Paul is available for hire
Hire PaulPaul Smith, CFA, CFM
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Bangkok, Thailand
Toptal Member Since
January 25, 2023
Paul is a financial modeling expert whose knowledge and experience cover the nexus of accounting, finance, and financial models through his CA, CFA, and CFM qualifications. He has received the FMWC Top Newcomer Award twice. He possesses proven experience building integrated financial models. As an ex-Big Four accountant, Paul was selected to teach the Advanced Financial Modeler tuition sessions for the FMI.
Career Highlights
Project and Innovation Director
Bespoke Data
Executive
Springboard Corporate Finance
Education Highlights
Finance and Investment Banking
The University of Reading
Certification Highlights
Chartered Financial Modeler (CFM)
Financial Modeling Institute (FMI)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute
Chartered Accountant (CA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Project and Innovation Director
2021 - PRESENT
Bespoke Data
- Led the development of our financial models. A highlight was the financial model for a £30+ million EBITDA SaaS company as part of their M&A sales process. Their CFO kindly offered to provide me with a reference.
- Spearheaded the development of our Power BI models. A particular highlight is the development of the automated accounts model that can take TB data and turn it into management accounts that are board-pack ready.
- Performed M&A work, including preparing IMs and locked-box calculations for a company that was successfully sold to a private equity buyer at a significant premium after EBITDA adjustments to what they expected.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Corporate Finance, Due Diligence, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, Excel VBA, Excel 365, Microsoft Excel, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), Business Modeling, Startups, M&A Strategy, Equities, Debt, Business Models, Pitch Decks, Equity Research Analysis, Equity Markets, Forecasting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising, Corporate Finance Consultant, Equity Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Scenario Analysis, Scenarios, SaaS, Venture Capital, M&A Modeling, Retail, FMCG, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Operating Models, Manufacturing, Valuation, Budgeting, Excel Expert, Dashboards, Board Decks, P&L Forecasting, Reporting, Three-statement Modeling, Monte Carlo Simulations
Executive
2022 - 2023
Springboard Corporate Finance
- Conducted thorough research to complete various international market maps to create an as complete as possible buyers list for a high-profile pitch. The prospective client noted some buyers they had not thought of looked promising.
- Recommended an alternative source of M&A transaction data with a more complete source of transaction multiples. This was ultimately adopted and aided our pitches where we had data competitors likely did not have.
- Triangulated various data sources to create accurate valuations of companies presented in our pitches. Prospective clients were appreciative of seeing how the valuation was justified.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), Microsoft Excel, Financial Modeling, Business Modeling, Startups, Corporate Finance, M&A Strategy, Equities, Debt, Due Diligence, Business Models, Market Research, Pitch Decks, Equity Research Analysis, Equity Markets, Forecasting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising, Corporate Finance Consultant, Equity Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Scenario Analysis, Scenarios, SaaS, Venture Capital, M&A Modeling, Retail, FMCG, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Manufacturing, Valuation, Budgeting, Excel Expert, Board Decks, P&L Forecasting, Reporting, Three-statement Modeling
Research Analyst
2021 - 2022
Messari
- Delivered detailed structured cryptocurrency research published on the Messari website.
- Developed the tokenomics template file, so it was simpler to input but retained sufficient complexity and flexibility to cover multiple tokenomic models.
- Acted as the only analyst retained from the 84 people who started the scheme.
Focus areas: Research, Market Research, Crypto, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency Exchanges, Business Models, Forecasting, Web 3.0, Fundraising, Equity Valuation, Logistics & Supply Chain, Revenue & Expense Projections, Scenario Analysis, Scenarios, Venture Capital, Retail, Valuation, Excel Expert, Board Decks, P&L Forecasting, Reporting, Monte Carlo Simulations
Assurance Senior
2015 - 2019
EY
- Developed a long-term value framework to assess companies holistically. This financial model evaluated FTSE 350 companies’ ratios against their peers. It gained international appeal, with EY US requesting me to adapt it to their market.
- Delivered a successful audit of a £50 million revenue client through effective multi-channel communication between the manager and the two junior staff members. The client requested I return the following year.
- Assessed SOX controls for around £500 million in revenue. Direct involvement with senior client management, including CFO, to understand and test the SOX controls. Recommendations for the controls were implemented by the client.
Focus areas: Finance, Big 4 Accounting, Accounting, Excel VBA, Excel 365, Microsoft Excel, Revenue & Expense Projections, SaaS, Retail, FMCG, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Manufacturing, Budgeting, Excel Expert
Education
2011 - 2014
Finance and Investment Banking in Finance
The University of Reading - Reading, UK
Certifications
DECEMBER 2023 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Modeler (CFM)
Financial Modeling Institute (FMI)
DECEMBER 2022 - PRESENT
Advanced Financial Modeler (AFM)
Financial Modeling Institute (FMI)
MAY 2022 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA Institute
OCTOBER 2018 - PRESENT
Chartered Accountant (CA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants Scotland
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