Larry J. Neems, CPA
**** ******* *****, *******, **, 60022
Cell: 847-***-****
e-mail: ******@*******.***
Senior Financial Executive
CFO/VP of Finance/Controller
A results driven and creative Financial Executive with over 20 years of experience, who can take a small
to medium organization to the next level. Has worked across multiple industries: Financial Services,
Manufacturing, Distributing, Professional Services, Real Estate and Retail. Combines solid strategic
planning and general management skills with outstanding corporate finance qualifications. Expertise
includes:
•
• •
Financial Management, Financial Start-up Ventures and High Growth
Analysis and Financial Reporting Situations
• •
Organizational Management and Banking, Lending and Contract
Leadership Negotiations
• •
Strategic Planning, Forecasts and Turnarounds and Reorganizations
Budgeting • Cross-Functional Operating
• Cost Reduction and Elimination Management
• •
Human Resource Management Develop Internal Controls, Policies and
Procedures
Professional Experience
Landmark Merchant Solutions Schaumburg, Illinois 2001 - Present
Privately held credit card processing firm generating gross annual recurring revenue of $12 million.
Hired as second employee to develop the business model, procedures, policies and internal controls.
Took over as Acting CEO in December 2008, reorganized the company and found a buyer.
Chief Financial Officer
Acting CEO (December 2008 - present)
Financial Management and Cost Reduction
• Developed a monthly profitability report by merchant (for over 5,000 merchants), analyzed each
month, determining when to increase fees.
• Developed monthly financial reports and oversaw the financial accounting function (including
developing collection procedures for staff).
• Performed in-depth analysis of key strategic business indicators from various reports that I
developed, which allowed us to make changes to the model and thereby increasing the enterprise
value of the company.
• Responsible for the development of all budgets and financial forecasts.
• Saved over $175,000 on an annualized basis from the renegotiation of the office space, office
equipment leases and inventory purchases.
Start-up, High Growth Situations and Restructuring
• As a result of recurring losses and the loss of key management, initiated and led the financial and
operational restructuring of the company beginning in December 2008.
• After Lenders cut-off funding, initiating and leading successful forbearance negotiations and
managed all lender communications during the restructuring process.
• Reduced head count from 70 to 18 in sales and operations departments.
• Passed on increased costs to merchants thereby increasing revenue by 15% or $100,000 on a
monthly basis and reduced operating expenses by 42% or $2 million on an annual run rate basis.
Larry J. Neems, CPA 847-***-**** Page 2 of 2
Start-up, High Growth Situations and Restructuring-Continued
• Restructuring efforts resulted in a $200,000 EBITDA improvement in four months and culminated
successfully in a sale of the company.
• Managed a multiple location environment where transaction processing grew 48% year over year
resulting in $365 million in transactions in 2008.
• Played a key role in growing the organization from 0 to 80 employees. Developed internal
controls and an inventory control system. Developed policies and procedures for various
departments. Implemented accounting system and helped integrate CRM system for sales and
customer service. Developed many automated reports, in order to manage the business with
timely information.
Management and Leadership
• Partnered with the CEO and Sales VP in strategic planning.
• Managed the human resources department (80 employees at our peak), which also included
protecting the company from potential litigation brought on by various ex- employees.
• Partnered with the CEO in developing sources for debt and equity financing.
• Managed the payroll department, which included overseeing a complicated commission structure.
• Negotiated bank loans, leases and various other contracts.
Friduss, Lukee, Schiff and CO, PC Chicago, Illinois 1984 - 2000
Boutique public accounting firm
Partner (1990 - 2000)
Manager and Senior Accountant
• Helped clients to grow sales and revenue by recommending new target markets, providing
research on competitors and ensuring they were utilizing the most up to date pricing strategies.
• Developed management tools for clients to measure certain key business indicators.
• Taught clients to manage costs and provided recommendations on cost cutting measures.
• Developed internal control systems for many different types of clients including professional
services, retailers, distributors, manufacturers and real estate investors.
• Proved to be a successful business developer through establishing relationships with clients,
lawyers, bankers and other potential referrals of business.
• Lead partner of various audits, reviews and compilations.
• Performed tax planning services for clients (including section 1245 and 1250 property) and
prepared tax returns.
• Performed HUD audits, including section 42 (low income house tax credits).
Prior Experience
Laventhol and Horwath Chicago, Illinois
Gladstone and Chain Boston, Massachusetts
Education and Certifications
B.S.B.A. in Accounting, Boston University School of Management
Massachusetts Certified Public Accountant
Illinois Certified Public Accountant
Memberships
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Illinois CPA Society
FENG