Manager Human Resources
Resume:
Andrew D. LaFrence, CPA
Plymouth, MN 55442
612-***-**** (w) / 612-***-**** (c)
E mail: abl67p@r.postjobfree.com
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EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Extensive corporate governance experience participating and consulting with boards and audit
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committees; significant experience serving on boards of directors and the establishment of
corporate governance practices, including audit committee investigations.
Highly qualified Management Consultant and Accounting Professional with 25+ years experience
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providing financial and business strategy solutions to a broad array of corporate clients.
Depth of experience with Life Sciences and emerging Venture Capital and Private Equity backed
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companies including medical, bio, pharma and clean tech clients.
Outstanding financial and operational consulting and audit expertise relating to early stage
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company development, capital structure, due diligence, M & A, IPO’s and business planning.
Recognized for KPMG partnership and leadership locally, regionally and nationally
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GOVERNANCE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXPERIENCE
As KPMG audit partner, frequently interacted with and presented to client board of directors and audit
committees with over 20 meetings per year. Worked with board of directors and CFO’s to establish
audit committee charters, as well as identify and monitor operational and financial risks. Audit
committee presentations and discussions have included complex accounting matters, enterprise and
equity valuations and IFRS. Participated in 7 audit committee investigations including Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act violations, shareholder lawsuits, employee hotline matters, accounting and financial
reporting fraud, related party transactions, and vendor kickbacks. These investigations included
coordination with special legal counsel, internal KPMG and external forensic teams, and have
included operations in the United States, China, Korea, India, and Italy.
Governance activities (current and past) include:
Board Member for University Enterprise Laboratories, University of Minnesota, (a biotech
incubator); Treasurer, Finance committee and Executive committee member (2005 to present),
Chairman of the Board (October 2008 to March 2010); Established new corporate governance
guidelines, strategic plan and board member selection/ transition plan.
Board member, Treasurer, Finance and Executive Committee member, LifeScience Alley (2007
to present)
Board member, American Heart Association Minnesota Chapter (2007 to present)
Member, The Collaborative (1996 to present)
National Association of Corporate Directors, Member (March 2010)
Cofounder and judge, University of Minnesota Business Plan competition
Board, finance and executive committee member and treasurer, MN Bio
Andrew D. LaFrence
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OTHER AREAS OF EXPERTISE include:
IPO Readiness Assessment and Preparation; SEC Compliance
Audit Services, Tax, and Business Valuation
Business Strategy, Business Plans, and Budget Plan Development
Business Management including capital formation, operational structure, working capital
management, human resources and business development.
Process Improvement relating to business and financial operations, financial reporting,
tax and SEC Compliance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
KPMG LLP 1984 to 2010
Minneapolis, Minnesota (1986 to 2010)
Peoria, Illinois (1984 to 1986)
Partner 1996 to 2010
Senior Manager 1991 to 1996
Manager 1989 to 1991
Staff and Senior Accountant 1984 to 1989
Provided audit services to life sciences and emerging companies for KPMG’s Minneapolis office while
serving as a member of KPMG’s national Venture Capital practice. As partner, frequently consulted
with clients on a wide variety of topics including capital formation, structure; buy versus lease,
compensation and human resources, working capital management and business development.
Clients have included a wide range of companies ranging from large multi national enterprises to pre
revenue VC backed enterprises.
Has significant knowledge of complex capital transactions such as convertible debentures, convertible
preferred stock, leases and share base compensation. Participated in 15 initial public offerings, and
numerous mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, licenses, private placements, secondary and other
registration statements, and he has extensive SEC and SOX 404 experience.
Consulted with numerous clients on operational and strategic matters including share base
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compensation, capital formation, IPO readiness, working capital optimization, risk management,
corporate governance and restructuring.
Audit clients have included venture capital and mezzanine funds (Norwest VC, Norwest Equity
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Partners and St. Paul VC and the real estate funds at Opus Corporation).
Andrew D. LaFrence
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Completed in country due diligence for proposed acquisitions in China and Taiwan and served
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clients with international operations and parents including Techne Corporation, Smead
Manufacturing, Pioneer Surgical, MTS and General Mills. This has lead to extensive experience in
Western Europe and to a lesser extent in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong (pre 1997), China and
Kazakhstan.
Frequent presenter on early stage company development including capital structure, due
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diligence, mergers, acquisitions, business development, IPO’s, business planning and technical
accounting matters.
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Led KPMG Twin Cities emerging companies practice (1996 2005) and the Life Sciences Practice
(2000 2010). These practices merged in 2005 resulting in a multi location and discipline team of 15 to
19 professionals. Co chaired group in 2009. Additional leadership roles include:
Member, Minneapolis Market Leadership Team (2000 – 2004)
Member, KPMG US Partnership Council (2005)
Member, KPMG Midwest Leadership Team (2008 to 2010)
Member, KPMG Venture Capital practice group, (2007 to 2010)
Served as a derivative and share based compensation resource partner in the Midwest; Serves IFRS
clients and has also served as a computer auditor. Previously served as a KPMG national instructor
and member of the KPMG internal quality review team. Served as a mentor to managers, senior
managers and young partners; Selected as a mentor/advisor in KPMG US inaugural Performance
Manager Leader program, an intensive mentoring and professional development initiative (2008).
ACADEMIC AND ACCREDITATION
BS degree in accounting and minor in business administration, Illinois State University, Magna
Cum Laude with honors in 3 years, 1984
Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Minnesota, Arizona, Michigan, South Dakota, Illinois and
Tennessee
Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants, Member
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member
Continuing Professional Education – 1984 to present, 40 120 hours per annum, including
accounting, audit, finance, ethics and soft skills
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