Sarah Mellissa Loja
Business Finance Associate
Quezon City, Metro Manila,00
Summary
Experienced Finance and Accounting Specialist with 18+ years of expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, audit coordination, and internal controls across banking, energy, and global financial services. Proven track record in enhancing financial accuracy and streamlining processes. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and internal controls development, driving strategic decisions and reducing reconciliation errors by 20%.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate
Deutsche Bank Group
11.2014 - 10.2025
- Directed end-to-end period-end close activities, ensuring timely journal postings and accurate financial results before ledger lock.
- Prepared and reconciled subsidiary ledgers to the general ledger, in compliance with internal controls and accounting standards.
- Delivered financial disclosures and reports within strict deadlines, supporting management’s strategic decisions.
- Coordinated with auditors by providing documentation, schedules, and walkthroughs, strengthening audit readiness and transparency.
- Partnered with cross-functional teams to resolve reporting issues, enforce accountability, and implement process improvements that reduced reconciliation errors.
- Supported budgeting and forecasting by analyzing variances to improve resource allocation.
- Enhanced financial accuracy by streamlining accounting processes and implementing efficient internal controls.
- Established best practices for reconciling account discrepancies, improving overall account accuracy, and reducing outstanding issues.
- Trained junior team members on technical topics within finance/accounting departments, elevating their skills set over time.
Junior Accountant
Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation (PHINMA GROUP)
03.2008 - 10.2014
- Prepared annual and midyear budget reports and conducted variance analysis, applying cost accounting principles to monitor expenses and support operational efficiency.
- Developed and maintained monthly budget monitoring reports, ensuring accurate tracking of departmental spending against forecasts.
- Managed intercompany payables and receivables, strengthening internal controls and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
- Prepared schedules and monitored investments in UITF, placements, bonds, and marketable securities, contributing to informed financial decision-making.
- Conducted monthly bank reconciliations and supported year-end audits through detailed schedules, reconciliations, and documentation.
- Handled preparation of tax remittances and compliance reports for submission to government agencies, ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Assisted external and internal auditors during interim and annual physical inventory counts, reinforcing accountability and transparency.
- Prepared journal entries and entered into system using ACCPAC software.
- Produced financial statements and supporting schedules, delivering accurate and timely reporting to management.
- Initiated process improvements in reconciliation and reporting workflows, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
- .
Product Service Assistant
Banco De Oro (BDO)
09.2005 - 02.2008
- Executed timely and accurate reconciliation and balancing of bills payment transactions across multiple channels, ensuring compliance with bank policies and accounting standards.
- Monitored and analyzed reports from various systems to identify discrepancies, driving prompt resolution and maintaining financial integrity.
- Coordinated with branches and internal units to resolve operational issues, reinforcing accountability and collaboration across departments.
- Delivered complete and accurate internal and external bills payment reports, supporting management oversight and regulatory compliance.
- Ensured customer complaints related to payment discrepancies were resolved within required turnaround times, strengthening service quality and stakeholder trust.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
Far Eastern University
Metro Manila 04.2001 -
Skills
Financial Reporting & Analysis
Financial Statements Preparation
P&L Reporting & Variance Analysis
Forecasting & Budget Monitoring
Audit & Compliance
Internal & External Audit Support
Regulatory Reporting & Documentation
Internal Controls Development
Risk & Compliance Monitoring
Accounting Operations
Period-End Close (Month-End, Quarter-End, Year-End)
General Ledger & Sub-Ledger Reconciliation
Intercompany Payables & Receivables
Cash & Bank Reconciliations
Process Improvement & Tools
Advanced Excel
ERP Systems: SAP, Sage ACCPAC
Workflow Optimization & Automation
Stakeholder Communication & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Languages
English (Fluent)
Filipino (Fluent)
Timeline
Associate
Deutsche Bank Group
11.2014 - 10.2025
Junior Accountant
Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corporation (PHINMA GROUP)
03.2008 - 10.2014
Product Service Assistant
Banco De Oro (BDO)
09.2005 - 02.2008
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
Far Eastern University
04.2001 -