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JEFFREY S. ABBOTT, CPA

**** *** **** ****** **

Washington, DC 20008

917-***-****

ac27zi@r.postjobfree.com

EXECUTIVE-LEVEL MANAGEMENT: Finance

FINANCE VP • CONTROLLER • CFO

Accomplished senior financial professional with exemplary experience and success in partnering finance with operational and administrative functions to achieve company objectives. Expertise in finance and accounting, financial planning and analysis, administration, internal controls and procedures, due diligence, budgeting, forecasting, valuation, and insurance management. Effective blend of solid strategic planning and general management skills with outstanding corporate finance qualifications.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Washington, D.C. • 2013 - Current Vice President of Finance & Administration

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation is a premier institution and voice for advancing academic quality through accreditation for more than 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities. As Vice President of Finance and Administration I have responsibility for finance, accounting, human resources, facilities, membership, databases and websites.

THE CLEARING HOUSE, New York, New York and Winston-Salem, North Carolina • 1981-2011 The Clearing House is comprised of 2 bank-owned companies, including a for-profit payments processor which clears and settles 64 million transactions valued at more than $1.5 trillion each day and a non-profit industry trade association. The Clearing House had annual revenues of $100 million and 220 employees. Senior Vice President - Finance, 2001-2011

Lead all financial and fiscal management aspects of both a for-profit payments processor and a non-profit industry association. Drove and coordinated all administrative, business planning, finance, treasury, accounting, insurance, tax, compliance, budgeting, and long-range financial planning activities. Managed change during company transitions. Managed $100 million annual budget. Lead and developed staff including five professionals - Controller, Assistant Controller, Facilities Director and 2 Senior Accountants. Played key contributing role on Compensation and Benefits Committee. Lead preparation and delivery of quarterly reports for Audit Committee and Board of Directors. Lead Finance and Investment Committees. As Leader of Investment Committee responsible for appointment of investment managers and actuaries, establishment of investment guidelines, review of manager performance and monitoring compliance with investment policy statements. Collaborated with actuaries in selection of actuarial assumptions used in valuation of pension plan. As Leader of Finance Committee, ensured timely, accurate, and transparent reporting and developed plans to mitigate unexpected and unfavorable financial results. Member of Executive Leadership Team. Actively participated in strategic planning to drive company growth and profitability. Reported directly to CEO.

• Drove savings of more than $7.2 million annually to owner-customers by demonstrating through detailed long- range planning that unit pricing could be reduced.

• Enabled Company to self-fund all capital projects without capital calls, while maintaining debt-free balance sheet, by initiating and implementing robust financial model.

• Generated increased product revenue of $2 million annually by implementing cost accounting system (Activity Based Costing) that identified the need to increase pricing on one of the Company’s core products.

• Facilitated reorganization that, within 3 years increased revenue by 21%, pre-tax profit by 74% and equity by 151% by developing financial solution to combine 5 bank-owned LLC’s into a single LLC and increase number of owners from 11 to 24.

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• Played pivotal role during Company’s first-ever major relocation by serving on Transition Executive Committee and resolving issues resulting from turbulent residential real estate market and implications for transferring employees while ensuring on-budget completion of project.

• Negotiated city, county, and state tax incentives in excess of $1 million in connection with relocation. Controller, 1998-2001

Directed and coordinated financial planning and budget management functions; managed daily operations of finance department. Monitored and analyzed monthly operating results against budget. Prepared financial analysis for contract negotiations and investment decisions. Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal reporting requirements. Directed financial audits and provided recommendations for procedural improvements. Established and implemented short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures. Designed, established, and maintained organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish goals and objectives. Collaborated with product and department managers to develop 5-year business plans.

• Implemented new accounting system while managing all accounting and tax matters during transformation of organization from single not-for-profit entity to 5 separate LLC's with 4 for-profit entities.

• Developed and managed inter-company service agreements among 5 newly created and related entities; delivered financial reporting to each LLC management team and Board of Directors.

• Played key role in successful acquisition of competitor and mergers of check clearing houses in Midwest and West by preparing valuations and leading financial due diligence. EDUCATION

Master of Science in Accounting, 2004

PACE UNIVERSITY, New York, New York

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1980 NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, New York, New York

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Certified Public Accountant

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains, FRx Crystal Reports, Oracle, Lawson, QuickBooks

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