Jibin Raju

• Developed and monitored annual budgets exceeding AED 50 million, aligning with institutional goals and improving forecasting accuracy by 30%.
• Implemented a manual-to-digital transition for coffee shop and uniform inventory systems in Excel, reducing inventory discrepancies by 40%.
• Spearheaded ERP (Orison) implementation for finance, procurement, and HR modules, reducing monthly reporting time by 60%.
• Streamlined petty cash system (AED 20,000 float), improving control and transparency through real-time expense tracking.
• Negotiated and finalized over 8 third-party vendor contracts (transportation, facilities, canteen), achieving 12% cost savings annually.
• Led internal audits, ensuring 100% compliance with ADEK financial guidelines and statutory audit requirements.
• Supervised monthly closing, reconciliation, and reporting, delivering accurate MIS reports to leadership within T+5 days.
• Trained and led a 2-member finance team; developed SOPs to ensure consistency and compliance.

IB curriculum private school operating under iFinance ERP with focus on quality education & KHDA compliance.

• Financial Operations Oversight: Directed the day-to-day financial operations including AR supervision, invoicing, bank reconciliations, and inter-group accounting; ensured accurate reporting of school assets, liabilities, and working capital components (receivables, payables, inventory, petty cash).
• Month-End & Year-End Reporting: Led month-end, quarterly, and annual closings on iFinance ERP, producing detailed budget variance reports, journal entries, and management reports for internal stakeholders.
• Budgeting & Financial Planning: Prepared monthly, termly, and annual budget reports; identified deviations and supported department heads with actionable insights to align spending with school goals.
• VAT & Audit Compliance: Compiled monthly VAT audit files and liaised with external auditors, ensuring smooth and timely completion of statutory audits.
• Internal Controls & Policy Development: Reviewed and implemented internal policies to align with IFRS and education industry standards; ensured compliance with all internal SOPs for payments, receipts, and financial documentation.
• Payroll & Cash Flow Management: Administered payroll processing and supported cash flow forecasting, enabling proactive fund allocation and financial stability.
• Financial Analysis & Reporting: Delivered ad-hoc and scheduled financial analyses, supporting leadership with insights into the school’s financial performance, profitability, and long-term financial health.
• General Ledger & Reconciliation: Maintained accurate ledgers and reconciled all balance sheet accounts; ensured integrity of financial data across subsidiary ledgers and general ledger.

Key Tools: iFinance ERP | Advanced Excel | UAE VAT Filing Portals | Audit Support Tools

Specialist education investment arm of Evolvence Capital; manages Repton Schools (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) and Dovecote Early Learning Centers.

• Group Financial Reporting: Led month-end, quarterly, and year-end financial closures for multiple education entities and the EKI group using Microsoft Dynamics ERP, including consolidated reports with variance analysis, ratio analysis, break-even, and rolling forecasts.
• Audit & Compliance: Ensured full compliance with IFRS and UAE VAT regulations; prepared VAT audit files, reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts, and supported successful internal and external audit engagements with timely deliverables.
• Accounts Payable & Treasury: Processed high-volume CapEx and OpEx payments in a multi-currency environment; managed group-level bank balances, monitored post-dated cheques, initiated fund requisitions, and ensured optimal working capital levels.
• Policy Development & Internal Controls: Reviewed, developed, and enforced accounting policies and internal controls across group entities to ensure consistent compliance and process efficiency.
• Systems Oversight & Controls: Approved purchase requisitions, validated GL coding at GRN stage, and ensured accurate and timely ledger maintenance across general and subsidiary ledgers in MS Dynamics.
• Payroll & Intercompany Accounting: Oversaw group payroll evaluation and processing; managed intercompany reconciliations and intra-group transactions with precision.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Coordinated with AR/AP teams and department heads to address budget deviations and ensure accurate financial reporting and operational transparency.
• Ad Hoc Financial Projects: Delivered strategic financial support to senior management on special assignments, process improvements, and financial planning initiatives.

Key Tools: Microsoft Dynamics ERP | Advanced Excel | Multi-Currency Accounting | VAT Compliance Systems

Part of Bloom Holding Group, managing British and IB curriculum schools including Brighton College and Dwight School across the GCC.

• End-to-End AR/AP Ownership: Solely managed accounts payable and receivable functions for Brighton College Dubai, ensuring timely billing, collections, vendor payments, and reconciliations in accordance with internal policies and UAE regulations.
• Tuition & Activity Fee Management: Oversaw student registrations, invoice issuance, daily cash management, after-school activity billing, refund processing, and issuance of withdrawal statements. Achieved 100% tuition fee collection for AY 2018/19 through structured follow-ups and credit control.
• Month-End & Year-End Closings: Assisted in financial closings including deferment of income, prepayment provisions, payroll entries, depreciation (SLM), and preparation of accurate trial balances. Played a pivotal role in the successful completion of Brighton College audit for AY 2018/19.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Contributed to academic year budgeting and revenue forecasting, helping leadership plan student-based revenues and related costs.
• VAT Compliance & Reporting: Prepared and submitted VAT reports in compliance with UAE FTA guidelines, ensuring timely and accurate filings.
• ERP System Implementation: Actively contributed to the successful implementation of FOCUS 9 ERP, ensuring smooth migration and setup of finance modules.
• Vendor & Bank Relationship Management: Processed vendor invoices and reconciliations, issued payments, and maintained professional communication with suppliers and banking partners.
• Cross-School & Intercompany Accounting: Posted intercompany and interschool transactions accurately, and ensured alignment of balances across group entities.

Key Tools: FOCUS 9 ERP | Advanced Excel | Bank Portals | Manual Cash/Invoice Registers

Premium British curriculum school aligned with the UAE National Agenda; sister concern of Repton School Dubai.

• Accounts Receivable: Managed end-to-end tuition fee lifecycle including issuance of receipts, revenue recognition, PDC movements, and customer account reconciliation. Consistently followed up on outstanding balances, achieving improved collections and reduced debtor aging.
• Accounts Payable & Payroll: Processed approved supplier invoices, staff reimbursements, and intercompany transfers. Posted accruals, payroll JVs, and short-term loan entries with high accuracy. Oversaw monthly payroll execution and staff advance reconciliations.
• Cash & Petty Cash Management: Maintained cash float and ensured accurate daily cash control and reconciliation between system and bank balances.
• Reporting & Reconciliations: Prepared key financial reports including daily collections, enrolment, PDC discounting, projected cash flows, and monthly bank reconciliations. Ensured accurate and timely financial reporting aligned with internal and external audit requirements.
• Stakeholder & Relationship Management: Acted as primary point of contact for parent financial queries, ensuring timely and professional resolution. Liaised with banks for cheque processing, discounting, and account operations.
• System & Controls: Maintained strong internal control practices and supported process enhancements to ensure accurate revenue and expense tracking.

Key Tools: Tally ERP | MS Excel | Bank Portals | Manual PDC Register