Sophie Xiao
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Finance and Equity Research Expert
London, United Kingdom
Toptal member since February 5, 2026
Sophie is a seasoned finance and equity research expert with over a decade of experience. With qualifications including ACA and CFA Level III certification, she excels in crafting three-statement financial models, valuation frameworks, and scenario/sensitivity analyses. Sophie collaborates closely with clients to transform intricate financial data into actionable insights, facilitating informed decision-making.
Career Highlights
Education Highlights
Certification Highlights
Case Studies
Financial Forecasting
Scenario Analysis and Risk Assessment
Performance and Valuation Insight
Software Expertise
- Microsoft Excel
Other Expertise
- Equity Research
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Data Analysis
- Financial Forecasting
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Microsoft 365
Work Experience
Vice President | Research Analyst
Rothschild & Co Redburn
- Conducted in-depth stock research as the lead analyst on US/HK-listed companies, including DoorDash, Alibaba, Tencent, Uber, with model building, research writing, and stock pitching to institutional investors.
- Built and regularly updated financial forecasting models for three statements with Excel, based on key assumptions, and conducted scenario and sensitivity analysis on key metrics.
- Presented investment ideas to European institutional investors through over 120 meetings annually, focusing on stock coverage and China macroeconomic concerns, delivering a blend of financial and non-financial data for investor consideration.
Senior Associate
PwC UK
- Performed 2 financial statement audits and 7 quarterly review procedures for Janus Henderson Group, and financial statement audits for more than 20 subsidiaries for the years 2017 and 2018.
- Performed in-depth analytics and audit for all significant items in financial statements, and investigated the reasons for substantial movements by liaising with the client’s senior management, front office, legal, and HR.
- Oversaw an on-site team of 8, managed the project from inception to completion under a tight timetable and high pressure, resulting in completion of the work 10% ahead of schedule.
- Headed the audit as group auditor, and managed 4 component teams in the US, Singapore, Australia, and Luxembourg, including instructions, weekly catch-ups, and final work delivery.
Audit Senior Associate
PwC
- Led a team of eight individuals for two IPO projects involving China A-share and Hong Kong H-share, playing a pivotal role in preparing financial data for the prospectuses.
- Led different teams to perform field work at the client site, and presented accounting and reporting issues with suggested solutions to the C-suite.
- Oversaw the preparation of the responding report to detailed analytical inquiries from the regulator (CSRC), and analyzed business models and revenue recognition with both financial and operational data.
Education
Master's Degree in Finance
University of Cambridge - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
Tsinghua University - Beijing, China
Certifications
ACA
ICAEW
Skills
Finance
Accounting, Equity Research, Financial Accounting, P&L Forecasting, Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Equity Valuation, Financial Modeling, Financial Risk Analysis, Valuation
Output Software
Microsoft Excel
Other
Microsoft 365, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Analysis, Financial Data Analysis, Auditing, Financial Statement Preparation, Audits, Financial Forecasting
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