Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Specialized Certifications
Projects
Timeline
Generic
Liza Smirnova

Liza Smirnova

Riga

Summary

As a detail-oriented and highly organized professional, I excel in structuring information and ensuring the seamless flow of administrative tasks. Growing up as a first-generation Latvian with immigrant parents from Russia and Ukraine, I have always understood the importance of clear communication and meticulous organization. My heritage has instilled in me a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and an affinity for working in international environments. With a strong background in finance and accounting, I have honed my skills in managing complex schedules, preparing comprehensive reports, and facilitating effective invoice processing within the Accounts Payable team and in collaboration with other S2P teams within my organization. My meticulous approach to organizing data and documentation has consistently contributed to efficient office operations, improved KPIs, and reduced backlog. I am committed to delivering exceptional service and accuracy in every aspect of my work.

Overview

4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Accounts Payable Specialist

Cabot Latvia
01.2021 - Current

Responsible for high-quality data processing in the Accounts Payable department for all Cabot Corporation entities across North America, particularly Cabot Canada Ltd., I have facilitated effective collaboration with respective stakeholders to resolve issues related to invoicing and the procurement process.

My work responsibilities span various North American entities, including Cabot Corporation sites in Billerica, Haverhill, Sarnia, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and now include Accounts Payable duties across the entire North American region.

My duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Working with various accounting and AI software to facilitate invoice processing for payment;
  • Frequently creating various reports using MS Excel (e.g., accrual reports, statement review reports, unresolved cases reports), which are utilized by multiple departments and stored for enhanced visibility;
  • Reconciling payment discrepancies through collaboration with both internal and international S2P teams, such as General Ledger, Domestic/Import Transportation, Purchasing, Finance Managers, etc.;
  • Addressing vendor and collaborator inquiries via email;
  • Reconciling bank statements and resolving any discrepancies;
  • Ensuring compliance with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements, most notably Sarbanes-Oxley controls;
  • Developing process improvement solutions for improving the daily workflow and KPIs.

My greatest accomplishments in this area of work are:

  • Leading trainings and developing training materials for new team members;
  • Creation of a comprehensive team task planner;
  • Restructuring and ownership of shared team mailboxes;
  • Exceeding the annual KPI of88% for supplier on-time payments by2%;
  • Meeting the KPI of limiting backlog to under50 invoices;
  • Reducing the backlog of the Cabot Canada entity by94% within a year, a difference of117 invoices;
  • Designing and producing, as well as performing the Team Introduction presentation at the monthly all-hands company meeting

Private Banker Internship

VIALET
01.2021 - 01.2021

Responsible for several key tasks, primarily focusing on document ownership, KYC functions, and adverse media searches, I ensured that client documentation was up-to-date, complete, and compliant with regulatory standards, managing the entire lifecycle of documents from collection to verification.

My role also involved conducting adverse media searches to identify any negative information related to current or potential clients, ensuring that all client relationships adhered to the highest due diligence standards.

Additionally, I played a crucial role in restructuring the company’s documentation system, streamlining processes to improve efficiency and accessibility, and ensuring that all records were well-organized and easily retrievable.

My work duties included, but were not limited to:

  • Regularly updated and maintained KYC records to ensure compliance with regulatory standards;
  • Organized and managed client documentation, ensuring all files are complete and up-to-date;
  • Translated relevant documents from Russian to English and vice versa to facilitate clear communication with clients and colleagues;
  • Assisted in the onboarding process for new clients, ensuring all required documentation is collected and verified;
  • Conducted adverse media searches to identify any negative information about current or potential clients;
  • Supported senior private bankers in managing client relationships and providing high-quality service;
  • Provide general administrative support to the private banking team;
  • Maintained and updated client databases with accurate and current information

My greatest accomplishments in this area of work are:

  • Completing the restructuring of the company’s internal drive within one month, achieving a50% improvement over the two-month KPI for this task;
  • Meeting the KPI of maintaining medium- and high-risk clientele under2% annually, per the adverse media searches conducted

Education

BBA - International Relations Management

Riga Technical University
06-2024

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Tools
  • Onenote / MS-Word / MS Powerpoint / MS Excel / MS Outlook / MS Access / Adobe Acrobat
  • Advanced MS Excel
  • Spreadsheet Management and Preparation / Report Preparation and Management / VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP functions / Shared Inter-Team File Preparation and Distribution / Work with Statements
  • Accounting/Finance Software
  • Oracle JD Edwards / Odoo / Coupa / Nano
  • Photo Editing Software
  • Adobe Photoshop (basic elements) / Begginer Adobe Illustrator / PhotoPea

Certification

  • [13/09/2024 ] IELTS General Training Certification Score8.0
  • [10/01/2020 ] Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Mother tongue(s): Russian
Other language(s): English - Advanced | Latvian - Fluent | Ukrainian - Beginner | Spanish - Beginner | French - Beginner

Specialized Certifications

[ 12/12/2021 ]  Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) Certificate

The course provided foundational knowledge in financial markets and how they operate, as well as enhanced understanding of key market concepts and showcases familiarity with Bloomberg Terminal functions: 

• Acquired foundational knowledge in financial markets, including equities, fixed income, currencies, and commodities; 

• Gained hands-on experience using the Bloomberg Terminal to analyze economic indicators and market trends; 

• Developed skills in interpreting macroeconomic events and their impact on global markets.

Projects

[ 09/2022 – 09/2022 ]  Education Programme "SVMJ.TK.076 Challenged-based Entrepreneurship" | Tartu, Estonia  Participating in this program at the University of Tartu alongside international students representing universities of Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, was an enriching experience that deepened my understanding of social entrepreneurship. Through this program, I gained hands-on experience in addressing real-world social issues, working on a project focused on creating sustainable solutions for community challenges. Collaborating with a diverse team allowed me to apply entrepreneurial principles to design innovative solutions, while learning to navigate different cultural perspectives and communication styles. This experience sharpened my problem-solvin teamwork, and leadership skills, and reinforced the importance of social impact in entrepreneurship. Working alongside passionate individuals from various backgrounds also broadened my perspective on global challenges and inspired me to continue pursuing social entrepreneurship as a means to drive positive change. 


[ 04/2021 – 08/2021 ]  Latvia-Cambridge Venture Camp 2021 | Virtual Sessions  Participating in the Latvia-Cambridge Venture Camp 2021 was an invaluable experience that provided both practical and inspirational takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs. The engaging lectures from world leaders, such as Alan Barrell, Enno Ence, David Bell, and others in entrepreneurship and innovation offered real, actionable insights  transforming a business idea into a successful and profitable company. The camp also provided the opportunity  network with like-minded individuals and receive mentorship from experts, which further fueled my entrepreneurial drive. Beyond the business knowledge, the program’s immersive environment created lasting memories and deepened my passion for launching impactful ventures. 


[ 12/2019 – 05/2020 ]  "QUO tu domā?" Debate Leader School | Riga, Latvia  Attending this debate leader school has equipped me with essential skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership. I honed my ability to analyze complex issues, construct persuasive arguments, and critically evaluate opposing viewpoints. Leading debate teams allowed me to foster collaboration and guide peers in refining the communication skills. Additionally, I developed strong persuasion and negotiation abilities, while enhancing my confidence and poise under pressure. These experiences have sharpened my ability to think quickly, adapt  challenges, and communicate effectively in diverse and high-stakes environments.

Timeline

Accounts Payable Specialist

Cabot Latvia
01.2021 - Current

Private Banker Internship

VIALET
01.2021 - 01.2021

BBA - International Relations Management

Riga Technical University
Liza Smirnova