About Me

• As Finance Director – Bissell Inc., I collaborated with Vice President as Head of Finance to establish forecasts and budgets for EMEA and Russia, further expanding the organisation’s ability to succeed in global markets.
• As Senior M&A Financial Analyst – Qlik Tech, I assisted the project team with implementing the ERP systems increasing innovation and efficiency.
• As Group Financial Controller – Snow Software, I improved credit control functions resulting in a reduction of debtor days from 60+ to 30 days.

In my career, I have consistently received recognition for my strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. I attribute my success to my ability to maintain focus on fiscal objectives and ability to establish relationships of trust with stakeholders through consistent execution.

I continuously deliver positive results and offer the appropriate qualifications and experience to add value as an executive professional to any organisation.

Employment history

Liz Financial Consulting Services Ltd • UK

Provide outsourced financial and consulting services for mid-large companies, and start-ups. Client portfolio include Bissell Inc., BG Group Plc, Evertz Microsystems Ltd, Starlight Music Charity, Octopus Communications Ltd, Lollaksi Limited, Qlik Tech and more. 

Financial Consultant • January 2013 to Present

Key advisor and subject matter expert for organisations needing high-level support with financial planning, strategy decision-making. Act as Finance Director and/or Financial Controller on contract basis. Participate in strategic and operational planning processes as a member of the company’s senior management team. Work with business leads on how to evaluate, plan, execute and measure strategic business initiatives. Develop financial models, budgets, and forecasts.

Clients:

• Head of Finance for ExclusiveGP (part of F1 Group).
• Group CFO - recruitment, property and investment start-up group. Short contract, to help set up financial systems, processes and reporting.
• M&A (Netcentric) - upon successful acquisition details and reference are available.
• Seroff & Associates - Financial Consultant to “Soccer 360” project – funding and financial analysis.
• Evertz Microsystems Ltd - Monitored and reviewed expenses and costs such as overhead and wages to consistently target 30% gross profit margin. Controlled below-line expenses such as sales, and marketing to maximize net profit.
• Starlight Music Charity - Acting Head of Finance. Implemented the Sage system, improving the organisation’s ability to access financial data in real-time creating nimble decision-making and streamlined operations.
• BG Group Plc - Conducted complex financial analyses on oil price changes, budgets, cash flows, operating results, and business plans to determine the rates of return and capital/cash flow requirements. Evaluated multiple transactions up to $500,000 in size.
• Lollaksi Limited - Collaborated with the CEO and management on budgeting, long-term planning, and global growth in the US, South Africa, Indonesia, and India. Turned around supply chain delivering $100,000 in savings.
• Bissell Inc. - Collaborated with Vice President as Head of Finance / Finance Director to establish forecasts and budgets for EMEA and Russia. Grew sales 10% by realigning marketing approach gap. Increased average revenue by 23% by shifting from traditional consulting model to an innovating macroeconomic planning process that used sophisticated planning software to better uncover, analyse, and solve client's needs.
  

Clinical Professionals • UK

In business for 10 years, Clinical Professionals is Europe’s leading life science staffing organisation in just ten years.

Financial Controller • April 2012 to August 2012

Oversaw all accounting activities for company. Prepared monthly financial reports for management on a timely basis.  Liaised with external accountants and financial institutions for corporate reporting. Resolved complex problems and process bottlenecks. Ensuring compliance and analysing financial statements.

Achievements:

• Worked alongside the Vice President Head of Finance to establish forecasts and budgets for EMEA.
• Developed and documented business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen operations.
• Implemented strong financial controls and processes throughout the business.
  

Snow Software • UK

Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Snow Software is the largest dedicated developer of Software Asset Management solutions, with more local offices and regional support centers than any other vendor. 

Group Financial Controller • June 2011 to March 2012

Directed financial accounting activities including billing, payroll, P&L management, accounts payable/receivable, and preparation of financial statements, to assure budget compliance. Evaluated reporting systems, accounting procedures and investment activities to recommend and effect modifications in operating systems, budgets, and other controls. 

Achievements:

• Administered $9 million operating budget.
• Accurately forecasted financial performance, budget hours, payroll, and sales.
• Implemented new computerised accounting system to meet strategic business needs.
• Improved credit control functions through improved controls and communication with clients resulting in reduction of debtor days from 60+ to 30 days.
• Successfully established the BACS payment process to streamline and enhance supplier payment process.
• Championed the introduction of the SalesForce system to manage internal sales function.

Talentcore Ltd • UK

Talentcore, which trades under the name “Team Spirits”, supplies staff to work at cosmetics concessions at the airport duty-free shops.  

Financial Controller • November 2010 to June 2011

Led financial activities for organisation including planning, organising, and reviewing all accounting and payroll policies to ensure efficient and accurate payroll and accounting. Assisted in financial planning activities comprising of budgeting and forecasting, financial accounting including implementation and improvisation of internal control system. Directing all financial accounting activities such as billing, payroll, and P&L management. 

Achievements:

• Maintained regular communication with government and other external stakeholders to keep abreast of developments and forthcoming legislation.
• Developed regular monitoring reports to senior management to detect any irregularities in the accounting process.
• Filed VAT returns, maintained purchase and sales ledgers, performed P&L, and supervised credit control processes.
  

OneFish, TwoFish Ltd • UK

OneFish, Twofish is a communication and content consultancy. We plan, create, write, film produce, email, market, and broadcast.  

Financial Manager • April 2010 to August 2010

Led all financial control, budgeting and forecasting activities in the UK market.  Reviewing financial processes and made improvements for month-end reporting deadlines. Formulated budgets, performed variance analysis and compared results with the defined budgets while ensuring affirmation with business strategies.  

Achievements:

• Executed detailed reviews of financial processes and made improvements for efficient month-end reporting.
• Formulated budgets, performed variance analysis, and compared actual results with the defined budgets while ensuring affirmation with business strategies.
• Performed financial control, budgeting and forecasting for UK headquarters.
  

Jigsaw Design Studio • UK

Founded by Mark Collard in 2005, Jigsaw Design Studio specialises in helping companies create memorable brands.   

Finance Manager (IT-Software) • February 2005 to January 2010

Oversaw all accounting procedures, including posting of journal entries, maintaining general ledgers, reconciliation of accounts, preparation of trial balance and financial statements. Supervised accounting tasks related to accounts receivable and payable to ensure accuracy, speed, and efficiency.  Monitored tax compliance issues.

Achievements:

• Instituted new accounting procedures and spearheaded the development of manuals for training.
• Delivered PAYE statutory filings within established revenue deadlines.
• Prepared purchase and sales ledgers, and analysed all general ledgers.
• Liaised with creditors regarding payments of accounts, dealt with their queries, and coordinated with clients.

*Other notable role(s) 

Personal and Accounts Assistant, Jigsaw Design Studios, December 2004 to January 2005

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - CIMA, London, United Kingdom
• Bachelor's Degree in Business Management Analysis - Kingston University Business and Law, London, United Kingdom
• High School Diploma; Grammar School (Rijeka, Croatia) - A Levels with distinction – in Maths, Psychology, English, Italian and Croatian