VASUDEVAN SRIRAM B.Com, A.C.A., A.C.P.A.(Bots),F.C.M.A.

P.O.BOX 734.

GABORONE.

BOTSWANA.

E Mail address: sriram@accountant.net

 

JOB PROFILE

A confident and self-motivated Chartered cum Management Accountant with over eight years PQE in Botswana and adequate experience in auditing and management accounting. Proven self-starter with well-developed analytical and problem solving skills. In-depth involvement in ISO 9000 quality system implementation with requisite training and administrative skills. Extensive involvement in developing structured LANs for a manufacturing Environment.

SUMMARY OF SKILLS

Experience in On-line Systems based Accounting in Botswana for large scale business involved in the manufacture of meat and allied products coupled with trading of commodities from various countries in South East Asia. Also experienced in the business of retail of Stationery, Computers and Office Equipment in a cash-tight economic environment. Extensive knowledge of Control and Completion of Audit Requirements with specific reference to International Accounting firms. Experience in handling clientele from varied industries and catering to their requirements.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING & GENERAL MANAGEMENT

Supervision & maintenance of general accounting records to portray accurate financial position on a day to day basis. Development of and administration of internal control procedures leading to rectification of existing systems for better overall performance of the organisation. Interaction of and co-ordination with fellow expatriate managers and in-depth understanding of nature of staff employed in Botswana.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

Detailed Management Reporting with emphasis on divisional performance to the Board. Structured development of the entity by providing Cost analysis to achieve departmental profitability. Making efficient decisions for overall improvement in performance using various management accounting tools.

CORPORATE FINANCE & FORECASTING

Preparation of Cashflows, budgets using forecasting techniques with the help of past performance and market indicators. Financial Reporting to banks for funding requirements for Working Capital needs and Lease of Fixed Assets. Preparation and presentation of information in Professional manner for various clients for their finance requirements.

CREDIT ANALYSIS & CONTROL

Credit Control and monitoring of Debtors with a means to regulation of credit. Obtaining legal opinion and also liaison with attorneys for recoupment of funds. Analysis of redundant accounts and daily upkeep of information on Debtors. Evaluation of Credit Policy with respect to the customers needs and common industry practices.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT

Collection and disbursement of funds in the most quickest possible manner to improve cash management efficiency especially in "cash crunch" situations. Effective use of Cash Float and exercise tight control over interbank transfers. Availment of Cash & Settlement Discounts so as to ensure maximum benefit to the company. Negotiation of settlement terms with suppliers for increased credit limit and credit period.

AUDITING

In depth knowledge of Auditing using International Auditing Guidelines. Well conversant with International Reporting requirements in the process of preparation and presentation of financial statements. Audit of Specialised industries like tea & coffee plantations, finance institutions and banks are my additional plus points.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Hands-on experience in the implementation of LANs and inter related system controls. Expertise in the use of Microsoft Office 97 and Lotus Smartsuite 97 for documentation and for preparation of management Reports. Adequate capabilities in handling both batch processing and on-line processing for various accounting requirements with DBASE IV PLUS in a Novell Netware Network Environment.

Computer Associates’ ACCPAC Accounting (Ver 6.01): Also posses extensive exposure in working in an ACCPAC Accounting Environment with its detailed reporting formats in both integrated and non integrated environments.

ISO 9000 QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

Invaluable experience in the implementation of Quality Systems as per the requirements of ISO 9000. In-depth training and knowledge in the maintenance of Quality Systems by means of documented standards and adherence to required specifications.

CAREER PROGRESSION

SENN FOODS (PTY) LTD - November 1995 till date

Finance & Administration Manager

Senn Foods (Pty) Ltd. is the flagship Company of the Derek Brink Holdings Group which is involved in Foods, Farming, Fuel and Property business all over Botswana. Group Turnover exceeds USD 40 million with an asset base of over USD 200 million (including farming properties and animal wealth) and is placed as one of the largest Group of enterprises in Botswana.

Finance and Management Accounting: Overall responsibilities for all finance functions of the organisation. Detailed analysis of financial information in relation to departmental performance and monitoring of interdepartmental transfers in a meat-manufacturing environment.

Treasury Management: In-depth involvement in day to day management of a portfolio of banking modalities coupled with foreign exchange influences on profitability of operations. Also performed normal duties with regard to trading transactions involving granting and obtaining of Credit. Negotiation with financial institutions for funding capital expansions etc.

Human Resources Management: Staff recruitment and placement for various divisions in the Company. Membership on the Panel for interview of staff and assessing manpower requirement. Also involved in the training of Staff for effective performance of their duties.

Management Representative - ISO 9000: Appointed to take additional charge as Management Representative as per guidelines of ISO 9000. Extensively involved in the introduction, implementation, maintenance and modification of quality systems for the overall benefit of the organisation. This includes training of staff, documentation of procedures and work instructions. Obtained professional training in methods and procedures in the establishment of Quality Systems and interaction with the Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS).

Information Technology – Group Resource Person: Directly reporting to the Chief Executive in the implementation of LANs and upgrade of the Derek Brink Holdings Group for both Software and Hardware requirements.

 

COOPERS & LYBRAND SERVICES (PTY) LTD - July 1995 - October 1995.

Business Services Division: Supervisor

Responsibilities include the processing of data and preparation of and presentation of Monthly Management Accounts for clients from varied industries. Usage of ACCPAC (Ver 6.01) and its modules for the above. Also involved in Preparation of Business Profiles and detailed Cashflow forecasts in conjunction with Budgets and Profit Planning requirements.

CENTURY OFFICE SUPPLIES (PTY) LTD. - June 1990 till June 1995.

Chief Accountant:

Management Accounting: Responsibilities include preparation and presentation of Financial Statements to the Management and Auditors. Management Accounts are prepared giving complete details with relation to various transactions of the Company of each particular period and also the cumulative effect of these transactions for the fiscal year.

Divisional Financial Profit and Loss Statements are presented detailing strong and weak areas for the Board to make decisions on investment in growth areas. Product wise sales break up and Product Profitability are also reflected in these statements. These also take into consideration Purchases of goods from various countries and their relevant foreign currency exposures. Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect matching of Assets and Liabilities after adjustments for Exchange Rate Fluctuations.

Human Resource Management: Management and administration of the various Divisions of the Company by interacting with both local and Expatriate Staff. Provide Analytical Support to other Managers for better decision making. Liaison with bankers, suppliers and customers for controlling credit in "Cash Crunch" situations.

Budgeting & Forecasting: Preparation of Annual Budgets detailing divisional performance targets for presentation to both Management and Bankers. Forecasting Cashflow Requirements both based on budgets and actual and reconciliation of Variances. Presentation of Cashflows and other financial information for annual reviews by Financial Institutions.

Identify Capital Commitments and means of funding for acquisition of Assets. Also decide on the duration of leases and their effect on the Financial Position of the Company.

Computers & Accounting: As part of day to day functioning supervise the staff for maintenance of proper accounting records and extraction of financial statements. Assisted in Computerisation of the Invoicing Modules of the Company on a Novell Netware Network. Maintain this system with reference to updating of records so as to reflect On-line information. Extensive use of DBASE IV for this purpose and also use of market software (IMS) for Accounts Payable Programs.

 

COOPERS & LYBRAND INTERNATIONAL. Chartered Accountants, Madras, India. - April 1989 to May 1990

Junior Qualified Assistant:

Auditing: Independently handled Statutory and other related Audits of large multinational Corporations. Reporting to Partners and Senior Audit Managers in relation to assignments and also evaluation of Internal Control of the Company under review. Preparation of Management letters for the purpose of upgrading and rectification of Accounting treatments etc. of Client Companies. Planning and scheduling of Audits and liaison with Clients for ensuring smooth completion of audit of Financial Statements.

Evaluation of Computer Based Systems: Was responsible for the evaluation of Computerisation of Finance function of Clients and reporting to management and Partners on their strengths and weaknesses. Client Companies included manufacturers of Cement, Sugar, Cigarettes, Paper and related Products.

Reporting for Multinational Corporations: Client Companies’ parent companies were based in the United Kingdom and hence audits were to be performed with relevance to International Standards. These were done with special regard to financial implications for Exchange Rate Fluctuations of Subsidiaries based in India. Holding Company Formats which were designed to suit global needs for companies all over the world within the Group were required to be complied with during presentation of financial statements.

Bank Audits and related Assignments: Was extensively involved with the Audit of Standard Chartered Bank (under the control of Chief Manger, India). Planning and Staff Selection for conduct of Audit with specific reference to special audit requirements of Banks. Verification of Foreign Exchange Transactions and monitoring of trade movements affecting the Profitability of Banking Transactions. Surprise verification of Cash and other Physical Assets were also part of my Audit Portfolios. Interest calculations and verification of Inter Bank Reconciliation with special reference to Nostro & Vostro Accounts. Checking of compliance with the Investment of moneys and Minimum Deposit regulations laid down by Reserve Bank of India. Investigation of Corporate Accounts and their financial viability with particular reference to making recommendations on provision for Bad & Doubtful Debts. Review also included future effects on Bank’s credit exposure due to current transactions

KANNAN & RAGHU Chartered Accountants, Madras, India. - March 1988 to March 1989.

Audit Manager: January 1989 - March 1989.

Audit Assistant: March 1988 - December 1989.

Certification Work and Audit: Involved in the Statutory and Internal Audit of Tan India Ltd. (Largest Tanning Industry in South Asia). Responsibilities included certification of Claim for Customs Duty Drawback on Imports / Exports of Myrobalam and related ingredients used in the Tanning Industry. Also represented the Client on taxation matters with the Department of Taxes, Ministry of Finance. Also involved in the audit of Asian Bags Ltd. (plastic extruder industry) and gained experience in the accounting for high seas transactions and import of resins and plastics’ raw materials.

Concurrent Audit of Nationalised Banks: As per the requirements of regulations of Reserve Bank Of India, Concurrent Audits were conducted by independent auditors and this helped in enhancing my expertise in the verification of day to day transactions of Nationalised Banks namely Indian Bank Ltd. and Canara Bank Ltd. As part of the reporting requirements detailed reports were to be tabled on each branch with reference variation on the Branch’s limits and discretionary powers.

Internal Audit of Banks: Acted as representative of the firm and conducted various internal audits of Banks. Reports detailed checks including adequacy of Internal Control, Reconciliation of Daily Balance Books and contra accounts with other branches of the Bank. Visit to Customers warehouses to ascertain value of Stocks hypothecated to the bank and the report based on such valuation.

 

FRASER & ROSS Chartered Accountants -

(Representatives of DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU INTERNATIONAL)

April 1985 to March 1988

Audit Trainee:

Audit Experience: Gained thorough experience in the field of Auditing with respect to DTT Standards in the carrying out of Audits of Companies and Multi National Corporations. Audits Assignments were varied which included Cash & Physical Stock Verification, Debtors validations and scrutiny of Internal Control. Adherence to Statement of Standard Auditing and Accounting Practices while performance of Audits. Audits include Bush Boake Allen India Ltd., Beardsell Group of Companies, Wavin India Ltd. & Mecotronics Pvt. Ltd.

Audit Of Specialised Industries: Extensively involved in the Audit of Specialised Industries including Tea & Coffee Plantations coupled with extensive reporting requirements with reference to the peculiar accounting treatments affecting agricultural industries. Clients include Harrissons Malayalam Tea Plantations & Consolidated Coffee Ltd. Complex Auditing and Accounting procedures were understood with special reference to process oriented industries etc. Gained Understanding of Financing and Leasing transactions during the Audit of First Leasing Company Of India Ltd. Advertising Agencies and their accounting requirements were also mastered during the audit of R.K.Swamy Advertising Associates (Associates of B.B.D.O. International).

 

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, London. U.K. - July 1994. (F.C.M.A.)

Associate Member of the Botswana Institute of Accountants - September 1990 (A.C.P.A. (Bots)).

Associate Member of the Institute Of Chartered Accountants of India. - January 1989. (A.C.A.)

Bachelor of Commerce (First Class) from the University of Madras - March 1987. (B.Com)

Completed the Level II Computer Course in Computer Applications conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

INTERESTS & ACHIEVEMENTS

LEADERSHIP: Elected Member and Vice Chairman of the Managing Committee of the CIMA Students' Society for the year 1992-93.

Elected Member & Treasurer of the Southern India Chartered

Accountants Students Association for the year 1987-88.

Chairman, Campaign Sight First Committee of the Lions Club of

Gaborone. 1993-94 and currently Club Secretary.

AWARDS : Awarded the Silver Award under the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Scheme, London.

Awarded the Lion of the Year Award for the year 1993-94.

STOCK MARKETS : Jointly associated with a group of friends for forming a Consortium of Investors. Consortium would study movements of the Indian Stock Market with special reference to availability of market information.

ISO 9000 IMPLEMENTATION: Appointed Management Representative for ensuring implementation of ISO 9000 Quality Structure in meat & allied products manufacturing organisation. Attended courses for study of requirements of ISO 9000 and facilitation of smooth implementation of the same.

CHARITY ORGANISATIONS : Currently President of the Lions Club of Gaborone (Lions Clubs International). Various positions held at Club level and raised funds for helping the underprivileged and committed to the motto "We Serve"

BIOGRAPHICAL

Date of Birth : 4th November 1966

Father’s Name : Mr. Devarajan Vasudevan

Marital Status : Married

 

References : Mr. M.M. Murthy

Group Accountant.

Botswana Meat Commission.

P.O.Box 400,

Lobatse,

Botswana.

Tel: 330321.

Fax: 330530.

Mr.Frans Jacobus Jooste,

Executive Chairman,

Derek Brink Holdings Group of Companies,

P O Box 2,

Gaborone,

Botswana.

Tel: 325066

Fax: 325670