Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
LANGUAGES
STRENGTHS
MOST PROUD OF
Training
Awards
Timeline
background-images

JOSEPHINE RATEMO

Kokkedal

Summary

Finance Professional with +14 years of expertise .

Financial planning professional with comprehensive experience in strategic analysis, budgeting, and financial modeling. Known for strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to drive financial performance. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve objectives and adapt to evolving business needs. Highly skilled in financial software, data analysis, and providing actionable insights to support decision-making.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Financial Planning Analyst

UNOPS Headquarters
02.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: A United Nations entity providing infrastructure, procurement and project management services to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The organization responds to its partners’ needs, help increase the effectiveness of peace and security, and foster humanitarian and development projects around the world.
  • Maintaining and updating the position table changes, analysing the position table data and reconciling it with the positions in the Unops system.
  • Participates in inter-departmental meetings on matters related to project requirements, positions and budgetary issues.
  • Managing ongoing project, resource allocation, analysing project financial data and ensuring that project closure is done in time.
  • Monitoring expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized level.
  • Identifying the over-expenditure on the work packages using the monthly dashboard and requesting for additional information and reallocation of budget/expenditure.
  • Reviewing and probing budget performance reports and analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
  • Ensuring that all users have access to the budgeting tool to facilitate a smooth budgeting process.
  • Providing guidance and support through the budgeting process and handling the Q&A.
  • Key Responsibilities:
  • Led financial forecasting and budgeting processes to align with strategic goals.
  • Developed and implemented financial models for performance analysis and scenario planning.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency.
  • Analyzed variances between projected and actual results, providing actionable insights to stakeholders.
  • Streamlined budget review processes, reducing turnaround time for approvals.
  • Established key performance indicators to measure financial health and operational efficiency.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive financial plans aligned with company objectives.
  • Played an instrumental role in annual budgeting processes, collaborating closely with department heads to ensure alignment of resources with strategic goals.
  • Optimized budget allocation for various departments through thorough expense tracking and reporting.
  • Improved financial transparency, producing detailed monthly reports for senior management.
  • Informed decision-making by providing insightful variance analysis and highlighting areas of opportunity or risk.
  • Enhanced financial strategy by conducting in-depth revenue forecasting and analysis.
  • Enhanced stakeholder communication by presenting complex financial information in a clear, concise format during meetings and presentations.
  • Created and maintained precise and accurate models, charts and reports.
  • Reviewed and analyzed project spending throughout project life cycle.

Financial Planning Analyst-Middle East & Africa

Sealed Air/Diversey Corporation
04.2016 - 01.2021
  • Prepared monthly dynamic revenue and expenditure forecasts, recorded actual figures, drafted financial statements and submitted the results for Food Care Division.
  • Conducted monthly business review of the brand performance and presented the findings to the core team regarding the performance of the brands YTD, full year and versus the forecast.
  • Tasked with preparing and analyzing the P&L and other reports for the monthly and quarterly period end closure and reporting.
  • Provide financial information, tools, analysis and insights aimed at facilitating informed decisions in partnership with other departments.
  • Coordinated the build up of the Annual Operational Plan (AOP), budget consolidation for the MEA region and performed P&L credibility checks.
  • Offered administrative support to Platinum Image directors and managers.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline budgeting processes and reporting accuracy.
  • Utilized advanced Excel functions for financial modeling and scenario analysis.
  • Developed budget forecasts in alignment with corporate financial objectives.
  • Mentored junior analysts, fostering skills in data analysis and financial reporting.
  • Implemented process improvements that enhanced efficiency in financial planning activities.
  • Prepared comprehensive financial reports by collecting, formatting and analyzing key data points.
  • Streamlined month-end close procedures, reducing time spent on manual tasks while maintaining high levels of accuracy in reporting outputs.
  • Prepared accurate monthly variance analysis reports, identifying trends that required further investigation or corrective action from management teams.
  • Prepared financial reports by collecting, formatting, analyzing and explaining information.
  • Recommended financial actions by assessing options in relation to company goals increasing ROI.
  • Used cost and schedule analysis to measure program performance trends and forecast delivery.
  • Developed customized financial reports, enabling stakeholders to make data-driven decisions effectively.
  • Provided timely business and financial support for key business decisions that increased corporate growth and improved client engagement.
  • Optimized resource allocation by conducting in-depth analyses of departmental budgets and performance metrics.
  • Enhanced accuracy of financial forecasts through the implementation of advanced modeling techniques.
  • Completed variance analysis and quarterly forecast reporting to maintain data integrity and accuracy.
  • Generated insightful presentations summarizing data and facilitating decision-making for senior management.
  • Participated in annual budget preparation, collaborating closely with key stakeholders across the organization for optimal results alignment with strategic goals.
  • Prepared monthly P&L statements and pro-forma financial models to assess current and projected financial performance.
  • Developed near- and long-term P&L and cash flow forecasts.
  • Participated in client meetings to discuss financial analysis and investment strategies.

Cluster Business Analyst; Nutrition, Culinary & Beverages

Nestle Kenya Limited
02.2013 - 04.2016
  • Prepared monthly dynamic revenue and expenditure forecasts, recorded actual figures, drafted financial statements and submitted the results for Food Care Division.
  • Conducted monthly business review of the brand performance covering the entire Eastern Africa Region and presented the findings to the core team regarding the performance of the brands YTD, full year and versus the forecast.
  • Prepared prices for assigned products on demand and analysed the prices periodically to determine their competitiveness and profitability based on the prevailing situation.
  • Drew up and analyzed the P&L and other reports for the monthly and quarterly period end closure and reporting.
  • Prepared and analysed the marketing and other general expenses (MOGE) reports for all the departments.
  • Ensured, using the SAP Super User-Travel & Expense, that user issues related to travel and expense were sorted out and in a timely manner.
  • Analysed and prepared the MOGE (Marketing and Other General Expenses) report and the PFME for each business unit.
  • Conducted data analysis using advanced statistical tools to inform decision-making strategies.
  • Actively participated in team meetings to share knowledge, exchange ideas, address challenges, and collaborate on potential solutions.
  • Performed gap analysis between existing systems or processes and desired state, identifying areas for improvement or enhancement.
  • Enabled data-driven decision making with advanced analytics tools, generating valuable insights for the organization.
  • Implemented best-practice methodologies that improved overall project delivery timelines while maintaining quality standards.
  • Enhanced data accuracy by implementing rigorous data validation techniques, leading to more reliable business insights.
  • Increased revenue opportunities by analyzing sales data and identifying underperforming areas for targeted improvement.
  • Utilized data visualization techniques to present and explain complex data sets.
  • Generated ad-hoc reports to evaluate specific business requirements.
  • Analyzed data to identify root causes of problems and recommend corrective actions.
  • Streamlined report generation processes, significantly reducing time spent on monthly performance analysis.

Lead Management Accountant - Foods, Home & Personal Care

Unilever ESA Limited
04.2008 - 02.2013
  • Prepared and analysed monthly actual results for the foods’ category brands in the East & Southern Africa market.
  • Prepared monthly Sales and Operations forecast and Annual Operating plan for the brands.
  • Drew up monthly costing sheets for the brands to inform the decision-making on how to improve their profitability and reduce/cover the costs.
  • Prepared the costing for new products and presented various scenarios on pricing to facilitate proper decision-making on launching of the product.
  • Analysed projects (pre- and post-launch) using the OPSO-(Optimizing Promotional Sell Out) tool and assisted in the decision-making such as the selection of projects based on ROI and ROMI.
  • Conducted Gross Margin Value analysis for the brands to explain the movement in the brands’ profitability and presented the findings to the leadership team.
  • Key Achievements:
  • Acted as an interim BB Finance Manager Unilever from September 2011 to Jan 2012, ensuring the proper running of the BB finance team.

Accounts Payables Supervisor

Unilever ESA Limited
07.2007 - 04.2008
  • Ensured accurate and timely payment of suppliers.
  • Oversaw correct booking and matching of customer invoices into the system.
  • Provided a weekly overdue report and ensured it’s below 20%.
  • Ensured that Barclay card payments were up to date to avoid any interest charges.
  • Key Achievement:
  • Reduced the overdue report to below 20% through timely booking of invoices and payment of suppliers since the suppliers were being paid on time and thus there were no overdue payments in the system.

Scheme Accountant

OCTAGON PENSIONS LIMITED
02.2007 - 06.2007

Intern - Finance Department

Kenya Commercial Bank Limited
05.2005 - 06.2005

Education

CPA-K - ACCOUNTING

Strathmore University

Master of Business Administration (MBA) -

Edinburgh Business School
01.2020

Bachelor of Commerce - Finance & Accounting

Strathmore University
09.2006

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined

Moi Forces Academy Lanet
12.2000

Skills

  • Leadership & Team Coordination
  • Financial Management & Planning
  • Financial Accounting
  • Forecasting & Budgeting
  • Results Analysis
  • Decision Support
  • MS Suite
  • Profitability analysis
  • Scenario planning
  • Variance analysis
  • Forecasting techniques
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Attention to detail
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Analytical thinking
  • Financial statement analysis

Affiliations

Director - Maisha Bora Sacco 2011 - 2015

Certification

Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K)| 2009-2011

IPSAS DIPLOMA- CIPFA -2025

Prince2 Foundation Certificate-Axelos



LANGUAGES

English Native
Swahili Native

STRENGTHS

  • Leadership & Teamwork Pragmatic leader with ability to work both independently and in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative and decentralized environment. Professional ambivert with keen listening ability and presentation skills.
  • Organization & Planning Strategic and task-oriented professional contributing to team targets within set time frames. Flexible and capable of working on several assignments concurrently.
  • Self-Driven Self-starter able to work under minimal supervision while maintaining focus and organization.
  • Attention to Accuracy & Detail Keen with an ability to point out specifics that if overlooked could have negative bearings on outcomes.
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills Possesses excellent written, verbal and presentation skills to communicate and relate well with people.
  • Adaptable and Flexible A tenacious individual able to withstand changing circumstances and display fortitude to deliver consistent and compelling results.

MOST PROUD OF

  • Improved the MEC reporting days by 1 day ( from 4 days to 3 days) at Diversey EA by implementing and coordinating the closure meetings and following up before end of the month.
  • Improved the efficiency of financial reporting at Diversey EA by creating customized MS Excel worksheets and Google sheets to facilitate quick responses from the teams and consolidation of financial records and reports.

Training

  • SAP Key User & Support | 2012
  • Corporate Governance Training | 2012
  • New Manager Training | 2011
  • Change Management & Customer Service Training | 2011
  • Coaching Skills Training | 2010
  • Excellence in Finance Execution Training | 2008 & 2009

Awards

Best Employee | September 2011 - January 2012, Excellent Performance Award | 2007 & 2009, Dean’s List | Strathmore University | 2005 & 2006

Timeline

Senior Financial Planning Analyst

UNOPS Headquarters
02.2021 - Current

Financial Planning Analyst-Middle East & Africa

Sealed Air/Diversey Corporation
04.2016 - 01.2021

Cluster Business Analyst; Nutrition, Culinary & Beverages

Nestle Kenya Limited
02.2013 - 04.2016

Lead Management Accountant - Foods, Home & Personal Care

Unilever ESA Limited
04.2008 - 02.2013

Accounts Payables Supervisor

Unilever ESA Limited
07.2007 - 04.2008

Scheme Accountant

OCTAGON PENSIONS LIMITED
02.2007 - 06.2007

Intern - Finance Department

Kenya Commercial Bank Limited
05.2005 - 06.2005

Bachelor of Commerce - Finance & Accounting

Strathmore University

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined

Moi Forces Academy Lanet

CPA-K - ACCOUNTING

Strathmore University

Master of Business Administration (MBA) -

Edinburgh Business School

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE