Mikhail Sklyarov, MBA, Ph.D., Finance Expert in Barcelona, Spain
Mikhail is available for hire
Hire Mikhail

Mikhail Sklyarov, MBA, Ph.D.

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Barcelona, Spain
Toptal Member Since
March 22, 2021

Mikhail is a senior finance executive with 20+ years of experience, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a PhD in economics, and a robust financial, operating, and global business background. With robust leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills, he is a finance and strategy expert in the FMCG, retail, and eCommerce industries. Mikhail has experience working with multi-billion companies like Metro Cash & Carry, Global Fashion Group, L'Etoile, and IFF.

Part-time CFOFundraising ConsultantInterim CFOBudgetingCFOFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)AccountingProfitability AnalysisMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Revenue & Expense ProjectionsFinancial ModelingFundraisingPitch Deck ConsultantStartup FundingVenture Capital

Career Highlights

Fundraising Mentor
Chicago University Polsky Center for Enterpreneurship and Innovation
Managing Partner
Chicago Booth Angels Network
Regional CFO
Lamoda

Education Highlights

Executive MBA
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Certification Highlights

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
Institute of Management Accountants

Case Studies

Work Experience

Fundraising Mentor

2023 - PRESENT
Chicago University Polsky Center for Enterpreneurship and Innovation
  • Fundraised $1.5 million for Chicago Booth Alumni, a startup in the healthtech industry.
  • Developed a fundraising strategy for an AI startup. Identified a target list of VC funds; developed intro mail and executed an outreach campaign.
  • Supported a SaaS startup with an investor pitch. Gave clear feedback after several investor meetings on the areas of improvement.
Focus areas: Fundraising, Pitch Preparation, Pitch Decks, Financial Modeling, Investor Presentations, Early-stage Startups, Startup Funding, Funding Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising Consultant, Term Sheet Advisory, Pitch Deck Consultant, Business Models, Enterprise SaaS, Three-statement Modeling, Startup Accelerators, Seed Fundraising, Early-stage Funding, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Green Energy, Clean Energy

Part-time CFO

2022 - PRESENT
Altris AI
  • Created and maintained a financial model for the business.
  • Raised $0.8 seed round and conducted negotiations with venture capital funds.
  • Proposed a fundamental change from license to SaaS business model.
Focus areas: Fundraising, Financial Modeling, Software as a Service (SaaS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), SaaS, Part-time CFO, Early-stage Startups, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Startup Funding, Funding Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising Consultant, Term Sheet Advisory, Enterprise SaaS, Three-statement Modeling, B2B, Health & Wellness, Seed Fundraising, Early-stage Funding, Healthcare IT

Co-founder | COO

2021 - PRESENT
SPINNAKER DAO
  • Executed a project from idea to MVP in six months, including idea generation, team setup, branding, product launch, community setup, and management.
  • Raised a $1.5 million seed round from community and family offices.
  • Built an extremely loyal customer base—no money withdrawal occurred despite market turnaround.
Focus areas: Marketing, IT Operations Management (ITOM), Community Management, Product Launch, Hiring, Operations, Valuation, Investment Presentations, Cryptoeconomics, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Startups, Fundraising, Cash Flow Forecasting, Pitch Decks, Cryptocurrency, Early-stage Startups, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Startup Funding, Funding Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Seed Fundraising, Early-stage Funding

Managing Partner

2018 - PRESENT
Chicago Booth Angels Network
  • Oversaw the successful expansion of the Chicago Booth Angels Network, increasing the number of active angel investors to 100+.
  • Syndicated seven deals with a total invested capital of $5 million.
  • Established and nurtured strategic partnerships with a worldwide network, including branches in New York, London, Chicago, San Francisco, and Hong Kong.
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive mentorship program for portfolio companies, providing them with access to industry experts, advisors, and specialized resources.
Focus areas: Syndication Deal, Pitch Decks, Financial Model Auditing, Community Development, Early-stage Startups, Fundraising, Startup Funding, Funding Strategy, Fundraising Strategy, Fundraising Consultant, Term Sheet Advisory, Pitch Deck Consultant, Business Models, Seed Fundraising, Early-stage Funding, Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Regional CFO

2019 - 2020
International Flavors & Fragrances
  • Led finance, procurement, IT, and G&A post-merger integration with an over 60 headcount. Redesigned the finance and accounting departments with 10% full-time employee (FTE) savings, harmonized reporting, and improved quality.
  • Completed the post-acquisition tax due-diligence task and developed an action plan to mitigate the $4-million tax risk.
  • Initiated IT systems harmonization which resulted in service cost reduction. Implemented an electronic doc flow that enabled work from home during the COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Improved group cash management which enabled a dividend payout of $4 million to the parent company.
  • Ensured a procurement service level of more than 95% despite team reshuffling and COVID-19-related disruptions in the supply chain.
  • Developed a product rotation and contribution margin analysis that resulted in a 15% SKU reduction, inventory, and COGS optimization that significantly enhanced profitability.
  • Implemented SOX controls which were vital for group reporting and successfully passed the PWC audit.
Focus areas: Profit Maximization, Customer Analysis, Post-merger Integration, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Variable Costing, Dashboards, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Supply Chain Optimization, Post-merger Integration (IT), Strategy, Microsoft 365, Cognos TM1, Navision, Microsoft Excel, Software Integration, Rolling Forecasts, Working Capital Management, CFO, Profitability Analysis, Board Reporting, SharePoint, GAAP Reporting, Budgeting, Cash Flow Analysis, Reports, Manufacturing, Cash Flow Forecasting, Debt Financing, Cash Flow, Interim CFO, Emerging Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Three-statement Modeling, Accounting, US GAAP

Regional CFO

2017 - 2018
Lamoda
  • Implemented a monthly rolling forecast that enabled detailed cash flow planning and cash burn control.
  • Implemented a path-to-profitability methodology with key value-driving projects which were prioritized by impact and deadlines. The EBITDA impact totaled $15 million.
  • Initiated IT costs capitalization that resulted in an EBITDA increase of $1 million.
  • Conducted an in-depth analysis of categories and suppliers that enabled an improvement in assortment and terms negotiation.
  • Conducted monthly CPO (cost per order) reviews with key functional leaders to ensure cost efficiency and proper management of unit economics.
  • Analyzed and modeled various factors influencing customer buying decisions (advertising, promo coupons, and delivery terms) to optimize revenue and gross margin.
Focus areas: Strategy, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Rolling Forecasts, Working Capital Management, Financial Modeling, CFO, Profitability Analysis, Board Reporting, Dashboards, GAAP Reporting, Budgeting, Cash Flow Analysis, eCommerce, Apparel & Accessories, Direct to Consumer (D2C), Investment Presentations, Startups, Fundraising, Cash Flow Forecasting, Debt Financing, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Funding Strategy, Beauty Products, Emerging Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Three-statement Modeling, Accounting

Executive Director | CFO

2011 - 2015
Letoile
  • Managed finance, IT, legal, HR, and G&A functions. Initiated and implemented the Shared Service Center with a $0.5 million cost decrease per year despite a 12% CAGR sales increase.
  • Prepared the company for a Eurobond placement in the amount of $300 million.
  • Managed and optimized the company's $500 million credit portfolio; also negotiated the interest rate decrease and withdrawal of the company's shares and brand from the bank collateral.
  • Initiated daily monitoring of KPIs and implemented an early warning system in case of a profit drop.
  • Ran due diligence, acquisition, and integration of two competitive retail chains in the Ukraine (EV $100 million and EV $50 million).
  • Conducted an in-depth assortment and supplier analysis that enabled delisting of slow-moving articles and improved purchase conditions from suppliers.
  • Implemented ongoing monitoring of non-performing stores with clear improvement action plans or closure.
  • Spearheaded monthly management performance review meetings and created a monthly reporting package with key metrics. It significantly improved management motivation and focus on key company value drivers.
  • Initiated and led the company's project office with vital company innovative projects. It allowed us to significantly speed up execution and reduce CEO ongoing involvement.
Focus areas: Profitability Optimization, Company Strategy, Post-merger Integration, Revenue & Expense Projections, Debt Raises, Board Reporting, Bank Covenants, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), International Expansion, Vendors & Suppliers, Assortment Analysis, Finance Shared Services Management, Strategy, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Software Integration, Rolling Forecasts, Working Capital Management, Financial Modeling, CFO, Profitability Analysis, Dashboards, GAAP Reporting, Budgeting, Cash Flow Analysis, Reports, eCommerce, Apparel & Accessories, Direct to Consumer (D2C), Hiring, Cash Flow Forecasting, Debt Financing, Consumer Products, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Beauty Products, Emerging Markets, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Three-statement Modeling, Accounting

Finance Division Manager

2001 - 2010
METRO
  • Managed the control, accounting, tax, treasury, and invoice control functions with over 100 full-time employees. Supported company growth and development from a greenfield start to becoming a $4 billion dominant market player.
  • Implemented innovative projects, including a digital invoice recognition system and e-invoicing, which resulted in a 20% headcount reduction in the finance department.
  • Adopted and successfully implemented an EVA performance measurement and incentive system. Thanks to the system's clear motivation mechanism and no payout limit, the company had been significantly overreaching budget targets for three years in a row.
  • Implemented a new Oracle merchandise management system with higher performance and more detailed analytics.
  • Automated daily operational and monthly financial reporting using Excel VBA.
Focus areas: GAAP Reporting, SAP, Microsoft 365, MicroStrategy, Microsoft Excel, Software Integration, Rolling Forecasts, Working Capital Management, CFO, Profitability Analysis, Board Reporting, Dashboards, Budgeting, Cash Flow Analysis, Reports, Excel VBA, Cash Flow Forecasting, Consumer Products, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Emerging Markets, Three-statement Modeling, Accounting

Senior Economist

1999 - 2000
ZAO Molvest
  • Conducted an operating cost analysis and generted proposals for saving.
  • Analyzed the subsidiaries' performance and prepared proposals for optimal production allocation which resulted in $0.8 million in costs saving.
  • Developed a motivation system for sales managers which resulted in a 15% sales increase.
Focus areas: Control & Cost Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Budgeting, Cash Flow Analysis, Reports, Manufacturing
2013 - 2017

Executive MBA in Executive Business Administration

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business - Chicago, United States; London, UK; Hong Kong

DECEMBER 2006 - PRESENT

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Institute of Management Accountants

Collaboration That Works

How to Work with Toptal

Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.

1

Share your needs

Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.
2

Choose your talent

Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.
3

Start your risk-free talent trial

Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.

Top talent is in high demand.

Start hiring