Raul Sarmiento

Raul E. Sarmiento CURRICULUM VITAE PROFILE SUMMARY An accounting and finance professional with vast experience in handling full-cycle accounting from bookkeeping to the preparation of financial statements including the preparation of budgets and forecasts. My experience and strong analytical skills enable me to dissect data, analyze financial variances, and produce accurate and timely reports to aid management decision-making. I have advanced knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint, and experience in Accounting and ERP Systems like QuickBooks, SAP, and other office software. Key experience and competencies: Skills: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • QuickBooks accounting software (Online & Desktop) Full Cycle Accounting (Bookkeeping to preparation of FS) Budgeting & Forecasting Cost Control & Variance Analysis Manufacturing Bill of Material (BOM) Reconciliation (Cash &Inventory) Financial Reporting Streamlining of Procedures Advanced knowledge of Excel (w/ Macro) Strong Analytical and critical thinking Large data manipulation and analysis Strong verbal & written communication Problem solving ability Time management & Organizational skill Working Knowledge MS Office (Ppt/Word) WORK EXPERIENCE Consultant - Project Manager Nov 2022 – Oct 2023 | Metro Manila, Philippines DMM Infotech Services and Solutions Inc. – is an authorized QuickBooks Accounting Software distributor. • Assists in conducting software demonstrations for a potential client. • Prepares project schedule and milestones including the Gantt chart. • Monitor and manage the completion of each task and project milestones. • Participates in system simulation and advises clients on appropriate and efficient procedures. • Conducts and assists in users’ acceptance tests and Training. • Resolve issues encountered by clients. • Prepare, review, and approve customized user manuals for each client. Project Cost Controller Oct 2007 - Oct 2021 | Riyadh, KSA Norconsult Telematics Inc. – is a consultancy firm specializing in telecommunications and is the source of competent staff by Saudi Telecoms Company (STC). • • • • • • • • Verify/Review and finalize project Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and materials list (UPL). Prepares comparative reports of telecom equipment cost amongst bidding vendors. Prepares comparative reports of year-on-year cost of equipment per vendor. Creates and uploads all project data in the system before project implementation. Cost control of models created by Network Designers during implementation. Team member in the Commercial Evaluation of project bids (previous role) Verify /approve models created by Design Engineers in the system (previous role) Develop and design Excel systems (using VBA) to efficiently handle large data volumes and improve report accuracy for various departments and sections. Operations Manager (Partner / Part-time) Aug 2011 – Dec 2012 | Riyadh, KSA Business Management Experts (BME) – a bookkeeping, accounting, and finance service provider. • • • • • • • • • • • Established all working procedures of BME including brochures and proposals. Developed operational protocols for BME, encompassing the creation of brochures and proposals. Established the accounting and finance division of BME, including fundamental policies and protocols. Conducted meetings with clients to review their service needs. Drafted business proposals tailored to potential clients' specific accounting requirements. Initialized clients' QuickBooks accounts and uploaded initial balances. Executed bookkeeping duties to input transactions and journal entries into QuickBooks. Ensured reconciliation of all General Ledgers and bank accounts. Balanced accounts receivables and payables subsidiary ledgers through reconciliation processes. Carried out complete accounting procedures, including adjusting journal entries and closing books. Prepared comprehensive financial statements alongside management reports featuring variance explanations. Accountant / Finance Manager (Part-time) Jan 2009 - Sep 2012 | Riyadh, KSA Expo Horizon (formerly Exhibition Horizon) – an event construction and services company specializing in booth and stall design and construction for exhibitions. • • • • • • • • Set up the accounting and finance department including basic policies and procedures. Created an in-house accounting system using Excel-VBA. Carries out bookkeeping duties to record previous years’ financial transactions. Reconciliation of all General Ledgers and bank accounts. Reconciliation of accounts receivables and payables subsidiary ledgers. Carried out full-cycle accounting procedures, including adjusting journal entries and closing books. Produces all financial statements and managerial reports accompanied by variance analysis. Led the annual budgeting process, collaborating with the top management to establish realistic financial goals and aligning budgetary targets with overall business objectives. Systems Accounting Manager (Corporate Finance Division) Jun 2004 - Sep 2007 | Riyadh, KSA Almarai Company - is the biggest food manufacturing company in the Middle East producing various quality dairy products. • Consolidate the company's monthly and weekly flash Profit and Loss (PandL) statement highlighting the key performance indicators (KPIs) and variances against the previous years, current budget, and rolling forecast with an explanation for each major variance. • Assist in the preparation and consolidation of the company’s yearly budget and forecast. • Retrieve information from the SAP system via Business Warehouse including sales figures, production volume, and usage of production materials, and analyze it to prepare management reports. • Prepares and presents product margin reports and conducts the transfer price analysis. • Develop and design Excel systems (using VBA) to efficiently handle large data volumes and improve report accuracy for various departments and sections. • Support other Divisional Finance teams with management reports and ad hoc analysis. • Conducts Excel training for company employees to enhance their proficiency. Accounting Supervisor (Operations Division) Nov 1999 - May 2004 | Riyadh, KSA Almarai Company – is the biggest food manufacturing company in the Middle East producing various quality dairy products. • Consolidates the monthly Profit and loss Account and weekly flash PandL for the Operations Division. • Prepare monthly Production reports of the Operation/Manufacturing Division with emphasis on KPIs and production/manufacturing variances such as production volume, production costs, formulation variance, and materials usage variance between actual, budget, and rolling forecast. • Assist in the preparation and consolidation of the yearly Operation Division’s budgets and forecasts based on the budgeted production volume and standard BOM for each SKU and the resulting materials requirements. • Checks and reviews bill of materials (BOM) of all SKUs. • Develop and design Excel systems (using VBA) to efficiently handle large data volumes and improve report accuracy. Senior Operations Manager Mar 1999 - Nov 1999 | Makati, Philippines Keppel Monte Bank – is a savings bank. • Review/Evaluate operational procedures of all divisions and departments and recommend changes towards operational and cost efficiency and ensure smooth implementation of the same. • Prepares Cost Benefit Analysis to aid management in decision-making. Senior Operations and Accounting Manager Jul 1996 - Feb 1999 | Makati, Philippines Keppel Securities Philippines Inc. – is a member of the Philippine Stock Exchange. • • • • • • • Supervises the backroom operations including documentation of stock trades. Lead and manage the Finance and Accounting department. Review and approve journal entries prepared by the accounting technician/bookkeeper. Prepares adjusting and closing entries in preparation for the company’s monthly financials. Ensures recording of all transactions and accounting of all monies and shares of stocks. Evaluate and streamline the procedural efficiency of the company. Posts clients’ orders (Buy/Sell) on the off-site exchange terminal from time to time. Senior Operations Manager Aug 1991 - Jun 1996 | Makati, Philippines Keppel IVI Investments, Inc. – is an investment house dealing primarily with treasury bills, commercial papers, and the money market. • • • • • Supervises the day-to-day backroom operations of the company. Ensures all transactions are recorded and properly documented, settled and cash is accounted for Evaluate and streamline procedural efficiency. Designed and developed a database system to minimize manual work. Act as Bookkeeper (early years) preparing journal entries and maintaining the books of accounts, reconciliation of general ledger, and bank reconciliation. Junior Bookkeeper Jun 1989 – Jul 1991 | Pasig, Philippines Conglomerate Securities, Philippines – is an insurance broker. • Recording of transaction journal entries in the Books of Account (Journal Book, Receipts Book, Disbursements Book, and General Ledger). • Prepares claims and commission reports for car and fire insurance. Treasury Assistant (6 months contract) Nov 1988 – Apr 1989 | Makati, Philippines Citibank N.A. – a Commercial Bank. • Prepares various daily reports on Treasury Bills (T-Bills) transactions sent to Citibank New York (HQ). Accounting Clerk / Liaison Officer Makati, Philippines SPL Capital Markets Inc. – an investment broker. Apr 1986 – Aug 1988 | • Assists the accountant in all aspects of accounting work including filing of documents, preparation of journal entries, and recording transactions to the books of accounts. • Carry out administrative and clerical tasks that are assigned by superiors. EDUCATION and TRAININGS Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Major in Accounting Jun 1981 - Mar 1986 University of the East (Main Campus) - Manila, Philippines Meirc Training and Consulting - Riyadh, KSA • Train the Trainor • Supervisory Management and Decision Making • Project Management (using MS Project) 2002 - 2006 Cobol and dBase Programming – Metro Manila, Philippines STI College - Metro Manila, Philippines Apr 1990 - May 1990