Lawrence J Bieszczad

**N*** Castle Ave, East Dundee, Il 60118, 630-***-****, ac7tvr@r.postjobfree.com

Financial Professional with comprehensive experience in strategic financial planning and management experience with publicly/privately held organizations. Directed the accounting/cost policy, strategic planning process, and internal controls for multi-facility manufacturing/distribution businesses in the fields of metal fabrication, electrical components/wiring, OEM first tier, publishing, plating, packaging, and metal milling. A supportive leader that fosters an environment of independence, enthusiasm and excellence in every level of the company, from the shop floor to the boardroom. Acts as a sounding board for peers and senior management with a keen ability to contribute ideas for the on-going growth, profitability and long-term success of the company. Persuasive communicator whose ability to clearly and convincingly promote concepts with energy and focus allows him to influence others toward a plan of action.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Management P&L ($3mm) Contract Manufacturing (Maquiladora)

Team Management/Development (27) Financial Consolidations

Business Modeling/Financial Forecasts Leadership/Open Communicator

Strategic Planning ERP/Financial Systems

Financial/Labor Cost Analysis Audit Management

Financial Controls/Internal Reporting Process Improvement

Cash Management/Banking Relationships Contract Negotiation

Cost/Product Structure Management Business Project Management

International Experience (Canada & Mexico) Risk Management

Performance Measurements/Metrics Business Acumen

General Accounting/Cost Accounting Internal Control/Auditing

SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE

Company Confidential (privately held Corp) Oct 2015 - Sept 2018

Dist/Service Co. in NW Suburbs of Chicago

Controller (IT & HR Mgr.) – U.S. operations of a Europe manufacturing based company

Responsible for all accounting/cost functions including but not limited to accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, monthly closing journal entries, monthly (1 day) financial analysis/closing, and annual external audit/year end close.

Accountable for all HR functions including policy manuals, hiring practices, and fringe benefit administration.

Handle all IT duties including software and hardware issues, networking, maintenance (off-site backups, etc.) and internet connectivity.

Performs functions such as budgeting, forecasting, cash management, strategic planning, budget versus actual analysis, capital appropriations, and external auditing process.

Serves as back-up to Managing Director when not on site and traveling around North American on company business.

Set policies for such things as credit approval, cash collection, expense report formats, etc.

Arnold Magnetics Mar 2013 – June 2015

Mfgr Co. in NW Suburbs of Chicago

Asst Controller

Responsible for all accounting/cost functions including but not limited to accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, monthly closing journal entries, and monthly financial analysis/closing.

Worked jointly with internal/external auditors (both for SOX and fiscal year closing requirements) by supplying the necessary work papers and schedules on a requested basis. Also dealing with questions and concerns on a daily basis whether either on or off-site. Involved in the closing conference too.

Perform monthly reconciliations on various closing monthly general ledger balances in compliance with Sarbanes Oxley requirement.

One of the key members on a recent upgrade to the ERP system used at this facility.

Wrote and revised various work instructions as they pertain to the operating capabilities of the accounting department.

Review various weekly/monthly financial reports for accuracy of data for use by upper management.

Auditing on an on-going basis the cost reporting applications for this business manufacturing process.

Wrote fixed asset policy to control the purchase/disposal of fixed assets within the SBU.

Designed management report detailing cost variances between contribution margin expected at time of entering customer order and after run through production showing areas in which to focus attention in the plant and take corrective action where justified.

Bezad Equity Trading, Inc., Chicago, IL 2001 - 2013

Controller / Accountant

Devised new business plan employing financial/business analysis skills increasing operating results substantially.

Responsible for all corporate record keeping and financial recording/reporting.

Prepare the annual corporate tax return.

Perform daily accounting duties to maintain current control of the operation.

Preparation of the annual budget and internal control policies.

Use strategic planning to keep the business on track going forward.

Towing Products, Inc. (Mich) - $175 Million Manufacturing / Distribution Co. 1988 – 2001

VP – Finance/Controller

Overall accountability for the financial operation of a $175 million manufacturing firm with multiple locations including accounting and cost procedures, strategic planning, P&L responsibility up to $3 million, financial analysis, credit, budget preparation and administration, forecasting, IT, and internal control applications.

Developed the financial control systems to monitor product costs and margin by product line and part number to ensure that the maximum return possible was being gained from the market place.

Developed/implemented a plan for the move of an electrical wiring operation to a maquiladora in Mexico solving our labor/capacity issues and generating annualized savings of over $400,000.

Managed the installation of a new ERP system, which resulted in $250,000 of annualized cost savings and put the company on one database to enhance the flow of information between all departments.

Oversaw the post-merger integration of two company business systems into one common operating system. This generated cost savings of $600,000 and working capital reductions of $7 million.

Successfully helped lead the consolidation of a Canadian warehouse and manufacturing location. Performed all aspects of financial analysis; generating annualized savings of $450,000.

Designed many internal control policies to strengthen the integrity of the company. A new T&E policy (reduced spending), A/P credit/debit memo procedure (ensured that we were getting proper credit from vendors), a receiving goods policy (reduced inventory shrinkage) and credit guidelines (dramatically lowered previous bad debt experience) resulted from this practice.

Participated in the due diligence and planning for the consolidation of two divisional product distribution systems. Once this process was completed, it generated annualized savings of $400,000 and the closing of five locations.

Managed up to 27 team members, 5 of whom where direct reports and worked to develop them by encouraging the attendance of outside seminars and classes to keep their skills up to world class standards.

EDUCATION

Walsh College – M.S. Finance (with honors)

Detroit College of Business - B.S., Accounting (with honors)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft Excel & Word, Quick Books, QAD (ERP System), Hyperion, COGNOS,Syteline

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