James Kalaf

I'm James Kalaf. I recently moved to the UK from the USA and bring with me a wealth of experience in financial management, analysis, and process improvement. I've led teams, optimised financial operations, and implemented system upgrades to enhance reporting and reduce costs. I'm known for my problem-solving skills and my ability to provide financial insights that drive strategic decisions. 

Finance Manager | Mayne Pharma | October 2023 – June 2025

• Led a team responsible for accurately accounting for gross-to-net expenses comprising ~70% of total company revenue, ensuring financial precision and compliance.
• Transformed department processes to guarantee accuracy of accruals and prepare for annual audit.
• Directed accounts receivable clean-up project, recovered $5M and improved cash-flow.
• Advised senior leadership on forecast variances and financial insights.
• Cut month-end close time by 40% by streamlining workflows and automating tasks.
• Coordinated implementation of system upgrade, replacing underperforming platform to improve reporting and reduce costs.

Finance Analyst | GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) | June 2021 – October 2023

• Streamlined month-end tasks such as balance sheet reconciliations and journal entries.
• Responsible for accurately maintaining large balance sheets for government rebates.
• Created Power BI dashboards and presented key data trends to stakeholders for decision-making.
• Conducted rebate expense account modelling and analysis for complex pharmaceutical programmes.
• Organized and led multi-day finance meetings featuring guest speakers and educational programs.
• Automated 16 monthly balance sheet reconciliations using SAP data and Microsoft Excel VBA.
• Received 6 recognition awards.

Data Analyst | American Red Cross | November 2020 – June 2021

• Consolidated financial data from 7 sources to create a database used to gain repayment for transactions.
• Improved efficiency in the reimbursement process for hotel shelter stay invoices during the Hurricane Laura disaster response.
• Achieved a 98% reimbursement rate, surpassing the original goal of 70% and resulting in over $46 million returned to the American Red Cross.

Finance Analyst | Scania Australia | January 2020 – September 2020

• Assisted leadership in cost optimisation for new truck and bus sales for increased profitability.
• Oversaw $50 million in monthly spending on new truck and bus inventory.
• Trained colleagues in end-of-month reporting.

Outside Technical Sales | Igus Inc. | July 2018 – September 2019

• Sold bearings and machine automation components to engineers and buyers throughout NC and VA.
• Communicated with customers to manage our projects throughout a lengthy sales cycle.
• Prospected for new customers and built strong relationships with existing customers.
• Provided highly detailed application engineering and product design assistance.
• Ran sales reports and used Excel to identify trends.
• Conducted ‘lunch and learn’ presentations to educate engineers on our products.

Economics BSc Hons with Accounting Minor | North Carolina State University | 2018

• Semester Study abroad exchange program at Vienna University of Economics and Business.