal audit assignments as per the annual audit program

·         Assisted with special/ad hoc audits and fraud investigations

·         Attended subsidiary company stock takes and submission of findings & reporting

·         Drafted and submitted internal audit reports for Audit Supervisor review and follow-up with subsidiary companies on audit comments and finalization of internal audit reports

EDUCATION
·         Master of Commerce – Professional Accounting, 2018

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji

·         Post Graduate Diploma in Commerce – Professional Accounting, 2016

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji

·                  Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) – Accounting and Financial Management, 2000

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP / AWARD / VOLUNTEER
Membership

Associate Member, CPA AUSTRALIA, 2017 – Present
Chartered Accountant (CA), FIJI INSTITUTE OF ACCOUNTANTS, 2015 – Present
Member, AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE OF COMPANY DIRECTORS, 2015 – Present
Member, INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS FIJI – IIA FIJI, 2002 – Present
Awards

Leader of the Year, MERCHANT FINANCE PTE LTD, 2017
Volunteer

Treasurer, FIJIAN HOLDINGS LTD SPORTS & AWARDS COMMITTEE, 2013
Treasurer, MERCHANT FINANCE SOCIAL CLUB, 2012
·         Treasurer, INSTITUTE OF INTERNAL AUDITORS FIJI, 2007- 2008

REFEREES
Ms. Rowena Fong

Chief Executive Officer

Merchant Finance Pte Ltd

[email protected]

(679) 9999567
Mr. Abilash Ram

Acting Chief Executive Officer

Fijian Holdings Ltd

[email protected]

(679) 9991056
Mr. Napolioni Batimala

Napolioni Batimala Consultant

[email protected]

[email protected]

(679)9999412 / 7999412