Robert is available for hire
Hire RobertRobert Craig Chiddenton
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Tivat, Montenegro
Toptal Member Since
July 31, 2020
Craig is a finance expert with 20+ years of experience. He recently steered Porto Montenegro from a startup to the region's premier luxury destination and, ultimately, to a successful exit for the investors. This involved working closely with the CEO and investors, including Peter Munk and partners. With his original background in audit and professional services at Deloitte, Craig has deep expertise in listening to and developing solutions that fit clients' needs.
Career Highlights
Finance Director
Porto Montenegro
CFO, Board Member
Tulipan Grupa
Director of Audit
Deloitte
Certification Highlights
CPA Canada
Chartered Professional Accountants Manitoba
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Finance Director
2009 - 2019
Porto Montenegro
- Developed the accounting and finance function from the bottom up, recruited and led a team, and developed the information systems to support accurate and timely reporting.
- Led and participated in developing the long-term strategy and annual budgets as a key member of the management team.
- Continually negotiated new loans for project financing and renegotiated operating finance loans to optimize the capital structure for shareholders.
Focus areas: Management, Internal Control, Real Estate, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), IFRS Financial Reporting, CFO, Startups, Anti-money Laundering (AML), Southern Europe, Human Resources (HR), Trusted Advisor, Contract Drafting, Insurance, Bank Debt Raises, Cash Management, Profit Optimization, Taxation, Corporate Law, Corporate Legal, Microsoft Excel, Hotels & Lodging, Real Estate Development, Debt Raises, Finance Strategy, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Corporate Finance, Income Tax, Food & Beverage, Hospitality, Internal Audits, Project Finance, Residential Real Estate, Administrative Procedures, Analytical Review, Legal Structuring, Corporate Tax Planning
CFO, Board Member
2007 - 2009
Tulipan Grupa
- Led the company from a startup to one of the largest developers in Croatia. Set up all the accounting, finance, and administrative systems of the company.
- Set up the legal structure with separate legal entities for developments, land banks, services, and hotels, in order to facilitate financing and limit risk.
- Led project finance, worked closely with our bank on land acquisitions, and staged financing.
Focus areas: Internal Control, Corporate Legal, Legal Structuring, Finance Strategy, Project Finance, Corporate Tax Planning, Contract Drafting, Debt Raises, Residential Real Estate, Real Estate Development, Startups, Real Estate, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), IFRS Financial Reporting, CFO, Southern Europe, Trusted Advisor, Bank Debt Raises, Cash Management, Profit Optimization, Taxation, Corporate Law, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Corporate Finance, Income Tax, Administrative Procedures, Analytical Review, Management
Director of Audit
1994 - 2006
Deloitte
- Delivered deep accounting and finance expertise to financial services companies, including banks, insurance companies, leasing, and property development.
- Performed tax planning for clients, including multinationals, to ensure compliance while minimizing tax burdens.
- Provided clients with value-added and practical solutions for internal controls.
Focus areas: Corporate Income Tax, Internal Control, Trusted Advisor, Due Diligence, IFRS Financial Reporting, Audits, Financial Institutions, Southern Europe, Insurance, Startups, Taxation, Corporate Legal, Microsoft Excel, Contract Drafting, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Income Tax, Internal Audits, Analytical Review, Corporate Law, Legal Structuring, Corporate Tax Planning, Management
Education
1987 - 1991
Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Commerce
University of Manitoba - Winnipeg, Canada
Certifications
MAY 1994 - PRESENT
CPA Canada
Chartered Professional Accountants Manitoba