Linzi Cleary
Alexandria,West Dunbartonshire
Summary
Accomplished professional with a robust understanding of the FMCG industry, demonstrating expertise in core accounting and bookkeeping principles. Adept at presenting data clearly to support strategic business decisions, with a proactive approach to managing and mitigating potential issues. Possesses strong interpersonal skills, excels as a team player, and is proficient in Microsoft Office, Essebase, and Oracle. Known for critical thinking, time management, and organisational skills, with a keen attention to detail. Analytical Analyst skilled in transforming complex data into actionable insights. Enhanced operational efficiency and supported strategic decision-making through impactful data analysis and innovative solutions. Known for delivering clear, concise reports that guide business strategies and drive measurable improvements in performance. Career goals include leveraging skills to drive business growth and innovation
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2029
2029
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Cost to Manufacture Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
Glasgow
10.2021 - 04.2025
- Provide dedicated financial support for Manufacturing function and ensure full understanding of Cost to Manufacture (CTM) performance is conveyed clearly and concisely to senior management team within Finance.
- Execution of month-end close - includes posting financial adjustments as required, and collating data for reporting/analysis (manufacturing variances, volume, operational KPI's)
- Preparation of monthly cost pool analysis and commentary, for issue to and review with senior Manufacturing team.
- Support preparation of full monthly Manufacturing & Supply Chain pack
- Develop & maintain models to support detailed reporting/ budgeting/ forecasting of Manufacturing costs and headcount (predominantly managed by HR)
- Key contact for financial management of temporary resource - liaise with Agency providers to ensure accurate, timely invoicing and backup data for analysis
- Key contact for Engineering - regular attendance at team meetings, providing support for management of Repairs & Maintenance and Stores activity.
- Key contributor to rolling forecast cycle - engagement with budget holders to determine forward-looking costs and evaluate risks/opportunities vs current targets, responsibility for ensuring data is complete and accurate in Finance databases, and preparation of summaries for review.
- Collation and submission of HQ CTM KPI's relating to half-year actuals and full year budget. Prepare cost evolution, including detailed commentary.
- Key point of contact for all financial queries within scope of Cost to Manufacture (CTM)
- Ensure integrity of all financial information relating to Manufacturing.
- Assist with annual standard cost setting process
- Support development/execution of continuous improvement initiatives
- Developed predictive models, increasing future business insights.
- Collaborated across departments for cohesive report development.
- Created comprehensive reports, aiding in strategic planning.
- Maintained utmost accuracy whilst handling sensitive data,.
Financial Planning and Report Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
Glasgow
06.2018 - 10.2021
- After almost 2 years within P&R team and developing skillset promotion from junior role, which lead to more ownership within team, taking on various other Structure cost areas to manage which led to reporting directly to company executives.
- Primary analyst for full Transfer Price process, this led to being involved in several key projects - new brand acquisitions, new company set up along with process improvements in current system ways of working and implementation of new tools both at company and group level.
- Analyst for Margin reporting, for biggest brand company of Parent company.
Junior Financial Planning and Report Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
Glasgow
10.2016 - 06.2018
- Part of Planning & Reporting team who had a collective responsibility for delivery of required financial submissions to parent company respecting guidelines and deadlines.
- Participated in all P&L monthly consolidated reporting, coordinating with wider department to ensure appropriate inputs were received, consolidated, presented for review. Responsible for co-ordination of month end reporting processes ensuring close communication with Finance community to ensure that all key control reports are completed on time.
- Collated monthly control and exec packs for P&R team and Senior team to review prior to Exec meetings.
- Financial support to Budget Holders within SG&A, during all planning and reporting scenarios in addition to day-to-day activities, including all Balance Sheet reconciliations.
- Full responsibility for accuracy and integrity of monthly results, ensuring that all journals and reports are produced within deadlines.
- Ensure that all core financial systems are populated with accurate data for use in planning and reporting scenarios. This also involved supporting others within wider team..
- Support Transfer Prices setting for fiscal years of products to markets, with primary responsibility for daily Transfer price queries and processes. In addition to this ad hoc updates and changes to processes.
Expenses Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
Glasgow
10.2015 - 10.2016
- Overall responsibility for download, reconciliation, audit and posting of company, travel and entertainment and purchasing card transactions (150 cardholders) . This includes statement vs expenses reconciliation, performing full audit of all expenses submitted, induction training to business, on company card policy and procedures, spend analysis, processing monthly accruals, monitoring and publication of card KPIs, key liaison with card issuer, regular review of spend limits. All month end reporting and reconciliations in addition to any Ad hoc tasks on request.
- Process improvement was key objective in this role; feasibility study performed and implementation of electronic expenses claim through ERP from historical paper based system.
- With one direct report, Expenses Auditor.
Expenses Auditor
Chivas Brothers LTD
Glasgow
10.2013 - 10.2015
- Fully audit all cardholder expense claims (circa 150 per month) ensuring compliance with company policy, whilst ensuring all VAT is being accounted for correctly within expenses module. Timely and accurate posting of all card transactions, including cash claims. Update cardholders on current issues and all expense card admin tasks with provider.
- Responsible for company wide training on expenses process and procedures.
AP Processor
Chivas Brothers LTD
Glasgow
06.2013 - 10.2013
- Worked within team that handled 100k+ invoices, responsible for all aspects of getting invoices matched or authorised to all entry onto ERP and payment processed, ensuring correct supplier code is used, VAT treatment etc. Disputed invoices to be highlighted and appropriate escalation processes adhered to.
- Reconciliation of monthly statements of account from suppliers in accordance with agreed programme. Handling all queries directly with suppliers whilst develop relationships with credit control staff at key suppliers. In addition to maintaining high level of communication with business managers to enable speedy resolution of invoice queries.
- Ad hoc tasks and process improvements such as, feasibility/testing and implementation of Supplier Self billing to company, which consisted of testing current ERP system to ensure full compatibility and specific requirements could be actioned to allow functional new process to supplier and CBL.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Accounting with sandwich placement
University of The West of Scotland
Glasgow 09.2009 - 06.2013
Diploma in Managment Accounting - Management Accounting
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Glasgow11.2016
Skills
- Sound business knowledge of FMCG industry
- Critical thinker
- Good time management
- Good organization and attention to detail
- Proactive and able to manage and mitigate against potential issues
- Experienced in all core accounting and book-keeping principles
- Able to develop creative solutions to problems
- Present data in relevant and clear manner that can support business decisions
- Self-Motivated
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Good team player
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Proficient in Essebase
- Proficient in Oracle
Timeline
Cost to Manufacture Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
10.2021 - 04.2025
Financial Planning and Report Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
06.2018 - 10.2021
Junior Financial Planning and Report Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
10.2016 - 06.2018
Expenses Analyst
Chivas Brothers LTD
10.2015 - 10.2016
Expenses Auditor
Chivas Brothers LTD
10.2013 - 10.2015
AP Processor
Chivas Brothers LTD
06.2013 - 10.2013
Bachelor's Degree - Accounting with sandwich placement
University of The West of Scotland
09.2009 - 06.2013
Diploma in Managment Accounting - Management Accounting
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
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