Simon Austin Email & Phone Number

Liverpool, Gb

Printing and reprographic service business (T/O £30m) with 26 branches nationwide, also providing on-site print/document management facilities to the construction industry and bespoke document management services to the legal sector.Key achievements:- Reconciled all group balance sheet positions and brought all balances on ledger for the first time in readiness for year end audit, managing this process through to completion of audit- Prepared Plc budgets for financial year 2014- Established new month end accounts procedures resulting in much enhanced financial controls and reporting across the business- Rebuilt monthly accounts reporting packs to enable more efficient and accurate month end financial reporting- Reduced power costs across the group by £15k pa by negotiating 2 year fixed rate deal with energy provider

Property sales, lettings, and management, mainly in the Merseyside area.Responsibilities/achievements:- Oversee finance function- Monthly reporting to directors- Strengthened and improved block management finance- Reduced block management debts by more than £150k- Brought block reporting for major blocks up to date- Manage statutory accounts and audit process- Represent Andrew Louis at meetings with directors of residential management cos. and AGM's.

Leyland, Lancashire, Gb

Short-term contract to assist in developing a £7m cost-saving plan for the Utility Maintenance Division of the company and reporting on its implementation to the Board.

Digital media company operating dedicated TV channel broadcast in doctors' surgeries, schools and other public establishments, providing targeted media for clients mainly in the health sector.Key achievements:- Produced business plan within four weeks of starting job for purpose of a £1.7m new equity raise- Managed due diligence process in connection with a new £2.7m equity raise- Implemented new processes within finance function, including improved treasury management and reporting, significantly improved control over stock and network assets, and the provision of detailed management reports on the performance of the business by revenue stream and department - Automated production of management accounts and other financial reporting using Sun Accounts and VisionResponsibilities:- Managing group finance function- Treasury management and reporting, including cash forecasting- Preparation of long-term business plans with monthly forecasting- Preparation of financials to assist with raising finance, including meeting with lenders – over £2m raised- Manage statutory accounts process and liaise with auditors and tax advisers- Financial reporting for new South African joint venture company- Attendance at regular meetings of senior management to discuss operational issues- Company secretarial duties including dealing with documentation/notices for new equity raises- Review of all statutory returns to both Companies House and HMRC- Overseeing credit control function

Major commercial property developer/investor, with serviced land division.Financial Controller of Heron Land Developments Ltd (serviced land company), with responsibility for financial reporting for the UK commercial properties, Heron City Stockholm, and a French development project. Three direct reports.Key achievements:- Providing key financial support for the re-financing of a Swedish investment property, resulting in the securing of £45m of bank finance - Improving cash collection from debtors resulting in the recovery of £140,000 of back-dated service charges due from a sub-lessee.Responsibilities:- Property development and investment appraisals/valuations to assist in raising finance, including involvement in meetings with letting agents, managing agents, internal project managers and quantity surveyors on new projects- Dealing with corporate finance issues and reporting, including liaising closely with senior management, tax department and banks- Cost control and reporting in respect of development/investment projects- Managing the financial reporting from Heron’s Swedish leisure/retail centre- Review of monthly management accounts and statutory accounts, and reporting to the Board- Annual budget preparation and cash flow forecasting- Annual calculation of Heron Corporation management recharges to operating companies- Preparation/review of P11D’s for all staff and VAT/CIS returns, and assisting with corporation tax returns- General financial control of purchase/sales ledgers and credit control management.

Major residential property developer operating in the Greater London area.Responsibilities:- Preparing monthly management accounts and board papers and monthly reporting to Berkeley Group plc- Attendance at monthly meetings with senior management to discuss operational issues- All year-end statutory and plc reporting- Maintaining accounting and budgetary data on Berkeley mainframe system- Providing information on sales exchanges and build progress- Preparing monthly sales and marketing budgets- Administering the computer network within the company- Overseeing the running of purchase and sub-contractor ledger functions.

Medium-sized regional firm of chartered accountants.Audit/accounts manager, dealing with clients ranging from small owner-managed businesses to medium-sized multi-million pound turnover organisations. Responsibilities included audit and accounts preparation, as well as tax computations and special project work.

B.A (Hons.) Degree Class 2.2, Accounting And Financial Analysis

Education record