Gary Berridge Smith has over 15 years of experience as a Project Finance Manager. He has strong skills in financial analysis, reporting, and ensuring projects adhere to regulations. Berridge Smith is proficient in financial systems and provides support, training, and mentorship to junior staff. He holds qualifications in accounting and business and currently works as a Project Finance Manager for a clinical research organization.
1. Gary Berridge Smith
2 Lowther Close, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 1JE
Telephone: 01189 787580 (Mobile) 07761808399
E-mail address: garyberridgesmith@hotmail.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
An enthusiastic and professional Project Finance Manager with many years experience, committed to
achieving and exceeding demanding targets and business objectives while remaining focused on
accuracy and providing an exceptional standard of service and support to Clinical Project Managers.
Quick to grasp new ideas and concepts and to develop innovative and creative solutions to problems
and to ensure consistency and best practice. Able to work well on own initiative or as part of a team,
with the ability to build a good rapport with internal and external customers and senior management.
Can demonstrate the high levels of motivation required to meet tight timelines. Even under significant
pressure, possesses a strong ability to perform effectively. Enjoys being part of, as well as managing,
motivating, training and developing, a successful and productive team and thrives in highly
pressurised and challenging working environments.
KEY SKILLS:
Reviewing revenue recognition, unbilled/unearned, cash positions, project performance and
latest project outlook.
Reviewing backlog to ensure accurate monthly revenue forecasts and tracking versus actual
revenue providing variance analysis and commentary.
Lead financial review meetings with senior management and explaining complex concepts for
key variance analysis in an effective manner.
Adapting processes so they follow best practice and are Sarbanes Oxley compliant.
Training and mentoring Project Finance Analysts.
High level of IT literacy with advanced Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, PeopleSoft
Financials, PeopleSoft Financials Reporting, IRIS, Taleo, and SalesForce.com.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:
2011 to Present The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Certificate in Business Accounting (Exemptions)
CIMA Operational P1 Performance Operations Pass
CIMA Operational E1 Enterprise Operations Pass
1993 to 1994 The University of the West of England, Bristol
Foundation Course in Accountancy Credit
1991 to 1993 Reading College of Technology
BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance Distinction
2. Year 1 Exam Results:
Organisation in its Environment Merit
People in Organisations Distinction
Finance Distinction
Insurance Distinction
Information Processing Merit
Marketing Merit
Year 2 Exam Results:
Organisation in its Environment Distinction
People in Organisations Distinction
Accounting Distinction
Information Processing Merit
Advertising Distinction
Society and Working Life Distinction
1990 to 1991 Reading College of Technology
BTEC First Diploma in Business and Finance Distinction
Exam Results:
Selling Methods Distinction
Travel and Tourism Distinction
Word Processing Distinction
Keyboarding Distinction
Finance Distinction
Information Processing Merit
1984 to 1988 St Crispin’s School, Wokingham
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
Sep 05 to date Project Finance Manager, ARIDV Unit, Quintiles (UK) Ltd, Reading.
Providing project financial support and direction to project managers and Finance Management on
large complex and global studies, ensuring project financials are properly monitored and managed in
pursuit of maximising project profitability and cash flow. Supporting all project finance related
activities for assigned projects in accordance with Sarbanes Oxley, Company Policy and Procedures,
USGAAP and financial practices.
Acting as a financial advisor to the Project Managers, assisting in the preparation for the
Monthly Project Review, and proactively participating in meeting discussions to identify,
communicate and address project financial issues.
Complete month-end close responsibilities, providing regional variance explanations to
forecast.
Conduct monthly review and analysis of assigned projects, including review of revenue
recognition, project performance variances, unbilled/unearned and cash positions.
Support monthly reporting requirements for assigned projects, including unsigned contract
opportunities, backlog, and other ad-hoc financial analysis as required.
Review and approve work movements and changes, and final remaining revenue adjustments
for assigned projects.
Ensure project journal, write-offs, and financial adjustments are properly documented,
reviewed and approved.
3. Perform final configuration review and approval of the Projects and Contracts modules for
assigned projects.
Monitor monthly compliance reports, to ensure timely reporting of revenue and billing
deliverables by Project Manager
Monitor Unbilled, Write-off activity, Over the Limit and Contract Activation exception reports
and resolve unusual activity.
Monitor project and customer activity against contract terms to ensure foreign exchange rate
variances and discounts are properly monitored and accounted for.
Completion of assigned Monthly and Quarterly Sarbanes Oxley reporting requirements.
Coordinate customer and financial audit requirements for assigned projects.
Remain current with Company policy and procedures and monitor project activity to ensure
compliance.
Partner with other Project Finance members to develop and implement process
improvements.
Train and mentor more junior PFM staff.
Manage responsibilities of PFM and of project support staff, including professional
development, and performance appraisals. Review work load of direct report(s). Establish
goals that will increase knowledge and skills levels by providing input on delegating tasks
commensurate with skill level.
Jan 98-Aug 05 Senior Project Finance Administrator, CNS and ID units, Quintiles (UK) Ltd, Reading.
Aug 96-Dec 97 Project Finance Administrator, Quintiles (UK) Ltd.
1995-1996 Audit/Accounts Trainee, Kirk Rice Accountants, Ascot.
The position entailed a wide range of computerised and non computerised accounts and audit tasks,
including the preparation of small company accounts from trail balance and audit transaction testing.
1994-1995 Audit Clerk, Total Resource Management Ltd, Shire Hall, Reading.
The position entailed the conduct of office-based internal audits for schools, in connection with yearly
allocated budgets by Berkshire County Council. The work involved computer interrogations of both
the general ledger and accounts payable systems in order to ascertain the financial performance of
each school for the current financial year. The work required the exertion of considerable judgement
over the reasonableness of budgets, expenditure to date and so on. There were also clerical checks
to ensure that paid invoices had been properly authorised, that authorised signatory lists were up to
date and that school generated reconciliations were correctly calculated. This work led to the
production of a formal audit report, with justified recommendations for improvements in controls.
REFERENCES:
John Vaughan
Project Finance Director
Quintiles Ireland Limited
East Point Business Park
Fairview
Dublin 3
Ireland
Office: + 353 1 819 5428
Mobile: + 353 87 249 5769
E-mail: john.vaughan@quintiles.com