MICHAEL ZAPOLA

aczzwf@r.postjobfree.com

***** ******* **. **** 440-***-****

Columbia Station, OH 44028 Home 440-***-****

Financial Leader

Financial leader with expertise in budgeting and forecasting, reporting, auditing, identification of opportunities and implementation of action items to address inefficiencies. Recognized for the ability to analyze complex problems, communicate solutions and implement change to deliver increased overall results. Ability to gain consensus and trust from internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, auditors, internal peers and subordinates and other external business relationships. Significant experience in examining and revising current processes to produce a more efficient and controlled environment including working within the Sarbanes Oxley requirements. In addition, prepared external and internal required reporting as well as provided analytical explanations for unexpected variances leading to changes in operations and overall improved profitability. Provided leadership on several system conversion projects by driving cross-functional teams to on-time and on-budget completion. Proficient in multi-tasking as necessary to meet deadlines.

Areas of experience:

Budgeting /Forecasting /Planning

Management / Financial Reporting

Management of Special Projects

Systems Implementation / Conversion

Process Improvement

Cost / Variance Analysis

Control Implementation / SOX

Working Capital / Cash Management

Audit

Risk Management

Investor / Bank Relations

Balance Sheet Management (a/r, a/p, fa)

Customer / Vendor Contract Reviews

Microsoft, JDE, SAP, Host

Inventory Management (FIFO/MAC/LIFO)

Team Management

RELEVANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Successfully directed budgeting and forecasting in business as it grew from $1.5 - $2.7 billion. Revamped the process in year two of responsibility to reduce time by 25%.

Identified and eliminated over $1.0 million of contractually required but unearned customer payments.

Implemented multiple waves of system conversion activity from legacy and purchased software to ERP systems on-time within budget.

Significant hands-on experience in identification and explanation / resolution of budget to actual variances.

Spearheaded creation of global inventory process for U.S., Canada, and Mexico increasing inventory accuracy, improving working capital and management of U.S. inventory to maximize LIFO opportunities.

Implemented rebate tracking process to maximize vendor support opportunities and adding significantly to the company gross profit and overall results.

Identified a 3 year fraud through forcing compliance with new controls.

Audit leader on multiple industrial, governmental and system audits.

Managed bank relationships and cash flows for several million dollar partnerships.

Produced quarterly Board of Directors and externally required communications.

Produced semi-annual Compilation for small manufacturing company as acting Controller.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Edward C. Hawkins & Co., Ltd. June – November 2016

Acting Controller for small manufacturing (related party) client

Prepared the monthly financial statements and semi-annual Compilation.

Supervised the overall accounting function and cross-trained 3 associates.

Implemented several system and manual process improvements to increase group efficiencies.

Reduced the close process of two separate companies by 15 days in three months.

Michael Zapola (H) 440-***-**** - aczzwf@r.postjobfree.com Page 2

Applied Industrial Technologies – Cleveland, Ohio 1998-2015

Director of Budgets and Financial Analysis (Previously Director – Financial Reporting)

Budgeting and Forecasting

oPrepared and coordinated the $2.7 billion operating budget including several foreign subsidiaries.

oCoordinated the $10 - $15 million capital expenditure budget (significantly higher in ERP years).

oPrepared monthly organizational forecasts supporting external communications along with specific

sales, gross profit and sd&a internal analysis for use in the senior management decision process.

oPrepared various analyses for Board of Directors.

oPrepared and coordinated several 3-5 year consolidated organizational forecasts.

Accounting and Management

oPrepared and coordinated the required quarterly and annual SEC filings.

oPrepared and coordinated monthly internal financial reporting to senior management.

oDeveloped accounting policies and procedures for use throughout the organization.

oPrepared various quarterly and year end external audit support schedules and variance analyses.

oDeveloped many initial Sarbanes Oxley control processes and respective documentation.

oManaged quarterly inventory evaluation (over $300 million – FIFO/MAC/LIFO).

oManaged accounting and compliance with vendor and customer contracts.

Information Technologies

oManaged and coordinated conversion of financial systems (general ledger, fixed assets, accounts

receivable and accounts payable) to JDEdwards software. Conversion included development of the

chart of accounts, reporting structure and identification and implementation of process improvements.

oLed six individual SAP back office conversion tasks – inventory, accounts payable, allocations.

oCoordinated system upgrade projects – JDEdwards, Vertex, SAP support.

Weltman, Weinberg & Reis., L.P.A. – Cleveland, Ohio 1997-1998

Controller

Prepared the monthly and annual financial statements and annual budget.

Supervised the overall accounting function and activities at four regional locations.

Managed special joint venture accounting and other financial banking activities.

Coordinated benefit and year-end audit/review procedures.

Developed and implemented corporate policies, procedures and controls.

LDI Corporation – Cleveland, Ohio 1989-1996

Assistant Controller/Manager of External Reporting

Prepared all external reporting as required by the SEC and financial institutions.

Managed budget, inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collection, and fixed asset functions.

Supervised 17 associates.

In 1996, LDI Corporation was sold and merged into Nations Bank.

Other Relevant Experience & Consulting Engagements – Cleveland, Ohio area 1983-fwd

●Western Management Group – Controller

●Deloitte Haskins & Sells – Audit Senior and Senior Consultant

●City of Cleveland – Financial Analysis

●S.A.W. Inc – Consultant/Acting Controller

●Reserve International Services – Special Project for Owner

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Business – Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Achieved the OSCPA Center for Leadership Certification

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION

Certified Public Accountant – State of Ohio

Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants &

Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants

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