Stephen A. Ernst
** ******* *****, **** *********, NY 11552, 516-***-****
********@*****.***
SUMMARY
Management professional with extensive experience in financial management,
accounting, planning and analysis, administration and operations. Ability
to adapt to various industries within either a global or local environment.
Demonstrated success in establishing processes to improve productivity,
increase efficiency, enhance quality and strengthen financial results.
Ability to effectively plan, coordinate and meet deadlines of multiple
projects. Detail oriented, with a proven capability to successfully
contribute to company objectives. Noted for strong team building and
interpersonal skills leading to productive relationships with co-workers
and business partners in all functional areas.
. MBA in Finance . Big Four Public Accounting . Strategic
Business Planning
. Internal Control Compliance . Financial Statement Generation
. Relationship and Teambuilding
. Financial Planning and . Cost Reductions and . Policy
and Procedure
Analysis Efficiency Improvements Development
. Acquisition and Divestiture . Information Systems .
Performance Management
EXPERIENCE
Vice President Finance and Administration March 2006 - March 2015
TNT Express, Melville, NY - Primary financial executive for the North
American division of a global provider of express delivery and freight
services. Maintain relationship and continuity between divisional finance
function and corporate head office in Amsterdam. Act as business partner
with executive team by providing financial analysis and guidance. Develop
annual plans and strategic forecasts and measure results against those
plans. Responsible for the management of General Accounting, Billing and
Receivables, Reporting and Budgeting, Fixed Assets and CAPEX, Payroll,
Purchasing, Corporate Compliance and Risk Management. Oversee preparation
and filing of corporate tax returns. Develop local internal control
procedures within corporate guidelines and ensure compliance. Coordination
of both external and internal audits.
1. Project manager for conversion to SAP accounting system. Successful on-
time implementation, leading to improved processes and increased controls
over several functional cycles including general accounting, fixed
assets, purchase-to-pay, invoice-to-cash and financial statement close
process.
2. Reduced finance staffing requirements by 15% through a series of cross
functional process improvements and IT systems solutions.
3. Member of management team responsible for implementation and maintenance
of ISO 9001, 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications.
4. Completed recapitalization and intercompany loan arrangement leading to
utilization of tax NOL and group tax savings of $45 million.
5. Integrated newly acquired Caribbean, Central and South American
Associates into existing financial systems, policies and procedures.
6. Developed revised Credit and Collections Policy, standardizing risk
assessment of customers while supporting the organization's sales
strategy.
7. Initiated review of Medical and Dental Benefit Plans leading to changes
that realized savings of $800,000 annually with minimal reduction in
benefits available to employees.
Division Vice President - Controller May 2000 - March 2006
Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Amityville, NY - Supervised all operational,
financial and accounting aspects of New York division of major soft-drink
bottler including general ledger, receivables and payables, cost accounting
and inventory management. Interacted closely with sales function to ensure
ongoing profitability. Worked with independent distributor network in
achieving common goals. Developed annual operating plan and analyzed
results against plan.
8. Improved credit and collection policies and procedures, reducing past
due balances by 40%.
9. Participated in the successful negotiation of collective bargaining
agreement, leading to enhanced employee relations and further
stabilization of workforce.
10. Established distributor lending program with local bank, providing
funding for distributor truck purchases and resulting in improved
distributor relations.
11. Identified incorrect procedures for capitalization of vending assets,
resulting in a one-time addition to operating profit. Established ongoing
procedures to properly capture future additions.
12. Coordinated information technology upgrade in New York division.
Inventory and route accounting system upgrade and integration with SAP
successfully completed on time.
13. Established production scheduling guidelines which increased production
efficiencies by 6%.
Controller June 1989 - May 2000
LNR Communications, Hauppauge, NY - Managed all financial and accounting
functions of manufacturer in the telecommunications/defense industry.
Prepared and analyzed financial statements. Prepared and filed corporate
income taxes and payroll taxes. Coordinated year-end audit with independent
accounting firm and various other audits with governmental agencies.
14. Researched, selected and implemented an integrated cost accounting and
manufacturing software package which reduced paperwork, streamlined
duties and increased productivity.
15. Developed system to analyze product line profitability, resulting in
the elimination of poor performers and increased overall profit margins.
16. Instituted a sales commission program for reorganized sales force. New
orders increased by 8% and new customer contacts by 25% in first six
months of program.
17. Worked closely with project managers, reviewing project costs and
variances to budgets.
18. Oversaw acquisition of $20 million product line, performing due
diligence and merging new line into existing operations.
Supervisor, General Accounting March 1988 - June 1989
Arrow Electronics, Melville, NY - Supervision of all general ledger
functions including month-end close, preparation and review of journal
entries, reconciliations for all balance sheet areas, analysis of monthly
income statements and calculation of various financial ratios.
Senior Auditor Sept. 1985 - March 1988
KPMG Peat Marwick, Jericho, NY - Performed duties of in-charge senior
including supervision of up to eight professionals, annual report and 10k
experience with SEC clients, initial and secondary public offerings,
preparation of management letters, purchase price accounting, and pension
plan audits. Industries included government contracting, high technology,
manufacturing, retailing, and automobile rental and leasing.
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Public Accountant, State of New York (1985)
EDUCATION
M.B.A., Finance, 1993
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, GPA: 3.81 - Graduated with academic
honors.
B.S., Accounting, 1985
St. John's University, Jamaica, NY, GPA: 3.88 - Graduated Summa Cum Laude
SEMINARS
Strategic Business Leadership: Creating and Delivering Value
University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, October 2005
Postgraduate Certificate in Management and Business Studies
Warwick University, UK, August 2009
REFERENCES
Available upon request