Fimodo chats to Andrew Caesar, Commercial Analyst at Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific. If you would like to see a certain financial modelling professional profiled, please email the editor with your suggestion to expert@fimodo.com.
What do you do?
I am a Commercial Analyst. I provide support to the Commercial department mainly through reporting, system invesitgation and financial modelling. My role also includes elements of pricing, cost to serve and database management. Our business is going through a number of changes at the moment and it is expected that my role will continue to change with it.
Why did you start to work in financial modelling?
I never really planned it this way, more I was in the right place and right time. I actually didn’t realise initially that what I was modelling, I just saw it has fulfilling the needs of the business. However I have come to enjoy both the detail and the knowledge you gain from delving deeply into a business.
What was your first job?
I was a graduate analyst for an Oil Major, I worked on mainly Customer Service related projects initially before moving into more advanced business and pricing modelling. I think one of my greatest achievements during that time was piecing together all the different parts that made up the fuel card business, and being able to represent this in a very simple pricing model. No one had looked at this before and I managed to find $4million that had previously been un represented to this business unit.
What did you study and how does it help you in financial modelling?
Bachelor of International Business (as I said I hadn’t planned things this way). I think this has helped me to look more broadly at what I am being asked to do and consider some of the softer sides of what I’m modelling, not just the finances. I am now studying a Masters of Finance to solidify my understanding.
Describe a typical day?
Is there such a thing as a typical day? Usually I will spend a portion of my day investigating system issues or running reports for management and customers. Current financial model audits and assisting the Business Managers to ensure that they are using our financial model template correctly. The balance of the day is spent in value add activites, whether that be improving the financial model template, cost to serve modelling, or developing/enhancing current processes to make like easier for the Business Managers I support.
What is on your agenda for 2009-2010?
As I mentioned, our business is going through a lot of change, so I expect to be working on a lot of Commercial Process improvement activities. This will be a matter of improving current practices and meshing them into the new structure. With closer global ties I also expect to be changing our current financial models to meet global requirements.We also have some major tenders coming up that I will no doubt be involved in.
What is your favourite financial modelling trick? Why?
High level summaries… I know it sounds simple, however I often forget that most people hate looking at spreadsheets, so being able to summarise the important outputs into a simple 2 column table that can easily be transported to fit in with a justification document saves a lot of time for the people who are presenting the model outputs.
How are financial models used in your organization?
We use them to decide on whether to Tender for a particular piece of business. We generally deal in 3 year multi-million dollar contracts, so it is important to get the numbers right from the start. They are also used for cost modelling. Where possible we try to create a “one-size fits all” model, then customise them as required.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I have an uncanny ability to find system problems, Application Support teams and I tend to have a love hate relationship.
Links:
Dyno Nobel Asia Pacific
Andrew Caesar on LinkedIn
If you would like to see a certain financial modelling professional profiled, please email the editor with your suggestion to expert@fimodo.com . If you would like to suggest yourself then that is of course fine too – just make sure that it is true, relevant and well-written without trying to sell anything.