HOWARD NEWTON JAMES F.C.C.A.

9 Watervale Avenue, Unit C 2, Kingston 19

Email: howardnewtonjames@gmail.com
Mobile: 876-826-7203

Career Objective
To self actualize in a senior leadership position that will enable my knowledge, skills and experience
to be fully utilized in achieving corporate/organizational objectives, while providing opportunities for
personal and team growth.

Professional Profile
 Sound accounting knowledge and background
 Strong business sense with proven track record
 Strong strategic management, analytical and problem solving skills
 Extremely goal oriented and an effective team leader/player
 Good interpersonal and communication skills
 Very driven, energetic, focused, confidential and flexible
 Passion for quality output

Education/Qualifications
2003 ACCA Professional Accountants Examination

1991 University of Technology, Jamaica

 Certificate in Business Administration.

Computer Skills
 Proficient in the use of most Microsoft Office Tools (including Word, Excel, Visio, Projects,
PowerPoint and Publisher).
 Working knowledge of Peach Tree, GP (Great Plains), Quick Books, Microsoft Dynamics
(formerly Axapta ERP Solution) and ACL (audit software).
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Professional Experience
2016 – Present – Capacity Concepts Limited

 Business Management Consultant

 Director

2013 – 2016 – Insight Financial Services Ltd. and Insight Marketing Strategies Ltd.

 Co-Founder and Director of Finance and Operations

 Responsible for all Accounting/Finance functions and Event executions

2007 – 2013 - Spirits Pool Association Limited (SPA) and Caribbean Molasses Co. (Ja.) Ltd.
(CMC)
Financial Controller, Operations Manager and Company Secretary

 Team leader for Accounting and Operations Departments

 Preparation, analysis, review and presentation of monthly Financial Statements to the
Finance Committee and Board of Directors of SPA and CMC
 Report monthly to the Board of Directors on the organizations’ operations and accounting
activities
 Plan and assist with importation of molasses (including physical receival of molasses)
 Manage receival, storage and delivery of molasses at two remote molasses storage terminals
 Manage both organizations’ general and administrative operations
 Prepare Annual Budget for CMC
 Manage Treasury Operations
 Company Secretary for SPA and CMC
 Develop and improve internal controls over inventory, accounting and general operations

2004 – 2007 – Lascelles Limited (Plastic Containers Ltd)

Accounts and Distribution Manager/Interim General Manager
 Team leader for Accounting, Sales and Marketing and Warehouse teams
 Strategic planning, implementation and review of projects and performance targets
 Preparation of monthly Management Reports
 Assist with preparation and review of monthly Financial Statements
 Presentation of monthly Financial Statements at monthly Management meetings
 Prepare and present Annual Budgets
 Review and prepare monthly Audit Schedules
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 Review and approve documents for Local & Foreign Payments
 Managed the organization’s general and administrative operations

2001 – 2004 - Lascelles deMercado & Co Ltd

Group Internal Audit Assistant Manager
 Assisted with managing Group Internal Audit Team
 Responsible for planning and executing audits for the Lascelles deMercado Group (including
distribution, manufacturing, transportation, insurance and agriculture)
 Reviewed and reported on weaknesses and opportunities for the Lascelles Division (resulting
in significant improvement in internal controls, significant reduction in inventory losses and
multiple fold improvement in profitability)
 Reviewed and analyzed monthly management reports for the Lascelles Division with a view to
understanding, recognizing and making recommendations re business processes etc.
 Supervised and assisted with external audit work conducted re Wray and Nephew’s annual
audit

1991 – 2001 - PricewaterhouseCoopers

Audit Senior
 Planned and supervised audits for large, medium and small clients from a wide spectrum of
industries (for example manufacturing, distribution, transportation, construction,
agriculture, finance and insurance)
 Prepared financials for large, medium and small clients
 Prepared management letters re identification of weaknesses and business improvement
points

Significant Professional Accomplishments

 Co-founded Insight Financial Services and grew it from a $1.6m loan portfolio in 2013 to
$10m in 2016 prior to sale of shares in the company.
 Spearheaded the review and implementation of improved internal control processes,
management rationalization and staff re-training regarding inventory management. This
resulted in an inconceivable 99.6% reduction in inventory losses at Lascelles Distribution
Centre, from J$24m to J$100k in 12 months.
 Spearheaded a 4 year Business/Financial Review and Analysis of Federated Pharmaceutical
(which at the time was contemplating closure). This lead to additional shareholder
investment in new equipment totalling J$100m, new product lines and rationalization of
operations and SKUs. The business was eventually sold for J$1.4B.
 Overhauled the Accounts and Operations Departments of Caribbean Molasses Co. (Ja.) Ltd,
where Monthly Financials were often times late and inaccurate. Inventory transactions were
frequently inaccurate, as they were “managed” via excel spreadsheets rather than via an
Inventory Module. Prior to my departure I spearheaded the implementation of Great Plains
(GP). Thereafter, Monthly Financials were always on time, could be relied on for accuracy,
and inventory was effectively and efficiently managed via the inventory module of Great
Plains (GP).
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Other Certificates/Courses
 Certified Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) – 2008
 Business Negotiating – 2006
 Introduction to Project Management – 2006

Hobbies
 Tennis, Poetry, reading and basketball.

Other Interests
 Fellow – Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ)
 Executive Member – Calabar Old Boys Association
 Chairman – Calabar High School Mentorship Programme
 Member – Calabar High School Executive Committee
 Board Member – Jamaica Save the Children Fund
 Member of Advisory Board – Jamaica Exporters’ Association

(References will be provided on request)