Vinal Nair

• Lead financial management and operational finance functions for a nationwide multi-branch automotive and industrial group across Papua New Guinea.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting, cashflow management, working capital, audit coordination, tax compliance, and executive financial reporting across multiple business units.
• Manage month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely preparation of financial statements, management reports, variance analysis, and board reporting packs.
• Drive working capital and liquidity management through oversight of inventory, accounts receivable, supplier payments, foreign exchange prioritisation, and banking relationships.
• Lead strategic funding and trade finance discussions with banks and suppliers relating to overdraft facilities, letters of credit (LCs), inventory funding, and business expansion initiatives.
• Strengthen internal controls, financial governance, compliance frameworks, and operational procedures to improve reporting accuracy, accountability, and risk management.
• Partner closely with senior leadership, dealer principals, and operational managers to support commercial decision-making, profitability improvement, and strategic business initiatives.
• Lead finance process improvement initiatives including reconciliation clean-ups, reporting enhancements, stock control improvements, and operational efficiency programs.
• Supervise and mentor finance teams across multiple locations, supporting performance management, staff development, and operational excellence.

Key Achievements:

• Improved financial oversight and working capital management during significant foreign exchange and liquidity constraints within the PNG operating environment.
• Successfully reduced unreconciled balances and strengthened financial control processes across multiple business units.
• Played a key leadership role in strategic banking and funding negotiations supporting business growth and operational expansion initiatives.

Progressive leadership roles:

• Deputy Chief of Party (2025)
• Interim Deputy Chief of Party / Finance & Administration Manager (2024)
• Finance & Administration Manager (2022 – 2024)

• Led financial, administrative, and operational management for a USD15 million USAID-funded regional fisheries and marine conservation program operating across six Pacific Island countries.
• Supported the Chief of Party in strategic program leadership, annual work planning, budgeting, forecasting, implementation oversight, and stakeholder coordination to ensure achievement of program objectives and donor compliance requirements.
• Oversaw all financial operations including budgeting, cashflow management, financial reporting, subaward administration, procurement, and expenditure monitoring in accordance with USAID Uniform Guidance and University of Rhode Island policies.
• Managed program financial planning and budget alignment across regional activities, implementing partners, and local subawardees, ensuring effective utilization of donor funds and timely reporting.
• Strengthened internal controls, financial systems, and operational procedures to enhance compliance, governance, accountability, and financial transparency across the program.
• Led financial reviews, donor reporting, and audit coordination activities, maintaining strong compliance standards and supporting successful internal and external audits.
• Managed and supervised finance, administration, and operational staff, providing leadership, mentoring, performance management, and capacity-building support within a multicultural environment.
• Coordinated closely with government agencies, regional organizations, implementing partners, and local stakeholders to support effective program delivery and sustainable development outcomes.
• Oversaw office administration, lease management, legal compliance, and operational support functions to ensure efficient day-to-day program operations.
• Provided financial capacity-building support and mentoring to local subawardees and country partners, strengthening compliance with donor and institutional requirements.
• Acted as liaison between URI, local legal counsel, government authorities, and regional stakeholders on operational, financial, and compliance matters.

Key Achievements:

• Strengthened financial controls and compliance processes, resulting in zero financial review findings for the URI Fiji office.
• Successfully implemented and optimized financial management systems and operational procedures, improving reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Led due diligence and compliance reviews for regional implementing partners and subawardees, ensuring adherence to donor and institutional standards.
• Improved budget monitoring and financial oversight processes across multi-country operations, supporting stronger financial decision-making and resource allocation.
• Provide capacity-building support to local partners and ensure adherence to financial and administrative best practices.
• Supervise finance and administrative staff, conducting performance evaluations and supporting team development.
• Oversee office operations, including lease management, legal compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Act as the liaison between URI, local counsel, and the Government of Fiji on branch office matters.

Progressive leadership roles:

• Acting Financial Controller (2021 – 2022)
• Finance Manager – South Sea Group (2020 – 2021)
• Regional Finance Manager (2020)

• Led financial management, reporting, compliance, and operational finance functions for the South Sea Group across multiple Pacific operations, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, regulatory requirements, and international financial reporting standards (IFRS).
• Managed end-to-end financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, audit coordination, cashflow management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and fixed asset management.
• Oversaw preparation of monthly management accounts, financial statements, variance analysis, and executive reports to support strategic decision-making and operational performance monitoring.
• Supervised and developed a high-performing finance team of 18 professionals, providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and operational guidance across regional finance functions.
• Strengthened internal controls, financial governance, and compliance frameworks through detailed reviews of reconciliations, inter-company transactions, inventory management, and financial reporting processes.
• Collaborated closely with senior executives and operational managers to develop annual operating and capital budgets aligned with business growth and strategic priorities.
• Identified and implemented process improvement initiatives to strengthen cashflow management, improve reporting efficiency, reduce financial risks, and enhance operational effectiveness.
• Coordinated internal and external audit activities, ensuring timely completion of audits and compliance with corporate policies and regulatory requirements.
• Conducted regional financial reviews and compliance assessments across multiple Pacific operations, identifying control weaknesses and recommending corrective actions to strengthen governance and financial accountability.
• Supported strategic business planning and operational decision-making through financial analysis, forecasting, and performance monitoring.

Key Achievements:

• Streamlined financial reporting processes, reducing financial statement preparation time and improving reporting efficiency across the finance function.
• Achieved clean external audit outcomes with no material findings, reinforcing financial integrity and stakeholder confidence.
• Strengthened financial controls and reconciliation processes across regional operations, improving reporting accuracy and compliance standards.
• Improved cashflow management and operational efficiency through implementation of enhanced financial monitoring and reporting processes.

• Examined budgets, forecasts, and financial patterns to bolster comprehensive financial proceedings, enhancing overall financial health.
• Implemented and maintained internal regulations, procedures, and protocols for monitoring, harmonizing, and detailing accounting undertakings, improving compliance and accountability.
• Generated fortnightly payroll for a workforce of 32 individuals and upheld all linked records,
  ensuring accuracy and timely disbursement.

• Conducted comprehensive risk assessments to fortify company reputation, optimize operational frameworks, and vigilantly monitor legal considerations.
• Revitalized financial operations, successfully reducing debts ahead of schedule while boosting cash reserves and optimizing cost controls.
• Automated key business processes, including sales and reservation systems, significantly improving operational efficiency and customer service.

Key Achievement:

• Achieved the company’s highest revenue and lowest operating loss in 15 years, while securing the first unqualified audit opinion from Deloitte in six years, significantly strengthening financial performance and stakeholder confidence.

• Oversaw comprehensive business audits and reviews for Asco Motors, Avis Rentals, and a Service Station across diverse locations including Fiji, American Samoa, Samoa, and Tonga.
• Identified and pinpointed areas of management control vulnerabilities, offering strategic recommendations for enhancement and leading proactive efforts in investigating potential instances of fraud.

• Conducted instructional sessions to educate users on effective navigation of the ERP system, ensuring user competency and system optimization.
• Achieved project objectives punctually and within financial confines through proficient oversight of implementation tasks and vigilant monitoring of project timelines.