Alena Pechandova
Cambridge,Cambridgeshire
Summary
Results-driven approach with proven change leadership capability and a strong track record in implementing process improvements (Accounting system upgrades, acquisition integrations, ERP system upgrades promoting transparency, ParentPay portal implementation).
Skilled in account reconciliation, profit and loss analysis, balance sheet optimisation, and cash flow management.
Adept at leading financial meetings, coaching finance teams, and driving operational efficiency (Coaching selected team members to become FPAs to provide support to operational managers of company divisions).
Resourceful and well-organised with excellent leadership and team-building record (Gallup engagement score for the finance team of 5 was one of the highest in the company).
Focused on enhancing forecasting accuracy (Work pipeline report and committed spend report built into the management reporting system) and delivering insightful board reporting to drive organisational success (Divisional financial strategy and risk mitigation).
Analytical and detail-orientated individual with logical thinking mindset.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of finance
Bournemouth Glass Company Ltd
Duxford, Cambridgeshire
05.2024 - Current
- Company T/O 5M, 30 employees
- Creating finance team, which can support growth by delivering accurate financial information.
- Promoting transparency by producing clear and accurate financial reports.
- Identifying areas for improvement and enhancements in financial processes and reporting mechanisms.
- Overseeing budgeting and forecasting activities to ensure business growth.
- Assisting budget holders to better understand and manage financial information to their advantage. Newly implemented management reporting system highlighted inefficiencies in both divisions by producing accurate variance analysis.
- Managing cash flow and liquidity, mitigating financial risks and ensuring stability.
- Monitoring and reviewing financial controls, processes and procedures to enable best practice development.
- Successfully completed finance transformation projects to reach company growth goals by upgrading Sage and implementing new management reporting system, reducing manual and often incorrect input and increasing transparency.
- Liaising with external auditors for seamless audits and production of financial statements and corporation tax computations.
Head of finance
Z-Tech Control Systems Ltd
Swavesey, Cambridgeshire
12.2021 - 04.2024
- Company T/O 22M, 200 employees
- Managed financial operations, streamlining processes for improved efficiency.
- Oversaw budgeting and forecasting activities to ensure business growth.
- Fostered cross-departmental collaborations for comprehensive fiscal management.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by implementing stringent control measures.
- Streamlined financial reporting procedures to ensure timely availability of critical data.
- Led team of finance professionals, fostering environment of excellence.
- Promoted transparency by producing clear and accurate financial reports.
- Assisted budget holders to better understand and manage financial information to their advantage.
- Oversaw financial reporting processes, maintaining accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Consolidated comprehensive management accounts, integrating income statements, cashflow and balance sheets.
- Managed cash flow and liquidity, mitigating financial risks and ensuring stability.
- Conducted variance analysis to identify discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
- Identified areas for improvement and enhancements in financial processes and reporting mechanisms.
- Coached and mentored junior staff to maximise finance department capabilities.
- Assisted with due diligence process when Z-Tech was in process of being acquired by M Group.
- Assisted with successful integration of Z-Tech into group's financial processes post acquisition.
- Producing monthly management reports for board of directors at group level.
Financial Controller
Z-Tech Control Systems Ltd
Swavesey, Cambridgeshire
05.2010 - 11.2021
- Company T/O increased from 5M to 16M, employees increased from 100 to 200.
- Supervised team of finance professionals, cultivating high-performance culture.
- Drove process improvements in finance function, fostering enhanced productivity.
- Facilitated comprehensive financial analysis to drive strategic decision making.
- Implemented revenue recognition policy in line with IFRS 15
- Implemented innovative accounting systems, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Reviewed annual financial statements, collaborating with audit partners to produce statutory accounts.
- Oversaw bank reconciliations and managed short-term working capital, including credit control.
- Oversaw accounting, payroll and financial reports to support daily functions.
- Oversaw and approved monthly management accounts, contributing to strategic decision-making.
- Guided financial teams in analysing trends, enabling proactive decision support.
- Provided input into short and long-term cashflow forecasts, optimising liquidity management.
- Worked with executives to create annual budget and track actual expenses against projected expenses.
- Created team of FPAs to assist budget holders with interpreting their financial information to ensure required profit was achieved.
- Assisted with creating in house ERP system and project management tool, which provided project managers, budget holders and finance team with instant access to accurate financial information improving decision-making and overall project oversight.
Treasurer
Caldecote Playgroup
Highfields Caldecote, Cambridgeshire
09.2011 - 08.2019
- Charity T/O 100k, 5 employees
- Aligned business objectives with suitable investment opportunities for maximum profitability.
- Kept accurate, up-to-date accounting records for reliable financial reference.
- Oversaw receipt and banking information to protect company funds.
- Maintained physical documentation and safeguarded confidential data.
- Formatted reports to improve ease of access and clarity of information.
- Documented and facilitated incoming and outgoing funds.
- Advised chair on best practices, controls and processes to achieve financial aims.
- Led finance transformation projects to improve efficiency, integrity of data and customer satisfaction (implementation of ParentPay).
Accounts Assistant
Z-Tech Control Systems Ltd
Swavesey, Cambridgeshire
08.2003 - 04.2010
- Maintained accurate records of all company expenses, aiding budget management efforts.
- Processed suppliers invoices and payments.
- Processed customer invoices and receipts.
- Completed ad hoc finance-related projects under tight deadlines.
- Managed payroll processes to guarantee timely and accurate payments to staff.
- Facilitated timely and accurate A/P and A/R functions, reducing past-due accounts and promoting financial fluidity.
- Updated cashflow forecast on weekly basis
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting and financial management
University of South Bohemia
Ceske Budejovice/Czech Republic 09.1997 - 06.2000
ACMA CGMA - Accounting and financial management
CIMA
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 09.2015 - 09.2021
Skills
- Finance team management
- Coaching finance team
- Board reporting
- Financial risk assessment
- Financial reporting system development
- Stakeholder communication
- Change leadership capability
- Implementing process improvements
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of finance
Bournemouth Glass Company Ltd
05.2024 - Current
Head of finance
Z-Tech Control Systems Ltd
12.2021 - 04.2024
ACMA CGMA - Accounting and financial management
CIMA
09.2015 - 09.2021
Treasurer
Caldecote Playgroup
09.2011 - 08.2019
Financial Controller
Z-Tech Control Systems Ltd
05.2010 - 11.2021
Accounts Assistant
Z-Tech Control Systems Ltd
08.2003 - 04.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting and financial management
University of South Bohemia
09.1997 - 06.2000
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