Ashok Sridharan

Chartered Accountant (ICAI) and Certified Management Accountant with 18 years of senior finance leadership across India, UAE and Africa. Experienced in Financial reporting, Budgeting, Risk Management and Stakeholder Management in FMCG, Shipping and Logistics. Track record of closing high-value deals including a $38M syndicated term loan and a $14M documentary credit line.

Financial Controller (DAF) at Sharaf Shipping Group (Tanzania) (2023-03 – Present)

• Budget management and monthly performance review across both business segments, providing actionable variance analysis to senior leadership- boosted revenues by $250,000 per annum
• Stakeholder management across investors, banks, principals, suppliers, and auditors — reduced average Statement of Account settlement period from 19 to 12 days
• Risk Management- closed three tax audits with cost savings of $1,000,000

Financial Controller (DAF) at Arise Port & Logistics (2021-11 – 2022-12)

• Negotiated and enforced contract terms with international counterparties — increased equipment availability by 5,760 hours in 2022
• Reduced debtors collection period by 12 days through disciplined credit policy implementation
• Negotiated a $14M documentary credit line with banking partners in Gabon
• Negotiated a $38M syndicated term loan, coordinating with legal, compliance, and multi-bank syndicate across jurisdictions
• Interface with investors, bankers, and regulatory authorities across Anglophone and Francophone African markets (French-language environment)

Finance Manager at Avnash Industries Ghana Ltd (2018-03 – 2021-11)

• Monthly and annual financial closure across multiple SBUs — improved PAT of soap SBU by 10% ($30,000 additional profit)
• Working capital management- Saved $90,000 by renegotiating credit terms
• Reduced procure-to-pay cycle of rice SBU from 8 to 4 working days through process redesign
• Periodic review of product costing to cover exchange rate fluctuations and input cost volatility

Financial Consultant at Roadwings International Pvt. Ltd (2016-09 – 2018-02)

• Established lifetime cost of ownership models for heavy equipment (Reach Stackers, Hydra, Forklifts, Trucks)
• Implemented a reverse auction system for tender quoting, improving margin on contracts

Associate Manager – Finance at Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) (2010-11 – 2016-06)

• IFRS-compliant accounting and reporting for a sovereign investment authority portfolio
• Monthly and annual financial reporting with budget vs. actual variance analysis — managed 5 consecutive budget cycles
• Coordination with internal and statutory auditors for annual audit finalisation

Chartered Accountant (CA) – Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) (2003 – 2008)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA (2015 – 2016)

PG Diploma in Business Management – Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai (2009 – 2011)