Ronald D. Ratliff, CPA
**** ********* ***** ( Cedar Park, TX 78613
512-***-**** Res 512-***-**** Cell ( abnc8b@r.postjobfree.com
SENIOR EXECUTIVE - OPERATIONS / FINANCE
Performance driven leader with a strong track record of delivering
significant improvements in profits, performance, cash and working capital.
Utilize keen analysis, insights and team approach to drive organizational
improvements and implementation of best practices. Superior interpersonal
skills, capable of resolving multiple and complex (financial, operational,
sales, human resources) issues and motivating staff to peak performance.
Significant global experience gained through leadership roles at Deloitte &
Touch and Ernst & Young.
Proven areas of expertise include:
( Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership (
Accounting & Finance
( Budgeting & Cost Management ( Growth &
Expansion Strategies
( Global Joint Ventures ( Profitability
& Cost Analysis
( Process Design & Productivity Improvement ( Systems &
Technology Utilization
( Team Building & Performance Improvement ( Contract
Negotiations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Certified Public Accountant / Management Consultant June 2008 - Present
Ron Ratliff, CPA ( Austin, TX
Founder of local CPA firm specializing in coaching small to mid-sized
business owners in areas of strategic planning, financial management,
internal controls and operations. Actively promoting Financial Literacy in
the Workplace training programs. A Dave Ramsey Certified Financial
Counselor.
As Owner and Founder, responsible for developing a vision and mission for a
small CPA firm seeking to have a major impact on the lives of small
business owners, their families, and their employees through application of
"God's and Grandma's ways of managing money". Our coaching program
includes teaching clients how to achieve profitability in the near term
(live on less than you make) and to build value (wealth) by improving their
skills at managing money.
Chief Financial Officer Oct 2006 - Mar 2008
Lutheran Social Services of the South ( Austin, TX
Large non-profit agency with one of the largest private foster care
providers in the state of Texas, 4 residential treatment centers for
children and adolescents, several independent and assisted living
facilities in Texas and Louisiana and disaster response services to the
Gulf Coast (TX, LA, and MS).
Reporting to the CEO, recruited to bring fiscal discipline, consistency and
improved service levels to meet diverse and challenging needs. Assumed
accountability for Accounting, IT, Risk Management, Purchasing and
Construction. Manage 6 direct and 50 indirect reports. Work closely with
executives and line managers in all Divisions to identify areas for
improvement, communicate policies/procedures, and reengineer systems and
workflows to improve efficiencies. Particularly challenged to turn around
performance of back-logged accounting department suffering from the extreme
requirements and volumes attributed to Hurricane Katrina relief.
Notable Accomplishments:
> Led transition from Oracle Financial software to financial accounting
software specifically developed for non-profit organizations
(Blackbaud). Implemented integrated HR/Benefits/Payroll solution for
the 1,000-employee agency (ADP). Result: forecasting annual savings
of over $750K in software maintenance and support costs.
> Sponsored IT initiative to develop a web-based foster care management
system allowing foster care workers and families to access records on
a real-time basis.
> Documented all accounts payable procedures to identify bottle-necks
and redundancies. Eliminated unnecessary levels of approval and
slashed payment request processing times 84% from 45 days to 7 days
Ronald D. Ratliff Page 2 of 3
Consultant Jan 2005 - Oct 2006
Ratliff Business Services
Took sabbatical to attend to urgent family matters (now fully resolved).
Provided guidance and consulting to small and medium-size businesses.
Chief Financial Officer / Administrative Partner Nov 1997 - Dec 2004
Deloitte & Touche ( Moscow, Russia
"Big 4" and one of the world's leading Audit, Tax & Consulting firms.
Recruited to assume fiscal and back-office leadership of Finance, IT,
Marketing, Human Resources, Compliance, Facilities and Administrative
functions. Challenged to introduce formal policies, procedures and best
practice systems and methodologies to improve productivity, reduce costs
and support growth. Member of Executive Management Team shaping strategic
direction of the firm. Managed 6 direct reports and 200 staff across
multiple offices.
Notable Accomplishments:
Instrumental in driving revenues 1463% from $8M to $125M in 6 years.
Noted for developing financial model that led to the formation of the first
Professional Services Partnership.
Supported growth from <200 employees in 4 offices and 3 countries to over
2,000 staff in 11 offices, 8 countries and 13 time zones.
Recognized for revamping accounting processes that dramatically slashed
monthly closing cycle and provided real-time ad-hoc reporting to support
improved forecasting and decision-making.
Fostered greater awareness of profit drivers. Noted for replacing weak
Time & Billing system with real-time, web-based system that increased
accuracy, dramatically shortened invoice production cycle, and provided
accurate records of staff utilization and profit realization.
Improved cash management functions including selecting appropriate
investments of cash on hand.
Managed internal and external audits to ensure compliance with statutory
and governmental requirements across multiple countries.
Joint Venture Controller Feb 1997 - Nov 1997
Royal Dutch Shell ( The Hague. Netherlands
Global group of energy and petrochemical companies.
Hired for short-term contract engagement to establish and direct a joint
venture accounting group for the Shell Salym Development Company created to
develop oil fields in Western Siberia. Challenged to assist Shell Salym
with resolving specific issues relating to Russian accounting standards and
Russian Tax accounting issues.
Notable Accomplishments:
Credited for avoiding excessive taxes and bureaucratic processes by meeting
with Russian Inspectors to detail Shell's accounting policies and reconcile
the differences between GAAP and Russian tax accounting standards.
Selected to assume additional responsibility to form a joint venture
accounting group to provide "outsourced" accounting services for all of
Shell's 10 Russian projects and 1 project in the South Atlantic.
Consolidated accounting group from staff of 20 to 4. Established single
chart-of-accounts and appropriate reporting and support systems.
Chief Financial Officer 1993 - 1996
Ernst & Young ( Moscow, Russia
One of the world's leading professional services organizations.
Joined firm to introduce improved fiscal controls and reporting processes
to support fast-growing region with 5 offices in 3 countries. Key member
of Operating Committee overseeing strategy and growth initiatives.
Directed activities of staff of 25.
Ronald D. Ratliff Page 3 of 3
Notable Accomplishments:
Credited for introducing tightened internal controls, greater fiscal
awareness and accountability throughout the firm.
Implemented new multilingual/multi-currency financial reporting system
(SCALA) providing both GAAP and local statutory reporting.
Delivered thousands to the bottom line by renegotiating all major service
contracts and equipment purchases.
Controller 1992 - 1993
Siberian-American Oil ( Russia & Houston, TX
U.S. and Russian joint venture formed to develop major oil field in the
Tyumen region of Western Siberia.
Recruited as Financial Controller charged to setup systems and processes to
support oil and gas joint venture.
Noted for setting up computer networks and accounting systems that
supported GAAP and Russian Accounting Standards.
Partner 1986 - 1991
Zuercher, Sturhahn & Co. ( Cassville, MO
Regional CPA firm.
Ran public practice firm in Southwest Missouri. Worked closely with dozens
of business executives to develop appropriate growth strategies, foster
fiscal controls, develop turnaround strategies, raise capital and ensure
compliance.
Earned a solid reputation for practical expertise resulting in high level
of repeat and referral clients.
EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS
Bachelor of Arts ( Cum Laude
Oklahoma Baptist University ( Shawnee, OK
Certified Public Accountant ( Oklahoma, Texas
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants