Michael Cook, CPA
Staunton, VA **401
C: 912-***-****
ad2zwt@r.postjobfree.com
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Finance Professional with Big 4, Public, Private Equity, Government, Logistics and Manufacturing Experience. A diversified industry leader in financial operations for both large and small companies with a proven track record of achieving cost reductions, streamlining financial reporting and in developing budgets and strategic plans.
Lawrence Companies, Inc. – Roanoke, VA 2022 – Jan 2024
100% ESOP Company with 8 Divisions and 120 Million in Sales
Logistics Company.
CFO
Worked on team to improve EBITDA by $2 million in a down economy for the logistics industry
Consolidated Financials for 8 divisions
Involved in Strategic Planning of the Lawrence Companies, Inc. for the five-year plan
Made monthly presentations to CEO, COO, and President
Focused on Continuous Improvement within the divisions and the accounting department to utilize best practices and streamline workflow
Worked with team to develop Cash Flow Forecasting Model to accurately depict our future cash position
Responsible for making sure ASC 606 and ASC 842 were applied
Involved in the renewing of the $6 million credit line in a challenging economy
Involved in the development of $10 million capital budget
Evaluate potential asset acquisitions using payback cash flow techniques
Worked with the team on short- and long-term company goals
Prepared and implemented challenging budgets
Analyzed and prepared recommendations as part of the executive team
Supervised Accounting functions of the 8 divisions with 2 Direct reports and 11 Indirect Reports which includes the billing department
Prepared variance analysis reports
Prepared daily and monthly financial & operating reports
Prepared monthly and year end work papers and supporting schedules
Assisted with the audits of the external audit team
Key Accomplishments
Worked on team to improve EBITDA by $2 million in a down economy for the logistics industry
Developed more detailed financial statements for each division in order to provide more granular reports for the division leads.
Worked with team to reduce monthly financial closing from 15 to 6 Days
Worked with divisions to develop new budgeting and financial forecasting models
Responsible for the tracking of $88M in Assets
Bowman-Andros – Mt. Jackson, VA 2021 – 2022
Reason for Leaving: Career Advancement, Higher Salary and Larger Bonus Potential
Family-owned food Manufacturing company with 4 Billion in Sales Worldwide and more than 30 Plants Worldwide
of which Mt. Jackson facility accounts for 200 Million in Sales
Food Manufacturer.
Interim CFO/Corporate Controller
Part of the plant turnaround team responsible for $4 million improvement in EBITDA
Experienced in Lean Manufacturing
Consolidated Financials for 3 plants I am responsible for
Involved in Strategic Planning of the Mt. Jackson Facility for the five-year plan
Made monthly presentations to CEO, COO, and Vice President of Manufacturing
Responsible for making sure ASC 606 and ASC 842 were applied
Focused on Continuous Improvement within the plant and the accounting department to utilize best practices and streamline workflow
Involved in the Construction Tracking of a $50M Building
Provide weekly forecasts to Plant Managers and corporate for Sales and EBITDA forecasts
Evaluate potential asset acquisitions using payback cash flow techniques
Costed raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory for Mt. Jackson, VA facility
Supervised inventory, inventory controls and recording of over $20 million in inventory
Led SOX compliance and controls of the 3 plants of which I was responsible
Member of the steering committee responsible for setting short- and long-term plant goals
Prepared and implemented challenging budgets
Analyzed and prepared recommendations as part of the executive team
Supervised Accounting functions of the 3 plants with 3 Direct reports and 6 Indirect Reports
Prepared variance analysis reports
Prepared daily and monthly financial & operating reports
Prepared monthly and year end work papers and supporting schedules
Assisted with the audits of both the internal and external audit teams
Key Accomplishments
Part of the plant turnaround team responsible for $4 million improvement in EBITDA
Improved Closing from 10 to 5 Days
Worked with plant to develop new budgeting and financial forecasting model
Worked with other plants to improve their processes and control measures
Responsible for the tracking of $60M in Assets
Plethora Corporation – Marietta, GA 2019 – 2020
Reason for Leaving: Closed due to Covid
Private Equity Owned Tech Company with $70 Million in Sales with 2 sites
High Tech Manufacturer of Machined Parts.
Vice President of Finance /Corporate Controller
Reported to the President and the Board of Directors
Prepared cash flow forecasts and maintain liquidity ratios
Supervised Corporate Shared Services at the Marietta, GA facility
Made monthly presentations to President, and the Board of Directors
Focused on Continuous Improvement within the facilities including the accounting and finance functions to utilize best practices and streamline workflow
Worked with team to develop Cash Flow Forecast Model
Consolidated Financials
Provided weekly forecasts to Plant Managers and President for Sales and EBITDA forecasts
Evaluated potential asset acquisitions using payback cash flow techniques
Supervised inventory, inventory controls and recording of over $20 million in inventory
Member of the executive team responsible for setting short- and long-term company goals
Prepared and implemented challenging budget
Analyzed and prepared recommendations as part of the executive team
Supervised Plethora Accounting functions and 3 direct reports
Prepared variance analysis reports
Prepared daily and monthly financial & operating reports
Prepared monthly and year end work papers and supporting schedules for external auditors
Responsible for assisting with the audits of both the internal and external audit teams
Key Accomplishments
Developed Forecasting Model to more accurately predict monthly EBITDA and Net Income
Sage 100 Implementation
Managed Risk
Developed Cash Flow Model to more accurately forecast expected receipts and outflows of cash
Mauser Packaging - Homerville, GA 2013 – 2019
Private Equity Owned with $4 Billion in Sales with 11 Metal Plants, 23 Plastic Plants in the US, and Container Plants
Reason for Leaving: Career Advancement, Higher Salary and Larger Bonus Potential
Manufacturers of rigid metal and plastic packaging containers.
Regional Controller
Part of the team responsible for the financial success of the number one can making plant within the corporation with over $361 million in revenues, and $103 million in EBITDA
Experienced in Lean Manufacturing
Consolidated Financials for 4 plants I was responsible for
Performed Financial Review of four plants, Trenton, NJ, York, PA, Memphis, TN, and the Homerville, GA facility
Involved in Strategic Planning of the Homerville Facility for the five-year plan
Made monthly presentations to CEO, COO, and Vice President of Manufacturing
Focused on Continuous Improvement within the plant and the accounting department to utilize best practices and streamline workflow
Provided weekly forecasts to Plant Managers and corporate for Sales and EBITDA forecasts
Evaluated potential asset acquisitions using payback cash flow techniques
Costed raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory for Homerville, GA facility
Supervised inventory, inventory controls and recording of over $60 million in inventory
Led SOX compliance and controls of the 4 plants of which I was responsible
Member of the executive team responsible for setting short- and long-term plant goals
Prepared and implemented challenging budgets
Analyzed and prepared recommendations as part of the executive team
Supervised Accounting functions of the 4 plants with 7 Direct reports and 2 Indirect Reports
Prepared variance analysis reports
Prepared daily and monthly financial & operating reports
Prepared monthly and year end work papers and supporting schedules
Assisted with the audits of both the internal and external audit teams
Key Accomplishments
Prepared Financial Analysis that provided $2 million in savings and less than a year payback for a new printing process for our metal
Team recognized as 2016 Plant of the year out of 11 metal plants
Developed Model to more accurately provide weekly forecasts to Plant Managers and corporate for Sales and EBITDA forecasts
Worked with plant to develop new budgeting model
Worked with other plants to improve their processes and control measures
Successfully worked on pricing model to obtain substantial government contracts
Responsible for the tracking of $20M in Assets
Gerdau - Beaumont, TX 2010 – 2013
Reason for Leaving: Personal Reasons: House was burglarized, and spouse didn’t feel safe in the city anymore.
Publicly Traded with $11.6 Billion in Sales with 10 US Mills, 3 Mills in Canada, and multiple locations in other Countries
Steel Billet and Wire Rod Manufacturer
Controller II
Achieved financial goals of a steel manufacturing plants with over $600 million in revenues, and $78 million in EBITDA in a down housing market by providing timely information and working with operations on cost cutting measures
Part of EBITDA project team in effort to increase EBITDA
Experienced in Lean Manufacturing
Financially responsible for two facilities
Transition Coordinator of SAP Implementation
Change Management Agent for SAP
Supervised inventory, inventory controls and recording of over $97 million in inventory
Led SOX compliance and controls of the 2 plants of which I was responsible
Member of the executive team responsible for setting short- and long-term plant goals
Prepared and implemented challenging budgets
Analyzed and prepared recommendations for executive team
Supervised the Accounting functions of the Beaumont, TX facility
Supervised the collection of over $44 million in receivables
Prepared variance analysis reports
Prepared daily and monthly financial & operating reports
Prepared monthly and year end work papers and supporting schedules
Assisted the audit firm with the audit
Key Accomplishments
Collaborated with the team to increase EBITDA from 2.9% in 2010 on $305 million in sales to 10.9% in 2011 on $350 million in sales
Increased controls to prevent manual purchase orders and control spending
Coordinated successful integration and implementation of SAP for the Beaumont Mill
Masonite International Corporation - Stanley, VA 2007 – 2010
Reason for Leaving: Moved Controllers out of plant and to Corporate Centers out of area
Publicly Traded with $2.2 Billion in Sales with 23 Manufacturing Facilities in the US and Canada
Wooden Door Manufacturer
Plant Controller
Key Accomplishments
Performed due diligence in Plant Acquisition in Denmark, South Carolina
Increased EBITDA from 11.4% in 2007 on $78 million in sales to over 13.9% in 2008 on $72 million in sales in a down housing market
In 2008, the Stanley Plant was recognized as the benchmark facility in the Interior Door Division out of the eleven Interior Door Plants
Achieved 5 out of 6 financial goals in 6 cost categories in 2008
Exceeded 6 out of 6 financial goals in 6 cost categories in 2009
Reduced monthly closings from 5 to 3 days while eliminating one overhead position
Passed 20 out of 20 of the Self-Certification Evidences of Internal Controls for SOX Audit in 2010.
Obrist Americas, Inc (Formerly Crown, Cork, & Seal) - Richmond, VA 2002 – 2007
Reason for Leaving: Moved Controllers out of plant and to Corporate Centers out of area
Inject Molding Plastic Cap Manufacturer
Plant Controller
Key Accomplishments
Responsible for successful implementation of SAP System
Able to manage Accounts Receivable to reduce past dues from over 40% to just over 5%
Able to reduce monthly closings from 5 days to 4 days
Able to maintain 15% EBITDA 4 straight years
Shenandoah Engineering Services, Inc - Harrisonburg, VA 1997 – 2002
Reason for Leaving: Business Closed
Consulting Engineers
Business Operations Director/Controller
Key Accomplishments
Responsible for finance agreements, dealing with vendors, contracts, and treasury management
Member of the executive team
Prepared operating budgets for 7 different cost centers
Developed job costing system
Designed system for recording and recognizing deferred revenues
Analyzed and prepared recommendations for managers
Supervised Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and Receptionist
Evaluated potential asset acquisitions using ROI and NPV cash flow techniques
Prepared payroll and payroll taxes
Prepared daily and monthly financial & operating reports
Prepared monthly and year end work papers and supporting schedules
Deloitte - Richmond, VA 1995 – 1997
Reason for Leaving: Wanted to concentrate on improving a business and reduce travel
Big Four Accounting Firm
Public Accountant Auditor
Key Accomplishments
Provided accounting services, financial consultation, and tax preparation
Prepared monthly and yearly operating & financial reports and statements
Performed various audits
EDUCATION
James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA
Master of Business Administration 1995
Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting 1994
Graduated Cum Laude, President’s List
Beta Alpha Psi (national accounting honor fraternity)
Beta Gamma Sigma (national business honor fraternity)
Golden Key National Honor Society
MILITARY SERVICE
United States Army – Fort Rucker, AL 1987 – 1991
Finance Specialist
Developed standard operating procedures for the position
Performed varied accounting operations
Prepared reports of financial activity pertaining to pay, leave, travel, and personal finance records of military personnel
Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal
Good Conduct Medal
TECHNICAL SUMMARY
Two SAP Implementations, Microsoft Dynamics, J.D. Edwards, Sage 100, S2K, FCRS, Lawson, Mayer, OE, Hyperion, Report Writer’s, Great Plains, FRX Reporting, Symphony, Peach Tree, Quickbooks, Windows, Microsoft Word for Windows, PowerPoint, Access, Excel, and familiar with IFRS