Name: John Murphy

Job Title: CFO, Phaidon Press Limited & Artspace

Previous Career Experience:

I have worked in a range of positions and companies staring as Finance Manager in Berlitz Ireland (1995 – 2000), Regional Finance Director in Americas Lionbridge (2000 – 2006), Controller in McGraw-Hill Construction (2006 – 2008), VP of Finance in McGraw-Hill Construction (2008 – 2014) and currently CFO of Phaidon Press Limited & Artspace.

When and Why did you move to the US?

I moved to the US in 2000 to set up a standalone finance department for the Berlitz localization division, which was then acquired by Lionbridge in 2002.

What does your current job involve?

I am a member of the executive leadership team which sets the strategy of two publishing companies Phaidon Press Limited and the Monacelli Press as well as Artspace the leading online site for purchasing contemporary artwork. I am responsible for the finance function including financial reporting, operational and sales reporting, business planning, treasury, and risk management.

What advice would you have for an Irish CPA interested in working in the US?

More and more US businesses are looking to expand and diversify their workforce skill set, particularly considering the continued globalization of the world economy. The CPA Ireland profession is not only recognized in Ireland but globally as well including the US and continues to grow stronger with the convergence of IFRS and US accounting standards and rules. A CPA qualification provides you with the knowledge and skill set to thrive in today’s US business environment. The US continues to offer many opportunities across a broad range of industries and professions and qualified accountants are highly sought after. In addition, through CPD, a CPA professional can tailor their areas of study to focus on business topics that are relevant to US business today.