Experience has been one of learning for Best

THE DAY-TO-DAY responsibility for the finance management of Berger Paints Barbados Limited lies in the capabilities of Chief Accountant Ryan Best, who joined the company on June 1, 2022. While Best has only been with the company for just over a year, he believes the transition has been seamless. “Being a new employee anywhere is always a challenge; however, my transition into this role has been comfortable as the staff have been very supportive and welcoming. I am grateful to them for embracing me, and I am proud to be a part of the Berger family.”

Best, a UWI graduate with over 25 years of experience in finance and a member of the Association of Chartered Accountants Association as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Barbados, along with a dedicated team of six – Chief Financial Officer Jarmarie Hypolite, Accounts Supervisor Mona Brathwaite, Accounting Assistant Charlene Farley, Procurement & ISO Coordinator Karan Joseph, Payroll Clerk Cheryl Hamshaw and Accounts Payable Clerk Ashley Depeiza, together they are responsible for organising, directing and controlling all the accounting activities to support the strategy and business decisions of Berger’s management. This team’s focus is geared toward accuracy, stewardship, policy and ethics.

Under the leadership of Best and CFO, Jarmarie Hypolite, this is achieved by the strict management of the company’s assets, oversight of both the internal and external audit functions and the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements and other management reports in accordance with international as well as Ansa McAL standards. As chief accountant, Best is usually called upon for financial advice and consultation by fellow managers to lend his experience towards enhancing and ultimately developing the finance team.

While Best is usually punching the numbers daily in his finance role, he admits that there are some uniquely thrilling pieces of knowledge he gained since joining the paint solutions provider.

“Prior to joining Berger Paints, I must confess I had very little knowledge of the paint industry, but it has been thrilling learning of the different textures and paint products available and the various uses; paints which reduce fungal growth like Berger Weatherproof, for example. Driving around Barbados and seeing the growth on houses, one would have never thought there are paints and pretreatments for this problem. I am deeply indebted to the sales team for the education shared and would recommend anyone to give the sales team a call. You too may walk away feeling like a paint expert.”

As the company celebrates the milestone anniversary celebration of 60 years, Best is proud to be working with such a proactive organisation and hopes that new ideas and innovation remain at the core of their business practices.

“What I would like to see as we celebrate and move into the future is not a change, but a continued effort at being the leader in innovation and always putting our customers first.”

(DT)