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Jin Guo, Finance Expert in Geneva, Switzerland
Jin Guo

Finance Expert in Geneva, Switzerland

Member since July 10, 2019
Jin is an LBS graduate and CPA in both China and the United States. He has helped solve complex accounting and reporting challenges with global clients. An Ernst & Young veteran, Jin has worked at large enterprises such as Sinopec and Vitol, before transitioning to working with startups. His expertise focuses on financial reporting, modeling, due diligence, serving as an interim CFO, and delivering internal process improvements.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Case studies

Industry Expertise

  • Accounting Services
  • Electricity, Oil & Gas
  • Water Treatment
  • Finance
  • Trading

Other Expertise

  • Accounting
  • Auditing
  • CFO
  • China
  • Due Diligence
  • Group Reporting IFRS
  • Post-merger Integration

Employment

  • Chief Financial Officer

    2018 - 2019
    United Waters International AG
    • Raised CHF 100 million investment commitment from a Swiss private equity firm to finance working capital and capital expenditures for 50 Chinese projects, delivered investor presentation, financial model, and managed the investor's due diligence process.
    • Prepared the cashflow forecast for the group's entities across China, India, and Switzerland for monthly cash flow management and cost control purposes.
    • Reviewed and presented the business model and financial projections to over 20 potential investors and banks.
    • Managed the group audit, accounting, reporting, treasury and tax functions, complying with IFRS and Swiss GAAP.
    • Analyzed potential Chinese markets and counterparties, and led negotiations with local Chinese municipality customers.
    Focus areas: Cash Flow, Cost Management, Management Accounting, Creative Financing

  • Finance Manager

    2017 - 2018
    Vitol SA
    • Led a complex purchase price allocation for an over $200 million acquisition in a Nigeria downstream energy business. Finalized the purchase price adjustments for various working capital, intercompany balance, and provision changes.
    • Built a group cash flow forecast and budget for a $100 million South African coal mining joint venture, illustrating the critical cost and profit drivers for shareholders.
    • Rebuilt the coal mining group's monthly closing and consolidation process as well as the shareholder reporting packages, incorporating the in-depth comparative analysis of budget variance analysis.
    • Served as the interim CFO leading a six-person Johannesburg-based finance team.
    • Implemented the Pastel accounting system in acquired subsidiaries and converted various entities' chart of accounts into an integrated and consistent group chart of accounts.
    Focus areas: Financial System Implementation, IFRS Adjustments, Monthly Close Process, Finance Process Improvement, Charts, Cash Flow Forecasting, Purchase Price Allocation, Acquisitions, Accounting, M&A Reporting, Financial Consolidation

  • Group Controller

    2015 - 2016
    Varo Energy
    • Rebuilt and led a six-person finance team responsible for group accounting, receivables and payables, and consolidation functions following the bankruptcy of the previous owner and the acquisition by the Carlyle and Vitol as new investors in a Swiss-based oil refinery group.
    • Transferred the group IFRS consolidation and reporting function from Vitol's shared service center in Rotterdam to a local Swiss-based team within a month via intensive on-site learning and process redesign, earning a commendation from the CEO.
    • Reduced group monthly closing and consolidation process for over 30 entities across five countries from over 60 days to 40 days.
    • Managed the financial integration of an over EUR 300 million Dutch acquisition, preparing and managing the audit process of the purchase price allocation, coordinating with the valuation service provider, converting the accounting policy of the acquiree to the group policy, and establishing reporting packages and processes between the acquiree's finance team of over 20 people and the HQ finance team.
    • Led the accounting system transition from Vitol's proprietary system to JD Edwards' ERP system with a newly created chart of accounts and established integrations with the existing trade system, Vista.
    Focus areas: Statement of Cash Flows, Statutory Returns, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), M&A Reporting, External Financial Reporting, Charts, Finance Shared Services Management, Acquisitions, Financial System Implementation, Accounting Systems, Financial Consolidation, IFRS Adjustments, Controller, Finance Process Improvement, Management, Audits, Monthly Close Process, Accounting

  • Financial Accounting Manager

    2010 - 2015
    Addax Petroleum, Sinopec
    • Supervised a staff of 14 responsible for technical accounting, consolidation, and joint ventures.
    • Managed the financial accounting and IFRS reporting process across over 30 group entities in West Africa, Iraq, and the UK with $5 billion of annual revenue.
    • Integrated local financial and accounting systems for a $540 million acquisition and $2 billion joint venture in Cameroon and Aberdeen, respectively.
    • Managed a group external audit by Deloitte in Switzerland, Nigeria, Cameroon and Aberdeen with circa $1.5 million annual audit fees.
    • Bridged communication between Chinese and Western senior management teams with significant differences in culture and management style.
    Focus areas: Capital Expenditure Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Reporting, Integrated Financial Statements, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Acquisitions, Accounting, IFRS Audit Planning, IFRS Adjustments, Accounting Consolidation

  • Manager

    2002 - 2010
    Ernst & Young
    • Advised as post-deal financial integration expert in a $7.3 billion Chinese acquisition of an oil and gas upstream group with multiple engagement extensions and client's written praise.
    • Managed engagements of financial due diligence, audit, and US and HK IPO in the energy and technology industry.
    • Signed auditor's report for CNOOC, China's third-largest oil and gas firm, as managing CPA.
    • Selected for the global exchange program as the youngest among over 100 peers.
    • Coached new recruitment of over 100 as Ernst & Young technical and audit methodology champion.
    Focus areas: Projected Cash Flow, Five-year Projections, IFRS Audit Planning, IFRS Adjustments, Project Accounting, Big 4 Accounting, Finance Process Improvement, Acquisitions, Accounting, Financial Advisory, Control Audits, Management, Audits, Due Diligence

Education

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in General Management
    2012 - 2014
    London Business School - London, UK
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration
    1997 - 2001
    Nanjing University - Nanjing, China

Certifications

  • Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
    DECEMBER 2012 - PRESENT
    Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    AUGUST 2008 - PRESENT
    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    JULY 2006 - PRESENT
    Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • MCDBA on Microsoft SQL Server 2000
    APRIL 2002 - PRESENT
    Microsoft
  • MCSD on Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0
    APRIL 2002 - PRESENT
    Microsoft

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