Group Financial Controller

• Sep 2021 - Present

Senior Accounting Manager EMEA

• Jun 2019 - Sep 2021

AT Cross is a global retailer and wholesaler of quality writing instruments and stationery products. The EMEA region has a turnover of c£17 million. Reporting to the CFO Responsibilities: • Direct and coordinate timely and accurate monthly consolidated close and financial statement preparation in accordance with GAAP • Manage cash and cash forecasts and provide CFO with accurate and timely analyses as requested, particularly in connection with debt covenants • Provide leadership and oversight for FX transactions • Implement, modify and maintain accounting policy to ensure compliance with GAAP • Act as finance lead for the EMEA region working closely with other heads of department, providing guidance and information to non-finance team members • Implement, maintain and continuously monitor internal controls • Ensure compliance with all tax obligations/requirements. • Act as liaison for external auditors as required. • Drive improvement in working capital • Support Global FP&A team in preparation of forecasts and budgets. • Drive greater efficiency throughout the accounting organization with a focus on continuous improvement • Training, development and motivation of the accounting team Show less

Financial Controller

• Jun 2016 - May 2019

Financial Controller – Fossil (UK) Ltd, Milton Keynes Fossil is a global lifestyle brand and is a retailer and wholesaler of fashion watches, jewellery and leather goods. The UK division has a turnover of c£70 million and globally c$2.5 billion. Reported to the Managing Director. Responsibilities: • Preparation and analysis of the UK financials, produce the reporting package for presentation to the management team • Regular review of current accounting processes and implementing best practice • Support budget managers to undertake budget monitoring • Direct the Credit Control function • Regularly review financial performance across the company. • Prepare and present the annual budget and quarterly reforecasts • Constantly drive efficiencies in processes and procedures • Key accounting contact for the UK business both regionally and globally as well as the key contact for internal and external auditors (including S-Ox controls), tax advisors and HMRC • Company Secretarial duties • Management of the Finance team – training, developing goals and objectives Achievements: • Introduced customer profitability analysis that was not available previously • Improved the profile of the Finance department with increased business partnering and collaboration with other functions • Improved process efficiency for e-commerce administration and reduced weekly man hours required by 40 Show less

Senior Manager Manager FP&A

• Dec 2005 - Jun 2016

Senior Manager FP&A – AES Netherlands Holdings BV, Amsterdam The AES Corporation is a global owner and operator of power plants, wind farms, solar power and battery storage. It is a Fortune 500 company with a turnover of around $10.5 billion. The UK projects I was responsible for were 2 thermal power plants in Northern Ireland and had a combined turnover of around £230 million and I was based firstly in London and then in Amsterdam and reported to the FP&A Director. Responsibilities: • Maintenance and creation of a number of complex financial models (Excel) for a number of projects • Production of monthly management reporting packs for the region and the businesses, participation and presentation of FP&A information to operational leaders and regional management (COO, CFO) • Providing analysis of potential currency movements in order to make decisions around FX risks (including hedging) • Challenging and evaluation of key assumptions and drivers • Involvement in various M&A activities, refinancing and disposals • Review of both local and USGAAP results working closely with the shared service accounting centre in Sofia, Bulgaria Achievements: • Successfully integrated the Cartagena accounting into the EMEA head office following centralisation to London • Worked on the acquisition of a power plant, integrating the processes and creating the relevant models • Introduced regular meetings to provide guidance to the local teams to improve understanding of finance, budgets and forecasts Show less

Accountant

• Dec 2006 - Apr 2009

Accountant – AES Cartagena, Cartagena AES Cartegena is a gas fired power station located in Spain and is part of AES Inc. The plant had a turnover of around 150 million Euros. Reported to the CFO. Responsibilities: • Financial accounting under Spanish and US GAAP. • Production of month end accounts including USGAAP adjustments for consolidation into the group reporting package • Production of the monthly management reports - forecasting and cash flow • Production of statutory accounts, tax returns and assistance with external and internal audits • Involved in the maintenance of the long term financial model for the plant Achievements: • Improved month end reporting deadlines from 10 days to 7 • Rapidly acquired knowledge of Spanish accounting, tax and GAAP Show less

Finance Manager

• Nov 2004 - Dec 2006

Finance Manager – The Complete Works, London The Complete Works is a small charity working with disadvantaged children and young adults based in London with a turnover of around £500k Responsibilities: • Reported to the CEO • Responsible for financial control and Company Secretarial duties • Production and presentation of annual budgets and quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees • Payroll and treasury functions • Advising the company on strategy and projects Achievements: • Improved the accounting processes and procedures • Introduced monthly management reporting Show less

Group and Treasury Accountant

• Sep 2001 - Nov 2004

Group and Treasury Accountant – Camden Motor Group Ltd, Leighton Buzzard Camden Motors Group was the sixth largest retailer of motor vehicles in the UK with sites across the south of England with a turnover of around £1 billion Responsibilities: • Reported to the Finance Director • Management of 5 people for a centralised finance department involved in the consolidation of group monthly management accounts • Production of monthly consolidated reports with variance analysis and balance sheet reporting • Responsible for treasury management, group VAT submissions, annual budgets, Companies House returns • Liaised with external auditors on statutory accounting and corporation tax Achievements: • Implemented a new accounting software system • Participated in various successful divestment activities Show less

Dealership Accountant

• Apr 1997 - Sep 2001

Dealership Accountant – Pendragon Plc t/a Chevin Toyota, Northampton Chevin Toyota was a dealership owned and operated by Pendragon PLC (the largest motor dealer group in the UK. Responsibilities: • Reported to the Dealer Principal • Monthly profit and loss and balance sheet reporting • Management of credit control and purchase ledger staff as well as year-end accounting • VAT returns and working capital management Dealership Accountant – Pendragon Plc t/a Chevin Toyota, Northampton Chevin Toyota was a dealership owned and operated by Pendragon PLC (the largest motor dealer group in the UK. Responsibilities: • Reported to the Dealer Principal • Monthly profit and loss and balance sheet reporting • Management of credit control and purchase ledger staff as well as year-end accounting • VAT returns and working capital management

Management Accountant

• Jan 1993 - Apr 1997

Management Accountant – Rexroth Pneumatics Ltd, Milton Keynes Rexroth Pneumatics was a manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic components for various industrial machinery applications and was part of a large German conglomerate (Mannesmann) Responsibilities: • Reported to the Financial Controller • Monthly and annual management accounts production • VAT returns and other group reporting Management Accountant – Rexroth Pneumatics Ltd, Milton Keynes Rexroth Pneumatics was a manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic components for various industrial machinery applications and was part of a large German conglomerate (Mannesmann) Responsibilities: • Reported to the Financial Controller • Monthly and annual management accounts production • VAT returns and other group reporting

Accounts Assistant

• Jan 1991 - Jan 1993

Business Trainee

• Sep 1988 - Jan 1991