Steve Barnes, CPA, MST
**** ******* ***** ****** ***********, CA 93313
661-***-**** **********@*****.***
Chief Financial Officer
Experienced CFO, Expertise in High-Growth & Established Companies
Comprehensive background in financial leadership, expertise in accounting, financial reporting, financial planning and analysis, investing, and transaction management to tough deadlines. Excellent verbal and written communicator. Strong track record of building, leading and motivating cross-functional teams.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Corporate Finance Accounting Asset Management Transaction Execution Capital Management Team Management Solutions Advice Cost Reduction Resource Allocation Leadership
Financial Strategy Entrepreneurial Ventures Investor Relations Risk Management
Financial Reporting Financial Planning Board-Level Communication Due Diligence Cash Flow
EXPERIENCES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Consultant 2016 - Current
Provided CFO and Controller services to clients in a range of industries from service providers to wholesale distribution.
Assisted trucking company in renegotiating its rate structure with its primary customer, resulting in a 12% increase in revenues.
Provided strategic direction to service company in restructuring its debt in a tax effective manner to enhance corporate longevity.
Initiated tax strategies that reduced tax burden on service business while simplifying corporate accounting and reporting system
Grimmway Enterprises, Inc., Bakersfield, CA 2001 – 2015
Largest grower, producer, and shipper of carrots in the world and largest organic farmer in USA
Chief Financial Officer
Led staff of 60 in providing accounting, corporate finance, budgeting, investor relations, tax, treasury, Big Four audit for this multinational company with annual sales in excess of $1 billion.
Analyzed, negotiated financing, and integrated the acquisition of a $50 million organic farming business
Financing Relationships – Negotiated and closed numerous revolving and term loan bank facilities including establishment of club banking arrangement between two major lenders
Led defense of sales tax positions that resulted in refunds of $4 million and the establishment of precedent in California based on unanimous finding of the State Board of Equalization
Led decommissioning of various corporate and LLC entities to streamline operations, enhance financial reporting and reduce operating costs
Directed expansion and restructuring of IT department to enhance responsiveness to user needs, increase robustness of systems and improve cybersecurity
Oversaw implementation of wireless and remote technologies to data systems to accelerate data acquisition and improve access to information systems by users
Designed and implemented estate planning for shareholders on a multigenerational basis that allows for avoidance of tax for a minimum of five generations and ultimately the retention of resources within the Company that otherwise would be necessary to liquidate the tax liability.
Reported directly to the Board on a regular basis with financial and business updates
Carpenter, Kuhn & Sprayberry, CPAs, Bakersfield, CA 1979 – 2001
Full service tax consulting and compliance provider
Tax Partner
Oversaw clients’ public and private investment portfolios, financial reporting, transaction execution, financial projections, asset/liability management, wealth planning, accounting and tax.
EDUCATION AND POSITIONS OF RESPONSBILITY
Master of Science, Taxation, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA
Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Cal State University, Bakersfield, CA
Magna Cum Laude
Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants