Arnaud Soupa, CFA
Finance Expert
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toptal Member Since
January 20, 2022
Arnaud is a part-time CFO and advisor in corporate financial management. With an international corporate career of 20+ years working at prominent players like Veolia and PwC, he ventured into the startup space as a co-founder and CEO. For the past four years, he has been helping small and medium-sized businesses scale up, adopt more sophisticated practices, and tackle increasing complexity. Arnaud appreciates the opportunity to engage with various visionary, demanding, and talented stakeholders.
Arnaud is available for hire
Hire ArnaudCareer Highlights
Part-time CFO and Corporate Finance Management Advisor
A.Soupa Consulting Inc.
Select Certifications
Advanced Financial Modeler
Financial Modeling Institute
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA institute
Case Studies
Expertise
CFOCleanTechCorporate FinanceEnvironmentFinancial AnalysisFinancial ModelingPart-time CFOServiceWork Experience
2017 - PRESENT
Part-time CFO and Corporate Finance Management Advisor
A.Soupa Consulting Inc.
- Backed a startup in scaling up its SaaS space through improved processes, new commercial models, and strategic partnerships in Canada and the USA as a fractional CFO.
- Guided an e-learning company in the areas of FP&A in compliance with US GAAP and improved the finance function as a USA advisor.
- Assisted a not-for-profit in improving the FP&A function, including developing a forward-looking financial model.
- Supported a Credit Union's scenario analysis, including developing a bottom-up forward-looking financial model as an advisor in Canada.
- Acted as interim, part-time CFO supporting a global PE-owned food production company for its North-American operations, focusing on budgeting, cash flow, profitability, and growth projects.
- Designed and led the implementation of a strategic plan for a Canadian environmental services space following an acquisition as fractional president.
- Supported a Canadian startup to secure equity and debt for its first commercial project in the cleantech space as a fractional CFO.
- Built a financial model and conducted an impairment and onerous contract analysis as an advisor for a company in the automotive sector in Canada.
- Led the creation of an edtech startup as a co-founder and CEO.
- Provided advice during an M&A process in France as an advisor.
Focus areas: Startup Consulting, Strategic Planning, Strategic Partnerships, Startup Funding, Entrepreneurship, CleanTech, Service, Environment, CFO, Virtual CFO, Fractional CFO, Financial Modeling, Project Finance, Part-time CFO, Corporate Governance, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Budgeting, Cash Management, Cash Flow, Business Advisory, SaaS, Renewables, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Financial Analysis, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Fundraising, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Startups, Angel/Seed Funding, Early-stage Startups, Controllership, Sales Growth, Seed Fundraising, Accounting, Edtech, Education Technology (Edtech), Interim CFO, Renewable Energy, Cash Flow Modeling, Internal Financial Reporting, Information Technology, Xero Accounting, Cash Flow Analysis, Inventory Management, eCommerce, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials
2015 - 2017
VP of Strategy and Business Development – Veolia North America
Veolia
- Served as a business development conduit to structure and submit offers and explore partnership opportunities for the entire environmental services portfolio across North America.
- Partnered with business development and operational teams to craft offers, submit bids and proposals backed by intense financial analysis, financial modeling, contract review, and risk analysis for 37 projects.
- Performed research and development of strategic growth plans to measure the impact of major strategic projects and growth initiatives.
- Steered risk review procedure development, tightening the process to submit project opportunities to management.
Focus areas: Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, Project Finance, PPP Projects, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, CleanTech, Environment, Service, Renewables, Corporate Governance, Cash Flow, Business Models, Sales Growth, Renewable Energy, Cash Flow Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials
2012 - 2014
Chief Financial Officer – Dalkia Canada
Veolia
- Designated to the newly created position with a mandate to lead the development and execution of strategic plans and develop all back-office functions in finance, legal, HR, IT, and risk management.
- Scaled back-office infrastructure for growth. Aligned finance functions to group standards for transparency with accurate reporting and forecasting. Deployed group initiatives at the subsidiary level.
- Helmed a 7-year strategic plan for Canadian operations with varied business models and market opportunities.
- Supported business development efforts from a finance perspective, providing financial analysis, financial modeling, risk analysis and mitigation, contractual analysis, and deal structure.
- Tasked to plan and lead divestment of a non-core and loss-making business unit deemed non-strategic.
Focus areas: CFO, CleanTech, Service, Environment, Financial Modeling, Project Finance, Corporate Governance, Strategic Partnerships, PPP Projects, Budgeting, Cash Management, Renewables, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Financial Analysis, Internal Control, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Reporting, Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Accounting, Renewable Energy, Cash Flow Modeling, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials
2009 - 2011
Finance Director – Dalkia UK
Veolia
- Managed geographically disparate teams across the UK in charge of a portfolio of business units.
- Mandated to boost profit and cash flow of a mature business unit.
- Ensured finance systems and processes were in place to cope with challenges as the company decided to aggressively expand in the retail facilities management sector.
- Successfully led off-balance sheet arrangements—projects financing and refinancing—and major commercial settlements.
Focus areas: Operational Finance, Working Capital Management, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, Project Finance, Service-level Agreements (SLA), CleanTech, Environment, Service, Management Accounting, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Reporting, Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Accounting, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Operations, Infrastructure, Economic Analysis, Financials
2006 - 2009
Financial Controller – Dalkia UK
Veolia
- Focused on the tracking and maximization of cash flow, EBITDA, and profitability, with active involvement in commercial matters and risk management.
- Implemented cash optimization measures like costs savings and working capital management.
- Supported the growth of the project's business development cycle.
Focus areas: Operational Finance, CleanTech, Service, Environment, Budgeting, Management Accounting, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Working Capital Management, Reporting, Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Accounting, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Operations, Financials
2005 - 2006
Internal Audit and Risks Analyst – Dalkia UK
Veolia
- Led various internal audit assignments in compliance and performance.
- Led the 2006 Sarbanes-Oxley campaign to assess a new set of internal controls as part of a global group policy.
- Raised business awareness while managing the group insurance program.
Focus areas: Internal Control, Internal Audits, Risk Management, CleanTech, Service, Environment, Policies & Procedures Compliance
2002 - 2005
Management Accountant — Dalkia Headquarters
Veolia
- Contributed to the central management accounting team, reporting to its director.
- Modeled, analyzed, and presented the group's strategic plan to the CFO.
- Monitored the headquarters' costs working closely with the CFO while owning the responsibility for the management accounts.
Focus areas: Budgeting, Strategic Planning, CleanTech, Environment, Service, Operational Finance, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Financials
1999 - 2002
Senior Consultant in Management Accounting
PwC
- Defined and implemented processes and procedures across a variety of clients in the public sector, telecommunication, and more.
- Implemented a management accounting system with activity-based costing.
- Developed and delivered training programs to accelerate the adoption of new procedures and systems.
Focus areas: Policies & Procedures Compliance, Management Accounting, Operational Finance
1997 - 1998
Branch Financial Controller
Geoservices
- Implemented financial processes, procedures, and management accounts.
- Focused on the collection of receivables, bringing the accounts receivable's age profile back to normal.
- Carried out various assignments for several Mediterranean and Middle-East branches to implement best practices.
Focus areas: Reporting, Cash Management, Operational Finance, Budgeting, Business Planning, Microsoft Excel, Cash Flow, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Controllership, Controller, Internal Financial Reporting, Cash Flow Analysis, Oil & Gas, Financials
1995 - 1996
Intern – Corporate Banking Analyst, Banque de Gestion Privee
Groupe Credit Agricole
- Delivered financial and risk analysis on working capital, LBO arrangements, and more.
- Processed day-to-day transactions for corporate clients.
- Monitored profitability of corporate banking activities.
Focus areas: Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Financing, Revenue & Expense Projections, Cash Flow Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis, Financials
Education
1994 - 1997
Bachelor and Master's Degree in Finance
Grenoble School of Management - Grenoble, France
1991 - 1994
Bachelor and Master's Degree in Public Services
Institute of Political Studies - Grenoble, France
Certifications
DECEMBER 2021 - PRESENT
Advanced Financial Modeler
Financial Modeling Institute
SEPTEMBER 2020 - PRESENT
FI Accelerator Program for Startups
Founder Institute
SEPTEMBER 2019 - PRESENT
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
CFA institute