Accounting and Finance Executive

DAVE KOWALLIS, CPA, MAcc

South Jordan, UT 801-***-****(h) 801-***-****(c) ************@*******.*** www.linkedin.com/in/dave-kowallis-607b1b4/

A collaborative, process driven, Finance leader adept at developing and implementing the teams, processes, and governance / infrastructure needed to maximize team and bottom line financial performance through the establishment of efficient and repeatable financial reporting practices, execution of system, process and structural changes to facilitate and sustain growth, while championing corporate values and culture.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE / HIGHLIGHTS

CPA with 8 years “BIG 4” experience and 10+ years in divisional VP / CFO / CAO level roles

Continuous improvement focused, successfully streamlining and improving processes to gain efficiencies, accuracy, timeliness, and cost savings

Effective team leader, able to collaborate with cross-functional teams, resulting in improved reporting and communications, simplified processes and structure, cost savings, and winning proposals

Expertise leading the integration of new acquisitions and team members, balancing the resulting workload, while maintaining compliance, quality, and corporate culture and values

Leading partner in the creation and implementation of policies, procedures, processes and other infrastructure to facilitate and sustain growth

Dynamic project manager over high impact projects, resulting in cost savings and efficiency gains

CORE COMPETENCIES

Leadership Ability

Team Management / Staff Development

Written and Oral Communication Skills

Business Integration & Transition

Strategy

Deal Review & Financial Modeling

Contract Review & Negotiation

Process Changes / Improvement

SOX / Statutory Compliance

Budgeting / Forecasting

Revenue Recognition

Develop / Oversee / Manage Function

EXPERIENCE

Sr. Director Finance (Division CAO) / Utah Site Leader – Harman International – Dec 2015 – Apr 2018

Harman, now part of Samsung, is a leading global provider of premium consumer audio and infotainment solutions, comprised of leading brands such as JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, AMX, Soundcraft, Studer, Crown, Digitech, and Martin.

As the division’s chief accounting officer, led the Global Management of the Accounting function for the Professional Solutions Division ($1 Billion revenue), comprised of 27 team members, also advising 30+ indirect Finance professionals, ensuring accurate and timely results. Also served as the Utah Site Leader (130 associates).

Using interpersonal skills, transformed a dysfunctional team culture into a high-functioning team, drastically reducing turnover, improving group performance, and minimizing errors / surprises

Implemented best practices globally reducing month-end Close from 7 to 3 days

Integrated the Accounting functions of 10+ businesses into the central Accounting team scope

Led cross-functional team project to simplify organization structure and reduce costs

Industry Group Controller – Xerox – June 2012 – Nov 2015

Now operating as Conduent (annual revenues of ~$7 Billion), this former division of Xerox provides business process outsourcing (BPO) services, e.g. customer service call centers, data processing, HR and IT management, etc.

Directed the Accounting for 30+ Global Business Operations / Call Centers supporting Technology Group clients, with P&L responsibility for this $1 Billion annual revenue business segment. Supervised 6 Division Controllers, also coordinating and reviewing the work of ~ 20 indirect shared service personnel.

As an accounting business partner, collaborated with Sales, FP&A, and Financial Operations leaders to establish / review pricing, data driven predictive models, and contract language for proposals, minimizing downside and maximizing profit potential

Acted as THE primary Accounting point of contact to Operations, Sales, FP&A, Legal, Corp Accounting, and Shared Services, requiring significant collaboration on accounting and strategic issues

Promoted from Senior Controller, expanding scope of oversight by 150%

Leading contributor to the transition of clerical accounting tasks to low cost, offshore location, providing ongoing guidance and direction to the newly formed Shared Services team / business partnerships

Director of Finance (Division CFO) – Heritage Festivals – Nov 2009 – Apr 2012

Heritage Festivals (~$60M annual revenue), a division of Worldstrides, provides travel, entertainment, and performance opportunities for over 30,000 students annually to participate in one of 120+ music-based events, including adjudicated music festivals, parades, and NCAA Football Bowl games.

As the division’s chief financial officer and key member of the executive leadership team, role owned the complete management oversight of the Accounting and Finance function for the division, and advised on strategic initiatives, business plans, and short and long-term investment decisions.

Directed event cost and price modeling in partnerships with Sales and Operational senior managers

FP&A oversight, e.g. led annual budget and monthly forecast process, commissions, event-level variance analysis and commentary, capital investment and resource allocation, Corp reporting, etc.

Overhauled sales commission program to ensure alignment with organizational objectives

Initiated and spearheaded selection of new vendor for a major program offering (trophies & awards), resulting in a refreshed marketing brand, significant cost savings and improved bottom line results

Division CFO – DeltaValve – Jan 2002 – Nov 2009

DeltaValve designs and manufactures highly engineered industrial equipment for the petroleum refining industry.

As the division’s chief financial officer and chief accounting officer, and a member of the division’s executive team, management oversight included Finance, Accounting, IT, and HR functions for the division. From 2002 to 2009, annual revenue grew 1900% from $5M to $95M. This broad-scope position touched nearly all aspects of the company and its product and reported to the General Manager.

Developed and instituted the Accounting, Finance, IT, and HR infrastructure needed to accommodate rapid growth (~ 50% average annual growth rate over 7 year span)

Directed Policy Development, including creation of Employee Handbook, Corporate Policy Manual, Bonus and Commissions programs, Appraisal Process

Developed Monthly Financial Corporate Reports providing insight on financial matters, KPI’s, quantitative trending, variance analysis, status of projects and business initiatives, forecasts, etc.

Full controllership for division, e.g. general ledger maintenance and review, balance sheet reconciliations, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, asset management, month-end Close, etc.

Led the deal financial modeling and contract review process, providing financial analysis, and supporting subsequent contract compliance

Maximized cash flow by actively monitoring and managing primary cash flow drivers

Audit Manager – Deloitte – Jan 1994 – Dec 2001

Deloitte, one the “Big 4” CPA firms, provides audit, tax, and consulting services to multinational corporations globally.

Supervised and performed audits of clients operating within multiple industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, mining, and service industries.

Coordinated work of teams auditing for compliance with US GAAP and regulatory requirements

Participated in due diligence reviews of potential merger & acquisition targets for clients

Reviewed/assisted with SEC filing documents required for an Initial Public Offering of stock etc.

Evaluated and documented internal controls, resulting in recommendations to client management on improvements to the company’s control environment

OTHER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Accounting Systems

(SAP, JDE, MS Dynamics-Nav)

Database Reporting Applications

Training

Financial Planning

Research and Technical Writing

System Selection/Implementation

Project Management

US GAAP

Cash Flow Planning /Cash Management

Annual Audit

EDUCATION

Masters Degree in Accounting (MAcc – MBA Equivalent), Brigham Young University, Dec 1993

INTERESTS

Family Time, Sports, Travel, Reading, and Movies

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