Nishka Smith

Experience

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  FedEx Office

  Sept 2006 - Nov 2007

  Financial Analyst

  Financial reporting and analysis of the UK and Netherlands Country performance to the US Corporate team.Key Achievements:* Initiated the implementation of a monthly report to the Operations Team, providing an analysis of potential areas of high revenue, as well as areas for improved cost of sales management* Introduction of analytical reports for monitoring the profitability of certain business areas, in conjunction with marketing promotions and new company services.* Responsible for producing the Monthly Business Review for the US Managing Directors; a report which received high recognition from the US corporate team and was extended to other international countries as an example.* Assisted in the management of Purchase Ledger and Account Receivable clerks during the interim of recruiting a Financial Director. Show less

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  ConocoPhillips

  Nov 2007 - Oct 2010

  To balance supply and demand of the Gas Pool, recording Commercial gas trading activities in the UK and EuropeKey Achievement:* Gaining an 'exceptional' rating (top 20% of company employees globally) in my second year at the company* Developing a Gas Pool model to project a weighted average sales price for future months for use in analysis work carried out by various departments including Tax. This required me to liaise with several departments including long-term contracts, Tax and Upstream, and received high praise from management level. Show less Financial accounting and analysis of the Gas, Power, Coal & Emissions trading team performance Key Achievements:* Gaining an 'exceptional' rating (top 20% of company employees globally ) within my first year at the company* Successfully redesigned a new structured month-end process for the Gas and Power back office team, to achieve an earlier month-end close and subsequently increasing time available to review the financials* Coordinated the creation of journal uploads for directly transferring revenue and expenditure data to the SAP accounting system, resulting in increased automaticity and consistency of bookings, and a reduction in human error* Took on the role as Training coordinator for London Finance, introducing a Web cast training session for finance employees to develop their financial expertise, and provide discussions on topical financial and business issues Show less

  • Gas Pool Financial Analyst

    Jul 2009 - Oct 2010

  • Financial Analyst

    Nov 2007 - Jul 2009
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  Burberry

  Apr 2010 - Oct 2010

  Planning & Forecasting Analyst

  Role: To actively lead the forecasting and budget process, including strategic business planning and periodic forecastingKey Achievements:• Successfully led the implementation of a revised budget for the Region, following revised corporate targets for the Group; providing full support to all operating channels, and gaining buy-in from all key strategic business partners• Re-designing the 3 year strategic business model to eliminate areas of analytical weakness and ensure goal congruence Show less

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  Action on Hearing Loss

  Oct 2010 - Nov 2013

  Role: Lead a new planning and analysis function within the organisation, focusing on corporate consolidation, financial planning, business partnering, outcomes-focused operational planning/monitoring and strategy development.Key Achievements:Driving organisational change through business process re-engineering projects:o Successfully implementing a restricted income management system that resolved the operational reporting issues by redesigning the coding structure for income and expenditure across the organisation, leading to clear processes, more dynamic reporting opportunities and greater stewardship, whist also meeting audit requirementso Implemented a new multidimensional chart of accounts to improve financial coding and reporting, including gaining buy in from a range of operational stakeholders redesigning all input processes to the accounting system, developing easy-to-use coding forms for expenses and other processes, delivering training and a communication plan.o Developed and introduced new management information analysis packs for the senior management team and Board, providing tailored reporting on financial and operational progress. This involved understanding various stakeholders need whilst also meeting key organisational requirements, and was driven by an ability to influence at a senior level. o Designing and rolling out finance workshops to up-skill all budget holders and senior management across the organisation and empower them with confidence in meeting their financial responsibilities Show less Role: Ensure high quality business partnering, financial, contract and bid management support to the Services Group Key Achievements:• Introducing new reporting suites to the Group, including trend analysis, market analysis and financial projections, to empower directors in making informed business decisions• Successfully taking on the responsibility of managing, mentoring and developing a team of 11• Introducing 5 year financial model structures across the Group to enable effective planning for future activities and outcomes, whilst achieving sustainability as an organisation• Initiated and led planning days for senior management focusing on contingency planning across the Group • Developed and nurtured strong business partnership links with other Groups in the organisation, particularly the corporate resources team; dovetailing on process improvements and generating cross departmental synergies in efficiency initiatives Show less

  • Financial Planning & Analysis Manager

    Apr 2012 - Nov 2013

  • Acting Head of Finance and Business Performance (promotion from Senior Business Analyst in June 11)

    Oct 2010 - Apr 2012
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  Peter De Haan Charitable Trust, Ideastap, Opus Trust Group

  Nov 2013 - Sept 2016

  Finance Manager & Treasurer

  Role: To lead on the financial management of the Trust and charity IdeasTap, including long-term financial planning, monthly monitoring and ensuring compliance on a statutory level. To manage the Opus Group wide treasury duties focusing on cash flow and investment performance reporting. Key Achievements:• Introducing a consolidated cash flow forecast to monitor the Trust and Group wide cash position to prevent unnecessary exposure and ensure effective use of funds.• Finance lead on the successful bid for an exceptional Arts Council England award of £250k for a national education project• Introducing a restricted funds reporting tool to map the Charity’s first large scale statutory funded project• Introducing a business partnering approach to collaborating with operational teams, resulting in a cohesive approach to leading the Trust and Charity• Supporting the Board to revaluate the organisation’s leasehold contracts for the most cost effective arrangement • Supporting the financial and operational transition during a very challenging period towards the planned closure of the Charity, after extensive exploration into statutory, joint venture and commercial opportunities to secure on-going funding for the Charity. Show less

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  VISUAL FINANCE LTD

  Sept 2016 - now

  A consultancy working in partnership with organisations in the third sector, to strengthen their financial management and planning capabilities in order to achieve sustainability and growth.At the heart of what Visual Finance does, is a commitment to simplifying and structuring financial operations in order to enable organisations to get the most value out of their finance functions. A consultancy working in partnership with organisations in the third sector, to strengthen their financial management and planning capabilities in order to achieve sustainability and growth.At the heart of what Visual Finance does, is a commitment to simplifying and structuring financial operations in order to enable organisations to get the most value out of their finance functions.

  • Independent Consultant

    Sept 2016 - now

  • Independent Consultant

    Sept 2016 - now
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  West Heath School

  Feb 2017 - now

  Board Trustee