Dalton Smart

Senior Vice President Finance, Global Controller at Merck

Speaker

In December 2023 Dalton was appointed to Senior Vice President Finance – Global Controller leading a global team in ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting of the company’s results. In September 2023 Dalton joined the Global Controllership team as Vice President, Assistant Controller working closely with the Corporate Controller in the compilation of the quarterly financials.

From March 2015 to September 2023, Dalton served as Head of Merck Corporate Audit and Assurance Service, leading a global team of 75 professionals in performing audit and assurance services across the company's financial, governance, risk and compliance and information technology areas. Dalton chaired the Company’s Enterprise Risk Committee and led the annual assessment of controls over financial reporting in support of the company’s Sarbanes-Oxley certifications. During this time, he transformed the internal audit team with a focus on strategy, risk management leveraging centralized data analytics capabilities. In doing so, he established a global team focused on attracting, developing, and advancing professionals into business roles. He also led the Global Finance Talent development program focused on enabling career growth and development, diversity and inclusion, and a culture of continuous learning globally.

Dalton started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers where he was an Audit Manager specializing in pharmaceutical and manufacturing clients. He subsequently joined Schering-Plough and worked in several roles including International Compliance Officer, Regional Finance Director for Europe / Canada, and Research Finance Director for Worldwide Clinical Operations.

Dalton holds a B.S. degree in accounting from Villanova University and an M.B.A. from Lehigh University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, and a member of the Junior Achievement New Jersey State Board.