Esa Ruotsalainen
Nantwich,Cheshire
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Financial Controller with a proven track record of success in managing financial operations, implementing strategic financial planning, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Seeking a challenging role where I can leverage my expertise in financial management to contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work history
Financial Controller
Several Positions
01.2004 - Current
- Establish credit control policies to increase year-on-year cash flow.
- Introduce internal controls to monitor critical areas of financial control and devise corrective actions to address risks or deficiencies.
- Formulate monthly variance reports for strategic budgeting and forecasting.
- Create board presentations to clearly articulate financial strategy.
- Examine financial reports, analysing and resolving data discrepancies to reduce expenses.
- Assess financial information for accuracy and integrity.
- Develop policies to uphold compliance with regulatory guidelines.
- Create Excel models for operational financial management and control.
- Mentor department managers in budget forecasting and cost-management measures.
- Created systems to decrease errors in data collection and calculations.
- Provide leadership and direction for employees, supervising activities to drive productivity and efficiency.
- Set and monitor weekly targets for operational team to increase product sales and revenue.
- Undertake regular performance reviews to identify areas for improvement.
- Collaborated with GM to implement growth strategy that exceeded EBITDA target by 17%.
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns using Sage, ensuring full compliance to internal and external rules and regulations.
- Lead analysis of weekly, monthly and quarterly numbers, presenting findings to senior management.
- Received an award for operational effectiveness from Lapithus Hotel Management UK Ltd
- Received President's Award for Excellence, from Carlson Rezidor for Radisson Blu Athlone.
Assistant Financial Controller
Radisson Blu Hotel
Glasgow, Scotland
09.2002 - 01.2004
- Organised budget documentation and tracked expenses to maintain tight business controls.
- Entered transactions into internal databases.
- Reconciled all company accounts, including credit cards and expenses.
- Reviewed customer invoices for accuracy and posted information to general ledger.
- Maintained and improved company bookkeeping processes.
- Evaluated employee expense reports and verified accuracy.
- Managed purchase ledger of 50 customer accounts.
- Prepared reports and projections based on financial data.
- Drafted and edited financial presentations for management to inform decision-making.
- Compiled reports on sales, expenditure and marketing for senior management.
- Monitored accounts payable and receivable statuses, keeping financial records up-to-date.
- Controlled credit and confirmed debtors paid dues on time.
- Managed payroll by tracking employee hours and entitlements.
- Prepared bank deposits, checking and correcting any errors.
- Interpreted and applied accounting policies, rules and regulations to confirm compliance with applicable standards.
- Reviewed and filed payroll documents following department procedures.
Financial Analyst
Radisson Blu Hotel
Malmo, Sweden
07.2001 - 09.2002
- Assessed statistical information to determine financial trends for use in operational planning.
- Prepared budget to calculate monthly, quarterly and yearly costs and expenses for department.
- Performed detailed period-end balance sheet reconciliations before deadlines.
- Monitored budget expenses for accuracy and efficiency.
- Provided administrative support to senior analysts and department professionals, improving growth and productivity.
- Reviewed budget performance reports, investigated excessive expenses and reported discrepancies.
- Worked with human resources to assess labour patterns and hiring requirements.
- Evaluated monthly requisitions for accuracy and completeness, reconciled transactions and determining payment approval statuses.
- Implemented policies and initiatives to drive financial growth.
- Assisted in 8% GOP improvement by building profit planning framework.
Education
Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management
Cornell Peter And Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel
Ithaca, NYCertificate in Business Accounting
CIMA
Certificate in Hospitality Accounting & Finance
BAHA
Master of Science - Hotel and Tourism Management
Oxford Brookes University
OxfordSkills
- Accounting policies and processes
- Month-end Closing
- Balance sheet Reconciliation
- Departmental KPI management
- Excel modelling
- Financial Analysis
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Strategic Financial Planning
- Regulatory Compliance
- Team Leadership and Development
- Cost Control and Optimization
- Financial Reporting
- Audit Management
- ERP Systems (eg, SAP, Oracle)
- Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
Timeline
Financial Controller
Several Positions
01.2004 - Current
Assistant Financial Controller
Radisson Blu Hotel
09.2002 - 01.2004
Financial Analyst
Radisson Blu Hotel
07.2001 - 09.2002
Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment and Asset Management
Cornell Peter And Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel
Certificate in Business Accounting
CIMA
Certificate in Hospitality Accounting & Finance
BAHA
Master of Science - Hotel and Tourism Management
Oxford Brookes University