Jerome Commins

Provide comprehensive financial services and strategic insights to support business growth and efficiency. The key deliverables include:
1. Daily Accounting & Financial Tracking – Managing financial records and transactions using NetSuite.
2. Bank Management & Reconciliation – Ensuring accurate and timely reconciliation of bank accounts.
3. Tax Preparation & Compliance – Monthly VAT preparation and declaration via the CNP platform.
4. Management Accounts – Preparing detailed monthly financial reports for informed decision-making.
5. Group Financial Reporting – Consolidating financial data across multiple entities.
6. Budget Planning & Forecasting – Developing financial strategies to optimize future performance.
7. Strategic Advisory – Providing expert financial insights to the Board of Directors on the viability of key activities within two Group entities.

Responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the finance department, including budget planning and providing strategic financial insights to support the executive management team. A key member of the Executive Team (CODIR), contributing to financial decision-making and organizational strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial accounting and reporting
• Administration and statutory compliance
• Budget preparation and forecasting
• Risk management and mitigation
• Leadership and people management

• Provide Expert Advice and Strategic Guidance for NetSuite Business Software(ERP),
• Client Consultation: Conduct in-depth consultation,
• Analysis and Assessment: Evaluate existing processes, systems, and workflows to identify strengths and weaknesses,
• Solution development: Develop customized solutions based on identified needs and challenges,
• Implementation support: Collaborate with clients to implement recommended changes and improvements,
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of client interactions and project details.

Management of Activities within One's Scope and Team Leadership:

• Define objectives, establish resources, and implement necessary management tools.
• Develop and continually improve procedures dedicated to one's scope.
• Implement reporting (tracking indicators) and internal control (risk prevention).
• Hierarchically supervise teams and organize their activities.
• Functionally lead teams that are advised.

Financial Management:

• Manage accounting: ensure reliability of accounts, establish and consolidate financial statements, and ensure compliance with procedures and accounting standards.
• Manage treasury: monitor liquidity, plan cash budgets and operating budgets, define credit policies, optimize financing, investments, and tax opportunities, and participate in strategic investment operations.
• Manage cost control: monitor reports, conduct economic analyses of financial statements, and make strategic and operational forecasts.
• Design and draft financial communications for shareholders, investors, analysts, and public.

Administrative and Legal Management:

• Ensure compliance with current legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Control legal contracts (insurers, service providers, subcontractors), follow up on legal disputes, manage movable and immovable assets.
• Manage relationships and negotiations with external partners (bankers, auditors, professional organizations, government agencies).
• Organize board meetings and general assemblies, handle strategic cases (mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, etc.).
• Keep abreast of legal, regulatory, and economic developments in the industry (financial, tax, social, environmental standards).

Human Resources Management:

• Ensure compliance with labor laws and collective agreements.
• Define and oversee social policies, and optimize management tools.
• Manage relations with the Work Council.
• Supervise personnel administration: employment contracts, payroll, leave, and personnel records.

Member of the CODIR (Comité de Direction) / Executive Committee

40% of Time as Client Director - African Oil Company

• Analyze company business practices and goals and make suggestions to improve production
• Conduct a thorough analysis of business competitors to help establish proper objectives and goals
• Develop trust-based relationships with clients and manage client expectations
• Review the current Business Plan and propose solutions for major structural improvement.

• Oversee site finance, administration, IT, projects, and payroll management.
• Prepare and implement the annual budget.
• Develop monthly forecasts and financial reports for the local CODIR and Head Office, including the Dubai office.
• Serve as a member of the Local CODIR (Comité de Direction).

• Support project lead in providing strategic consultation and support to foreign companies (Gas and Welding)
• Advise foreign companies in setting and delivery of targets for various Gas and Welding development.

• Provide leadership and vision by assisting the Board and staffs with development of long range and annual plans
• Assist and organize quarterly Audit Committees, Corporate Governance Committees, SHEQ Committees and Board of Directors
• Assist and organize Strategic/Risk Committees on a bi-annual frequency
• Ensure that policies and strategies are effectively resourced and implemented.

• Manage preparation and maintenance of variety of financial records and reports
• Oversee cash management, investment, and debt management activities
• Prepare and coordinate the annual budget
• Attend Audit Committee and Board of Directors.

• Preparation and review of (monthly) Group Management Accounts
• Introduction of Key Performance Indicators and importance of follow-ups for end results and expectations
• Preparation of Cost analysis
• Year end statutory reporting and auditing, for Board approval.

• Preparation for the Budgetary Process, Costing and Transfer Pricing System
• Preparation of the monthly Management accounts and report to Service Centers on financial performance and deviation
• Participate and assist in the formulation, development and implementation of a new enhanced computer system
• Responsible for the design, implementation and modification of the required control procedures, financial Policies & Practices and reporting procedures of Service Centers.

• Provide financial advisory support to Company activities with a particular focus on Corporate Finance
• Supervise the Company's Accounts and Administration
• Analyze financial information to produce forecasts of business, industry and economic conditions for use in making investment decisions
• Assemble spreadsheets and draw charts and graphs to illustrate technical reports.

• Provide leadership and direction for the department in accordance with overall strategic direction
• Manage month end close activities including communication of risks and opportunities to management
• Hire, coach and evaluate performance of accounting team in alignment with organizational strategies
• Facilitate an coordinate solutions to problems of difficult scope and complexity with other departments and business units.

• Assist in performing inventory and analysis of the Company's Bank Accounts (Cash Pooling Project)
• Analyze financial reports and records to determine trends and irregularities
• Assist in coordination of annual independent audits (Internal and External)
• Participate in the preparation of difficult and complex financial and administrative reports.

• Control Working Capital of the business, ensuring debtors, creditors and stocks are maintained
• Interact with Internal and External Auditors in completing Audits
• Analyze revenue and expenditure trends and recommend appropriate budget levels, and ensure expenditure control
• Advise on strategic direction.

• Liaising and managing relationships with local banks
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of monthly management accounts
• Assist in the preparation of Financial Reporting Packs
• Preparation and submission of VAT reports/returns as well as appropriate reconciliation (Ledger v/s returns).