Accounting Management

JASON WARD, CPA, CFE, CGMA

***** ********* **** ***** #****, Cypress, TX 77433 832-***-****

***********@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwardcpa

Profile & Objective: Vice President, Finance / Accounting

Proven track record of driving process improvements and enhancing opportunities to increase working capital, improve forecasting and budgeting accuracy, and provide information transparency into core performance areas.

Dynamic finance and accounting executive with a 13-year career hallmarked by improvements to multimillion-dollar budgets, processes, and revenues through strategic leadership, P&L analysis, multi-year planning, auditing, and controls.

Notable success transforming profit performance, controlling costs, managing risk, and achieving performance targets. Deep understanding of accounting influences on business practices to provide financial insight on core strategic issues.

Strategic partner to executive leadership, providing key financial recommendations to enable high-level decision-making for business success. Exceptional relationship builder and collaborator. Leader and developer of strong teams.

Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting strategic vision into financial modeling. Proven business negotiation, problem-solving, relationship building, and conflict management skills. Ability to manage change and complex projects.

Core Competencies Include:

Strategic Financial & Accounting Leadership • Budgeting • Forecasting • General Ledger & Cost Accounting • GAAP & IFRS

Technical Accounting • Financial Reports & Statements • Closing Process • Financial Policy & Procedure Development

Contract Negotiations • Vendor Management • Process Improvements • ERP System Implementation • Team Leadership

Professional Experience

HOWCO GROUP PLC, Houston, TX

Controller, Western Hemisphere 6/2012 – 9/2015

Global processor and distributor of metal products for the oil and gas industry; revenues of $850M+; division of Sumitomo Corporation, a multinational integrated trading company with $32B in revenues.

Promoted to improve accounting performance and lead annual strategic planning and budgeting process. Spearheaded forecasting, month-end close, management reporting, standard costing, fixed assets, general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, taxes, GST, GAAP, IFRS, and JSOX compliance. Helped prepare Board Meeting presentations. Trained new international financial controllers. Submitted consolidated results to parent company in SAP BPC. Led 9 direct reports.

Created new global accounting procedures, instituted formal controls, and drove process improvement efforts. Shortened month-end close from 4 to 2 days. Saved 13 hours/week by improving A/P filing system and automated cash receipt matching. Saved 15 hours/month with new batch processing. Boosted payables security/efficiency with new ACH payment method. Improved information and management meetings with new month-end management presentation.

Reversed $1M/month loss to $500K/month profit and increased working capital through strategic cost cutting measures during market downturn. Improved DSO by 11 days through aggressive collection policy. Reduced past due receivables from $2M over 180 days past due to zero past due for major customer. Negotiated 60-day terms with the largest suppliers. Analyzed and recommended closing underperforming machine shop. Rationalized staffing levels. Implemented minimum order requirement, which saved $500K annually with combined orders.

Took charge of negotiations with Howco's largest customer as finance expert, effectively reversing their proposal to switch to cost plus pricing, thereby maintaining current contract and saving profit margins.

Negotiated contracts that saved $350K annually. Cut rates on US and Canada Merchant accounts and electricity and natural gas contracts. Eliminated unnecessary services. Gained 25% discount with T&E vendors. Implemented review of tax return, identifying 100% deductible items that were previously excluded as M-1 adjustments.

Led on-time/on-budget ERP project (Sage300/iMetal) as Finance Lead for Canada and the US. Oversaw financial system build-out, testing, implementation, and post-production support. Template was adopted for global roll-out. Wrote procedures manuals to train finance teams at other locations for month-end close in new ERP system.

Automated expense report process by implementing Concur, which provided greater visibility into T&E expenses.

Conducted fraud investigation at foreign entity and recommended critical changes.

HOWCO GROUP PLC, Group Financial Analyst & Internal Auditor 10/2011 – 6/2012

Strengthened internal controls and created internal audit work program from the ground up to prepare for subsidiary and external audits. As CFO's right-hand man, analyzed Group financial results and presented findings to CFO. Created global benchmarking report with KPIs for senior management. Formulated new method to accurately forecast Group cash flow.

Credited with clean audit reports base on new robust internal audit program. Performed internal audits of international subsidiaries. Identified control gaps and implemented mitigating controls.

BREDERO SHAW, division of SHAWCOR, LTD, Houston, TX

Assistant Division Controller 11/2008 – 10/2011

Steel pipe coating company, division of ShawCor global energy services company; $1B in revenues in 2011.

Recruited to take charge of accounting functions, support strategic growth initiatives, and serve as GAAP and IFRS expert. Analyzed, consolidated, and monitored division's annual strategic plan to ensure performance to goal. Prepared and handled consolidated close and financial statements and handle forecasting for 20+ plants. Conducted technical accounting research. Trained divisional/plant staff on internal controls, IFRS, and policies. Led team of 4.

Implemented governance, risk, and controls software globally (Aline), which reduced need to consolidate spreadsheets to track internal control testing and saved $230K annually in consultant fees. Traveled to sites in 7 countries. Presented software and method at parent company's annual finance meeting. Adopted and rolled out at other ShawCor companies.

Led conversion from Canadian GAAP to IFRS. Completed 2-year project on time/budget with no audit adjustments. Served as primary liaison to auditors, providing all support and explanations for IRS adjustments. Calculated and recorded IRS adjusting journal entries. Prepared white papers for IFRS conversion and updated standard policies and procedures.

Developed automated cash flow statement in consolidation software, reducing hours spent to prepare monthly cash flow. Adopted by all 20 plants. Monitored AR/AP, ensuring efficient use of resources.

Reduced year-end control failures from 75 to 4 in 2 years by overseeing Bill 198 compliance program (SOX equivalent).

Performed due diligence on prospective acquisition, which led to $250M increase in annual revenues. Prepared acquisition accounting entries and financial statement disclosures for newly acquired companies.

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC., Houston, TX

Manager, Internal Audit 6/2007 – 11/2008

Fortune 500 company and the 3rd largest automotive retailer in the US; $6B in revenues in 2008.

Recruited to develop robust internal audit program. Analyzed financial controls, business controls, and operational processes. Assisted in annual risk assessment for internal audit plan. Performed detailed audits on 100+ sites across the US, ensuring SOX 404 requirements. Hired and trained staff on dealership accounting. Assisted in review of quarterly/annual SEC filings.

Built new internal audit program and team, which improved quality of audits and saved $600K/year in consultant fees.

Revamped and consolidated SOX testing plan, cutting hours 50% and increasing coverage 15%. Redefined key internal controls and rewrote SOX program, strengthening internal controls and increasing efficiencies.

Uncovered $250K of cash misappropriations in supervising fraud examination.

BAKER HUGHES, INC., Houston, TX

Supervisor, Internal Audit 9/2006 – 6/2007

One of the world's largest oil field services companies; operations in 90+ countries; $10B in revenue in 2007.

Recruited to direct international and domestic financial statement audits in compliance with US GAAP, corporate policies, and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Researched accounting pronouncements. Led closing meetings with auditees.

Improved standard audit programs, tested internal controls, and ensured SOX compliance.

BLUM SHAPIRO & CO., PC, West Hartford, CT

Supervisor, Audit & Attestation 9/2006 – 6/2007

The largest regional certified public accounting (CPA) firm in New England.

Managed risk-based audits of companies in manufacturing, automotive, education, and employee benefits. Prepared federal and multi-state tax returns for entities (C Corp, S Corp, Partnership). Tested internal controls and performed SOX 404 risk assessments. Recommended process improvements. Taught continuing education classes and general staff training.

Education, Certification & Professional Development

Master of Science (MS), Accounting & Taxation, concentration in Attestation, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT

Bachelor of Science, Accounting, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Completed BS in 3.5 year and MS in 1 year while working full time.

Certified Public Accountant • Certified Fraud Examiner • Chartered Global Management Accountant

AICPA IFRS Certificate Program • IFRS Certificate Update Course Pack

Developed CPA Examination Questions for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Lean Accounting Seminar, Jean Cunningham Consulting • Situational Leadership Courses, The Ken Blanchard Company

Technical Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel • Microsoft Office • SAP • SAP BPC • IFS • SAGE 300 (ACCPAC) • iMetal • Stelplan • Hyperion • Khalix • ADP • Reynolds & Reynolds • AS2 • ACL

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