Matthew Smith Email & Phone Number

Hong Kong Sar

Hong Kong Sar

As the Commercial Finance Director for Uniplan across Greater China, I am responsible for all commercial activities of the business, including overseeing our contracting arrangements, helping to maintain strong margins across our projects and responsibility for our Procurement function. I also act as the Finance Director for the Hong Kong business, overseeing all accounting, reporting and treasury functions.

Hong Kong

As Company Director and Finance Director, reporting to CFO Asia Pacific, I was responsible for financial, operational, legal, compliance and HR matters across all Hong Kong IPG DXTRA Agencies (Weber Shandwick, Golin and Jack Morton). I operated as Lead Advisor, managing all IPG network and statutory reporting to ensure full compliance with all local and international accounting and IPG standard policies and procedures. I directly managed a team of 8 staff, Financial Controller, 2 Senior Business Controllers, 3 Project Accountants, Payroll Manager and HR Manager, interacting with Shared Service Centre to optimize 2-way reporting. I regularly collaborated with and advise Managing Directors regarding pricing, new business, P&L drivers, staff costs, utilization, cash flow management, variance analysis and review of key metrics to ensure all Agencies are aligned and positioned to achieve future, profitable and sustainable growth. I was accountable for all annual budgets, quarterly forecasting processes and development of key metrics to drive business decision making while focusing on advanced risk identification and mitigation.Key achievements included:◼ Promoted project management as key business discipline, driving implementation of tools to assist Account teams with scoping and tracking of all projects.◼ Focus on margin protection through enhanced commercial finance processes and training, deployment of resource management tools and tightening of OPEX.◼ Oversaw transition to shared service center for all IPG DXTRA transactional accounting processes.◼ Led office relocation for all DXTRA Agencies, leading P&L, CAPEX, office design and logistics.Skills: Cash Flow Management, Variance Analysis, Sustainable Growth, Annual Budgets, Quarterly Forecasting, Business Decision Making, Risk Identification, Risk Mitigation, Project Contribution Margin.

Shanghai

As Commercial Finance and Procurement Director, reporting to CEO Asia Pacific, I was responsible for managing Imagination commercial finance function in APAC, focusing on Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Shell accounts across the region. I was tasked to improve client procurement relationships, corporate governance and internal controls while overseeing wider regional commercial operations. I managed a team of 5 reports, focusing on daily accounts across AR, AP, GL and management accounting, responsible for daily management accounting activities, commercial controls and optimization to uncover areas for business performance improvements.Key achievements include:◼ Aided regional MDs with all financial matters, key regional projects, client / vendor contract reviews.◼ Helped to implement Maconomy as new ERP system, leading system development, training / roll out.◼ Significantly improved agency margins and aided China to grow new business annually / YOY.◼ Implemented new procurement function and mitigated compliance risks. Rationalized vendor spending, drafted new strategy and governance policies. Succeeded in reducing external spending while expanding supplier base to improve margin.Skills: Commercial Finance, Client Procurement Relationships, Corporate Governance, Management Accounting, Commercial Controls, Business Performance Improvements, Regional Projects, Vendor Contract Reviews, New ERP Systems, System Development, Agency Margins.

Hong Kong

As Finance and Operations Manager Asia Pacific, reporting to CEO Asia Pacific, I was responsible for APAC financial controls, initially providing maternity cover, to then become Finance and Operations Manager, leading APAC Commercial Finance team reporting to CEO regarding Singapore, HK, China and India finances. I was required to operate as Member of Global Group Operations Board, providing regular updates to Global teams on all APAC finance, key projects, IT, HR and key operational issues. I directly managed a team of 6 staff, being Financial Controller, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Assistant Accountant and 2 Commercial Managers, controlling daily accounts, delivering performance targets with additional commercial focus to maintain fully optimized accounting.Key achievements include:◼ Improved WIP and project cashflow management to eliminate aged balances and stabilize cash position.◼ Strengthened internal controls and maintained audit preparedness / full compliance across all regions.◼ Completed full payroll systems and processing reviews that ensured accurate and timely staff payments. Skills: Financial Controls, Daily Accounts, Performance Targets, Optimized Accounting, New Business Processes , Accounting Policies, Internal Controls, Audit Preparedness, Compliance, Cashflow Management, Aged Balances.

London, United Kingdom

London

London, United Kingdom

Uiwang, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea