Objective
Obtain a management level position that encompasses finance/accounting activites possibly with a risk management element.
Experience
RSA INSURANCE IRELAND LIMITED, Dublin, Ireland • 2004-2009
5th largest insurer in Ireland with $650 million in annual premiums and 500 employees; group globally has premium revenues of $13 billion and 22,000 employees.
Interim CFO / Independent Contract Consultant in Corporate Accounting, 2008-2009
Charged with supervising finance functions of recently acquired insurance company with annual written premiums of $55 million and 45 employees. Managed Financial Controller, Accountant, and Data Management staff person. Completed annual corporate operating plan and budgeting and forecasting process for local and Group Board. Ensured compliance with all statutory and regulatory obligations and reporting deadlines.
• Spearheaded capture of additional $2.5 million in profits by executing restatement based on establishment and identification of previously overstated unreported loss reserves.
• Integrated all accounting functions of acquired company into principal company.
• Shortened reporting process by 2 days per month to meet internal reporting delivery deadlines.
• Reversed record of chronic failure to meet group reporting deadlines; met all quarterly group reporting deadlines.
• Won Board confidence by improving accuracy of accounting data in acquired company.
• Improved quality and timeliness of statutory reporting in acquired company; identified previous year errors on backing schedules untied to lead schedules.
Financial Planning & Analysis / Independent Contract Consultant, 2005-2008
Served as financial business-partner for business process reorganization (BPR) projects with expenditures ranging up to $60 million. Performed financial analysis and evaluation of potential strategic partnerships, joint- ventures and acquisitions. Held role as sole finance representative on project teams. Collected data and prepared annual business plan.
• Monitored and reported to Board on $40 million in annual benefits accruing from business change programs.
• Played key role in $200+ million in new revenues by preparing financial analysis on joint-venture programs.
• Influenced additional $60 million in revenues with $25 million investment by preparing financial analysis on acquisitions.
• Designed expenditure approval process for new business transformation modules with $60 million in total expenditures on such projects.
Interim Controller / Independent Contract Consultant, 2004-2005
Managed all functions of Finance Department, including financial and regulatory reporting, credit control, treasury, and payables. Managed and developed 3 Team Managers and 50 indirect reports. Implemented and monitored group risk and operating policies. Coordinated Sarbanes Oxley review and annual external audit performed by 3rd parties. Reported to Finance Director.
• Developed and introduced Staff Expenses Manual.
CONSULTANT, Austin, Texas, Houston, Texas, and Dublin, Ireland • 2001-2004
Initiate, structure, and conduct financial and business consulting services for clients. Negotiate contract terms, project scope and client management. Key projects include:
TEXAS STATE AUDITOR’S OFFICE, Austin, Texas, 2003-2004
Performed as Senior Auditor during busy year-end period.
• Reviewed cost effectiveness of contracts, representing expenditures in $100’s of millions for provision of prescription medications to Texas State employees.
DIVAD INTERNATIONAL PLC., Dublin, Ireland, 2003
Prepared business records and financial statements for this company with $7 million in annual revenues.
• Played key role in securing additional bank funding by preparing business plan and cash flows.
GULF LIQUIDS NEW RIVER PROJECT LLC, Houston, Texas, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003
Served as Product Accountant (2002-2003) and Senior Project Accountant (2001-2002) for this chemical production company that manufactured in a joint-venture arrangement with a large multinational petrochemical producer.
• Designed and implemented all production reporting formats (Excel); coordinated and delivered monthly reporting to joint-venture partners; reconciled joint-venture partner’s and the company’s production numbers on monthly basis.
• Led team of 4 in Great Plains general ledger conversion project; managed population of job cost ledger and reconciliation to final financial statements.
• Completed $75 million business interruption insurance claim.
BLUECURRENT LLC, Austin/Houston, Texas, 2002
As European Logistics Manager, managed supply chain for this computer hardware and software deployment company. Interfaced extensively with large US multi-nationals.
• Negotiated logistics contracts with 3rd party providers for transportation and storage facilities.
• Established on-site software installation site at major hardware manufacturer’s principal European manufacturing site with 40 application-loading ports; managed several successful large on-site hardware and software installations in the UK.
• Designed inventory control processes to protect client assets in company’s custody at 3rd party facilities.
RICHARDS HOGG LINDLEY, Houston, Texas • 1998-2001
Marine claims management company and part of a UK-based global group; Houston office managed US and Latin American regions before closing in 2001; annual revenues of $15 million and 12 employees in Houston office.
Vice President of Finance & Business Development
Directed all financial activities. Other responsibilities included; business development, office administration, and human resources. Developed and managed 5 direct reports. Prepared annual budget for submission to headquarters office in London.
• Issued $200,000 in additional back billing after updating company’s Timeslips application records.
• Cleared 2-3 month backlog on general ledger material journals and 6-8 months on lesser ones.
• Reduced overheads by $200,000 annually by renegotiating 3rd party vendor contracts and implementing tighter expense control processes.
• Upgraded reporting processes and financial control levels to meet requirements of company headquarters in London.
• Improved receivables period by 30% and drove 1% bad debt write-offs.
• Delivered feasibility study for new office in Mexico City.
CAREER NOTE: Additional previous professional background includes the following. More details are available upon request.
IFIS (International Facilities Insurance Services) OF TEXAS, INC. – Wholesale Insurance Broker/MGA.
ABERDEEN INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. – Retail Insurance Broker.
TOWER INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. - Wholesale Insurance Broker/MGA.
Independent Contract Consultant – Financial and insurance broking/marketing responsibilities, 1995-1998
FRANK B. HALL & CO.
V.P. of Finance at Retail Insurance Broker, 1990-1992
MARSH & MCLENNAN CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT SERVICES (Bermuda) LIMITED.
Account Manager – Captive Insurance Company management responsibilities, 1988-1990
COOPERS & LYBRAND, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS (Now merged with PriceWaterhouse to form PWC)
Trainee Chartered Accountant – Audit, Insolvency, Taxation, Accounts Preparation with Big 4 Global Public Accounting Firm, 1980-1986
Education
Fellow of Institute Of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (FCA)
INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN IRELAND, Dublin, Ireland.
Certification
Fellow of Institute Of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (FCA)
INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS IN IRELAND, Dublin, Ireland.
Skils
Financial Analysis • Strategic Planning • Accounting and Financial Operations • Budget Planning • M&A • P&L Forecasting • Internal Controls • Expense Control • Business Plans • Financial Statements • General Ledger
Mergers and Acquisitions • Operational Streamlining • Policy Development • Project Management • Reporting
Start-up Ops • Risk Management • Financial Consulting • Staff Management • Sales Forecasting • Event Planning
Most of my insurance experience has been with agancies and claims management companies that specialized in the marine insurance sector. In addition, I managed the captive insurance company of Tidewater, Inc. while I was in Bermuda. More than 20 years of financial and accounting management in start-ups and established multinational companies across diverse industries with deep experience in the insurance industry. A big-picture strategist with keen ability to partner finance with operations and business development objectives in order to drive revenue and profit growth. Expert qualifications in all facets of finance and accounting, including financial planning and analysis, administration, internal controls, mergers and acquisitions, budgeting, project management and SOX compliance. Superb leadership capabilities. High degree of competency in Spanish.