Tom Whiteman Acma, Cgma, Executive Mba Email & Phone Number

London, England, Gb

London Area, United Kingdom

Co-Founder of a UK based accounting practice specializing in supporting local SMEs to grow their businesses in a changing and challenging economic environment.

London Area, United Kingdom

Responsible for the accounting services for all UK and European entities; leading teams in management accounting, group reporting, stock management and operations (credit control and accounts payable), and providing Transition Service Agreement support to former group companies.High-profile role that supports the Group Finance Director, Executive Directors, extended senior leadership team, and senior managers across the business; heavily involved in the growth and development of the brand, including involvement in the implementation of new systems.Working closely with the Administrators to secure maximum asset recovery for the Company and supporting with information requests linked to a new buyer.

London, England, United Kingdom

Parachuted back into the UK organization to resolve issues with the company’s statutory reporting. Utilized financial reporting skillset, demonstrated strong knowledge of accounting standards and financial management principles to file accounts 6 months ahead of schedule.

Hong Kong Sar

Identified to be a leader in the APAC Hub project team within the Business Tech function, spearheading the successful roll-out of a new operating system within the retail organization across all APAC markets (11 different countries in total).Drove digital transformation initiatives within the finance, controlling and store operations functions, leveraging technology to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reporting capabilities. Identified opportunities for automation and process improvement to streamline financial operations and lead the project towards unprecedented success and exceptional results.Outstanding achievements:• Outstanding project management skills enabled us to go live in 9 markets within a year – a remarkable accomplishment that set a new precedent for the company;• Extraordinary success meant we had group level sign off to add two markets to our scope which solidified our position as a high performing team;• Cultural intelligence proved invaluable in ensuring seamless collaboration between the project and local teams. My extensive research into the diverse backgrounds and different way of working between project and local teams enabled me to deliver market-specific insights, translating in the project’s outstanding success;• Agility as a leader shone through while overcoming numerous hurdles faced during the project, including covid travel bans, WH closures before going live, performance challenges in local teams and hardware shortages. My forward-thinking agile leadership skills were crucial in securing the successful launch of the project.

Hong Kong Sar

Provided critical financial support across various functions, working to identify opportunities for growth and efficiency improvements. Acted as finance business partner to the Regional CFO and function heads providing advice on business cases and project appraisals as well as working with local treasury teams to set up lines of credit for H&M China and helping repatriate cash back to the H&M Group during Covid lockdowns in Europe.Outstanding achievements:• Applied cash-flow management initiatives to generate RMB 50m in positive cash flow by renegotiating supplier payment terms, demonstrating my financial acumen;• Used problem-solving skills to identify RMB 100m discrepancies in the annual inventory result, preventing substantial incorrect write-offs, where I presented my findings presented at H&M Group board level;• Identified opportunities to increase selling in China stores by offering payment in installments;• Experience in entrepreneurship was put to good use as I scoped out and presented a business plan for a B2B selling model in China;• Tendered and appointed a new travel management software provider;• Rolled out a new contract management portal for Greater China.

Hong Kong Sar

Operated as the right-hand to the Regional CFO taking responsibility for the P&L in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan sales markets; providing strategic guidance and financial analysis for new initiatives, product launches and new store expansions. Oversaw the process for setting goals on selling, efficiency and profitability in the region; influenced the commercial agenda and took responsibility for talent management and succession planning in the controlling team. Responsible for preparation and presentation of accurate financial reports, including sales reports, budget analysis, and forecasts, to the executive team. Moved easily between strategic thinking and detailed execution; implementing a forward-thinking, ‘hands-on’ mindset.Outstanding achievements:• Identified selling opportunities relevant to the China market such as couples’ outfits, a unisex collection, which was successfully rolled-out in multiple stores in China generating additional revenue.• Introduced new ways of working with budgets and cost follow up, driving cost savings of 4%. Supported function heads during budget periods, identifying opportunities and challenging them to identify cost savings, showcasing critical thinking skills.

London, England, United Kingdom

Responsible for the entire finance function (30 headcount) for the UK & IE business, including cash flow and financial planning, credit control, commercial finance, accounts receivable and accounts payable, tax and property accounting and payroll. Developed and implemented financial strategies which drove business growth and profitability such as reviewing the capital allowances strategy with the expansion department. Collaborated with the leadership team to develop and execute the company's financial and commercial strategy, identifying opportunities for revenue growth, cost optimisation, and operational efficiency.Used my leadership skills to drive the accounting and payroll teams in securing optimal operation and business compliance while enabling team members to achieve personal goals. Ensured compliance with international tax regulations and oversaw the company's tax planning and reporting activities. Liaised with external tax advisors to optimize tax strategies and manage tax risks associated with local and inter-company operations.Outstanding achievements:• Achieved 82% in the Great Place to Work survey in my first year, demonstrating how I can transform teams and drive permanent change.• Generated £1.6m in positive cashflow by implementing a review of capital allowance bookkeeping; acting as an informal business partner to function heads, providing technical analysis and generating business cases.

Major Achievements• Used relationships with trade suppliers to negotiate payment plans which supported the company’s cash flow requirements.• Mentored four colleagues through their professional accounting examinations and secured they got the right work experience to complete their qualification. Key Responsibilities • Oversee the production of the annual statutory accounts pack including audit files, statutory accounts calculations and first draft of the Financial Statements.• Responsible for the preparation of the monthly management accounts including presenting to the Finance Director.• Head of the Cash Committee, a weekly meeting of the Board to review the cash forecast• To manage the annual budget and quarterly forecast process; including bottom up and top down budgeting.

Executive Mba

Accounting And Business/Management

B.Sc (Hons), Mathematics