About Us

Profile

Chris Schoonheydt is Managing Partner at SMS Consulting with more than 15 years internal control, financial analysis, controlling, and management experience. Chris has a strong background in tax and international accounting and speaks fluent English, Dutch, French, and has basic knowledge of German and Spanish.

Chris acted as a lead-auditor for a world-wide manufacturer of construction and mining equipment. In this role, he lead SOX test teams, performed US GAAP Compliance Audits & and an insurance audit. For the same client he drafted internal controls relating to the directors & expat remuneration, information & communication policy, HR contracts, recruiting & selection, training….

Chris further participated in Sarbanes-Oxley, section 404 and J-SOX compliance projects for global clients in the smart card industry, predictive software industry and heating and cooling industry. Chris is proficient in internal control with focus on processes, procedures and controls to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements. He has documented and tested internal controls over financial reporting for major business processes (financial reporting, fixed assets, inventory, legal, …) in different countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Czech, France, Switzerland, Poland, Germany, UK and Finland. As part of his assignment, Chris led a team as SOX project manager, has reported on control weaknesses, discussed recommendations and delivered valuable audit reports to the client's management.

Chris also has experience in performing high-level risk assessments and assisted in setting up an Internal Audit Department. He developed a risk model, conducted interviews with Top Management, analyzed results and presented the analysis and audit planning to the Internal Audit Manager. Chris also drafted the Internal Audit Charter.

For a major client in the smart card industry Chris worked as an interim Financial Controller, responsible for monthly reporting of subsidiary business results for Northern Europe and variance analyses of budgets/forecasts against actuals. He managed the accounting team and did the statutory and tax filing for these subsidiaries. He has also managed ad hoc tasks and projects related to internal control set-up and automation of reporting. Additionally he replaced the HR manager during her maternity leave.

At a client in the airline industry he drafted and implemented procedures for internal control and performed year end reconciliations related to payroll and fixed assets.

As an Accounting Manager of a maritime service supplier, Chris did the quarterly reporting of profit and loss statements, prepared and followed up the yearly budget, and handled ad hoc analyses and reporting. He also was the project leader for implementing M-S-A accounting software and setting up an analytical accounting method.

Chris further implemented a cost accounting system for a non-profit organization, and has experience in setting up management information systems, constructing correct and transparent management reports, IFRS, US GAAP….

For details and recommendations see also his public LinkedIn profile at:

Areas of Expertise

· Management

· Internal Controls

· Inventory Control and Valuation

· Budgeting

· Financial Reporting

· Sarbanes-Oxley, section 404

· J-SOX

· Manufacturing Reporting

· IFRS

· US GAAP

· ERP Systems: Exact, Navision Attain, Oracle

· Reporting Software: Hyperion, Business Objects

Industry Experience

· Maritime

· Smart Card Industry

· Airline Industry

· Non-profit

· Consulting

· Software Industry

· Cooling & Heating Industry

· Construction Industry