LOUISE CAIRNCROSS
Brackenfell
Summary
Results-driven Finance Transformation Leader with over 24 years of experience in finance process optimization, shared services implementation, and global business transformation. Expertise in SAP ERP, SAP HANA, Central Finance (CFIN), and Finance Shared Services with a track record of leading high-impact initiatives across multinational organizations. Adept at streamlining financial processes, driving operational efficiencies, and enhancing compliance frameworks. Strong stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration, and governance expertise to ensure seamless process adherence and continuous improvement. Passionate about leveraging technology and data analytics to optimize finance functions and improve business performance.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Global Central Finance SME (and other global roles)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
05.2013 - 06.2023
- Led global SAP Central Finance implementation across 400+ legal entities, ensuring data integrity and seamless integration between SAP ECC, CFIN, and BW/BPC.
- Delivered global process change control, standardizing financial operations for increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Designed and facilitated user training programs for finance teams, ensuring smooth adoption of new financial systems and workflows.
- Provided hypercare and transition support, ensuring a seamless handover to business-as-usual operations.
- Strengthened business risk and controls, improving financial reporting compliance and governance.
- Global Process Expert – Product Costing
- Served as the custodian of the Global Operating Model. Assessed and reviewed country/market exceptions based on business cases or legal/fiscal requirements, determining their impact on the global operating model and recommending endorsement or rejection based on governance frameworks.
- Led process efficiency initiatives, driving cost savings in collaboration with GBS (achieving 10% of their savings target).
- Led and supported strategic initiatives on behalf of the Global Heads of Function (Global Process Owner), evaluating business model changes and their impact on the Global Operating Model and system, ensuring well-informed decision-making.
- Managed stakeholder relationships, acting as a key liaison between Global Process Owners, Business Controls, and Audit teams.
- Chaired monthly governance forums, leading process enhancements and addressing operational challenges.
- Developed and executed continuous improvement strategies to enhance costing and month-end financial processes.
Global Lead Subject Matter Expert for accounting services
Transactional Finance Lead SME – TaO
05.2013 - 12.2015
- Served as Global Lead Subject Matter Expert for accounting services, overseeing fixed assets, intercompany billing, and general ledger processes, including month-end and year-end processes, reconciliation processes, and journals.
- Led the implementation of a new SAP ERP system, conducting gap analyses and business readiness assessments.
- Assessed and reviewed risk and controls, ensuring effective implementation across financial operations.
- Managed the Global Chart of Accounts and the Global Reconciliation Framework, standardizing financial data structures and ensuring consistency.
- Conducted training and change management programs, ensuring smooth ERP adoption across global finance teams.
- Managed financial audits, driving process standardization and control enhancements.
- Global Process Expert – Transactional Finance
- Managed a team of 5 Global Process Experts and regional leads, driving finance and HR process optimization.
- Oversaw Transactional Finance, Order to Cash, Talent Management, and Employee Administration processes.
- Facilitated and led Global Process Owner meetings, ensuring alignment on finance and HR strategy.
- Developed KPI frameworks and governance models to monitor process efficiency and adherence.
- Provided leadership in internal and external audit engagements, enhancing compliance and risk mitigation.
Various Finance Leadership Roles
British American Tobacco (BAT)
08.1998 - 04.2013
- Managed a team of 5 Global Process Experts and regional leads, driving finance and HR process optimization.
- Oversaw Transactional Finance, Order to Cash, Talent Management, and Employee Administration processes.
- Facilitated and led Global Process Owner meetings, ensuring alignment on finance and HR strategy.
- Developed KPI frameworks and governance models to monitor process efficiency and adherence.
- Provided leadership in internal and external audit engagements, enhancing compliance and risk mitigation.
- Global Process Expert – Transactional Finance
- Led Record to Report Transactional Finance process transformation, streamlining operations across global finance teams.
- Worked closely with Business Controls and Audit teams, improving financial compliance and reporting accuracy.
- Designed and implemented process efficiency measures, enhancing workflow automation and cost reduction.
- Supported strategic finance planning, leveraging data analytics to optimize financial decision-making.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Management, Industrial Psychology, Financial Accounting
University of the Western Cape
Skills
- Finance Process Optimization & Governance
- SAP Central Finance (CFIN), SAP HANA, SAP ERP
- Finance Transformation & Shared Services Implementation
- Business Controls & Risk Management
- KPI Review & Management
- Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
- Process Efficiency & Cost Reduction
- Leadership & Cross-functional Collaboration
- Project Management (PRINCE2)
Certification
- Leadership Development Program - Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria
- PRINCE2 Project Management Certification
Timeline
Global Central Finance SME (and other global roles)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
05.2013 - 06.2023
Global Lead Subject Matter Expert for accounting services
Transactional Finance Lead SME – TaO
05.2013 - 12.2015
Various Finance Leadership Roles
British American Tobacco (BAT)
08.1998 - 04.2013
Bachelor’s Degree - Business Management, Industrial Psychology, Financial Accounting
University of the Western Cape
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Available for roles in EMEA, Africa, and Open to remote and hybrid
- Fluent in English: adept at working in multinational and culturally diverse environments.
- Global finance transformation opportunities with a focus on finance operations, transformation, and strategy.
Training & Professional Development
- SAP ERP & SAP Central Finance Training
- Finance Process & System Optimization
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