Richard Gole cpa, cga b.com.

**** *** **** ***** ***********, ON L5J 1B3 416-***-****

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/richardgole actofp@r.postjobfree.com

Vice President Finance

Finance & Administration Consumer Packaging Distribution Fast Casual Restaurants

A trusted business partner strategically focused on building stakeholder value, integrity and respect

Multidimensional, collaborative leader renowned for advancing the team to a common vision, managing business disruptors to create value, cultural engagement and business optimization. Sets high expectations on exceeding top line, bottom line and market share growth.

Executive Leadership / Change Management Business Process Enhancement/Reengineering

Data Integrity / Risk Management Relationship Builder / Collaborator

Financial Planning & Analysis / Forecasting Working Capital Management/ Financing Options

Operations / Supply Chain Management Procurement / Inventory Management

IT Oversight / Systems Integration Private Equity / M & A/ Entrepreneurial

Experience and Achievements

Business Consulting Services 2015 – 2016

Provide advisory services through interim assignments, business consultation and real estate research /business plan integration .

SNAPSHOT: Successfully partnered in the closing of numerous residential deals.

Powerbev Inc. (PURbrands Inc. / CFS Inc. / ColdHaus Direct), Toronto, ON 2014 – 2015

Lead the financial management of Powerbev & PURbrands, the distributors of Red Bull energy beverages in ON and BC; CFS, a 3rd party distributor of electrical & plumbing supplies; and Coldhaus Direct, a craft beer & wine distributor. Reports directly to the COO/ President and indirectly to the CEO.

SNAPSHOT: Swiftly uncovered opportunities to bolster operational effectiveness and alleviate liquidity issues impacting bank covenants, government remittances, vendors, and brand reputation.

VICE PRESIDENT – Finance 3 direct & 6 indirect reports § $71M sales § $1.2M operating income

Scrutinized all financial aspects for businesses operating in Ontario and BC to identify root cause of capital liquidity issues. Established cash flow projections, standardized financial reporting and revamped credit card payment processing uncovering a combined $650,000 in available cash in less than 12 months.

Negotiated with vendors, customers and financial institutions, providing >$500,000 in working capital.

Slashed third party credit card costs by $150,000 (=50%). Fortified decision making by restructuring financial reporting from weeks, often exceeding month end, to <10 days.

Unified Purchasing Group of Canada (UPGC), Vaughan, ON 2006 – 2014

Directed financial operations for the not-for-profit entity handling supply chain management for KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell franchisees in Canada under the YUM! Franchisor banner.

Reports directly to the Chief Supply Chain Officer and indirectly to the UPGC Board of Directors.

SNAPSHOT: Made a notable impact extracting >$42M in food and packaging costs and >$1M in operating expenses, decreased tax risk, and bolstered KPI metrics.

VICE PRESIDENT – Finance 3 direct & 7 indirect reports § $30M call centre revenue § $550M spend

Steered the finance & administration for 18 national & regional advertising co-ops, supply chain, call centre, and print divisions, and gift card program. Tasked to maintain product supply at lowest store delivered cost.

Exposed, justified and secured agreement from the Board, franchisor and franchisees to return >$2M in reserves to the franchise base, removing an unnecessary $50,000 income and tax liability to UPGC.

Renegotiated one of the largest food service distribution agreements in Canada resulting in $15M to the bottom line.

Attracted $2.2M+ in gift card activations after transitioning to a single common card for all brands.

Restructured the Graphic and Print agency resulting in reengineered processes and $1M in savings.

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Transformed the struggling Pizza Hut call centre into a world class organization. Lowered cost per transaction and talk time by 25%, met or boosted order value target, and increased agent wage rate.

Hired Canada’s top tax lawyer to successfully appeal a CRA ITC claim, becoming a landmark HST ruling while banishing a potential $1M in exposure across all advertising co-ops.

Coached, hired and developed the team to stem turnover and alter the perception of the business unit from an accounting function to a respected finance department and true business partner.

Saved $200,000 in operating costs piloting a team tasked to execute an office relocation with an IT system upgrade. Negotiated the lease, selected a vendor and moved with only 6 hours downtime.

Tree of Life Canada (TOL), Mississauga, ON 1999 – 2006

Spearheaded a multi-site portfolio encompassing the Head Office in Mississauga, and other local offices in Calgary and Coquitlam for Canada’s largest distributor of natural and specialty goods.

Reports directly to the CFO TOL North America and indirectly to the President TOL Canada.

SNAPSHOT: Created an investment strategy to generate interest income; and redefined the financial infrastructure to tighten financial planning, forecasting, and analysis, and minimize foreign currency exposure.

VICE PRESIDENT – Finance 3 direct & 11 indirect reports § $200M annualized volume § 3% - 5% ROS

Promoted from Controller to lead local, Calgary and Coquitlam teams directing full cycle accounting, inventory management, costing, internal & external auditing, credit & collections, cash management, and budgets.

Partnered with banks to form an investment strategy and gain $50,000 in interest income.

Deployed a foreign currency hedging policy to combat a 30% cost of goods exposure from multicurrency foreign locations affecting forecast accuracy, ruling 50% be spot bought and 50% of 3 months were hedged.

Provided the leadership, acquisition analysis and proforma’s to successfully integrate 2 companies with $50M total incremental sales into TOL operations while lowering operating costs by $200,000.

Halted the completion of financial analysis by non-finance staff, assuming ownership for financial reporting, strategic planning, business case development, and capital planning. Reputed as the sole VP Finance to remain in the position and not be replaced.

Weston Bakeries (division of Weston Foods Canada), Toronto, ON 1996 – 1999

CONTROLLER

Bolstered cycle time, monthly financial statement preparation and reporting, account reconciliation, external auditing, and employee skill set.

PRIOR career experience 1984 – 1996

Accounting Associate Senior Accountant Controller

Professional Development & Formal Education

CHARTERED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT (CPA) 2014

CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANT (CGA) 1988

University of Toronto 1984

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (B.Com.)

References Available Upon Request

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