Yuriy Gushchenskov, Finance Expert in Zürich, Switzerland
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Yuriy Gushchenskov

Verified Expert  in Finance

Bio

Yuriy is an accomplished leader with a solid record of achievements across multiple finance functions, a proven ability to drive business results, and exceptional analytical skills combined with strong business sense. He is a subject matter expert in automating finance processes using RPA and AI and implementing business performance management tools, systems, and reports. Yuriy enjoys freelancing as it provides opportunities to unlock new value and make businesses more efficient.

Career Highlights

CFO, Gateretail
Gategroup
Director, Group Financial Planning and Analysis
Gategroup
Corporate FP&A and IT Director
ASBISc Enterprises

Education Highlights

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Certification Highlights

Data Science Specialization
IBM
Machine Learning Specialization
Stanford University
RPA & AI Automation: Technologies and Implementation
London School of Economics and Political Science

Case Studies

Work Experience

CFO, Gateretail

2015 - 2019
Gategroup
  • Redefined and streamlined finance function with effective FTEs reduction by over 30%, together with improved reliability of data and internal controls. Built an effective and efficient retail finance capable of quickly reacting to business needs.
  • Designed and implemented automated retail revenue recognition and reconciliation system, the most advanced solution in the industry. The system allows for automatic posting and reconciliation of millions of sales-on-board transactions.
  • Introduced business results review process to challenge and question revenue and cost elements by customers. Achieved improvements in business EBITDA by more than three times within two years.
  • Led the due diligence process of a CHF 250 million acquisition of a business in Scandinavia to closing. Managed integration activities and savings tracker to fully achieve the initial target. Combined effectively two finance functions into one.
  • Optimized the tax reporting process across 30+ European countries. Achieved full VAT and excise duty compliance within a highly complex tax regulation environment across the globe.
Focus areas: M&A (Buy-side), Financials, Reporting, Automation, Accounting, Treasury, Auditing, Taxation, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Power Automate, Valuation, Financing, P&L Management, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Process Optimization, Business Intelligence (BI), IT, Working Capital Management, Team Leadership, Budgeting, Reconciliation, SAP, SAP Business Warehouse (BW), Controlling, Sales Tax, Forecasting, Customer Analysis, Profitability Analysis, COGS Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, Integration, Financial Controls & Processes, Process Automation, Python, HFM, CFO, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Tax Planning, Cash Flow Management, Change Management, Financial Transformation, Data, Project Management, Turnaround, Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), IFRS Financial Reporting, Restructuring, ERP, Manufacturing, Financial Statements, Financial Reporting, Operations, Cash Flow, Consumer Products, Electronics, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Supply Chain, Three-statement Modeling, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Organization, Startups, Business Models, Cash Flow Modeling, SaaS, Technology, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Operational Finance, Performance Improvement, Travel, Travel & Leisure, Finance, Monthly Close Process, Operational Workflow, Target Operating Models, Corporate Governance, Reorganization, Corporate Finance, Sourcing, Vendor Selection, Vendors & Suppliers, Business Restructuring, Team Management, Consolidation, Financial Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, Controllership, Enterprise SaaS, Foreign Currency, Pricing, Comparable Company Analysis, Financial Operations & Processes, Fractional CFO, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Enterprise Software, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), UK GAAP, Performance Analysis, Systems & Procedures, eCommerce, Audits, Board Reporting, Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Responsibility, Private Equity, Budget Modeling, Profit & Loss (P&L)

Director, Group Financial Planning and Analysis

2008 - 2014
Gategroup
  • Oversaw the global rollout of a web-based travel expense management system. The system standardized and substantially sped up travel expense submission, approval, and reimbursement process, as well as a fully automated back-office function.
  • Acted as the interim finance director for portfolio country in 2012. Led reorganization of the local finance department and co-led a turnaround effort recognized as the most effective turnaround of the year.
  • Developed a robust financial model for a key customer's service offering revamps. Played a pivotal role in commercial negotiations to the final contract and implementation of the new billing process.
  • Provided quarterly reviews of IT costs to CIO and CFO. Completed and successfully presented group IT budgets and forecasts to executive management. Enhanced internal control of IT costs and implemented usage-based IT cost recharges across the group.
  • Managed implementation of SAP FICO in the country and COPA worldwide within tight deadlines and budget. Led business warehouse steering committee and initialized and managed automation of many business warehouse functions throughout the group.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Reporting, Financials, M&A (Buy-side), Process Optimization, Business Intelligence (BI), Microsoft Office, Valuation, P&L Management, Automation, Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Initial Public Offerings, IT, Working Capital Management, Team Leadership, Budgeting, Reconciliation, SAP, SAP Business Warehouse (BW), Controlling, Sales Tax, Forecasting, Customer Analysis, Profitability Analysis, COGS Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, Integration, Financial Controls & Processes, Process Automation, HFM, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Tax Planning, Cash Flow Management, Change Management, Financial Transformation, Data, Project Management, Turnaround, Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), IFRS Financial Reporting, Restructuring, ERP, Manufacturing, Financial Statements, Financial Reporting, Interim CFO, Operations, Cash Flow, Middle East, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Supply Chain, Three-statement Modeling, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Organization, Business Models, Cash Flow Modeling, SaaS, Technology, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Operational Finance, Performance Improvement, Travel, Travel & Leisure, Finance, Monthly Close Process, Operational Workflow, Target Operating Models, Corporate Governance, Reorganization, Corporate Finance, Sourcing, Vendor Selection, Vendors & Suppliers, Business Restructuring, Team Management, Consolidation, Financial Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, Controllership, Enterprise SaaS, Foreign Currency, Pricing, Comparable Company Analysis, Financial Operations & Processes, Fractional CFO, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), US GAAP, Enterprise Software, Professional Services, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Performance Analysis, Systems & Procedures, Audits, Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Responsibility, Private Equity, Budget Modeling, Profit & Loss (P&L)

Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

2006 - 2007
ASBISc Enterprises
  • Led financial planning, forecasting, and analysis of the group.
  • Managed financial due diligence and preparation of a working capital report for listing the company on the Warsaw stock exchange, which brought an additional $20 million in equity.
  • Led a team to create a pitch deck for future investors.
Focus areas: Initial Public Offerings, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Data, Project Management, Financial Statements, Financial Reporting, Operations, Cash Flow, Consumer Products, Electronics, Middle East, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Supply Chain, Three-statement Modeling, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Organization, Startups, Business Models, Cash Flow Modeling, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Operational Finance, Performance Improvement, Finance, Operational Workflow, Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, Business Restructuring, Team Management, Consolidation, Financial Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, Controllership, Foreign Currency, Pricing, Comparable Company Analysis, Financial Operations & Processes, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), US GAAP, Accounting, Forecasting, Enterprise Software, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Performance Analysis, Systems & Procedures, eCommerce, Cash Flow Forecasting, Budget Modeling, Profit & Loss (P&L), QuickBooks Online

Corporate FP&A and IT Director

2001 - 2006
ASBISc Enterprises
  • Oversaw financial due diligence and preparation for listing the company on the Warsaw stock exchange, which brought an additional USD 20 million in equity.
  • Led financial management, planning, and analysis of all business operations. Created the economic profit projection model and introduced a new set of KPIs used as a business management tool. Managed the IT function of the group.
  • Managed cash flow from subsidiaries, prepared operational reports to manage working capital and its components throughout the group and managed FX risks.
Focus areas: Initial Public Offerings, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), IT, Treasury, Financing, Venture Funding, Reporting, Microsoft Office, Valuation, P&L Management, Financials, Automation, Accounting, Process Optimization, Business Intelligence (BI), Working Capital Management, Team Leadership, Budgeting, Reconciliation, Controlling, Sales Tax, Forecasting, Customer Analysis, Profitability Analysis, COGS Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, Integration, Financial Controls & Processes, Process Automation, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Tax Planning, Cash Flow Management, Data, Project Management, Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), IFRS Financial Reporting, Restructuring, ERP, Financial Statements, Financial Reporting, Cash Flow, Consumer Products, Electronics, Middle East, Supply Chain, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Startups, Business Models, Cash Flow Modeling, Technology, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Operational Finance, Performance Improvement, Finance, Operational Workflow, Target Operating Models, Corporate Governance, Reorganization, Corporate Finance, Sourcing, Vendor Selection, Vendors & Suppliers, Business Restructuring, Team Management, Consolidation, Financial Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, Controllership, Foreign Currency, Pricing, Financial Operations & Processes, Enterprise Software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Performance Analysis, Systems & Procedures, eCommerce, Audits, Board Reporting, Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Responsibility, Private Equity, Budget Modeling, Profit & Loss (P&L)
2003 - 2005

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance

University of Chicago Booth School of Business - Chicago, IL, USA

SEPTEMBER 2022 - PRESENT

Data Science Specialization

IBM

AUGUST 2022 - PRESENT

Machine Learning Specialization

Stanford University

AUGUST 2020 - PRESENT

RPA & AI Automation: Technologies and Implementation

London School of Economics and Political Science

Finance

Valuation, Accounting, Taxation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Business Intelligence (BI), Working Capital Management, Profitability Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling, CFO, Internal Financial Reporting, Budgeting, Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Tax Planning, Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Controller, Financial Reporting, Cash Flow, Three-statement Modeling, Cash Flow Modeling, Operational Finance, Corporate Finance, Financial Consolidation, Pricing, Comparable Company Analysis, UK GAAP, Cash Flow Forecasting, Profit & Loss (P&L), Venture Funding, Fundraising, Private Equity, M&A (Buy-side)

Data & Analysis Software

QuickBooks Online

Industry Expertise

Consumer Products, Electronics, Technology, Travel & Leisure, Professional Services

Geographic Expertise

Middle East

Other

Microsoft Office, Microsoft Power Automate, P&L Management, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Financials, Reporting, Automation, Treasury, Auditing, Process Optimization, Initial Public Offerings, IT, Team Leadership, Reconciliation, SAP Business Warehouse (BW), Controlling, Sales Tax, Customer Analysis, COGS Analysis, Process Automation, Integration, Financial Controls & Processes, HFM, Cash Flow Management, Change Management, Financial Transformation, Data, Project Management, Turnaround, IFRS Financial Reporting, Restructuring, ERP, Manufacturing, Financial Statements, Interim CFO, Operations, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Supply Chain, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Organization, Startups, Business Models, SaaS, Business Planning, Business Strategy, Performance Improvement, Travel, Finance, Monthly Close Process, Operational Workflow, Target Operating Models, Corporate Governance, Reorganization, Sourcing, Vendor Selection, Vendors & Suppliers, Business Restructuring, Team Management, Consolidation, Consolidated Reporting, Controllership, Enterprise SaaS, Foreign Currency, Financial Operations & Processes, Fractional CFO, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), US GAAP, Enterprise Software, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Financial Consultant, Performance Analysis, Systems & Procedures, eCommerce, Audits, Board Reporting, P&L Responsibility, Budget Modeling, Financing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Data Science, SAP, Python, Pitch Decks

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