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Accounting Manager

Location:
Gaithersburg, MD
Posted:
March 22, 2014

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Resume:

Donald Harnois

Vice President of Finance - M* USA Corporation

Gaithersburg, MD

*********@*****.*** - 301-***-****

WORK EXPERIENCE

Vice President of Finance

M3 USA Corporation - Washington, DC - 2012 to 2014

// M3 USA is moving to Pennsylvania //

Vice President of Finance – senior finance executive for a high-growth $40MM online advertising and market

research firm that specializes in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries

• Built, hired and trained a six-person finance organization to accommodate the company’s growth in revenues

from $18MM in 2011 to $40MM in 2013, a 122% increase

• Implemented an Activity Based Budgeting System and a new, more informative Chart of Accounts

• Acted as the Finance team lead in the implementation of a media campaign tracking system which streamlined

the company’s process for reporting campaign revenues and invoicing media clients

• Initiated a series of reasonableness tests and key performance measures to enable quick validation of the

monthly P&L figures within the two-day closing window

• Initiated a recurring reconciliation process for the company’s balance sheet accounts

• Developed and implement a collections strategy that decreased the company’s DSO from over 140 days to

less than 70 days, reduced aged receivables and increased the average cash balance by $5MM Conducted

the first ever internal audit of the organization (formed in 2006), identifying weaknesses in the accounting

procedures as well as numerous balance sheet adjustments

• Developed, documented and implemented new accounting and internal control procedures

• Articulated and calculated the damages related to the breach of the purchase and sale agreement on one

foreign acquisition which led the company to win $720,000 in a legal settlement

• Identified accounting discrepancies and malpractice at one foreign subsidiary which were confirmed by the

external auditors, and which will reduce the company’s future earn-out costs by $320,000

• Identified inaccuracies in the earn-out calculation for one foreign acquisition which will reduce future earn-

out costs by $170,000

Vice President of Finance - senior financial executive

DBI Architects, Inc - Washington, DC - 2011 to 2012

DBI is a 70 person interior design / architectural firm

• Was hired to develop and implement a financial turn-around strategy for this privately owned firm

• Developed a three-point plan to strengthen the financial condition of the firm

• Re-organized and re-staffed the organization’s accounting and finance function

Controller - Industry

Forrester Construction Company - Rockville, MD - 2008 to 2011

Industry leading, $300MM general contractor and developer in the Washington, DC area

• Responsible for all accounting and finance functions including general accounting, financial

reporting, planning, budgeting, financial analysis and compliance for approximately 25 entities

• Re-staffed and reengineered the accounting and finance functions to position the company for growth

• Implemented procedures to establish consistent, timely management reporting and efficient audits

• Directed the implementation of a paperless invoice system and an electronic time sheet system

• Implemented a daily check run process enabling more timely payments to subcontractors and vendors

• Developed the LIHTC financial model to support the acquisition of Mayfair Mansions, a 160 unit

low-income apartment complex in Northeast Washington, DC from the DC DHCD

Vice President of Finance

KB Home - Florida West Coast Division - Tampa, FL - 2006 to 2008

Senior division accounting and finance professional for a top-five national homebuilder and developer.

Drove the financial planning process, and managed accounting, finance, and contract administration.

• Lead the division to a 215 unit or 21% increase in deliveries in FY 2007

• Lead the division to record-setting annual revenues of $262MM in FY 2007, a 3% increase

• Directed a $12.5MM or 33% decrease in overhead costs

• Conducted continual financial analysis of existing and proposed communities to ensure maximum

returns (IRR's and ROI's) on the division's capital, and maximum absorptions and margins

• Managed the division's investments in two land development / home building joint ventures

Division Controller/CFO

Centex Homes - New Mexico Division - Albuquerque, NM - 2005 to 2006

Senior division accounting and finance professional for a top-five national homebuilder and developer.

Managed all accounting and finance operations, drove the strategic and financial planning process.

• Lead the division to a 150 unit or 23% increase in deliveries in FY 2006

• Lead the division to record-setting annual revenues of $160MM in FY 2006, a 25% increase

• Lead the division to bottom line profit of $24MM in FY 2006, a 35% increase

• Directed and reviewed the creation of business plan packages which resulted in the division receiving

corporate approval to acquire approximately 600 lots on terms favorable to the division in FY 2006

Chief Financial Officer

CinemaStar Luxury Theaters, Inc - Oceanside, CA - 2000 to 2005

Chief financial and operating officer of a $30MM regional retail entertainment chain with 84 screens in

Southern California and Northern Mexico. Majority owned by a private equity fund.

• Successfully lead the company through a Chapter 11 reorganization in ten months

• In concert with the reorganization, increased operating income 54% to $4.0MM and decreased

general & administrative expenses 40% to $1.8MM

• Raised $3.5MM of private equity financing and renegotiated the company's $15.0MM revolver

• Directed all accounting and financial reporting functions including, SEC reporting

Senior Finance Manager

Cinemark USA Inc - Plano, TX - 1997 to 2000

Reported to the CFO of a $1B international retail entertainment chain with 300 theaters & 3,000 screens

• Instrumental in raising $180MM of public debt (subordinated debentures), securing a $350MM

revolving credit facility from Bank of America, and completing a $120MM sale/leaseback transaction

• Directed the analysis, selection and implementation of a new accounting system (PeopleSoft) and a

new finance system (Hyperion Essbase)

• Served as interim controller ensuring all accounting functions were performed in accordance with

GAAP, and ensuring the timely and accurate submission of SEC and other financial reports

Accounting and Finance Manager and Controller of SABRE International

AMR Corp - Fort Worth, TX - 1992 to 1997

Fort Worth, Texas ● 1992 - 1997

Accounting and Finance Manager and Controller of SABRE International

• Reduced American Airlines' closing cycle from seven to five days by reengineering the accounting

process for passenger revenues

• Created a new international accounting department and oversaw the configuration of SAP software to

accommodate 50 new SABRE International subsidiaries and branches

Staff Senior, Audit and Business Advisory Practice

Arthur Andersen, LLP - Boston, MA - 1987 to 1992

• Traditional Big Four public accounting experience, servicing a broad spectrum of clients

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration in Finance

University of Texas at Arlington - Arlington, TX

July 1996

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Boston College Carroll School of Management

May 1987

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) State of Massachusetts

USA Hockey Certified Level 4 Coach

GROUPS

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County

Board of Directors, Finance Committee Member

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Planning // Management Reporting // Financial Reporting (SEC)

Forecasting / Budgeting // Investor/Banker Relations // Internal Controls, SOX

Financial Analysis // Raising Capital // Process Improvement

Financial Modeling // Accounting Management // System Implementation



Contact this candidate