Project Manager Management
Resume:
MICHAEL L. HOWARD, JD, CPA
HAWTHORN WOODS, ILLINOIS 60047
******-*******@*******.***
SUMMARY
A dedicated and accomplished top finance executive with extensive
experience in internal auditing, taxation, mergers and acquisitions,
risk management, financial reporting, compliance, and strategic
planning. As a skilled leader, excels at building strong, effective
and positive teams dedicated to adding measurable and favorable
business impact. As an analytical performer, adept at identifying
issues and applying proven solutions to maximize savings and improve
controls. A results-oriented producer who establishes new processes
and improves existing ones to ensure the achievement of established
objectives.
EXPERIENCE
PEPSIAMERICAS, INC., Schaumburg, Illinois
Vice President, Internal Audit and Process Control, 2004-2010
Oversaw internal audit, process control, business process analysis, and 35
employees for $4,900,000,000 beverage company with operations in the US,
Caribbean, and Central and Eastern Europe. Audited distribution,
manufacturing, IT, financial, corporate, and Sarbanes Oxley. Responsible
for process control, including project and system control design,
documentation, and implementation assistance. Performed business process
analysis, including documentation, communication and training of business
process and control requirements.
. Acted as significant force behind improvement of controls and
compliance in high-risk areas, such as cash, inventory, customer
agreements, and fixed assets via partnership with functional leaders
and teams.
. Developed dynamic risk assessment and management process to raise
visibility and awareness with board and senior management to ensure
proper allocation of resources and attention to high-risk areas.
. Led Sarbanes Oxley project team and implementation for domestic and
international operations.
. Built fraud prevention and compliance program, including deployment of
fraud policy, investigation coordination, communications, and training.
. Earned recognition as valued member of management skilled at providing
vision, strategy, and leadership across multiple functional areas,
including enterprise risk management, risk assessment, business
continuity planning, data mining analytics, business process
reviews/design, process and control improvement implementations,
control and compliance tools, control communications, finance
development guide, and training.
. Focused on recruiting, development, and advancement of staff within
finance and business.
. Project Manager for SwissCo (limited risk distributor) business and tax
initiative.
Vice President of Tax, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, 2000-2004
Director of Taxes, 1998-2000
Established and managed ten-employee tax department for state, federal, and
international compliance, as well as audits, research, and planning for
multi-national beverage company. Contributed to domestic and international
mergers and acquisitions in excess of $1,000,000,000 as well as
coordination of federal and international tax aspects of corporate
spinoffs.
. Led implementation of sound tax planning aiding in reduction of
corporate effective tax rate by up to 5%.
. Initiated custom duty review, resulting in excess of $15,000,000 in
refunds.
. Implemented procurement company with significant interaction with
Operations and Corporate functions resulting in annual savings of
$3,000,000.
. Executed state sales and use tax reviews, resulting in refunds in
excess of $1,000,000 and implementation of transportation company for
state tax savings in excess of $1,000,000 per year.
. Implemented, managed, and settled $14,000,000 IRS tax refund case with
outside counsel.
. Oversaw international tax planning, including transfer pricing.
Senior Tax Attorney, 1997-1998
Tax Attorney, 1993-1997
Contributed to all major aspects of operating a corporate tax department
for more than $3,000,000,000 international conglomerate in beverage,
refrigeration, manufacturing, and automotive replacement services
industries. Coordinated all aspects of IRS and state audits for
consolidated group of corporations, resulting in significant experience in
multiple areas of domestic and international taxation. Coordinated IRS
appeals and litigation with outside counsel.
. Managed foreign reorganization planning and establishment of
Netherlands holding company, spin-off planning, and intercompany
transfer pricing oversight.
. Responsible for identifying in excess of $20,000,000 in additional tax
refunds for ongoing IRS audits.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
DUCHOSSOIS INDUSTRIES, INC., Elmhurst, Illinois, Tax Supervisor of Research
and Planning, 1988-1993.
ENGLER, ZOGLIN & MANN, LTD., Wilmette, Illinois, Director of Financial
Planning, 1987-1988.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO., Chicago, Illinois, Senior Tax Consultant, 1985-1987.
Tax Consultant, 1984-1985.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, Notre Dame, Indiana
J.D., 1984
B.A., Accounting, 1981
CERTIFICATION
Certified Public Accountant, 1986
AFFILIATIONS
Institute of Internal Auditors, 2004 - current
Tax Executives Institute, 1993 - current
Illinois Bar Association, 1984 - current
Illinois Certified Public Accountant, 1986 - current
Illinois CPA Society, 1984 - current
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Office Suite
PERSONAL
Married. Four children.
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