Nicholas James
Santiago,Av Presidente Kennedy 3530,
Summary
Senior Multilingual Finance professional with more than 15 years of successful international experience in fast pace businesses in complex, volatile, and challenging environments with proven track record in developing and structuring Finance strategies into actionable programs, developing win-win relationships that translate into organizational alignment and faster results, ultimately focusing on improving the organizations financial results & customer experience.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
10
10
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
CFO - West South America
A.P. Moller - Maersk
Santiago
1 2017 - Current
- Member of Area Leadership Team and Board of Directors and key player in influencing business priorities and overall direction of area, based on financial insight and expertise
- Responsible for finance function covering over 20 entities across 4 countries that represent circa USD $3.5bn in revenue through 9 direct reports and total of 141 finance employees
- Providing leadership and guidance to Area Finance function, developing finance professionals capable of driving business agenda
- Accountable for quality of agency and multi brand liner books and related reporting
- Ensuring compliance with local tax and statutory regulation within area under Group COMMIT framework and strong control framework
- Maintaining strong local focus on net working capital
- Maintaining efficient working relationship with Global Service Center finance organization supporting area on accounting and reporting responsibilities
- Accountable towards Regional and Centre Finance that local statutory reporting requirements are met and filed in accordance with local accounting policies
- Accountable for local tax compliance for both local entities and liner companies operating in area
- Accountable for timely and accurate tax filing and settlements
- Lead Finance Business Partnering in Area, controlling revenue leakage and improving profitability through strong partnership with commercial functions
- Monitoring of agency cost and ensure adherence to SGA cost budgets for Area
- Enhanced cash flow management through development of robust forecasting models, ensuring optimal liquidity for business operations.
- Streamlined financial processes by implementing automation and reducing manual tasks, leading to increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Presented financial results to board members during quarterly meetings, maintaining transparency in communication regarding company performance.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization through creation of shared service center for LAM.
- Tracked cash flow and financial planning to analyze company's financial strengths and weaknesses and propose strategic directions.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
- Led budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to allocate resources strategically and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Drove revenue growth by developing strategies that maximized both sales volume and profitability.
Compliance Officer
A.P. Moller - Maersk
Guayaquil
05.2016 - 12.2016
- Responsible for establishing internal controls in line with Groups policies
- Main contact for banks, lawyers, tax consultants, auditors and other stakeholders
- Represent company in meetings with tax authority, supported as required by Regional Tax Manager and/or Centre Tax
- Ensure all Compliance & Reporting requirements to all Governmental authorities are complied with
- Overseeing all statutory tax declarations in liaison with tax consultants EY
- Improving in country processes across all departments
- Ensure effective stakeholder management with primary external stakeholders, managing unplanned visits or raids by Authorities and avoiding business disruption
- Assist in strengthening overall governance mechanism, including strategic risk management as well as internal control system
- Corporate Governance Update: Quarterly input on action plan from latest review; update on accounting, legal, labor, or fiscal risks as occur
- Provide support at Tax Authorities audits (on short notice) and handling communication, timely submission of information with deadlines, and on site explanations of any finding or simple inquiry; providing well supported and well informed guidance through process
- Extension to Group Internal Audit team and Centre Fiance team: Answering all information requests from different Departments along with GSC (e.g
- Corporate Review, Contingent Liabilities, Insurance data, Sustainability Reporting)
- Responded to employee inquiries regarding compliance regulations and procedures
Managing Director
CCC Limited
Quito
06.2010 - 04.2016
- Managing an importing, distribution and direct sales company of fashion retail products
- Overseeing all aspects of imports, sales and operations
- Delivered consistent revenue growth by identifying new business opportunities and expanding distribution channels.
- Optimized resource allocation for improved efficiency and profitability across all departments.
- Negotiating terms with new suppliers
- Responsible for all statutory reporting to shareholders
- Liaising with finance, marketing, sales, operations, and IT departments
- Responsible for all aspects of commercial decisions.
Financial Controller
Garmin
Southampton
09.2005 - 06.2010
- Reporting to country Managing Director with dotted line to Group Finance Director and CFO in US Headquarters
- Responsible for preparing statutory accounts to US GAAP rules for US parent company, as well as IFRS for UK purposes
- Liaising with group auditors E&Y and achieving clean audit reports in all years concerned
- Liaising with tax accountants in order to find significant tax savings (£3M) through First Sale for Export (FSFE) scheme
- Responsible for completing required Sarbanes Oxley documentation for UK operation
- Assisting tax accountants in preparation of company's Corporation Tax Return
- Working closely with E&Y auditors on all aspects to ensure timely and accurate reporting
- Challenging marketing, supply chain & sales teams to find efficiencies and improve working processes
- Responsible for all aspects of commercial finance, including management reporting, business analysis and support
- Integral part of joint management boards at EMEA level
- Significantly reduced advertising, personnel and other operating expenses during tough economic climate
- Responsible for preparing and presentation of UK, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa budgets to corporate head office
- Led finance team successfully through major reorganization
- Training and standardization of monthly reporting across groups 7 new european subsidiaries
- Exposure to other European country operations which included successful overseeing of month and quarter ends.
- Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining processes and implementing efficient financial controls.
- Oversaw all aspects of month-end close process, ensuring timely completion of accurate financial statements for executive review.
- Contributed to development of long-term strategic plans by providing executive management with accurate financial data and forecasts.
Senior Auditor
BDO UK LLP
Guildford
01.2001 - 08.2005
- Managed multiple concurrent audits, effectively prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines without compromising quality
- Implemented best practices in auditing procedures through continuous learning and professional development activities
- Evaluated accuracy of financial reporting systems, identifying areas for improvement and recommending corrective actions
Education
ACCA - Audit & Accountancy
ACCA
UK 01.2003 - 05.2007
Bachelor's Degree - Business Administration & International Marketing
USFQ
Ecuador 01.1995 - 05.2000
Skills
Working capital management
Strategic financial planning
Tax Planning and Strategy
Mergers and Acquisitions Experience
Financial Reporting
Financial Management
Business Forecasting
Strategic Planning
Corporate leadership
Risk Management
Organizational Skills
Financial Leadership
Timeline
Compliance Officer
A.P. Moller - Maersk
05.2016 - 12.2016
Managing Director
CCC Limited
06.2010 - 04.2016
Financial Controller
Garmin
09.2005 - 06.2010
ACCA - Audit & Accountancy
ACCA
01.2003 - 05.2007
Senior Auditor
BDO UK LLP
01.2001 - 08.2005
Bachelor's Degree - Business Administration & International Marketing
USFQ
01.1995 - 05.2000
CFO - West South America
A.P. Moller - Maersk
1 2017 - Current
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