Jesse W Iltord Kuntu Blankson

JESSE WILTORD KUNTU-BLANKSON Phone | - |-| LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-wiltord-kuntu-blankson-5a415b35/ Professional Summary A versatile Senior Finance and Operations Executive experienced in solving business challenges and introducing feasible strategies to mitigate risks, improve cash flows and increase efficiency. Thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. with extensive knowledge of 10+ ERPs and unsurpassed work ethic. Successfully managed diverse Donor-Funded projects from GIZ, DFID (FCDO), USAID, and possess exclusively sensitive to UI/UX design. Experience Finance and Operations Director 05/2023 to Present BJJ Energy Africa Group – Renewable energy and agribusiness Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, US (Reporting including Budgeting and Forecasting, Strategy and Control) • Spearhead the Group's operational and financial strategies, keeping comprehensive financial reports in accordance with IFRS and GAAP. • Predicating on historical data and present economic conditions to provide forecast to enable my companies and fund beneficiaries to estimate earnings, predict sales trends and provide benchmarks and monitors its consistent revision to make information reliable for decision making. • Reviews through investigation and appraisal of all beneficiary company's accounts and financial status. Performs sensitivity analysis to determine the group's financial situation and its funding requirements. • Serves as financial advisor and provides guidance and counseling as well as training where necessary to beneficiary organizations as well as finance staff within the group. • Provision of strategies which analyses the business model, market situation, competition, and potential for growth using SWOT, SOAR, PESTEL and NOISE analysis. • Maintaining favourable relationships with Donor Organizations and all internal and external parties. Finance and Operations Director 01/2021 to 04/2023 EAA Ltd. & EAA Foundation Ghana, Benin, USA, UK (Reporting, Strategic Direction and Control) • Spearhead the Company's operational and financial strategies, keeping comprehensive financial reports in accordance with IFRS. • Manage and strategically leads the implementation of all our USAID, GIZ, DFID/FCDO funded projects in the areas of reporting and reviewing of M&E reports. • Provides a clear voice in anticipating risk and spearheading proactive management of risks within the Company's leadership team. • Oversee financial management activities, including budget management/control, accounting and payroll. • Proactively identify root causes of any underperformance/wastage's and recommend/implement solutions. • Perform value optimization and make suggestions to improve process strength across the organization with particular focus on areas of overlap between departments. • Streamlined productivity initiatives through compliance with Factory protocols. Part Time Lecturer/ Examiner Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana • Lecture and examine the following papers: Advanced Financial Reporting, Advance Tax & Fiscal Policy, Financial Management 01/2016 to Current Accra, Ghana Country/Regional Manager 06/2018 to Current Inclusivity Global, West Africa • In charge of strategic partnership within the sub-region • Owner of regional P&L and masterminding growth opportunities for the brand. • Oversee Operational, Finance and administrative responsibilities and report to the global office. • Liaise with all major stakeholders and to ensure smooth running of the offices in Ghana and within West Africa. Snr. Consultant Solutions Consulting Ltd (Financial Reporting, Tax, Strategy and Control) 12/2017 to 01/2020 Global, Africa, Europe, Asia • Prepared accurate, timely financial statements in accordance with IFRS with input from their accounting department. • Conducted monthly and quarterly account reconciliations to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance. • Analyzed financial statements of our clients for discrepancies and other issues that should be brought to the CFO's attention and made recommendations as needed. • Performed multiple assessments on clients' financial situation by gathering information regarding investments, asset allocation, savings, tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning, evaluating risk tolerance. • Monitored clients' financial situation by tracking changes in wealth and life circumstances; analyzing financial plan results; identifying and evaluating new financial strategies. Audit Manager (Part Time) 05/2015 to 09/2019 MGI Lobban Hyde Chartered Accountants Accra, Ghana • Successfully led team to conduct multiple Bank of Ghana (BOG) Special Audits on Microfinance (DKM and others) as well as other Financial Institutions. • Examined company's accounts and financial control systems and to ensure safeguard of assets and ensured that financial records are reliable and accurate. • Prepared reports, commentaries, and financial statements where applicable and ensured total compliance to procedures, policies, legislation, and regulations. • Facilitated multiple corporate trainings and Business Advisory. Head of Finance 09/2015 to 11/2017 Global Access Savings & Loans Co. Ltd Accra, Ghana • Prepared consolidated budgets as well as all periodic financial reports for executive management and the Board, and interpretation for financial statements. • Designed and carried out business modelling and risk assessments. • Analyzed the financial climate and market trends to assist senior executives in creating their strategic plans. • Spearheaded the finance team in the facilitation of their day-to-day activities to meet deadlines and to provide relevant and accurate reports. • Created and maintained relationships with service providers and contractors, including banking institutions and external auditors. • Prepared forecasts for future financial decisions and positions and liquidity management expert and FTP risk analysis. • Advised management on investments and loans/other facilities. • Preserved company assets and the investment of surplus funds or pension and trust funds. • Maintained positive banking and counter - party relationships. Associate Consultant 10/2013 to 09/2015 Solutions Consulting Ltd • Obtains clients' commitment by explaining proposed financial plans and options; explaining advantages and risks; providing explanations; alleviating concerns; answering questions. • Assesses clients' financial situation by gathering information regarding investments, asset allocation, savings, tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning, evaluating risk tolerance. • Monitors clients' financial situation by tracking changes in wealth and life circumstances; analyzing financial plan results; identifying and evaluating new financial strategies; recommending changes in goals and plans. Operations Manager 02/2011 to 09/2013 UT Bank Ghana Ltd Accra, Ghana • (Head Office Operations Dept) • Spearheaded shared knowledge with other branches and Head office on effective practices, competitive intelligence, business opportunities and needs. • Managed budgets and planning processes of the activities and reports on budgetary performance. • Ensured that all financial reporting deadlines were met at the time. • Developed forecasts, financial objectives, and business plans, I also managed budgets and ensured proper allocation of funds. Senior Finance Officer 07/2009 to 01/2011 UT Bank Ghana Ltd. Accra, Ghana • Administered the efficient and effective maintenance of the Bank's General ledger to ensure reliability of information and timely financial reporting. • Assisted the Management Accountant to prepare Monthly reports and mostly does presentation in his absence to management and staff at meetings. • Involved in implementation of the most appropriate financial control framework, budgeting and forecasting, cost management and advance data analysis. • Represented the Finance team in all sub committees that needed financial planning and control strategies and made enlightened recommendations to management. • Supervised all Finance staff within the department in their daily responsibilities, I oriented and trained all new employees in Finance on the job. • (Project Experience) • A Finance/Credit Core Team member who served reliably and industriously on almost all the Bank's Projects, especially a key role in its new software Temenos (T24) PROJECT development and implementation. Branch Accountant 08/2007 to 06/2009 UT Financial Services Ltd. Accra, Ghana • Generated Quarterly Forecast and ensured effective cost control, I also assisted in annual budgets preparation, and prepared various Reconciliation Statements/Variance analysis. • Maintained robust reports on Depreciation of Fixed Assets, Accounts Payables and Receivables for Management Accountant. • Offered Investment Advisory Services to my clients and other investors. Finance Officer 09/2005 to 04/2006 Ghana Post Office Headquarters Accra, Ghana • Prepared all the regional and national bank reconciliation monthly and other relevant reports required by Finance Manager. Core Qualifications • • • • • Financial Modelling/Reporting Financial Management Tax and Special Audits Treasury, Risk and Portfolio Management IFRS • • • • Budgeting and Forecasting Strategic Planning and Control Project Finance Management Client Relations Education Masters in Accounting Marquette University Sept 2025 Certificate – Forward Scholar McKinsey & Co Consulting 2024 Certificate - Financial Engineering & Risk Management: Financial Engineering Columbia University 2017 Certificate - Finance (Highest Score for the course: Financial Markets Yale University 2016 CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor AITI - Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence 2014 Chartered Accountant, CA: Accounting, Finance, Audit, Tax Institute of Chartered Accountants 2014 Higher National Diploma (HND): Accounting Accra Technical University 2006 Accomplishments • Applied strong planning and analytical skills to inform executive management and directors of key trends and usually helps with mechanisms to reduce company expenditures by 19 - 31% • Operates with a strong sense of honesty, accuracy, urgency and thrives in a fast-paced setting. • Developed relationships with thousands of new clients and typically exceeded sales goals by 26%. • Promoted from Treasurer to Head of Finance, in less than 7 months. • Consistently maintained high customer satisfaction ratings. • Negotiated with vendors, saving my company an average of $80,000 annually.