Management Human Resources

MITCHELL D. MATHEWS

San Francisco, CA *****

415-***-**** • ************@***.***

www.linkedin.com/pub/mitch-mathews/1/b01/157/

SUMMARY

Highly accomplished accounting/finance professional offering 20+ years of management experience in public/private firms,

startups, and established companies on a domestic/multinational level. Skilled at supporting corporate initiatives and delivering

continuous improvements, strategies, and plans for optimal business benefit. Adapt quickly to diverse industries and corporate

environments as well as leverage multicultural experience to address global needs. Familiar with Japanese language and

understanding of Japanese and Indian corporate culture.

Financial & Management Reporting ERP System Implementations Consolidations Audit Revenue Recognition

Cost Control Tax Internal Audit Budgeting Forecasting Job Costing HR Payroll 401(k) Benefits

Bank Relationships Legal International M&A Risk Management

Software: Excel, ADP, Microsoft Dynamics Navision (NAV), MAS500, Solomon, Peachtree, SAP, PeopleSoft

EXPERIENCE

BayGroup International, Inc., Controller – Larkspur, CA (1999 – 2013)

Multinational, $20M corporate training/management consulting firm, with up to 65 employees plus 50 independent contractors,

with subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Japan, and the UK.

Managed end-to-end accounting cycles, including general ledger, invoicing/receivables/collections, payables/disbursements,

inventory, and fixed assets. Prepared monthly and annual financial statements; annual budgets; and P&L, revenue, and cash

forecasts. Administered risk management, human resources, benefits, 401(k) plan, and payroll. Working with domestic and

international CPA firms, coordinated financial and foreign statutory audits as well as federal, state, property, payroll, sales and

use, and foreign tax filings and audits. Managed domestic and international banking relationships, including the establishment

of a line of credit. Reported jointly to the CEO and CFO.

• Reduced operating expenses by $4M (31%) by initiating and leading redesign of workflow process and driving NAV

ERP system implementation, enabling company to improve pre-tax margin from 1% to 23% and experience record profits

for three consecutive years following roll-out

• Increased gross margin by 1% by creating Job Costing system that increased cost awareness and behavior change by

establishing individual accountability for engagements and compensating responsible parties based on gross margin rather

than revenues

• Improved sale to cash speed from 89 to 58 days and reduced DSO by 30 days while improving annual profitability by

$100K by establishing metrics in order/billing/collection system, identifying problem areas, then implementing solutions

that resulted in faster and more accurate billing and collection

• Enhanced value of management information by overhauling reporting and account structure, creating system to track

data by business unit, department, product, and location

• Continually improved reporting over 14 years by creating new useful reports, both permanent and on-demand

• Increased transactional processing speed by constantly reviewing and streamlining procedures, including moving

toward a paperless office

• Safeguarded company assets by establishing and enhancing internal controls, especially in the areas of billing,

purchasing, and travel

• Developed revenue recognition policy and process of allocating revenue for product hybrid which included service,

manufacturing, and SaaS components

• Increased value of revenue projections through the deployment of real-time pivot table based reports

• Significantly reduced benefits cost without sacrificing value to employees by adopting HSA-eligible, high deductible

medical plan and through the utilization of self-funded dental and vision plans

• Minimized tax burden by developing tax strategies to benefit from transfer pricing with overseas operations

• Established subsidiaries in Japan and UK, coordinating with overseas service providers to set up corporate entities,

negotiate office leases, open bank accounts, etc. Initiated system of subsidiary reporting and multicurrency consolidation

• International expert advising senior management in foreign operations and working within a multicultural environment

• Built accounting/finance department, recruiting two accountants and three clerks and fostering collaborative environment

with zero turnover over the last six years

• Shortened month-end close process from ten to six business days

• Created two 401(k) plans and coordinated seamless transfer of plan assets to new provider

Systems America, Inc., Controller – San Jose, CA (1998 – 1999)

Fast-growing, $22M, pre-IPO IT consulting firm focused on SAP implementations and outsourcing, with India subsidiary.

Managed accounting/finance department, reporting directly to the CFO. Prepared monthly financial statements, managed

accounting cycles, and coordinated tax filings. Responsible for risk management and payroll (115 employees).

• Led successful 10-day rapid implementation of SAP financial system

• Increased transactional processing speed and safeguarded company assets by establishing internal controls and new

policies and procedures, especially in the areas of purchasing and travel

• Reduced risk by bringing company into compliance of IRS and labor law regulations

InfoGain Corporation, Controller – Cupertino, CA (1997 – 1998)

Growing ($24M+), multinational, pre-IPO IT consulting firm specializing in Informix and Oracle system implementations.

Managed accounting/finance department, reporting directly to the CFO. Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial

statements, including consolidation of foreign subsidiaries. Managed accounting cycles, risk management, payroll, 401(k) plan,

and stock options plan for 185 employees. Coordinated (working with Arthur Andersen) financial, IRS, and other audits; and tax

filings. Participated in IPO process, prepared financial and cash forecasts, and oversaw budget process. Performed a variety of

analysis, including consultant utilization, project costing, and turnover costs.

• Improved company’s cash position and reduced bad debt exposure by initiating collection policy and procedures

• Increased profitability by enabling more efficient use of consultants by creating utilization rate tracking system

• Enhanced reporting value to senior management by overhauling reporting structure, creating accounting system to

track data by business unit, department, and location

• Safeguarded company assets and increased transaction processing efficiency by developing and implementing internal

controls and policies and procedures over credit/collection, travel, purchasing, and sales/billing

• Initiated system of subsidiary reporting (India and UK) and multicurrency consolidations

• Reduced overall tax burden by developing tax strategies to maximize benefit of overseas operations

Harima USA, Inc., VP & Bus Mgr - SF, CA / Harima Chemicals, Inc., Intl Ops Analyst - Osaka, Japan (1990-1996)

Large ($300M) publicly traded (second section of Nikkei) multinational chemical company.

Member of USA Management Team making operational decisions and strategy recommendations to executives, developing

strategic initiatives relating to international activity, expansion through acquisition, and proprietary technology licensing.

Reporting to the General Manager - International Operations, prepared consolidated financial statements, managed accounting

cycles, and (working with Deloitte & Touche) coordinated audits and tax filings. Managed all administrative matters including

human resources, risk management, and 401(k) plan. Board Director and VP of three small subsidiaries; manager-in-charge of

subsidiaries and business liaison with affiliates, monitoring activity and conducting internal audits. Conducted M&A due

diligence, coordinating financial, legal, and environmental audits while performing valuation modeling and market research. In

charge of all corporate legal matters, working with the O’Melveny & Myers law firm, analyzing the business aspect of legal

activity. Oversaw Trade Department that procured and exported raw materials to affiliate in Japan.

• Salvaged millions of dollars in assets through analysis of affiliate’s financial statements and identifying problems that

ultimately led to the discovery of affiliate’s insolvency, allowing for the filing of involuntary bankruptcy proceedings

• Maximized recovery ($3M) from bankruptcy estate by coordinating litigation efforts with bankrupt debtor ($10M) and

directing outside legal counsel ($500K/yr) leading to company sponsored plan of reorganization

• Netted $125K more than expected through successful negotiation of settlement of license agreement violation/patent

infringement litigation, directing strategy through international arbitration

• Increased strategic value of company by managing efforts to acquire all outstanding stock of small chemical

manufacturing joint venture ($12M)

• Persuaded senior management to approve evaluation of potential acquisition of affiliate ($16M), assuming lead role in

project team and identifying benefits of acquisition, forecasting financial results utilizing discounted cashflow valuation

model, and establishing investment criteria

• Achieved higher returns and lower taxes through reallocation of capital from Japan to the US

• Successfully negotiated divestment of subsidiary ($500K), leading strategy formulation and structuring of transaction

• Hired, trained, and managed four accountants and one clerk. Developed first internal controls and policy manuals

Georgia-Pacific Corp., Staff Accountant and Internal Auditor – Portland, OR (1984-1988)

Large (Fortune-50) publicly traded multinational forest products company.

EDUCATION

B.A. in Accounting (with honors), History, and Asian Studies - University of Oregon 1982

Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi; Passed Foreign Service Exam; Currently studying for CPA Exam

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