Prakash Ramanathan

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
− Business Process, Policy & Procedures
− ERP system evaluation, Implementation & conversion strategy
− Financial Accounting & Analysis and transaction processing - IAS & GAAP
− Revenue Margin Assurance, Business Analysis & Management Accounting
− Financial monitoring & Internal control in business areas
− Cost management, reduction & control
− Business Plan strategy, Corporate Planning & Budgeting
− Project-Planning, evaluation, financing & management
− International Finance & Treasury Management
− Acquisitions & Greenfield options
Tasks & Achievements:-
a) Business Process Reengineering, development and implementation of Business Policy & Procedures in co-ordination with a Big 4 Consultant. Restructuring and formalization of Organization structure, AR Matrix & performance evaluation with a Big 4 Consultant. Successful conversion of ‘family-run’ business structure to corporate management structure. Completely reorganized the Finance, Purchases, Inventory, Logistics and Distribution functions for better customer service and improved efficiencies
b) Evaluation & implementation of ERP for multiple business verticals -
• Trading businesses - i-Scala-SCM, Inventory, Payroll, Fixed-Assets, CRM
• Retail Pharmacies & Supermarket - SAP i-vend for POS, CRM & SAP for SCM, GL, Payroll, Fixed assets
• Contracting & Manufacturing - i-Scala Project management, service management, manufacturing modules
• Multi-specialty hospital - e.sobha POS, Patient management, service management, appointment management, SCM, GL, Payroll, Fixed assets modules
• F&B Restaurants & integration to i.Scala - MICROS-POS, MC & Recipe Management
c) Financial Monitoring & Internal Controls for transaction processing, financial information & analysis in all the business areas, routine financial & inventory accounting, Expenditure & payroll, Annual Financial reports & Consolidation as per IFRS & GAAP.
d) Corporate planning & development of Business Plan- strategy, Mission, Vision, Critical Success factors, Quantified objectives & Budgeting.
e) Achieved Revenue Assurance by establishing a strong month accounts closing & reconciliation process, continuous monitoring & control of revenue leakage areas, business analysis & management accounting, ensuring periodic reports (daily, monthly & quarterly), Analysis & Reporting by Profit center, Location, & Customer, Variance & Ratio Analysis of Actuals Vs Budget & Previous year of sales, Gross Margins, Cost management & Expenditure control, Net Margins & Operating profits, Inventory, Receivables, stock cover, Leverage & working capital.
f) International Finance & Treasury management- Bank facilities with major banks for working capital & capex, Foreign Exchange Forward rate hedging, cash flow monitoring & control.
g) Set up of the Credit Department and streamlined sales & collection process for effective Receivables collection management & control.
h) Risk Management of Group investment Portfolio.
i) Business support for Projects- planning, evaluation, finance & management for new ventures (multi-specialty hospital, factory) as well as expansion & acquisitions (F&B, restaurants)

1. Significant & strategic support in shaping up the Greenfield start up as one of its key members.
2. Planning & developing business process, policy & procedures manual, establish strong financial controls significantly in fraud control & management, credit policy & control, receivables & collection management.
3. Defining and mapping the process flow relating to customer service support for sales, call center, point of sale, dealers & distributors.
4. Establish information support base to customer care, billing and collection, sales & activation and number organization groups.
5. Analytical support in the corporate strategy in introduction of product and pricing policy as against the competitor. Prepared the comprehensive rate plan document for various services.
6. Evaluation & comprehensive implementation of front end - billing system BSCS version 5.21, call center software ‘Versatility’, web service center for the dealer network (from Siemens), point of sale application ‘Infocell converge’ from LHS-Germany, credit scoring and risk management software from Satyam, back end - ‘Oracle financials’ ERP version 11.3, and the interface with the front end.
7. Financial accounting, annual general meeting, compliance with Kuwait stock exchange, management accounting, business plan & budgeting, insurance & risk management.
8. Financial tie-up of term loans, leasing and working capital for the project and its expansion. Completely managed treasury and cash management operations.
9. Inventory and logistics control management including inventory forward cover planning, bill delivery and warehouse control of inventory & courier administration.
10. Manpower planning, designing organization structure, recruitment and training. Familiar with the renowned ‘HAY’ process of job evaluation and job description, fixation of job gradation and structuring with appropriate compensation and benefits.

1. Financial, cost & management accounts, receivables & collection management, working capital management & Industrial loans.
2. Overhead analysis, Business plan, strategic plan & preparation of annual budgets including quantified objectives, critical success factors & KPIs. Preparation of presentation to Management through graphical charts & Power point.
3. Implementation of the Oracle based UNISYS software with comprehensive set of modules consisting of GL, AR, AP, Fixed assets, Inventory, purchases. Planned and executed the conversion strategy from the existing to the new system.
4. Involved in acquiring an overseas company in synergy with the existing core competent area of the business. Performed due diligence and complied with statutory procedures in completion of the off-shore acquisition including funding.

1. Involved in strategic turnaround of the company after takeover & Business Process Reengineering.
2. Prepared the complete BPR document & organization manual establishing financial controls.
3. Established the Finance department according to the revised organization structure with controls and procedures.
4. Financial management of Expansion & New projects including project management, finance & merchant banking.
5. Planning and executing the Cost control & reduction program.
6. Managing company law & secretarial practice, Direct & Indirect taxation including central excise & customs for various regulatory compliances.
7. Implementation of the Financial accounting software system ‘Tally’.

1. Complete Financial & Cost Accounts- Control & Management as per GAAP.
2. Implementation of financial software system of TCS - BMS 2 & 5.
3. Established the controls and procedures for the business processes.
4. Introduction of costing systems, procedures for cost reduction and control. Conducted the cost audit & energy audit for the group.
5. Prepared the annual budget and business plan for the group.
6. Handled the IPO of the company consisting of debt and equity instruments.
7. Arranged term loans and working capital for the group from financial institutions and banks.
8. Managed the company law & secretarial practice, Direct & Indirect taxation including central excise & customs, imports & exports.
9. Managed the complete insurance & risk management policies including Fire, MBD, transit, workmen compensation, group personnel accident and medical insurance. Handled huge claims for damages in Fire, MBD & loss of profit, due to labor strike & major riot with major insurance companies for settlement.