Bernice Asuquo

 BERNICE I. ASUQUOACA,CFE Maryland Lagos Nigeria -- SummaryExperienced Accountant with a strong background in audit and control. Skilled in managing financial records, analyzing financial data and ensuring compliance with regulations. Detail – oriented and adept at identifying discrepancies and implementing corrective actions. Excellent communication and problem- solving skills. Seeking to apply expertise to support the financial success of a company Skills Proficiency in accounting software and tools (QuickBooks MS Dynamics etc) Knowledge of accounting principles and practices Accounts reconciliations & /AP/AR reviews Familiarity with relevant regulations and compliance requirement Excellent communication skills both written and verbal Strong problem-solving skills and ability to implement corrective actions Experience with financial reporting and preparing financial statements Time management skills and ability to meet deadlines consistently Ability to work independently and as part of a team Ability to analyze financial data and identify trends Strong attention to detail and accuracy Thorough analytical skills with ability to manage multiple projects and ensure timely completion Financial, Operational and Compliance audits skills Excellent reconciliation skills Fraud prevention and detection Skilled in project management and business analysis Experience Integrity Business & Management Consult Lagos 2017 -Date Consultant/Bookkeeper Providing consulting services to clients that ranges from bookkeeping, financial management, cashflow management, internal control and compliance. House of Tara International, Lekki Lagos Jan 2016 -2017 Head of Accounts Oversee liquidity management in line with organizational objectives Ensure correct link between the accounting system and codependent systems Produce and review the monthly performance reports with variance explanation Ensure proper documents and fixed assets management Ensure all approved requisitions are processed, paid, and posted in the ledger Branch finance supervision Budget build, management and reporting Monthly accounts review and approve adjustments Support all lines of credit – application, repayment and posting Manage all banking relationships Review all AP and AR balances for correctness Oversee the preparation and timely filling of statutory remittances Liaise with external auditors and regulators Redeemed Christian Church of God, Beechnut Houston Texas (USA) Nov 2014 – July 2015 Accountant (Part time) Charged expenses to accounts and cost centers by analyzing invoice/expense reports; recording entries Compiled vendor payments for annual 1099’s (tax filling) Verified vendor accounts by reconciling monthly statements and related transactions Ensured payments to vendors by monitoring discount opportunities; verifying federal id numbers; scheduling and preparing checks; resolving purchase order, contract, invoice, or payment discrepancies and documentation; insuring credit is received for outstanding memos; issuing stop-payments or purchase order amendments Prepared bank reconciliation statements and assisted in annual audit exercise A-Z Petroleum Products Limited Lagos NigeriaOct 2010 – Oct 2013 Head, Internal Control/Audit Reduced the losses on receipt of cargo shipment by 35% through prompt analysis of discharge reports and effective follow up with responsible parties to get compensation Reduced incidences of theft of products by over 30% through verification of customers' orders before and after sales of products Led audit assignments that resulted in the discovery of $117,000 suppliers credit that had been forgotten and also alerted management to a long outstanding debt of $30,000 which was eventually recovered Planned and executed financial, operational and compliance related audits and provided recommendations for remediating audit findings Monitored and followed up on audit recommendations after the conclusion of audit exercise Identified control gaps, made process improvement and internal control recommendations to mitigate the associated risks Conducted control testing and provided support for remediation of control deficiencies Reviewed key internal control procedures and timely reporting of exceptions Evaluated process and identified opportunities for strengthening control procedures Communicated audit results to management through written reports and oral presentations Helped create control - consciousness in the organization that was previously non-existent Eshcol Consulting Ltd, Lagos NigeriaFeb 2008 – Oct 2010 Bookkeeper / Internal Control Consultant Increased productivity and profits by over 45% providing an effective and efficient reporting system that tracks performance and provide accurate data for informed decision making Successfully implemented internal control systems that helped clients in identifying and resolving discrepancies, track costs, reduce wastages Successfully posted all clients’ transaction on QuickBooks and provided end of period reports with additional insights to enable clients’ assess their business performance correctly. Performed all bank reconciliations and AR/AP reviews for correctness Enabled clients to focus on high priorities and strategic issues by taking care of all the accounting and bookkeeping responsibilities   Samuelson Management Ltd, Lagos NigeriaMar 2005 – Jan 2008 Senior Consultant Increased clients' productivity by recommending strategies for growth Consistently provided clients with reports of surveys that reflected the yearnings of the market which helped clients to redesign products / remodel services Improved clients' organizational effectiveness by implementing strategies that promotes organizational values and culture Prepared various business plans and co- participated in sourcing funds/investments for clients Iduna Specialist Hospital, Lagos NigeriaJan 2002 – Feb 2005 Accounts Officer Developed a budgeting process that enabled management to articulate needs and aided decision making Proffered suggestions that reduced company's debtors and plugged possible loopholes of indebtedness Provided timely report that aided management in making informed decision  Education Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Nigeria- HND Accounting Tekneur University 2022 Diploma in Business Analysis and Project Management Certifications Certified Risk and Control Management Professional (CRCMP) IARCP, USA Certified Internal Control Professional (CICP) – Internal Control Institute (ICI) USA Certified Fraud Examiner – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria [ICAN]