Obed Odai

Chartered accountant, MBA and licensed audit and tax practitioner with over 30 years of finance leadership across hospitality, advertising, healthcare and professional practice in Ghana, the United Kingdom, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Sixteen years as Financial Controller of Holiday Inn Accra Airport — IHG's first managed property in West Africa — building the finance function from pre-opening through to a business that operated within budget for eight consecutive years.

Equally strong on the systems side: implements and supports ERP and accounting platforms (ERPNext/ERPXpand, NetSuite, Sage, SunSystems, Xero, Opera PMS) and is fluent in IFRS reporting, budgeting and forecasting, internal control design and fraud examination. Leads and develops finance teams, and delivers under pressure with minimal supervision.

Partner - NOBLE & NOBLE (CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS) - Accra, Ghana

(2024-01 - 2026-06)

Runs the firm's advisory practice, providing outsourced finance leadership, accounting systems support and tax advisory to hospitality and real estate clients.

• Delivers consultancy and finance/accounting systems support to Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel, Center Point Hotel, The Royal Senchi Hotel & Resort and Regimanuel Gray Estates & Apartments, among others.
• Advises corporate clients on tax planning, compliance and exposure management.
• Conducts internal control reviews, forensic examinations and finance function assessments.

Managing Director (held concurrently) - CARBONITE SOLUTIONS LTD (ERPXpand) - Accra, Ghana

(2024-01 - 2026-06)

Leads an ERP software development and implementation business serving clients across hospitality, healthcare, education and retail.

• Runs client needs analysis, solution design and software demonstrations through to implementation sign-off.
• Heads product development and delivers training and support on ERPXpand, NetSuite and Xero.
• Manages recruitment, performance and development of the technical and consulting team.

Financial Controller - HOLIDAY INN ACCRA AIRPORT (InterContinental Hotels Group) - Accra, Ghana

(2007-08 - 2023-12)

Recruited by IHG to establish the finance function of its first managed property in West Africa — setting up accounting policies, procedures and reporting systems, and recruiting and training the department from scratch. Owned all financial reporting to IHG and to the property owners.

• Set up and implemented accounting policies, procedures and the standard operating framework for budgeting and forecasting using IHG's Enhanced Forecast & Planning Model (EFPM) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP).
• Trained the finance team on the ACOM Universal accounting platform and on group reporting standards.
• Developed revenue and yield management monitoring templates that improved the accuracy and speed of financial reporting.
• Produced weekly and monthly management accounts, forecasts and short- and long-term financial projections; presented results and variance commentary to IHG and owners on deadline.
• Operated within budget for eight consecutive years through disciplined budget monitoring and cost control.
• Led implementation of IFRS and the design of the property's internal control framework; ran fraud examination and counter business-intelligence work.
• Reviewed contractor monthly billing against contract terms and collected billing estimates to support project accounting; maintained the accuracy of all commitments in the business planning system.
• Managed payroll for project and administrative staff, labour reporting to management, and liaison with government institutions on statutory returns.

Financial Management Accountant - GCH MANAGEMENT SERVICES - United Kingdom

(2005-09 - 2007-07)

The UK's largest independent care homes management organisation. Recruited into the Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting team to strengthen reporting processes; responsible for the GCH North Group operation covering Scotland and Jersey.

• Prepared monthly and quarterly financial reports, flash reports and KPIs, plus budgets, budgetary control and budget-versus-actual analysis with written variance commentary for the group.
• Strengthened internal controls and lifted the overall performance of the Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting function.
• Played a major part in the acquisition of four new care homes with a 230-resident capacity, establishing the coordination, collection and validation of financial information within the group accounting package.
• Introduced an improved monthly and quarterly management report format adopted across the company.

Internal Control & Risk Management Consultant - LA FIDUCIAIRE LTD - United Kingdom

(2005-06 - 2005-08)

Engaged to assess the adequacy and relevance of the company's control environment and the effectiveness of its risk management processes.

• Overhauled the internal control system, improving monthly reporting turnaround across most departments.
• Built a standing internal control monitoring mechanism for continuous improvement.
• Implemented the 4Ts risk management framework and tightened controls against inherent and residual risk.
• Raised risk and control awareness company-wide through a monthly newsletter highlighting identified control weaknesses.

Finance Manager (2000 – 2005) · Assistant Finance Manager (1995 – 2000) - STB-McCANN ACCRA LTD (McCann Erickson Worldwide Group) - Accra, Ghana

(1995-04 - 2005-05)

Directed the finance function of the Ghana operation of the world's leading marketing and advertising group, with responsibility extending to offices in Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

• Produced monthly and quarterly financial statements, forecasts and budgets; oversaw general accounting including AR/AP, bank, branch accounting, cash and working capital management.
• Initiated a cost reduction programme in 2002 that cut operating expenses by 25% and returned the company to profit for the first time in three years.
• Spearheaded the 2003 investment drive in Sierra Leone — business plan, internal control system and five-year financial projections for the new branch — then led implementation and monitoring of its strategic plan.
• Reduced the quarterly financial reporting close by three weeks through redesigned reporting procedures.
• Oversaw the rollout of information systems and internal controls to bring the company up to McCann Erickson Worldwide Group standard, evaluating and integrating new applications across three countries.
• Introduced EBS/CBS tools for operational and project cost budgeting.
• Audited the company's human resource base in 2002 and restructured and de-layered the workforce to raise productivity.
• Contributed as a key team member to 10% annual revenue growth in 2001.

Senior Auditor - NII MENSAH & ASSOCIATES (CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS) - Accra, Ghana

(1991-10 - 1995-03)

• Planned and led audit fieldwork, audit risk assessment and technical accounting matters, managing teams of up to five.
• Covered operating expenses, cost of sales, accruals, turnover, trade creditors, balance sheet and systems audits.
• Advised clients on statutory accounting requirements and supported implementation of new financial software.
• Developed and improved audit programmes, raising assignment efficiency and profitability, and supported growth of the client portfolio.

Master of Business Administration - MBA - Oxford Institute of International Finance / Oxford Brookes University

Fellow - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - LVMT Business School (2003)

ACCA Certificate - International Financial Reporting - BPP Professional Education