1. Mr Muhsin Somji (alias Mos)
96 Village Way, Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 5AZ
Email : mossomji@aol.com Tel: 07545-208-967 Nationality: British
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Profile:
I am a finance professional (qualified Chartered Accountant - 1991) with varied financial and commercial
experience. I am very analytical and conscientious and think about the longer term impacts of decisions. I
have worked in SMEs as well as large multi-national listed companies; in expanding businesses as well as very
stable businesses. I relish challenges and thrive in a culture which is constantly seeking self improvement.
As a businessman I enjoyed my experience and involvement in operations, customer service, marketing, HR
and being able to making a difference. The experience over five years made me much more commercial and
more aware of the role of non-finance functions.
For my next role challenge, I am open to industry sectors but wish to secure a role where I am supporting an
entrepreneurial CEO and management team of an SME and where my experiences to date come together for
the benefit of the business I join. I am also keen on overseas roles, particularly in Africa or India.
My key strengths and experience are as follows (achievements are listed overleaf):
Analysis for sales increase, cost cutting and efficiency, cash flow projections, business planning, budgeting,
new systems set-up, implementation of procedures, setting up businesses, acquisitions, financial support for
non-finance managers and of course run of the mill accounting.
SUMMARY OF CAREER PROGRESSION:
2009 – 2011 Kout Food Group UK Group Financial Controller
2004 – 2009 Blue Cross Group Franchisee/Owner of 5 Subway/Costcutter Stores
2002 – 2004 ebookers plc Group Financial Controller / Contractor
2000 - 2002 7C Limited Financial Controller
1999 - 2000 Honeywell Inc Divisional Head of Finance and IT
1997 - 1999 British Airways plc Departmental Business Analyst / Acting Finance Mgr
1995 - 1997 British Airways plc Business Analyst, FP&A, Engineering Division
1991 - 1995 IPS SA UK Project Manager (with FC /MA secondments)
1986 - 1991 KPMG Audit Assistant progressing to Audit Senior
SUMMARY OF ACADEMICS:
Institute Of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales ACA (1991)
Durham University BSc Honours in Mathematics (2:2)
Kent College, Canterbury 5 A Levels, 1 O/A Level and 9 O Levels
Pfizer Prize for excellence in Mathematics
Member of Mensa International
2. MY ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PAST FIVE ROLES – results I could bring to your company:
Kout Food Group:
Drove cultural change in the finance team and organisation as a whole by a combination of analysis,
process and team changes
Tightened cost controls, analytical decisions and staff reductions to reduce UK losses by over £3m over
the first fifteen months
Maintained the effectiveness of the finance function whilst reducing finance headcount by over 25%
Restructured the balance sheets of a number of the UK companies to strengthen credit worthiness by
proposing changes and then liaising with lawyers, auditors and Group head office management
Enhanced cash controls of the retail businesses by increased focus on sales audits and cash reconciliations
within the business
Improved payroll approval processes of the group, thereby reducing the number of errors or omissions
Created a financial model for product costings and pricing structures for the bakery business and making
some tough pricing decisions
Improved the annual budget process by preparing the manufacturing sales budgets detailed by customer
and SKU for the first time and also splitting head office costs into departmental budgets for the first time
Assisted in the implementation of an ERP system for the manufacturing business
Delivered a finance presentation at a conference of all the managers of the UK business (circa 130
persons)
Blue Cross Group:
Turned around the first acquired store: a 40% increase in sales in year 1 and a further 20% in year 2
Investigated numerous locations, making offers and negotiating with landlords on 4 further locations
Built Subway stores, start up and growth of three further Subway stores
Investigated business and investment opportunities
Identified an opportunity in the local market, investigating options leading to building and opening of a
Costcutter convenience store and growing takings to a maximum of £5k a day
Held responsibilities as Franchisee/owner included customer service, operations, pricing, finance and HR
Tightly controlled cash flows - weekly and at times daily
ebookers plc:
Drove through improvements in the quality of subsidiary reporting to Head Office
Took immediate control of a number of audit issues in Feb02 to achieve a clean audit report
Rebuilt a strong group finance team within 6 weeks of joining in the wake of 9/11 and mass departures
Was an invaluable team member on the 8 week acquisition of “Travelbag” (which doubled our size)
Implemented Hyperion as the new Group consolidation tool within 4 weeks of project launch
Coordinated and led the implementation of JD Edwards in the three key subsidiaries within 6 weeks
Ensured the smooth transition of outsourcing to India by liaising & mediating between local finance and
the team in Delhi in addition to control of data transfers.
Created financial models for working capital (Travelbag acquisition), stock compensation charge, etc
7C Limited:
Introduced presentation of monthly results for management plus a detailed monthly pack for the Execs
Documented all finance policies and company policies and procedures
Reduced month end reporting cycle from seven days to four days
Honeywell UK Limited:
Led as a leadership as part of the Senior Management Team of the Luton site with 120 employees
Improved margin by >40% pts by pertinent financial analysis and site awareness of decision making
Introduced quarterly presentations of site results to site personnel
Ensured that the new millennium risks (“Y2K”) were considered, managed and addressed
