Finance Manager

Drew Sterling
604 Harmony Lane
Pleasantville, CA 94588
(925) 555-1234

FINANCE MANAGER • DIVISIONAL ACCOUNTANT • ACCOUNTANT

Astute finance professional expert at driving prudent revenue growth, and offering counsel to key decision makers. Proven track record in understanding new technologies, focusing on continuous improvement, and reengineering business processes. Dedicated to translating company values into practical every-day operations and preserving strong business alliances with clients and vendors.

Professional strengths include:
Ÿ Secured Debt Analysis
Ÿ Team Supervision
Ÿ Profit & Loss Analysis
Ÿ Debtor Negotiations
Ÿ FOREX Reporting
Ÿ Operating Budgets
Ÿ Variance Analysis
Ÿ Problem Identification/Resolution
Ÿ Internal/External Audits
Ÿ Financial Reporting
Ÿ Yield Management
Ÿ Staff Training

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

· Cut monetary losses stemming from currency fluctuations that saw the company buying and invoicing products in separate currencies. Introduced concept of quoting/invoicing in the same currency to avoid risk exposure to foreign exchange variations.
· Introduced the concept of secured debt percentage and produced easy-to-understand spreadsheet/reporting system that provided management with information on secured debt.
· Slashed processing times by 67% and dramatically reduced operator workloads by implementing computerized automation process for producing fortnightly sales reports.
· Convincingly argued for the adoption of yield management principals in generating income and increasing incentives. Emphasized the concept, realized immediate increases in the sales of high-income-generating carriers, and substantially raised incentives.
Ÿ Identified interdepartmental communication deficiencies, and reengineered process to improve information flows between sales force and financial departments.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Diploma in Oracle Programming
Boston’s Computer Institute, India (1997)
Bachelor of Accounting (Commerce)
University of Bombay, India (1989)
Other training includes: Key Account Management, and Accelerated Program
(Maritime Mercantile International), and Process Reengineering (Inchcape Middle East)

EMPLOYMENT SNAPSHOT

ABU DHABI MARITIME & MERCANTILE INTERNATIONAL
2002–Present
Finance Manager, Engineering Division

GRAY MACKENZIE & PARTNERS, United Arab Emirates
1997–2002
Finance Manager, Travel Division
1998–2002
Divisional Accountant, Liquor Division
1997–1998

TAMIMI COMMERCIAL DIVISION, Saudi Arabia
1995–1996
Accountant

SIMA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Saudi Arabia
1993–1995
Accountant

WEST COAST TRADERS, India
1992–1993
Accounts Assistant

TRACTOR ENGINEERING COMPANY, India
1990–1991
Accounts Assistant

EXPERIENCE – IN DEPTH

ABU DHABI MARITIME & MERCANTILE INTERNATIONAL
2002–Present
Finance Manager, Engineering Division
Successes within the company’s travel division prompted appointment to the engineering division; an area in need of assistance to lower debt, reduce backlogs, resolve foreign exchange issues, and improve information flows with other divisions.
Key contributions:
· Reversed inadequate recording of supplier claims and non-defined timeframes that had led to extended payment times and ill-timed foreign currency payments. Devised a regular suppliers-contact schedule, set deadlines for statement and invoice receipts delivery, and investigated archived invoices to settle long-term supplier disputes.
· Launched a series of formal meetings with sales department members to counteract the decline in information flows prompted through an “us and them” mindset. Meetings reviewed sales performances via an agency performance analysis report that illustrated successes and highlighted areas in need of improvement and discussion.
· Championed a new system of work priorities that placed emphasis on the immediate and error-free reconciliation of invoices and expenses. Idea quickly eliminated reconciliation backlogs, leading to quicker identification of errors.
· Cut monetary losses stemming from currency fluctuations that saw the company buying and invoicing products in different currencies. Introduced concept of quoting and invoicing in the same currency to avoid the risk of significant exchange variances.
· Introduced the concept of secured debt percentage and produced easy-to-understand spreadsheet/reporting system that provided management with information on secured debt, and cut incidences of unnecessary open credit.

GRAY MACKENZIE & PARTNERS, United Arab Emirates
1997–2002
Finance Manager, Travel Division
1998–2002
Spearheaded a series of productivity and process improvements after thorough analysis of the travel division's operations contributing 20% of company's $US32M turnover.
Identified top issues impeding workflows and staff productivity, and successfully achieved staff and management acceptance for change-management initiatives.
Key contributions:
· Established a highly productive and motivated team through responsible task delegation, ongoing encouragement, and active collaboration between staff and management during quarterly performance appraisals.
· Maximized interdepartmental relationships, restoring communication lines, and forging solid partnerships between sales force, accounts staff and senior management.
· Successfully coordinated external and internal audits, completing all projects on time, in total compliance with government standards.
· Streamlined preparation, compilation and reporting procedures for fortnightly sales report to the Airlines, dramatically boosting turnaround times.
· Stressed the importance of yield management when analyzing major carrier sales.
· Reduced 'days outstanding' for all doubtful debts. Mediated/negotiated special payment terms, restored customer confidence, and preserved strong alliances.

Divisional Accountant, Liquor Division
1997–1998
Reported to: Finance Manager. Leading distributor of alcoholic beverages in Abu Dhabi. Rank No. 1 in Abu Dhabi servicing 80 on-trade outlets; 3 solely owned outlets for retail.
· Presided over entire accounts payable functions – invoices, reconciliations, payments and vendor relations.
· Managed accounts receivable processes including payments, review, analysis and follow-up.
· Forecasted FOREX requirement
· Reconciled inter-associate accounts for the group company
· Supported the Finance Manager with end of month routines, stock reconciliations, commission calculations and payment, and MIS reports.

PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS
TAMIMI COMMERCIAL DIVISION, Saudi Arabia
1995–1996
Accountant

SIMA ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Saudi Arabia
1993–1995
Accountant

WEST COAST TRADERS, India
1992–1993
Accounts Assistant

TRACTOR ENGINEERING COMPANY, India
1990–1991
Accounts Assistant

TECHNOLOGY SKILL SET

Applications: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access
Accounting: BOSS 3 Airline Accounting, Sage/C2000 Financial Accounting, Platinum
Accounting package: Internet and email
PRWRA
Gayle M. Howard -getinterviews@topmargin.com - Top Margin - http://www.topmargin.com