Arnaud is available for hire
Hire ArnaudArnaud Soupa, CFA
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toptal Member Since
January 20, 2022
Arnaud is a part-time CFO and advisor in corporate financial management. With an international corporate career of 20+ years working at prominent players like Veolia and PwC, he ventured into the startup space as a co-founder and CEO. For the past four years, he has been helping small and medium-sized businesses scale up, adopt more sophisticated practices, and tackle increasing complexity. Arnaud appreciates the opportunity to engage with various visionary, demanding, and talented stakeholders.
Career Highlights
Part-time CFO | Corporate Finance Management Advisor
A.Soupa Consulting Inc.
VP of Strategy and Business Development
Veolia - Veolia North America
Chief Financial Officer
Veolia - Veolia Energy Canada
Certification Highlights
Advanced Financial Modeler
Financial Modeling Institute
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA institute
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Part-time CFO | Corporate Finance Management Advisor
2017 - PRESENT
A.Soupa Consulting Inc.
- Provided financial and risk analysis to a First Nation economic development corporation. Analyzed investment opportunities in energy storage and the medical sector.
- Backed a startup in scaling up its SaaS space through improved processes, new commercial models, and strategic partnerships in Canada and the USA as a fractional CFO.
- Guided an American e-learning company in FP&A, compliance with US GAAP, and improvement of the finance function as an advisor.
- Assisted a not-for-profit in improving the FP&A function, including developing a forward-looking financial model.
- Supported a credit union's scenario analysis, including developing a bottom-up forward-looking financial model as an advisor in Canada.
- Acted as interim, part-time CFO supporting a global PE-owned food production company for its North American operations, focusing on budgeting, cash flow, profitability, tax modeling, and growth projects.
- Designed and led the implementation of a strategic plan for a Canadian environmental services space following an acquisition as fractional president.
- Supported a Canadian startup in securing equity and debt for its first commercial project in the cleantech space as fractional CFO.
- Built a financial model and conducted an impairment and onerous contract analysis as an advisor for a company in the automotive sector in Canada (IFRS and US GAAP).
- Provided advice during an M&A process in France as an advisor.
Focus areas: Startup Consulting, Strategic Planning, Strategic Partnerships, Startup Funding, Entrepreneurship, CleanTech, Environment, Service, CFO, Virtual CFO, Fractional CFO, Financial Modeling, Project Finance, Part-time CFO, Corporate Governance, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Budgeting, Cash Management, Cash Flow, Business Advisory, SaaS, Renewables, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Financial Analysis, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Fundraising, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Startups, Angel/Seed Funding, Early-stage Startups, Controllership, Sales Growth, Seed Fundraising, Accounting, Edtech Design, Education Technology (Edtech), Interim CFO, Renewable Energy, Cash Flow Modeling, Internal Financial Reporting, Information Technology, Xero Accounting, Cash Flow Analysis, Inventory Management, eCommerce, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials, Cash Flow Management, Technology, Enterprise SaaS, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Variance Reporting, Consolidated Reporting, Subscriptions, Cost Accounting, Monthly Close Process, Three-statement Modeling, Software as a Service (SaaS), US GAAP, Energy Storage, Audits, Cap Tables, Analysis, Education, Contract Review, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Energy, P&L Forecasting, Dashboards
VP of Strategy and Business Development
2015 - 2017
Veolia - Veolia North America
- Served as a business development conduit to structure and submit offers and explore partnership opportunities across North America for the entire environmental services portfolio.
- Partnered with business development and operational teams to craft offers and submit bids and proposals backed by intense financial analysis, financial modeling, contract review, and risk analysis for 37 projects.
- Performed research and development of strategic growth plans to measure the impact of major strategic projects and growth initiatives.
- Steered risk review procedure development, tightening the process to submit project opportunities to management.
Focus areas: Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Project Finance, PPP Projects, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, CleanTech, Service, Environment, Renewables, Corporate Governance, Cash Flow, Business Models, Sales Growth, Renewable Energy, Cash Flow Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials, Three-statement Modeling, Cap Tables, Analysis, Contract Review, Energy
Chief Financial Officer
2012 - 2014
Veolia - Veolia Energy Canada
- Designated to the newly created position with a mandate to lead the development and execution of strategic plans and develop all back-office functions in finance, legal, HR, IT, and risk management.
- Scaled back-office infrastructure for growth. Aligned finance functions to group standards for transparency with accurate reporting and forecasting. Deployed group initiatives at the subsidiary level.
- Helmed a seven-year strategic plan for Canadian operations with varied business models and market opportunities.
- Supported business development efforts from a finance perspective, providing financial analysis, financial modeling, risk and mitigation, contractual analysis, and deal structure.
- Tasked to plan and lead divestment of a non-core and loss-making business unit deemed non-strategic.
Focus areas: CFO, CleanTech, Environment, Service, Financial Modeling, Project Finance, Corporate Governance, Strategic Partnerships, PPP Projects, Budgeting, Cash Management, Renewables, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Financial Analysis, Internal Control, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Reporting, Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Accounting, Renewable Energy, Cash Flow Modeling, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials, Cash Flow Management, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Variance Reporting, Consolidated Reporting, Monthly Close Process, Three-statement Modeling, Audits, Analysis, Contract Review, Energy, P&L Forecasting, Dashboards
Finance Director
2009 - 2011
Veolia - Veolia Energy UK
- Managed geographically disparate teams across the UK in charge of a portfolio of business units.
- Mandated to boost the profit and cash flow of a mature business unit.
- Ensured finance systems and processes were in place to cope with challenges as the company aggressively expanded in the retail facilities management sector.
- Led off-balance sheet arrangements like project financing, refinancing, and major commercial settlements.
Focus areas: Operational Finance, Working Capital Management, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, Project Finance, Service-level Agreements (SLA), CleanTech, Environment, Service, Management Accounting, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Reporting, Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Accounting, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Operations, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials, Cash Flow Management, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Variance Reporting, Consolidated Reporting, Cost Accounting, Monthly Close Process, Analysis, Contract Review, Energy, P&L Forecasting
Financial Controller
2006 - 2009
Veolia - Veolia Energy UK
- Focused on tracking and maximizing cash flow, EBITDA, and profitability, with active involvement in commercial matters and risk management.
- Implemented cash optimization measures like cost savings and working capital management.
- Supported the growth of the project's business development cycle.
Focus areas: Operational Finance, CleanTech, Service, Environment, Budgeting, Management Accounting, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Working Capital Management, Reporting, Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Accounting, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Operations, Financials, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Variance Reporting, Consolidated Reporting, Cost Accounting, Monthly Close Process, Analysis, Contract Review, P&L Forecasting
Internal Audit and Risks Analyst
2005 - 2006
Veolia - Veolia Energy UK
- Spearheaded various internal audit assignments in compliance and performance.
- Led the 2006 Sarbanes-Oxley campaign to assess a new set of internal controls as part of a global group policy.
- Raised business awareness while managing the group insurance program.
Focus areas: Internal Control, Internal Audits, Risk Management, CleanTech, Environment, Service, Policies & Procedures Compliance
Management Accountant
2002 - 2005
Veolia - Veolia Energy Headquarters
- Contributed to the central management accounting team, reporting to its director.
- Modeled, analyzed, and presented the group's strategic plan to the CFO.
- Monitored the headquarters' costs, working closely with the CFO while taking responsibility for management accounts.
Focus areas: Budgeting, Strategic Planning, CleanTech, Service, Environment, Operational Finance, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Financials, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Variance Reporting, Consolidated Reporting, Monthly Close Process, P&L Forecasting
Senior Consultant in Management Accounting
1999 - 2002
PwC
- Defined and implemented processes and procedures across a variety of clients in the public sector, telecommunication, and more.
- Implemented a management accounting system with activity-based costing.
- Developed and delivered training programs to accelerate the adoption of new procedures and systems.
Focus areas: Policies & Procedures Compliance, Management Accounting, Operational Finance, Cost Accounting
Branch Financial Controller
1997 - 1998
Geoservices
- Implemented financial processes, procedures, and management accounts.
- Focused on the collection of receivables, bringing the accounts receivable's age profile back to normal.
- Carried out various assignments for several Mediterranean and Middle-East branches to implement best practices.
Focus areas: Reporting, Cash Management, Operational Finance, Budgeting, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Oil & Gas, Financials, Financial Reporting Dashboards, Variance Reporting, Consolidated Reporting, Monthly Close Process, P&L Forecasting
Intern – Corporate Banking Analyst, Banque de Gestion Privee
1995 - 1996
Groupe Credit Agricole
- Delivered financial and risk analysis on working capital, LBO arrangements, and more.
- Processed day-to-day transactions for corporate clients.
- Monitored profitability of corporate banking activities.
Focus areas: Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Financing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Cash Flow Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis, Financials, Three-statement Modeling, Analysis, P&L Forecasting
Education
1994 - 1997
Bachelor and Master's Degree in Finance
Grenoble School of Management - Grenoble, France
1991 - 1994
Bachelor and Master's Degree in Public Services
Institute of Political Studies - Grenoble, France
Certifications
DECEMBER 2021 - PRESENT
Advanced Financial Modeler
Financial Modeling Institute
SEPTEMBER 2020 - PRESENT
FI Accelerator Program for Startups
Founder Institute
SEPTEMBER 2019 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA institute
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