Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Nsikak N. Essien

Nsikak N. Essien

Ikoyi

Summary

As a highly skilled financial professional, I have extensive experience in corporate finance, auditing, financial accounting, management, and training . I have consistently delivered exceptional results throughout my career, including improving financial performance, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency. I am an expert in risk management, compliance, and financial reporting, and I have a proven track record of building and leading high- performing finance functions. In my most recent role, I built and led the finance function, significantly improving financial information accuracy, timeliness, and quality. I implemented financial controls, policies, and procedures, substantially reducing control deficiencies and stakeholder satisfaction. As an Associate Member of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment, I deeply understand the financial industry and the regulatory landscape. With my Master's degrees in Accounting and Economics and my expertise in procurement and supply chain management, I am confident in my ability to provide strategic financial leadership to any organization.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Tax & Finance Operations

Lafarge Africa Plc ( Holcim Nigeria)
Lagos
01.2016 - Current
  • Increased tax savings: Identified and implemented tax-saving strategies, resulting in a $2 million reduction in tax liability for the company."
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborated with the accounting and finance teams to develop a tax-efficient supply chain structure, resulting in a $1.5 million reduction in VAT and CIT liabilities and improved profitability."
  • Merger & Acquisition. Developed regulatory business cases that resulted in three successful mergers across Africa business operations (South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria).
  • Reduced risk: Developed and implemented a tax risk management program resulting in a 75% reduction in tax-related legal disputes.
  • Improved team performance: I mentored and trained a team of 5 junior professionals, resulting in a 20% increase in team productivity and efficiency.
  • Transfer pricing: Developed and implemented a transfer pricing strategy that resulted in a $1.5 million reduction in tax liability for the company and compliance with OECD guidelines.
  • Global mobility: Managed the tax aspects of over 50 international assignments, resulting in a 20% reduction in tax-related expenses and improved employee satisfaction.
  • International tax: Identified and implemented a new international tax planning strategy that resulted in a $3 million reduction in tax liability for the company and compliance with local tax laws.
  • Regulatory compliance: Developed and implemented a tax compliance program that ensured compliance with all relevant tax regulations, resulting in zero penalties for the company.

Senior Internal Auditor/Senior Finance Manager

Lafarge
Lagos
05.2014 - 12.2015
  • Implemented and maintained financial controls, policies, and procedures and ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements, resulting in a 70% reduction in control deficiencies and a 90% improvement within the first 6 months.
  • Prepared accurate and timely financial statements and reports for management and external stakeholders, resulting in a 95% improvement in the quality of financial information and a 30% improvement in stakeholder satisfaction.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to provide financial analysis and support for decision-making, resulting in an 85% improvement in the quality of decision-making and a NGN200 million reduction in costs.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with external stakeholders, including banks, auditors, and tax authorities, resulting in improved stakeholder satisfaction and cost reduction.
  • Conducted risk assessments, developed audit plans, and executed audits for various business processes, including financial reporting, compliance, and operations, resulting in an 80% reduction in audit findings and a 60% improvement in process efficiency.
  • Led audit teams and collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify control gaps and implement remediation plans to address findings and recommendations, resulting in about a 75% improvement in control effectiveness.
  • Developed and executed data analysis techniques to test controls and identify risk areas in the organization, resulting in a 90% improvement in risk identification.
  • Implemented a quality assurance program for the internal audit function, resulting in a 75% improvement in audit quality.

Deputy Manager Finance/Internal Control and Audit

Royal Exchange Plc
Lagos
01.2012 - 03.2012
  • Developed and delivered training programs to educate 1400 employees on anti-bribery and SOX compliance requirements, resulting in an 85% increase in awareness and understanding of these policies.
  • Conducted a review of the company's anti-bribery and SOX compliance programs, identifying and implementing 200 process improvements that resulted in a 60% increase in efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Developed the first financial reporting templates for Nigeria's prudential fund industry as an audit manager for the country's first and largest insurance company.
  • Managed the implementation of the Basel 2 risk management framework for indigenous banks, driving improved corporate risk cultures and data-driven strategies.
  • Recommending and preparing financial business cases for investment, capital expenditure, and change programmes resulting in cash flow and profit improvement.
  • Ensuring regional period-end close and submissions are made on time and in full. Preparing regional re-forecasting and budgeting.
  • Led the implementation of Basal II/III compliance controls for 5 business units, resulting in a 50% increase in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Education

Master of Science - Accounting

University of Cambridge
Cambridge

Master of Science - Procurement & Supply Chain

Robert Gordon University
Scotland

Bachelor of Science - Economics

Ambrose Alli University

Master's degree - Economics

Caleb University
Lagos

Skills

  • Power BI, Power Query, and SAP Financial Consolidation(SAP-FC), S/4 Hana, Oracle Financials, JD Edwards,
  • Shared-point, Google SuiteSage financials, Oracle Premier, Tableau, Stata, R, Python, Workday-Tally, Office 365,
  • Controls evaluations, risk management strategies, and marketing understanding
  • Reporting requirements, compliance reviews,
  • Background review, interviewing techniques, and field investigations
  • Corporate Finance, Auditing, and Financial Accounting
  • Management, negotiation, and leadership
  • Financial Risk, Operations Management, and Training
  • Tax return filing
  • Sarbanes-Oxley regulations
  • GAAP guidelines

Certification

  • Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE): - Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
  • Chartered Accountant: - The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria
  • Chartered Stockbrokers: - Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers
  • Chartered Tax Practitioner, - Chartered Institute of Taxation, Nigeria
  • Associate Member: - The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (The CISI)
  • ASA (Aust.): - CPA Australia
  • Qualified: - CIMA

Timeline

Tax & Finance Operations

Lafarge Africa Plc ( Holcim Nigeria)
01.2016 - Current

Senior Internal Auditor/Senior Finance Manager

Lafarge
05.2014 - 12.2015

Deputy Manager Finance/Internal Control and Audit

Royal Exchange Plc
01.2012 - 03.2012

Master of Science - Accounting

University of Cambridge

Master of Science - Procurement & Supply Chain

Robert Gordon University

Bachelor of Science - Economics

Ambrose Alli University

Master's degree - Economics

Caleb University

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Nsikak N. Essien