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Srini Iyer, CA, CPA, Finance Expert in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Srini Iyer, CA, CPA

Finance Expert in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Member since January 21, 2018
Srini is a CA and CPA with experience leading finance, commercial, and ERP implementations, turnarounds, and buy- and sell-side transactions, notably leading the divestiture of Byrne Group, a former HSBC PE-backed company in Dubai which was later sold for $160 million. A results-driven CFO educated in INSEAD, Srini joined Toptal to help entrepreneurs and management teams in a variety of industries to improve and unlock value.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Industry Expertise

  • Electricity, Oil & Gas
  • Investment Banking
  • Retail
  • Transportation
  • Consumer Products

Other Expertise

Employment

  • COO & CFO

    2016 - 2018
    YORK Fze (backed by HSBC Private Equity)
    • Led the business expansion in Gulf Cooperation Countries (Middle East) and set up including shareholders and distribution agreements.
    • Built financial and control systems including inventory and reordering model, thereby improving stock turns and reducing slow-moving inventories.
    • Set up the finance and accounting functions to have accounts audited with KPMG as auditors; reviewed and planned the ERP Project implementation, rolling out Microsoft Navision.
    • Executed a strategic review assignment for a PE-backed international logistics service provider with $100 million in revenues based in Singapore with subsidiaries in the US, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA.
    • Formulated and advised the Board on a strategic reorganization including the relocation and transition of the headquarters from Singapore to Dubai, resulting in significant long-term savings.
    Focus areas: Comparable Company Analysis, Working Capital Management, Price Analysis, Capital Expenditure Planning, Budget Controls, Finance Strategy, Financial Systems, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

  • Group CFO

    2009 - 2015
    Byrne Group (backed by HSBC Private Equity)
    • Co-led the business transformation with the CEO after the 2008 global financial crisis as a change agent.
    • Executed a sell-side transaction of the firm as engaged by the shareholders of HSBC Private Equity, resulting in significant upside on the 100% sale of the firm.
    • Prepared the information memorandum, business valuations, financial and legal due diligence, data room, shareholders' agreements, and the share purchase agreement.
    • Built the financial budget for 6,000 rental equipment assets including generators, compressors, modular buildings, and tower lights, facilitating reviews for utilization and pricing resulting in improved ROI.
    • Raised and managed treasury function of $120 million (over 3 years) in facilities with multiple lenders for working capital and acquisition finance.
    • Replaced legacy IT systems: Sage 5.5 and Syrinx with Microsoft AX and Sycor ERP.
    Focus areas: Investments, Budget Controls, Financial Reporting, Commercial Finance, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Corporate Finance, Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

  • Finance Director

    2008 - 2009
    TECOM Investments - E Hosting Data Fort
    • Managed and mentored a team of 6 in the finance and commercial functions.
    • Performed evaluation and feasibilities of investments, such as data center acquisitions, and expansion in Dubai and the Free Zones.
    • Conducted investment reviews and appraisals for a $20 million, 20,000 sq ft data center facility in Media Free Zone Dubai.
    • Negotiated commercial contracts covering costing and pricing for the construction and build-out of a data center.
    • Implemented customer-segmented billing and profitability analysis model for a variety of customers including universities, banks, and corporates, thus improving the quality of information on revenues and margins to better support decision-making.
    Focus areas: Project Evaluation, Budget Controls, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

  • Interim CFO

    2006 - 2008
    Acuity Management Consultants
    • Conducted financial due diligence of individual operating companies covering 3 years of accounts.
    • Prepared the feasibility report for a $150 million landfill and recycling project.
    • Conducted business valuations and financial modeling for structuring divestment negotiations.
    • Centralized cash management for a multiple-location facilities management business, where cash flow averaged $1 million per day.
    • Restructured a finance and accounting team of 6 in the aftermath of a fraud incident, and implemented a budgeting and reporting system for an Australian subsidiary of a Singapore-based company.
    • Redefined a joint venture agreement to yield $8 million in additional profit over 3 years.
    Focus areas: Cash Management, Feasibility Studies, Financial Reporting, Due Diligence, Budget Controls, Financial Advisory

  • Finance Director

    2002 - 2006
    Topaz Energy & Marine Ltd
    • Co-led the value creation team for shareholders; handled mergers, acquisitions, and divestments.
    • Built financial models and performed investment analysis for capital investments, including the purchase of ships.
    • Led the financial and legal due diligence exercise in association with Big 4 accounting firms.
    • Compiled the information memorandum with lead bankers for private and public offering.
    • Raised $60 million for vessel and equipment financing and acquisitions loans from banks, and managed a debt portfolio of $100 million with multiple lenders and banks.
    • Prepared IFRS consolidated audited financial statements for the parent and 19 subsidiaries and handled compliance and secretarial functions for Board and shareholder meetings.
    Focus areas: Corporate Finance, Investments, Capital Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Cash Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

  • Finance Director

    1993 - 2002
    Al Futtaim Pvt Ltd
    • Assisted the Managing Director of Retail in the revival and restructuring of ACE Hardware operations.
    • Turned around a loss-making situation to a profitable venture, acting as a change agent.
    • Served as the leader of the implementation team for SAP R3 and SAP FI/CO modules for the group.
    • Implemented a retail Inventory control system and oversaw re-ordering and ABC analysis, thereby improving the retail gross margins to revenue ratio by 3%.
    • Generated 10% additional exchange gains in 2 years through foreign currency risk management in Dubai for purchases made from IKEA Sweden.
    Focus areas: Controller, Cash Management, Financial Accounting, Price Analysis, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Systems

Education

  • Advanced Management Program Degree in Strategies and Leadership
    2015 - 2015
    Insead Business School - Singapore
  • Bachelor's Degree in Commerce & Economics
    1982 - 1985
    Bombay University - India

Certifications

  • Chartered Accountant - Australia and New Zealand
    JUNE 2007 - PRESENT
    Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
  • Certified Public Accountant (Australia)
    JUNE 2003 - PRESENT
    CPA Australia
  • Systems Auditor
    JUNE 2000 - PRESENT
    CISA
  • SAP AG - R/3 Retail - SD and FICO Modules
    JUNE 2000 - PRESENT
    SAP AG
  • Certified Public Accountant (US)
    JUNE 1998 - PRESENT
    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Company Secretary
    NOVEMBER 1987 - PRESENT
    Institute of Company Secretaries of India
  • Chartered Accountant (India)
    MAY 1984 - PRESENT
    Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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