Alan Lam

Alan is a CPA (Au.) with over 16 years of media, advertising and event marketing experience having worked as Finance Director/CFO at GroupM/MindShare, Dentsu Aegis Network, Wieden+Kennedy and George P. Johnson in the APAC region covering Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Alan’s broad industry knowledge and experience helps our clients to understand the reasons behind the contractual non-compliance issues our audits uncover and propose practical solutions to make the client:agency relationship more efficient and effective.
Alan speaks fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin and has conducted contract compliance audits in Hong Kong, China, and Japan.

“My previous agency and compliance audit experience has helped me to develop a complete, fair and balanced view of the client:agency relationship.”

What prompted you to start contract compliance auditing advertising and media agencies?

I’m a qualified accountant and have 16 years of media/advertising experience – it gives me a very solid foundation from which to undertake contract compliance audits and in helping clients and their agencies to form even stronger relationships.

How have your previous experiences in business helped you at Financial Progression?

My previous agency and compliance audit experience has helped me to develop a complete, fair and balanced view of the client:agency relationship.

What is the most challenging situation you have come across in a senior finance role?

The pace of change – the marketing communications industry continues to transform rapidly in the digital era, clients are requesting more transparency from their agencies and advances in IT and social media require that senior finance personnel adapt quickly to the ever-changing technological and business environment their companies find themselves in.

Which aspect of your work gives you the greatest sense of achievement?

Achievement of financial and business targets & KPIs, working as part of a team to overcome challenges and complete projects and the appreciation of clients and colleagues for a job well done.

How would people describe you?

A fair, detailed, knowledgeable, trustworthy, determined, high integrity person with a sense of humour.

What motivates you to do what you do?

Each compliance audit we do is a different experience, so there is plenty of variety. Working closely with Adrian, building up the APAC client networks which connect to global and regional hubs provides a lot of job satisfaction. Striving to be a world class marketing contract compliance specialist, who takes great pride and honour in the quality of work being delivered to our clients is a strong motivation for me.

What can you be found doing when you’re not at work?

I love to travel, flying to different places to see the variety the world has to offer, meeting different people and cultures. I prefer summer to winter as I can do more outdoor sports like tennis and basketball as well as enjoying nature. I also enjoy reading financial articles and news updates.