Mark Sterling
London
Summary
Having worked in the accounting and finance industry for over 40 years I have collaborated in almost every sector providing Accounting and Financial solutions, creating systems and procedures to starts-ups as well as established businesses to produce profitable outcomes and see company owners achieve their ambitions whilst maintaining compliance and best practice.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounting Analyst
Self-employeed
London
07.1992 - Current
- Sage Specialist and Previously a Reseller of Sage
- Enhanced financial accuracy by conducting thorough analysis and reconciliation of accounts.
- Streamlined accounting processes for increased efficiency and reduced errors.
- Improved financial reporting timeliness by automating data input and report generation tasks.
- Provided valuable insights to management, supporting strategic decision-making with comprehensive financial analysis..
- Managed multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring timely completion and accurate results in a fast-paced environment.
- Safeguarded company assets by identifying and mitigating potential risks through rigorous internal controls review and implementation.
- Optimized budgeting processes, collaborating with department heads to develop accurate forecasts and allocations.
- Developed customized financial models to assist in the evaluation of new business opportunities, maximizing profitability potential.
- Assisted external auditors during annual reviews, providing detailed documentation and clarification on complex accounting issues.
- Mentored junior team members, sharing knowledge and expertise to promote professional growth within the department.
- Contributed to cost reduction initiatives by analyzing expenses and recommending more efficient alternatives where applicable.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of accounting regulations, industry standards, and best practices through continuous professional development activities.
- Implemented new accounting software, leading to improved data organization and accessibility for end users within the organization.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements by accurately preparing required filings on a timely basis.
- Collaborated with IT department to resolve system-related issues impacting financial reporting capabilities efficiently.
- Analyzed variances between actuals versus budgets/forecasts for informed decision making on corrective actions if needed.
- Participated in company-wide process improvement initiatives designed to enhance overall operational efficiencies across all departments.
- Prepared quarterly balance sheet reconciliations to obtain accurate picture of organization's financial situation.
- Assisted Director of Finance and Controller with [MBOs] and [Credit Options] special projects to obtain additional decision-making data.
- Identified system errors and applied established company policies and procedures to resolve issues.
- Filed [Year End] tax returns, remittance statements and payroll deductions promptly to conform to predetermined standards.
- Prepared [Accruals/Prepayments] and [Fixed Assets] schedules for year-end audits to comply with accounting standards.
- Delivered reports to company leaders focusing on financial accounting, cost accounting and sales data to guarantee that organizational objectives aligned with daily operations management.
- Invoiced customers for purchases of goods and services to adhere to accounting standards and generate revenues.
- Maintained strict client confidentiality in personal, telephone and email interactions to comply with preset standards and GDPR regulations.
- Reconciled accounts, managed audits and updated financial records with remarkable accuracy.
- Developed monthly, quarterly and annual profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
- Gathered, evaluated and summarized account data in detailed financial reports.
- Streamlined bookkeeping procedures to increase efficiency and productivity.
- Generated invoices upon receipt of billing information and tracked collection progress.
- Matched purchase orders with invoices and recorded necessary information.
- Implemented new accounting processes to decrease spending and work flow downtime.
- Strengthened financial operations by conducting bank reconciliations and financial reporting.
- Compiled budget figures by reviewing past budgets, evaluating estimated income, and assessing expenses.
- Created detailed expense reports to facilitate reimbursement for business expenses incurred.
- Input financial data and produced reports using Sage, Pegasus and Sun Systems.
- Maintained excellent financial standings by working closely with and training bookkeeper to process business transactions.
- Inspected account books and recorded transactions.
- Effectively communicated with clients about payment needs and kept updated, detailed and accurate ledgers.
- Managed complex problem-solving for upper management in order to complete projects on-time and within budget.
- Streamlined daily reporting information entry for efficient record keeping purposes.
- Tracked financial progress by creating quarterly and yearly balance sheets.
- All resulting in successful clients with improved profitability and a more cohesive company.
Financial Controller
Hansa Shipping
London
06.1990 - 06.1992
- Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining processes and implementing efficient financial controls.
- Reduced operating costs through meticulous budget management and cost analysis.
- Enhanced cash flow management with timely accounts receivable monitoring and collections efforts.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory requirements by conducting thorough internal audits and implementing necessary corrective actions.
- Oversaw all aspects of the month-end close process, ensuring timely completion of accurate financial statements for executive review.
- Spearheaded the implementation of new accounting software, resulting in increased efficiency and improved financial tracking capabilities.
- Developed comprehensive financial models for strategic planning and decision-making purposes.
- Collaborated closely with department heads to establish accurate budgets and monitor performance against targets.
- Managed a team of finance professionals, providing guidance, support, and ongoing training to ensure continued growth and development.
Assistant Financial Controller
Pegasus Holidays
London
06.1988 - 05.1990
- Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining the month-end close process and implementing new accounting procedures.
- Assisted in budget preparation and management, ensuring alignment with company goals and objectives.
- Conducted financial analysis to identify cost savings opportunities and drive business growth.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for accurate revenue forecasting and expense tracking.
- Streamlined reconciliation processes for general ledger accounts, increasing efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting.
- Provided support during annual budgeting cycles by preparing detailed variance analyses and explanations for senior leadership review.
- Enhanced profitability through comprehensive reviews of product pricing strategies and cost structures with C level team
- Worked closely with operations teams to improve inventory management practices, resulting in reduced carrying costs without impacting service levels or customer satisfaction.
- Prepared monthly balance sheet account reconciliations to ensure accurate reporting of assets and liabilities for subsidiaries.
- Collaborated with IT teams to implement system enhancements that improved data accuracy and availability for financial reporting purposes.
- Completed journal entries, reconciliations, and account analysis to prepare quarterly financial documents and general account management.
- Supported financial director with special projects and additional job duties.
- Reporting on ABTA/CAA returns and Travel insurance Reports.
- Prepared cash flow projections, cost analysis and monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
- Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans.
- Reviewed historical records, current operational data and forecasting information to identify and capitalize on system enhancement opportunities.
Semi Senior Audit Assistant
Charles Stuart And Co Auditors And Accountants
London
02.1987 - 05.1988
- Incomplete recording accounting.
- Enhanced audit accuracy by meticulously reviewing financial statements and records for compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Streamlined audit processes through the implementation of advanced software tools, reducing time spent on manual tasks.
- Identified significant cost-saving opportunities for clients by analyzing expense reports and suggesting improvements in financial management practices.
- Strengthened internal controls by evaluating business processes and recommending necessary changes to mitigate risks effectively.
- Conducted detailed tests of account balances, assessing the validity and appropriateness of transactions recorded in financial systems.
- Presented clear and concise audit findings to senior management, highlighting key issues that required immediate attention.
- Maintained strong working relationships with clients throughout the audit process, addressing concerns promptly to ensure satisfaction with services provided.
- Assisted in the preparation of annual audit schedules, ensuring timely completion of engagements across multiple industry sectors.
- Assisted in the preparation of comprehensive audit reports, clearly outlining key findings and recommendations for client action.
- Managed multiple concurrent engagements effectively, prioritizing tasks and resources to meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
- Performed auditing work in accordance with rigorous auditing standards and principles.
- Performed extensive assessments of assets, liabilities and equity to verify accuracy in financial reports.
- Created thorough audit reports with results, recommendations and conclusions.
- Prepared year-end journal entries to prepare for annual audit.
- Prepared balance sheets.
- Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
- Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
- Kept up-to-date with tax changes and industry trends by participating in professional organizations, opportunities, and networks.
Education
No Degree - ACCA
BPP
LondonAssociate of Science - Accounting And Finance
Schillers International University
London02.1987
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance and Statutory Reporting
- Financial Recordkeeping and Forecasting
- Project Management and Inventory Management
- Accounting Operations Processes and Accounts Analysis
- Proficient in [Sun Systems, Pegasus Accounting Sage Accounting, Payroll and Project/Job Costing ,Timesheet, Excel ,Lotus 123]
- Accounting Principles
- Financial Statement Analysis and Auditing
- Financial Data Analysis and Variance Analysis
- Microsoft Excel Proficiency
- Expense Tracking
- Fixed Asset Management
- Payroll Processing
- Financial Reporting
- Purchase Orders
- Sage 50
Walking, Running, Travel, Languages
I enjoy walking and have set-up a Pacers walking group with over 700 members who share their daily walking experiences through photos and stories
I also have a passion for travel and try to combine that with my other passion of Formula One motor racing. Its an ambition to visit every Grand Prix circuit.
I also am very keen on learning new languages and have achieved a B1 level in Italian which I am continuing in Italy.
Languages
Italian
Intermediate (B1)
Spanish
Beginner (A1)
Timeline
Accounting Analyst
Self-employeed
07.1992 - Current
Financial Controller
Hansa Shipping
06.1990 - 06.1992
Assistant Financial Controller
Pegasus Holidays
06.1988 - 05.1990
Semi Senior Audit Assistant
Charles Stuart And Co Auditors And Accountants
02.1987 - 05.1988
No Degree - ACCA
BPP
Associate of Science - Accounting And Finance
Schillers International University