I am a results-driven Chartered Accountant with a strong track record of leading teams in both financial accounting and change, and commercial finance. Currently working within the central team, I take ownership across commercial of the budget and forecasting processes, manage the month-end cycle in collaboration with FP&A, and deliver critical insights from weekly reporting on our actual and forecasted variable contribution. I play a key role in challenging financial results across the wider finance team to drive accuracy and strategic decision-making. My combination of technical accounting expertise and commercial finance experience, combined with a strong focus on collaboration and stakeholder engagement, has prepared me for the next step in my career: transitioning into a full FP&A role. I am eager to continue my professional growth with a leading, established retailer like M&S, where I can leverage my skills and passion to drive meaningful change.
● Team Leadership: Led and developed a team of three, including two Senior Finance Analysts and one Finance Analyst, in the creation of ASOS’s first Central Commercial Finance team. Implemented key processes and controls, with a focus on the creation of a rolling forecast, weekly trade reporting, company profit model, and short-term cash flow review. Empowered the team to challenge inputs, complete full P&L reviews and effectively communicate insights to SLT and wider business stakeholders.
● Forecasting Cycle: Act as the key stakeholder for FP&A, overseeing commercial finance forecast and budgeting processes, including gross profit, distribution, warehouse and marketing. Ensure alignment across the teams throughout the forecast process, assessing the final output against expectations through production of various models to facilitate strategic decision-making.
● Month-End Close: Collaborate closely with FP&A and Financial Accounting to close the month-end process for gross profit. Review final positions to understand variances and ensure that the story aligns across the full profit and loss. Produce and present the month-end gross profit bridge for SLT and CFO meetings.
● Performance Reporting: Implemented the company variable contribution model to track actuals performance in our weekly trade huddles. Regularly review variances against forecasts, identify risks and opportunities, challenge teams on performance and report to the Senior Leadership Team on overall impact against profit and key performance indicators.
● Finance Transformation: Led financial change initiatives, overseeing the transformation of finance processes for new business models including ASOS’ Partner Fulfils model, the launch of paid returns and initiation of third-party website sales, ensuring seamless integration with existing financial systems.
● Month-End and Controls Management: Oversaw month-end closing, balance sheet reconciliations, and the creation of the monthly financial control pack for the SLT, ensuring robust financial governance and control environment.
● Ownership of all revenue technical accounting, using Dynamics, Power BI, Excel and PowerPoint to a high standard.
● Through an extensive range of audits, I gained knowledge on a wide variety of standards, implementing controls and governance requirements.