Charles (Francois) Keou
Trade Finance Consultant (Freelance)
Experience
Trade Finance Consultant (Freelance)
Silicon Valley Global PH Inc
- Managing the full lifecycle of documentary credits, standby letters of credit, and collections to ensure timely settlement, and risk mitigation across multiple jurisdictions.
- Delivering tailored solutions aligned with UCP 600, ISBP, and ICC guidelines to strengthen banking relationships and operational transparency.
- Including pre-shipment and post-shipment financing, receivables discounting, and supply chain finance strategies to enhance client liquidity and streamline cash flow cycles.
- By integrating paperless documentation systems and blockchain-backed validation tools, we significantly improve document accuracy, processing efficiency, and audit readiness.
- To secure credit facilities and trade instruments, enabling clients to expand global operations while maintaining regulatory compliance, and financial agility.
Stock Loan Originator
Stone Creek Global, Ltd (S.C.G.)
- By identifying high-value lending opportunities, negotiating term sheets, and aligning risk parameters with both borrower profiles and internal credit guidelines.
- Within hedge funds, family offices, and proprietary trading firms, delivering tailored stock loan solutions that enhance portfolio leverage and market entry flexibility.
- To ensure seamless execution and settlement of securities lending transactions in compliance with FINRA, SEC, and global regulatory frameworks.
- On borrower counterparties and underlying securities, ensuring transaction viability and adherence to collateral management protocols.
- To monitor availability, borrow demand, and pricing trends, optimizing client loan positions, and capturing spread opportunities across multiple asset classes.
Accounts Assistant
KBM Chartered Certified Accountants & Auditors
- Prepared and processed invoices, expense claims, and journal entries in compliance with company policies and accounting standards, supporting timely month-end, and year-end closing activities.
- Reconciled bank statements, supplier accounts, and petty cash transactions to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records, contributing to smooth audit processes and internal controls.
- Assisted in the preparation of management reports and financial summaries, providing accurate data inputs for forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
- Liaised with vendors, clients, and internal departments to resolve billing discrepancies, manage payment schedules, and maintain positive working relationships with stakeholders.
- Utilized accounting software such as QuickBooks to maintain up-to-date ledger entries, support accounts payable and receivable processes, and ensure compliance with tax requirements.
Accounts Assistant
Osborne Certified Accountants
- Supported daily accounting operations, including data entry, account reconciliations, and ledger maintenance, ensuring that financial transactions were recorded and aligned with internal controls.
- assisted in the preparation of VAT returns, payroll summaries, and statutory filings, working closely with senior accountants to meet all regulatory and compliance deadlines.
- Monitored accounts receivable and accounts payable activities, following up on outstanding invoices, processing supplier payments, and maintaining aged debtors and creditors reports.
- Maintained organized financial records and digital documentation, supporting audit readiness, and enabling quick retrieval of transaction histories during internal and external reviews.
- collaborated with finance teams to support budget tracking, cost analysis, and procurement processes, contributing to informed financial decision-making, and departmental efficiency.
Career Academic Internship
Merton College Finance Department
- Supported academic research and data collection efforts by organizing literature reviews, compiling reports, and presenting findings that contributed to departmental projects and faculty publications.
- Assisted in the coordination of academic events, workshops, and career fairs, managing logistics and resource materials to enhance student engagement and professional development.
- Maintained student records, internship databases, and placement documentation using Excel and campus management systems, ensuring accurate tracking and compliance with institutional policies.
- Collaborated with career advisors and faculty to guide students on interview preparation, and internship search strategies, helping to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and career readiness.
- Prepared and delivered presentations on career planning tools and industry trends to student cohorts, promoting awareness of employment pathways, and experiential learning opportunities.
Industries Experience
See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time. Longer bars indicate deeper hands-on experience, while shorter ones reflect targeted or project-based work.
Experienced in Banking and Finance (5 years) and Professional Services (4.5 years).
Business Areas Experience
The graph below provides a cumulative view of the freelancer's experience across multiple business areas, calculated from completed and active engagements. It highlights the areas where the freelancer has most frequently contributed to planning, execution, and delivery of business outcomes.
Experienced in Finance (5 years), Investments and M&A (5 years), Accounting (4.5 years), and Supply Chain Management (1 year).
Summary
Dynamic IT/Business Solutions Consultant with a proven ability to lead digital transformation initiatives by implementing enterprise-grade software solutions, and driving end-to-end business process enhancements. Skilled at fostering collaboration between technical teams and business stakeholders, ensuring precise requirement gathering, and flawless execution.
Armed with strong analytical acumen and a customer-first mindset, I am dedicated to delivering high-impact solutions that enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and competitive advantage.
Skills
- Report Writing
- File Organization
- Communication
- Team Collaboration
- Resume Review
- Time Management
- Data Management
- Student Engagement
- Program Planning
- Research Assistance
- Presentation Skills
- Database Management
- Career Counseling
- Administrative Support
- Event Coordination
- Professional Correspondence
Languages
Education
University of Buckingham
MSc, Finance & Investment · Finance & Investment · Buckingham, United Kingdom
University of East London (UEL)
BA (Hons), Accounting & Finance · Accounting & Finance · London, United Kingdom · 2:1
Profile
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