Suzan Jones

Hugely experienced, commercially focused, and detail-orientated finance professional, with a strong track record in accountancy practice, resilient under pressure and has successfully transferred these skills to the commercial sector. Possesses strong financial control and reporting skills, able to influence and negotiate effectively both internally at executive, peer, and employee level and outside the organisation using a tactful and persuasive manner. Equally accomplished at hands on bookkeeping as directly managing a team.

Also offers wider operational experience - regulation compliance, HR (recruitment, learning & development, H & S) GDPR, legal transactions, shareholder management, board secretary and other support activities including facilities management.

Finance Manager – KJ Smith Solicitors – May 2023 to December 2023. This short term project involved a review of the existing accounts department/ processes, identifying problem areas and agreeing solutions with management, starting the improvement process, and then transitioning to a new full time Finance Manager including.

• Revised structure for accounting department
• Upgrading accounting/ practice management software
• Updating process for handling / recording clients’ monies • VAT on overseas clients

Finance Manager – Biotherapy Services Limited (R&D Biotech) - December 2019 to April 2023.

The focus, after overseeing the implementation of a new accounting system, was cash management/supporting the clinical trial / secretary to board of directors and providing financial returns to external investors. Headcount/offices and trial sites doubled during employment.

Role

• All aspects of financial control, in particular cash flow management, budget forecasts, modelling.
• Preparation of management reports and presentation at monthly board meetings. Drafting annual accounts for audit and liaising with external advisers – auditors / legal team / patent advisers

. • Drafting annual R&D claim – creation of recording process to ensure timely submission.

• Support the clinical trial team -negotiating with NHS trial sites/ complying with MHRA regulatory requirements and record keeping required for a clinical trial.
• Develop systems and deliver training sessions to staff to improve understanding of stock management/ expenses policy/ EMI scheme and commercial awareness.

 Main Achievements

• Managed cash preservation measures during pandemic lock downs including Furlough Scheme and in recent months extended cash runway while seeking next round of investment.
• Following a thorough review of historical records and discussing with CEO, negotiated a significantly reduced VAT settlement with HMRC for periods prior to my engagement.
• Supported management with two investment rounds – built financial models & forecasts/ populated data room/ due diligence process / liaised with lawyers and Company Secretary to complete transactions.
• Set up legal governance framework for new Clinical & Scientific Advisory Counsel.
• Led update of Staff Handbook/employment contracts and GDPR review and action plans.

Finance and Office Manager - Envision Pharma Group /Curo Consulting (Pharma-Market Access Consultancy) - April 2016 to November 2019 

Initial role included completing historical records/ restructure of management reports/ processing accounting information / payroll/ pension /statutory returns and managed office facilities in UK, USA, and Serbia. Supported Directors through due diligence process during acquisition by EPG, providing financial information /consulting with external advisers. After overseeing integration into EPG group - joined the EPG Finance department in January 2018.

 Role

• Managed financial aspects of Division - reported to Business Unit Head (revenue/budgets).
• Supported International Client Solution Team – reviewed proposals /provided reports and analysis.
• Recorded and Maintained Project specific records/ review of Contracts/Billing/Cash Management
• Revenue Forecasting / provision of monthly reports to head of Global Finance.
• Office Manager/ Health & Safety officer reporting to Global Facilities Head. Main Achievements
• Restructured Management reporting process prior to acquisition (including Budgets/cash flow/monthly accounts) to provide timely, accurate and complete information to facilitate business decision making
• Executed Company Pension scheme in UK and 401k/Health Care scheme in US.
• Led implementation of policies to ensure office achieved ISO 27001 Information Security Certification.

Accountant / Office Manager - Minttulip Ltd (IT Consultancy Services) - May 2012 to March 2016

Joined this start-up business, in its first year of trading. Established financial controls and provided budget/planning information to enable strategic decisions and response to market changes for this fast growing consulting practice (turnover £3.4m).

ACA – Qualified as Associate Member of ICAEW with Deloitte Haskins & Sells (1984)

ATII – Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Taxation (1992)

FCA – Fellow of ICAEW