Scott C. Morrow

** ********* **. ******** *****, MI 48069 248-***-**** acw9jt@r.postjobfree.com

Finance, Operations and Business Development Executive

Over 20 years’ experience in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and professional services.

Extensive experience in project management, human resources, finance and business development provides the perspective to understand the impact workflow and business changes will have on employees at all levels of the organization.

Drive revenue and profit growth through business planning, upgrading fiscal and administrative functions, and engineering organization-wide culture change. Seek creative and collaborative solutions with internal and external stakeholders.

Highly collaborative leader with exceptional assessment, problem-solving, coaching, communication, and team development skills.

Operations Manager

Gordon Advisors, PC CPA, Troy MI 2013-present

Manage workflow improvement, human capital retention/acquisition, culture change management, and succession planning for mid-sized CPA firm specializing in construction, real estate, manufacturing, medical, and non-profit clients.

Provide workflow planning for staff, partners, and clients, reducing or eliminating excessively long days and last-minute work even during peak season. Implemented use of Axcess Tax, Portal, and Document to reduce preparation time by 10% and streamline workflow and document retrieval. Streamlined workflow processes in support area, saving $4000 per month in staff hours.

Manage 80+ staff members, including HR, Marketing, Business Development, and paraprofessional staff. Created a “path to partner” scorecard to clarify baseline criteria for promotion and reduce turnover among professional staff seeking advancement.

Adjust Marketing/Business Development strategy to identify new profit centers and shift focus to customer referrals, the source of 84% of new client revenues in 2014. Created departmental budgets for Marketing, Human Resource Acquisition, and Administrative/Support to create transparency and ensure alignment with overall budget forecasts and expenditures.

Presented first-ever 5 Year Strategic Plan rolling it out at the annual address to staff and partners for firm growth and succession. Created a common understanding of leadership and teamwork at all levels of the organization.

Principal

QJM Advisors, Pleasant Ridge, MI 2011-2013

Provided business development, change management, and financial/capital services to emerging and growing B2B firms.

Procured capital, grants, venture and bank financing for small and growing firms in excess of $10M, over 3 years, with success fees of $100K. Helped secure applicable government tax incentives including brownfieldcredits.

Prepared taxes, provided tax planning services, and assisted with resolution of tax-related issues for companies and individuals. Won appeal for a CFO concerning non-payment of fiduciary withholding funds for employees.

Mentored firm leadership, helping to develop the vision and the sense of urgency needed for long-term success. Provided change management strategies to firms to create a high-functioning culture and maintain efficiency during times of growth and change.

VP of Finance/Business Development

Great Lakes HR Solutions LLC, Howell, MI 2004-2011

Managed finance and operations functions for staffing, safety consulting, and professional employment organization (PEO). Grew firm from $6M to $15M in 7 years. Promoted from CFO to VP Finance/Business Development in 4 years.

Reviewed and adjusted quarterly and year-end financial statements, cash forecasts, and financial reports for distribution to owner, bank, and CPAs. Partnered with banks to provide PEO services, back room functions, and cash flow forecasts for concerns in ‘bank workout’ realized revenues of$1.5M over 2 years. Negotiated a $1.75M LOC based on human capital in lieu of traditional hard assets.

Reduced workman’s compensation expense 350% in three years through immediate investigation and medical assistance. Increased direct margin by risk managing all unemployment and self-funded benefit expenses for estimated savings of $300K year. Matched staff resources to outputs, streamlining activities and downsizing staff for savings of $120K per year.

Expanded market outside of traditional trucking and increased non-trucking staffing revenue to 45% of sales by 2010. Grew safety consulting line of business to $350K in revenue over 3 years. Managed GM Delta Lansing launch hiring project, overseeing all aspects of hiring and conversion to direct employment for over 350 employees on 3 shifts within 6 weeks.

Used Goldmine and SalesGenie to identify and profile warm leads, resulting in 35% closing rate and $500K in sales in 2009. Won bids on 3 national accounts for 6 years running, netting $4M+ in sales yearly.

Provided in-house expertise on legal matters including labor/union disputes, accident and workman’s compensation issues, bankruptcy and liquidations considerations, and other issues. Responsible for integrity of employee information and compliance with ADA, HIPAA, and other applicable standards.

Director of Finance/Operations

Design Origins Incorporated, Sterling Heights, MI 2001-2004

Managed sales, operations, and finance functions for trade show exhibit manufacturer in automotive, engineering, and telecommunications markets. Recruited to work with bank to resolve Workout status, due to some key employees leaving with existing clients and eliminate speculation of bankruptcy protection.

Established a comprehensive business plan that managed departments with milestones, objectives, and critical path, saving $350K in 2003. Implemented Great Plains ERP. Eliminated obsolete inventory and generated cash flow by developing partnerships to open new markets in developing nations.

Rebranded and developed in-depth vertical market strategy to develop non-traditional customer base, increasing sales $4M over two years and insulating company from seasonal and economic fluctuations.

Created a standard costing model for quoting, helping sales department increase gross margin 6%. Launched Salesforce.com to assist in marketing leads and RFQ/RFP notices. Created corporate-wide incentive plans rewarding associates for achieving above-expected results.

Streamlined plant operations into work centers, enabling manufacturing to eliminate scrap by 50%, increase labor efficiency by 65%, and reduce project build time from 1 week to 3 days. Partnered with team of peers from other exhibit houses to negotiate new contract with Teamsters and carpenters union, lowering direct costs by an estimated $400K.

Chief Financial Officer

Communications Systems Groups Incorporated, Oak Park MI 1999-2001

Oversaw financial turnaround of Value Added Reseller of visual production equipment.

Monitored management of customers and vendor bases from multiple internal sources to assure controlled cost, on-time delivery, and quality service. Improved workflow efficiency and resource allocation and reduced scope creep. Implemented Navision ERP program.

Managed sale and divestment of out-of-state businesses and liquidated Michigan operations to avert bankruptcy and satisfy balance on the line of credit.

Education

Master of Business Administration, International Finance, Wayne State University, Detroit MI

Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Wayne State University, Detroit MI

Computer Skills

ERP/CRM tools: Navision, Great Plains, SAP, Goldmine, Sage ACT, Salesforce.com

Accounting: QuickBooks, Sage BusinessWorks, Sage MAS 90/200, CCH Axcess Tax & Document, CCH ProFx Engagement &Practice Management

Office: Microsoft Project, VISIO, Microsoft Office, HR Sage ABRA

Professional Affiliations

Planning Commissioner & DDA Commissioner, City of Pleasant Ridge, 2001-2009

Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Transportation Club of Detroit Scholarship President

PTIN MICPA Member CPAsNET.COM Member Association of Accounting Administrators

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