Ioannis P. Karakostas
Glyfada,Greece
Summary
Commercial Finance and FP&A professional with extensive experience in financial planning, strategic business partnering, investment evaluation, capital allocation, and performance management within FMCG, energy, environmental, and industrial sectors. Proven track record in budgeting, forecasting, profitability analysis, business case evaluation, financing structure assessment, and strategic decision support within complex and fast-paced business environments.
Strong investment and corporate finance background with hands-on experience in evaluating CAPEX projects, assessing profitability and financing alternatives, supporting long-term strategic investments, and conducting financial modeling focused on NPV, IRR, payback analysis, and value creation.
Experienced in translating complex financial and operational data into commercially actionable insights to support executive decision-making, business growth, operational performance improvement, and investment strategy.
Strong exposure to strategic planning, pricing and margin analysis, reporting automation, cash flow management, IFRS reporting, and cross-functional stakeholder management.
Advanced user of SAP, BI reporting tools, TARGIT, Reuters, Bloomberg, and advanced financial modeling methodologies.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Group Financial Controller
Revoil
Athens
2023.09 - Current
- Lead Group budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes, translating commercial and operational strategies into actionable financial plans, targets, and performance metrics across business units.
- Act as a strategic Commercial Finance business partner to senior leadership, delivering commercially focused insights on profitability, pricing, margins, liquidity, and overall business performance.
- Provide executive-level financial and operational analysis, transforming complex financial and non-financial data into clear insights, recommendations, and performance storytelling to support strategic decision-making.
- Support business growth initiatives, investment evaluation, and commercial decision-making through advanced financial modeling, profitability analysis, business case preparation, and financing structure assessment.
- Collaborate closely with commercial and operational stakeholders to challenge assumptions, improve business performance, and strengthen financial and commercial awareness across the organization.
- Support pricing and profitability management by analyzing commercial performance drivers, market dynamics, margin evolution, and business trends to support strategic pricing decisions.
- Lead financial performance monitoring and variance analysis processes, identifying risks, opportunities, and corrective actions to support execution against strategic and operational objectives.
- Led reporting automation initiatives that streamlined financial and performance reporting processes, enhancing reporting efficiency, data reliability, and management visibility across the organization.
- Improved commercial margin and profitability visibility through enhanced performance analysis and reporting, supporting more informed pricing, investment, and business decisions.
- Contributed to the enhancement of SAP and BI reporting capabilities, strengthening financial transparency, business insights, and executive decision-making support.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across financial planning, reporting, and internal control processes, enhancing forecasting accuracy, governance, and decision-making capabilities.
- Lead cash flow planning, working capital optimization, and liquidity monitoring through proactive scenario analysis and financial risk assessment.
- Ensure accurate application of IFRS standards and maintain high-quality, transparent, and reliable Group financial reporting processes.
- Work effectively within cross-functional and matrix environments, partnering with finance, commercial, operational, and executive stakeholders to support strategic execution and business objectives.
Financial Controller Environmental Sector
VGROUP
Athens
2021.08 - 2023.05
- Acted as the lead finance business partner for the Environmental Sector, supporting strategic and operational decision-making through financial planning, profitability analysis, and performance management.
- Led the budgeting and forecasting process in collaboration with cost owners and operational stakeholders, translating business objectives into actionable financial plans and targets.
- Delivered executive-level variance analysis and financial insights to senior leadership, supporting performance evaluation, cost optimization, and strategic business decisions.
- Supported investment evaluation and capital allocation decisions through financial modeling, profitability analysis, and financing structure assessment.
- Played a key role in the Group’s restructuring and pricing transformation initiatives, supporting the redesign of pricing methodologies and commercial profitability monitoring.
- Monitored production costing processes and operational performance drivers, providing actionable analysis to improve cost visibility and margin management.
- Led the development and implementation of new financial policies, internal controls, and finance procedures aimed at strengthening governance and operational efficiency.
- Managed relationships with financial institutions and funding programs, supporting financing initiatives and strategic funding opportunities.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with commercial, operational, and executive stakeholders within a dynamic and evolving business environment.
Capex and Supply Chain Finance Controller
Coca Cola HBC
Athens
2018.05 - 2021.07
- Led financial evaluation and business case analysis for strategic CAPEX investments, supporting portfolio expansion and long-term operational growth initiatives.
- Partnered closely with cross-functional stakeholders to align investment priorities, monitor project execution, and optimize capital allocation decisions.
- Managed CAPEX planning and performance monitoring for a €26m investment portfolio, ensuring alignment with business plans and financial targets.
- Delivered financial insights on production overheads, inventory impact, depreciation, and fixed asset capitalization to support operational and commercial decision-making.
- Coordinated IFRS16 leasing activities and supported long-term asset financing planning within a complex matrix organization.
- Contributed to budgeting, rolling estimates, and long-range financial planning processes, supporting operational and strategic business objectives.
Group Financial Reporting Accountant
Coca Cola HBC
Athens
2017.11 - 2018.04
- Supported Group financial reporting and closing activities within a multinational FMCG environment.
- Participated in the Group impairment testing process, supporting consolidation activities, financial analysis, and audit coordination.
- Assisted in the preparation and analysis of Group financial reporting deliverables and accounting research activities.
- Collaborated with senior finance stakeholders to support timely and accurate Group reporting processes.
Senior Credit Expert Accountant
Coca Cola HBC
Sofia
2016.01 - 2017.10
- Managed credit risk assessment, customer credit exposure, and credit limit evaluation for key accounts across multiple markets.
- Supported business strategy execution through proactive credit risk management and collaboration with commercial stakeholders.
- Delivered financial reporting and analysis related to Accounts Receivable and Credit Management processes across Greece, Cyprus, Romania, and Moldova.
- Participated in the development and enhancement of credit management tools, reporting automation initiatives, and process improvement activities.
- Monitored credit exposure, bad debt risk, and receivables performance in line with corporate policies and risk management frameworks.
Trading Assistant
Degiro Investment Services
Sofia
2015.03 - 2016.01
- Supported trading operations and customer relationship management activities within an international financial services environment.
- Managed end-to-end corporate action event processes across multiple financial markets.
- Performed trade monitoring, reconciliation, and operational control activities utilizing Reuters Eikon.
Freight Forwarding Consultant
Phoenix S.A
Athens
2012.09 - 2014.01
- Coordinated international transportation and logistics operations across freight, ocean, air, and intermodal channels.
- Supported operational cost analysis and transportation cost optimization initiatives for clients.
- Managed stakeholder communication across vendors, clients, and operational partners.
Education
MSc - Investment Analysis
Aston University
Birmingham 2011.09 - 2012.08
BSc - Business and Management
Aston Univerity
Birmingham 2007.09 - 2011.08
Skills
- SAP
- TARGIT BI
- Microsoft Excel & Financial Modeling
- Power BI
- Reuters & Bloomberg
- IFRS Reporting
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Investment Evaluation
- Business Case Modeling
- Variance Analysis
- Performance Management
- Pricing & Profitability Analysis
- Cash Flow & Working Capital Management
Languages
English
Greek
Interests
Chess, Football, Hiking, Travelling, Stock Trading
Timeline
Group Financial Controller
Revoil
2023.09 - Current
Financial Controller Environmental Sector
VGROUP
2021.08 - 2023.05
Capex and Supply Chain Finance Controller
Coca Cola HBC
2018.05 - 2021.07
Group Financial Reporting Accountant
Coca Cola HBC
2017.11 - 2018.04
Senior Credit Expert Accountant
Coca Cola HBC
2016.01 - 2017.10
Trading Assistant
Degiro Investment Services
2015.03 - 2016.01
Freight Forwarding Consultant
Phoenix S.A
2012.09 - 2014.01
MSc - Investment Analysis
Aston University
2011.09 - 2012.08
BSc - Business and Management
Aston Univerity
2007.09 - 2011.08