Capital Project Client Facing
Resume:
James R. Slater, CPA, CMA, CFM
* *** ********, ***********, ** 39402
************@*****.***
https://www.linkedin.com/in/slaterjames7/
An accomplished, results-oriented operational client-facing controller with a demonstrated ability in cost accounting, inventory control, budgeting/forecasting, and capital project analysis. An ISO 9001 auditor and skilled in managing copious amounts of data to bring stability to management decision-making. A demonstrated ability to work with forward-thinking management teams and operations to ensure the plant meets its financial objectives. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Burkland Associates, Hattiesburg, MS October 2021 – July 2023 Operations Manager/Technical Controller – Remote
Burkland gives startups a solid foundation to grow with confidence. We provide the expertise that makes economic sense for all growth stages - ranging from Pre-Seed to Series C. Our on-demand CFOs, accountants, HR, and tax experts give strategic guidance to ease a company’s growing pains and provide financial and operational insight to scale.
Manage 7 Technical Accounting Managers.
Responsible for due diligence projects, audit preparation, ASC606 projects, ASC842 projects, and debt vs. equity accounting for complex equity instruments.
Cash to accrual conversions, accounting software migrations, accounting policies, and procedures definitions, automating accounting processes, and integration of different online tools.
Complex account reconciliations, financial model to actual comparisons, process improvements, establishing and monitoring key performance metrics, and coordinating tax and HR services.
Spartan Mosquito, A Division of AC2T, Inc. Hattiesburg, MS October 2019 – October 2021 Controller
Overall P&L responsibility for 20MM local start-up mosquito eradicator manufacturer with 40 employees. Moved company into GAAP compliance and toward SOX compliance with direct reports of three employees. Integral role in driving the company into using a standard costing system with new software implementation using personally developed labor and overhead rates to reflect production costs accurately.
Streamlined the close process to reduce the number of days to close by 50%
Improved the cash forecasting and other KPIs to give Management better tools to manage the business
Assists the inventory director to ensure accuracy in reporting and internal controls are met
Cross-train an inexperienced team of three to create depth in the department Jones Companies Lumber Division, Hattiesburg, MS April 2018 – July 2019 Assistant Corporate Controller
Overall responsibility for the accounting of six lumber mills with combined revenue of $40MM. Jones is a locally owned vertically integrated company of 600 employees with the Lumber Division at its base. Lead the improvements for internal controls, especially as it related to fuel inventory for all six mills. Also, assisted the CFO in cutting our monthly close process by 50%.
Monitored monthly valuation of logs and timbers using the FIFO inventory method and assisted operations with the monitoring of inventory levels so that optimum inventory levels were stable
Supported most aspects of general accounting management (staff of six: billing, payables, receivables, reporting) for production of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting
Reviewed the company’s accounting information to identify and resolve inaccuracies or imbalances and to ensure GAAP compliance
Assisted with new system implementation
Johnson Controls, Inc., Hattiesburg, MS July 2014 – March 2018 Plant Controller
Overall P&L responsibility for a Commercial HVAC manufacturer with total revenue of $60MM and 350 employees. Lead the process to ensure the plant operations were SOX compliant, accounting was GAAP compliant, and completed two extensive internal audit reviews. Also, lead the project costing reduction projects with the Continuous Improvement department and oversaw $1.5MM in annual savings.
Analyzed sales and margin variances reporting to Senior Management
Managed weekly cycle counting program and report results to Plant Management
Developed plant spending and costing analysis for monthly reporting and analyzed standard costing variances
Analyzed cost variances vs. plan and worked with other management team members to provide gap closure
Evaluated and approve capital expenditures request to ensure a project has an adequate payback Boise Paper, Div. of Packaging Corp of America, Jackson, AL March 2012 – July 2014 Business Analyst III
Overall responsibility for weekly forecasting a pulp and paper operation of $120MM revenue and over 650 employees. Assisted the Controller and Operations Manager with cost reduction projects and reported this monthly to the management team. Assisted the Controller with the annual budgeting process.
Analyzed mill net working capital, material pricing and usage variances, and fixed costs
Conducted departmental cost meeting weekly
Worked closely with operations to drive cost out of the operations
Performed ad hoc costing analysis with engineering and operations Franke Consumer Products, Ruston, LA August 2010 – February 2012 Controller
Had overall P&L responsibility of this IFRS compliant Swiss stainless steel kitchen sink manufacturer of $60MM in revenues and over 250 employees. Improved the budgeting process to ensure we met our reporting deadlines and worked with operations to ensure our standard costing was accurate. Spearheaded a project to refine our standard product costs for better information. Moved forecasting ranking for the US location from number 35 to a top ten ranking on forecasting accuracy.
Performed product costing for new business
Led the budgeting process, which included evaluating labor and overhead rates
Analyzed sales to report sales margin variances to GM/VP
Analyzed net working capital, free cash flow, approve capital expenditures
Worked closely with the VP of Logistics to ensure inventory accuracy Berry Plastics Corporation, Monroe, LA August 2006 – August 2010 Multi-Site Plant Controller
Overall P&L responsibility of two manufacturing operations produced greenhouse film, garbage bags, and plastic sheeting. Annual revenues were $120MM with 350 employees. Worked with the continuous improvement department to achieve required yearly cost reductions. Successfully led the plant in moving to a departmental budgeting process so that each department was responsible for its spending.
Completed multiple successful internal audits and SOX audits
Forecasted income statement for the Regional Controller
Managed department of three, which included inventory, cost accounting, and accounts payable
Managed system implementation for the accounting function
Ensured compliance with GAAP and SOX for multi-sites EDUCATION
BSBA with Accounting Emphasis - University of Southern Mississippi, 1997 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CPA, Oklahoma Accountancy Board, August 1998
CMA, Institute of Certified Management Accountants, July 1999 The exam covered Managerial/Cost Accounting extensively CFM, Institute of Certified Management Accountants, April 2001 The exam covered SEC reporting and associated footnote disclosures extensively CERTIFIED ISO AUDITOR, July 2008
PULP AND PAPER BASICS WORKSHOP, North Carolina State University, Oct 2012 SYSTEM SKILLS
Hyperion Financial * Cognos * Peoplesoft * Mapics – AS/400 * SAP R/3 * QAD (MFG/PRO) * JD Edwards * Microsoft Dynamics-Business Central * Google G Suites * Quick Books Desktop/Online * Microsoft Office
(Exceptional Excel skills.)*Netsuite*Replicon*Bill.com*Expensify*Zoom*Google Meets*Slack*Gusto*Google Suites (Gmail, Google Drive, etc.)
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