experienced finance pro

george cocu

Executive Presentation

Experienced Finance Professional helping Owners and Management Make Sense of, and Control, the Finance Side of Business

Experience

DIRECTOR & owner, financengineer.com

November 2019 - Present

I have embarked on numerous fractional CFO and operational endeavors across a variety of organizations. Noteworthy undertakings include:

• A meticulous review and testing of internal controls for the Romanian subsidiary of a prominent US-listed music label (€+11bn turnover, 10k headcount globally)

• Streamlined the revenue cycle for a leading US-listed software developer, alongside the implementation of a client-facing CRM solution (€+2.5bn turnover, 11k headcount)

• Crafted an IFRS reporting package for an important Romanian insurance firm (€0.8bn turnover, 400 headcount)

• Enhanced business finance, revitalized management reporting, and oversaw operational finance for a premium wellness equipment distributor in Romania (€+5m turnover, 11 headcount)

• Executed BI implementation for a software production company (€+2m turnover, 45 headcount)

• Conducted annual US tax reporting for over 40 companies owned by a US tax resident and private investor

• Orchestrated a turnaround for the finance and accounting department of a 140-hectare green home real estate developer.

DIRECTOR & GROUP CFO, GLOBAL EYE INVESTMENTS GROUP

October 2016 - November 2019

As a Director overseeing a diverse portfolio of ten companies in the retail, real estate, and B2B sectors, I was responsible for managing the operational, financial, tax, and accounting processes for the group, with complete accountability for profit and loss (P&L).

I successfully streamlined operations by reassessing staff roles and responsibilities, implemented a risk-based business strategy, prioritized transparent communication, and eliminated redundant and time-consuming tasks. This strategic overhaul led to the turnaround of a retail company, which achieved profitability within one year following several consecutive years of losses.

REGIONAL FINANCE LEADER, MASTERCARD EUROPE SA

June 2015 - October 2016

Managed the quarterly forecast and analysis process for a cluster of five countries in Southeastern Europe and held full P&L responsibility. Managed management reporting, identified growth opportunities, measuring operational efficiency, and approved multi-million regional fund spending.

GROUP FINANCE CONTROLLER, FASHION DAYS GROUP AG

October 2012 - June 2015

As a contributor to the internal Advanced Price Agreement project, I optimized the tax structure by 20% and streamlined corporate structures to improve financial reporting. This was achieved through simplifying work procedures and automating routine functions, saving an estimated 20 man-hours per month. Additionally, I created and maintained a rolling working capital forecast tool that utilized historical and budget data for Group's liquidity across 10 operating countries. This tool allowed for the identification of future cash flow shortages to be covered by either sales push or additional financing.

GROUP FINANCE MANAGER, premier energy GROUP

November 2010 - July 2012

Managed corporate restructuring processes, improving the leverage of the Group and saving costs. Reduced financial costs for the business by 10-20% by leading Group treasury and banking operations. Improved and simplified the reporting process, saving an estimated 16 man-hours per month by coordinating internal and external full reporting. Streamlined existing bidding processes for raw materials for technical departments, reducing material costs by 20-40%.

FINANCE MANAGER, folli follie group romania

November 2010 - July 2012

Created and managed management accounts, implemented ERP customizations, and directed financing strategies that led to significant savings in refinancing deals. Prepared quarterly presentations on the company's financial evaluation for the group board and implemented recommendations.

AUDIT ASSOCIATE, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS ROMANIA

November 2010 - July 2012

Gained a detailed understanding of various industries such as retail, telecommunications, oil & gas, manufacturing and transportation which allowed them to adapt quickly to different work environments. Participated as a team member in multiple external audit assignments, learning how to audit, control and prepare financial statements under various accounting principles such as IFRS and Local GAAP's (US, UK, German). Achieved technical proficiency in ISA audit methodology, IFRS, and US GAAP.

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