Scot Johnston's Email Addresses & Phone Numbers

📖 Summary

I am a hands-on, senior finance professional with a wide variety of experience, and a sustained record of achievement in adding substantial value to UK and international businesses. Through close communication at all levels of the organisation I have designed reporting processes to provide timely and relevant management information. I have achieved this by using effective and efficient processes and controls to enhance data quality and analysis. I have invaluable experience in business partnering and internal and external reporting to a variety of stakeholders, requiring flexibility, commitment and an ability to manage multiple demands. I am a commercially aware individual, determined to secure a challenging role with a progressive organisation. During my career to date I have repeatedly achieved the following; • Upgraded departmental teams through recruitment and/or retraining • Implemented new/enhanced reporting systems providing more focused outputs • Tightened existing and introduced new financial controls • Created significant cost savings through careful management of suppliers • Reduced liability to corporate taxes through careful use of UK and international rules • Improved lines of communication • Ensured appropriate accounting policies followed by customers, as well as employer. • Created a mentality of best practice in all areas. Specialties: Business partnering, to understand the underlying fundamentals of the business, extracting and analysing the appropriate management information to support the business planning cycle. Managing operational rationalisation and process improvements in medium to small scale Financial Services organisations. Latterly this has incorporated unusual solutions to unique problems associated with a business in liquidation phase.Financial Controller @ Managing the Financial control and accounting teams in a fast paced, dynamic retail environment. Ensuring accounting controls are appropriate for a public business. Creating significant VAT savings through updating system rules to be in line with tax law. Developing and implementing best practice and value enhancing controls and processes. Focused on cash flow and balance sheet management. Recruitment of Controls team. From March 2014 to Present (1 year 10 months) Head of Community Finance Initiative @ Led the implementation of new processes, controls and infrastructure to build two new lending businesses under the control of the Local Authority. The aim was to create a professional risk-averse lender to invest in the local community. The secondary aim was to ensure the business was profitable, creating a new source of income for the Council. This was achieved by: - gaining OFT and FCA accreditation for the Consumer Credit business - negotiating and setting up new contractual relationships with third party service providers, building a client focused Customer Relationship team. - implementing FCA compliant policies and procedures for all aspects of the business - setting up infrastructure to satisfy operational as well as regulatory needs. From September 2013 to March 2014 (7 months) Bournemouth, United KingdomFinance Director @ The primary focus of my recent experience has involved the commercial aspects of the bank and the day-to-day running of the business, as well as managing the Finance Function. This is in addition to the re-engineering of the banks operations, accounting systems and outputs from "business-as-usual" accounting to security of assets, cash generation and cash flow management. New systems and processes have been designed and implemented using cost effective solutions. From June 2008 to April 2013 (4 years 11 months) London, United KingdomFinancial Controller @ The main remit of this role was to implement a new banking and accounting system, and bring best practice to the financial controls. The reporting process was greatly improved in timeliness, controls and quality, including designing a new management reports suite. A significant reduction in Corporation Tax was achieved as was a considerable reduction in volatility resulting from IAS accounting adjustments. From October 2005 to June 2008 (2 years 9 months) London, United KingdomHead of Financial Management @ Main responsibilities included the Financial, Management, Statutory, Tax and Company Secretarial reporting for 60+ UK companies in the BNP Paribas group. I also provided technical accounting advice to front office staff, largely to the Private Banking, Asset Management, Commodity Brokerage and Structured Finance businesses. Managing the Accounts Payable Function. Presenting results to UK boards of directors. Statutory reporting for UK and some foreign entities. Reporting to and liaison with FSA. Registered Person status. From November 1998 to October 2005 (7 years) London, United KingdomSenior Manager @ Group Finance Manager responsible for Coutts Private Banking, Lombard leasing and Ulster Bank. Latterly moved to FISS design project, planning implementation of new database accounting system for natWest Group. From July 1996 to November 1998 (2 years 5 months) London, United KingdomSenior Manager @ Responsible for consolidation of Overseas Branches of Barclays Bank, and production of quarterly press releases and statutory/regulatory filings in UK/US. Set up new accounting function for Corporate & institutional Banking Division following internal re-organisation. Recruiting staff, setting up new IT solutions and managing monthly reporting process. Co-opted to (GFR) new database consolidation accounting system, including planning organisational structure, managing testing phase, and ensuring smooth implementation of hardware and software as well as training of staff. From May 1992 to July 1996 (4 years 3 months) Assistant Manager @ Managing large audits for Public and Private companies as well as a few charities. Exposure to Oil Refining, Food production, Educational Establishments, etc From July 1990 to May 1992 (1 year 11 months) Southampton, United KingdomAudit Manager @ Managing accounts preparation, audits and tax computations for maionly provate companies. This often entailed incomplete records, personal as well as corporation tax, and filing of returns with the relevant authorities. industry experience included; brewery, motor vehicle sales, ferries, construction, holiday parks, etc From September 1986 to July 1990 (3 years 11 months) Southampton, United KingdomInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales From 1986 to 1990 BA Accounting, accounting @ University of Portsmouth From 1982 to 1986 Bishop Wordsworth Grammar, Salisbury From 1975 to 1982 Scot Johnston is skilled in: Hands-on Approach, Inclusive Leadership, Problem Solving, Recruiting, Team Building, Financial Services, Statutory Accounting, Regulatory Reporting, Budget Setting, Management Accounting, Technical Accounting, Hedge Accounting, UK Corporation Tax, VAT, Company Secretarial Work