Veselina Lilova
Finance Manager
Sofia
Summary
Experienced finance professional with over 11 years of international auditing and accounting experience, including 9 years with PwC and 2 years as an Internal Auditor at Coca-Cola, a publicly listed multinational. Skilled in assessing internal control frameworks, managing audit assignments across multiple jurisdictions, and ensuring compliance with IFRS, SOX, and corporate governance standards.
Holding an ACCA qualification and a degree in Business Administration, I combine strong technical knowledge with a proven ability to identify process improvements, enhance efficiency, and ensure sound financial management. My background includes leading diverse teams, driving process standardisation, and managing large-scale accounting operations and transitions across the EMEA region.
Motivated by the European Commission’s mission of transparency, accountability, and effective use of public resources, I aim to contribute my expertise in risk assessment, internal controls, and compliance to strengthen governance and promote best practices within the EU institutions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of shared service center
LEM Bulgaria
Sofia
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Appointed to lead the setup of LEM Bulgaria’s Shared Services Centre, reporting directly to the Group CFO and Country Manager.
- Defined the service catalogue, validated transferred activities, managed end-to-end process migration, and led recruitment efforts.
- Successfully delivered an operational center with 15 employees and scalable services within eight months.
- Conducted research and gathered information from multiple sources to present clear results.
- Designed digital and print materials to engage audiences.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
Finance director
A1 Bulgaria
Sofia
10.2018 - 05.2024
- Company Overview: A market-leading telecommunications company. Listed on NYSE and SOX Compliant
- Provided guidance on complex financial matters to senior management, informed strategic decisions.
- Maintained integrity of financial data through rigorous checks and verification methods, upheld trust in the organisation's finances.
- Conducted thorough internal audits for improved financial transparency and trustworthiness.
- Reviewed and updated existing finance-related procedures, promoted operational excellence.
- Ensured consistent profitability with diligent cost control measures.
- Drove business growth by strengthening internal controls to mitigate financial risk exposure.
- Streamlined financial operations by implementing efficient budgeting systems.
- Streamlined Payables and Cost control processes, shortening financial management reporting times by 20%.
- Ensured the financial health and sustainability of the company by maintaining best practice controls, policies and assurance
- Ensured the financial health and sustainability of the company by maintaining best practice controls, policies and assurance.
- Managed timely and accurate reporting of various financial transactions and information for detailed analysis.
- Led the end-to-end SAP implementation for Finance, accelerating digital transformation and positioning the function as a driver of business value.
- Oversaw audits to collate accurate data and recommend constructive improvements.
Finance Lead
Cargotec Bulgaria
Sofia
08.2017 - 09.2018
- Led the establishment and scaling of Cargotec’s finance delivery operations in Sofia as part of the company’s global shared services strategy.
- Oversaw the transition of financial processes from Northern Europe and the UK, ensuring seamless knowledge transfer and operational continuity.
- Built and managed a team of over 70 professionals, achieving an initial 10% cost saving through centralization and process optimization.
- Reported directly to the Group CFO and Head of the Centre, and served on the global Finance Board, actively shaping strategic finance initiatives.
- Implemented robust risk management strategies to protect company assets from potential financial pitfalls.
- Improved financial efficiency by streamlining accounting processes and reducing unnecessary expenditure.
- Managed timely and accurate reporting of various financial transactions and information for detailed analysis.
- Directed budgeting and forecasting activities to align financial goals with organisational objectives.
- Monitored and reviewed financial controls, processes and procedures to enable best practice development.
- Oversaw financial reporting processes, maintaining accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
RTR Operations Function Lead
Cargill Bulgaria
Sofia
12.2015 - 07.2017
- Led the Record-to-Report (RTR) function at Cargill, successfully scaling a team of over 120 professionals while expanding activities in the Sofia center and optimizing the existing delivery model.
- Achieved a ~15% FTE reduction by creating specialized teams, eliminating non-value-adding tasks, and relocating selected activities to lower-cost regions—resulting in significant budget relief for the center.
- Reported to the EMEA Controller and served as a member of the Global Controllers team, contributing to global process alignment and strategic finance initiatives.
- Operated machinery to achieve targets while following regulations.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
Manager Internal Audit/ SOX
Coca Cola
Sofia
05.2013 - 11.2015
- Reviewed company policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated with management to devise effective auditing strategies.
- Recommended improvements to existing controls for enhanced security measures.
- Identified potential risks through meticulous financial analysis.
- Conducted thorough evaluations for improved financial transparency.
- Performed detailed testing of internal controls; led to improvement in error detection rate.
- Developed audit programme to streamline compliance procedures.
- Coordinated annual audits, resulting in streamlined financial reporting.
- Communicated audit findings effectively, fostering a culture of transparency within the organisation.
- Improved corporate governance by conducting regular risk assessments.
- Verified implementation of controls through testing and interacting with relevant company staff.
- Collaborated across teams to implement Three Lines of Defence model.
- Kept up-to-date with latest computer-assisted audit techniques (CAATs) and data analytics.
- Issued targeted follow-ups to improve company processes.
- Reported on control deficiencies to management and made recommendations to mitigate risk and add value.
- Updated senior leaders regularly, reporting significant internal control issues.
Senior Auditor
PWC
Sofia
01.2004 - 04.2013
- Improved client trust by conducting thorough and accurate audits.
- Evaluated internal controls to enhance their effectiveness.
- Verified assets and liabilities by comparing items to documentation, assuring their validity.
- Maintained professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, building up on skills.
- Prepared detailed reports to communicate audit findings effectively.
- Adapted quickly to new software tools enhancing efficiency in audit tasks.
- Identified risk factors, preventing potential issues.
- Reviewed financial statements for improved accuracy.
- Ensured regulatory compliance with rigorous auditing procedures.
- Assisted in the development of audit plans, ensuring comprehensive coverage of areas of concern.
- Conducted regular reviews and official audits to validate recordkeeping and controls.
- Installed internal controls and set up standard procedures for business accounting systems.
Education
ACCA -
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Business administration - undefined
UNWE
Skills
Internal control evaluation
Accounting standards proficiency
Compliance investigations
Information system audits
Business acumen
Quantitative analysis
Business continuity planning
Sarbanes-Oxley understanding
Financial reporting and analysis
Compliance assessment strategy
ACA/ACCA qualified
Audit methodologies
SOX compliance
International Standards of Auditing (ISA) compliance
Financial reporting
Management accounting
Languages
Bulgarian
Native
English
Proficient (C2)
Timeline
Head of shared service center
LEM Bulgaria
08.2024 - 05.2025
Finance director
A1 Bulgaria
10.2018 - 05.2024
Finance Lead
Cargotec Bulgaria
08.2017 - 09.2018
RTR Operations Function Lead
Cargill Bulgaria
12.2015 - 07.2017
Manager Internal Audit/ SOX
Coca Cola
05.2013 - 11.2015
Senior Auditor
PWC
01.2004 - 04.2013
Business administration - undefined
UNWE
ACCA -
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants