Conan Lai
Mount Waverley,Australia
Summary
Chartered Accountant with Big 4 training at KPMG and over 12 years’ experience in multinational organisations across banking, industrial, construction and manufacturing sectors. Transferred to Australia and added 1 year of local commercial finance experience, strengthening local market knowledge and stakeholder engagement. Reported directly to the CFO in Australia, and managing cross-border teams from Malaysia and APAC Cluster.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Pacific Operations Control Manager
Air Liquide Australia
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
05.2024 - 05.2025
- Company Overview: Air Liquide is a multinational organisation and a world leader in gases for industry and healthcare, listed on Euronext Paris stock exchange, Market cap of €104.8bn, present in 60 countries and 66,500 employees
- Led monthly closing processes, with cross-border collaboration with teams from India (IT), and Malaysia (Finance), finalising sales (annual $250m), cost of sales and general expenses, while submitting financial performance reports to APAC region in Singapore and Headquarter in France.
- Analysed monthly performance metrics (profitability ratios, Sales variance, Pass-through, working days), identifying trends and variances to drive actionable solutions, and cash flow analysis to effectively manage working capital and capital expenditures.
- Delivered support and guidance to 3 Operations Controllers, utilising extensive experience and specialised knowledge to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Coordinated budget planning, preparation and reporting, and delivering accurate insights for strategic decisions on future performance, business areas requiring attention, and investment planning.
- Implemented reporting tools to streamline data that provided financial insights on profitability by product lines, project planning and scenario analysis, that supported management decisions and improved operational performance.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders (local and cross-border) to transform complex data (financial models and scenario analyses) into clear insights for informed decision-making.
Operations Control & Consolidation Analyst
Air Liquide Africa Services
Johannesburg, South Africa
04.2018 - 04.2024
- Consolidated financial data from 15+ entities, generating Flash, Target, and Variance Analysis reports per Group policies, ensured consistency in financial reporting, and drafted commentary for the Africa & ME Cluster to Group in Paris.
- Analysed monthly performance metrics (profitability ratios, Sales variance, Pass-through, working days, debtors outstanding days), led the performance reviews, and identifying trends and variances to drive actionable solutions.
- Acted as Finance Business Partner across five African regions, delivering financial analysis to support strategic decision-making and performance improvement. Implemented reporting tools and standardised templates, driving a 20% uplift in operating efficiency of financial processes.
- Managed Sales Variance process (5 regions and total annual turnover €300mil), by implementing templates, led sales strategy meetings, evaluating pricing proposals, analysing pass-through and margin. Pass-through improved by 20% in 2023.
- Through general expenses and operating efficiencies analysis, collaborated with business unit leaders to implement financial and cost management strategies on operating expenses, reducing general expenses by 10%.
- Prepared and consolidated forecasts of Cash Flow, Balance Sheet and working capital for 15+ entities.
Financial Manager | Group Accountant
Bobcat Equipment SA | Goscor Group
Johannesburg, South Africa
03.2015 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: Bobcat Equipment a subsidiary of Goscor Group, is the South African distributor for Bobcat construction and agricultural equipment.
- Managed full finance operations (AP, AR, Cash), 6 finance personnel, month-end (general ledger, accruals, reconciliations), and management reporting (to Group CEO and CFO).
- Delivered and presented monthly variance analysis and performance commentary to senior management.
- Partnered with operational managers and GM on business cases and special projects (warehouse expansion, new product lines, rental fleet, efficiencies, operating expenses analysis).
- Supported process improvements that reduced manual effort and enhanced accuracy of reporting.
Consultant - Conformance and Governance
ABSA Group LTD | Barclays Africa Group LTD
Johannesburg, South Africa
03.2013 - 02.2015
- Conducted policy compliance reviews across African banking operations including Barclays Bank of Kenya, Barclays Bank of Tanzania, and Absa Vehicle & Asset Finance.
- Delivered full audit lifecycle: scoping, planning, fieldwork, and reporting—identifying process risks and recommending improvements.
- Managed regional Account Ownership & Reconciliation (AO&R) attestations for the Africa Finance Director, including coordination of templates, timelines, and reporting packs.
- Supported preparation of conformance reporting packs for executive stakeholders and submissions to Barclays Group.
Accountant promoted to Supervisor (Senior Associate)
KPMG Incorporated
Johannesburg, South Africa
01.2010 - 12.2012
- Led end-to-end audits for clients in financial services sector (Banks, Insurance, Investment & Management Funds), including planning, execution, reporting, review financial statements, and client liaison.
- Gained broad exposure to risk assessment, internal controls testing, financial reporting, preparing and reviewing financial statements, completing all SAICA competencies.
- Supervised junior staff and ensured quality assurance and compliance with IFRS and audit standards.
Education
Bachelors in Accounting Science (Hons) -
University of South Africa
Bachelors in Accounting Science - undefined
University of the Witwatersrand
Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) - undefined
SAICA
Skills
- Financial reporting and month-end close
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial data analysis
- Variance analysis
- Stakeholder and Cross-border engagement
- Advanced Excel, Power BI, ERP Systems (Oracle and SAP)
- Management reporting
- Process Improvement & Compliance
- Financial modeling techniques
- Financial Business partnering
- Deadline Driven
- Autonomous and detail-oriented
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Languages: English (Advanced), Chinese – Cantonese (Basic)
Timeline
Pacific Operations Control Manager
Air Liquide Australia
05.2024 - 05.2025
Operations Control & Consolidation Analyst
Air Liquide Africa Services
04.2018 - 04.2024
Financial Manager | Group Accountant
Bobcat Equipment SA | Goscor Group
03.2015 - 03.2018
Consultant - Conformance and Governance
ABSA Group LTD | Barclays Africa Group LTD
03.2013 - 02.2015
Accountant promoted to Supervisor (Senior Associate)
KPMG Incorporated
01.2010 - 12.2012
Bachelors in Accounting Science - undefined
University of the Witwatersrand
Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) - undefined
SAICA
Bachelors in Accounting Science (Hons) -
University of South Africa
Hobbies and Interests
Career interests: Community Involvement, Photography, Travel and Sports