Dave A. Zanin MBA, CPA, CGA

*** ********* *****, ********, ******* L9C 6W8 (C) 905-***-****

ad3gyq@r.postjobfree.com ca.linkedin.com/in/davezanin

Versatile and Trusted Senior Finance & Operational Lead

Disciplined, creative and selfless – a genuine and compassionate promoter of unique approaches to championing Finance and Operations in strengthening infrastructure and maximizing ROI, while being resourceful, and ever committed to serve

career profile

Complex planning, forecasting, budgeting and reporting, internal controls & compliance, ERP implementation, financial & operational accounting, costing, M&A / due diligence, negotiations, strategic business modeling, deal financing, cash & banking, and tax

Skilled at partnering Finance with core business operations; exceptional team management in critical collaborative contexts

Dedicated and inspiring team leader who approaches projects with enthusiasm, optimism and vision, as well as a customer service and curious mindset and entrepreneurial attitude; recognized for developing confidence and capability in under-performing staff

professional experience

Carson Group of Companies Sep 2020 – Present

Chief Financial Officer (COO, CFO) Paris, ON

Former minority shareholder of Silo Wireless and start-up General Contractor, Land Development and Diversified Real Estate

Steward all financial, legal, HR, corporate, and regulatory matters for a diversified, active management company participating in real estate development, ICI construction and leasing, M&A, and shareholdings.

Liquidity management, lease management, land development

ERP design and implementation (Maestro – 13 month initiative); forecasting, budgeting and capital appropriations

Tax planning and optimization, compliance, audit and internal control

Share reorganizations, amalgamations and capital raising ($110 million permanent + $23 million revolving line of credit)

Silo Wireless Sep 2014 – Aug 2020

Chief Financial Officer Brantford, ON

Acquired January 2020 by Xplore Inc. (Canada's largest rural wireless broadband and mobile network provider). Minority interest involving Carson group of companies.

Primary steward entrusted to initiate, and maintain all tactical and strategic financial and operational accounting objectives satisfying external partnerships, diverse shareholder base and institutional stakeholders within the private wireless, fibre and communication tower network development sectors.

Full cycle accounting, planning, reporting and performance management

Established culture and framework for internal controls over financial reporting and risk management

M&A modelling, valuations and company set-up and sale

Share reorganizations and capital raising

Canadian Solar Inc. June 2012 – Aug 2014

(China-based, Nasdaq $1.5B No. 3 ranked global solar PV module and wafer manufacturer for the utility, commercial and residential sectors)

Regional Controller, Canada Guelph, ON

Direct monthly close, project accounting, forecasting, budgeting, costing, credit, financial reporting, strategic planning, cash inventory and fixed asset management, payroll, external audit and internal control processes for Canadian locations.

Key Accomplishments:

Completed Review Engagement and secured $15MM revolving facility from Royal Bank of Canada for Guelph location in 2013

Reversed $2MM unfavourable year-end audit adjustments for 2011 to $150K favourable year-end audit adjustments for 2012

Achieved goal of zero SOx deficiencies for year-end 2012 (versus 15 in 2011)

Developed policies in accounting for Canadian renewable & conservation expenditures, asset impairment, project closure, revenue recognition, solar project assets and inventory

Lead and co-developed Canadian Solar Solutions and Canadian Solar Manufacturing Ontario annual operating plans for 2012

Reduced allowance for doubtful accounts to 1.75% of sales from 8% of sales for 2012 through resilience and policy adherence

Created 2013 job redesign strategy for 15 person Accounting Team predicated on individuals’ professional aspirations, and demonstrable skills being aligned with local strategy, and in the context of the Accounting team’s co-developed charter

Created accounting memorandum standards for solar project closures and new project activation checklist

Guardian Industries Canada Corp. May 2009 – Feb 2012

(US based, $6B leading global private glass and fiberglass manufacturer and fabricator for the automotive, commercial and residential sectors)

Regional Controller Ontario (Erin and Tillsonburg operations closed in 2011/12, while Rexdale operation sold)

Direct monthly close, forecasting, budgeting, capital planning, ABC costing, credit, properties and project management, financial reporting (U.S. & Cdn. GAAP), strategic planning, inventory and fixed asset management, payroll, external audit and internal control processes for multiple Ontario sites. Support Sales and Operational Management on customer pricing and product profitability analysis, while liaising with U.S. Centralized Accounting in the development of best practices for Ontario operations.

Key Accomplishments:

Developed and applied inventory optimization model using linear programming enabling the Rexdale operation to reduce raw and finished inventories by 25% ($550,000) in six months

Established 'Inventory Management & Control' team to drive inventory optimization, as well as, 'Voice of the Customer' meetings to target key metrics in creating greater intimacy with our key customers, while maximizing customer profitability

Built and trained entirely new Finance team (4) in new geographical location, as a result of SW Ontario plant closure

Reduced Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) from 50 to 42 days in 2011generating an increase in cash of $1.3MM.

Co-developed JB Hunt Optimization Supply Chain Model to determine feasibility of outsourcing logistics management

Co-developed manufacturing strategy, departmental key performance indicators and management review

Sunera Canada Jan 2007 - Mar 2009

(US based, $15MM private, professional services audit, assurance and Information Technology advisory)

Managing Director, Ontario Practice Lead Toronto, ON

High risk business start-up, chief strategist, business development and operational executive with full P&L responsibility for developing and positioning lines of commercial service offerings within the Greater Toronto and Southern Ontario marketplace

Knowledgeably advising clients in notable areas of governance, internal controls & compliance (U.S. Sarbanes Oxley & C-SOx), international financial reporting standards (IFRS), financial and IT audit, enterprise risk, and IT consultancy

Mentors, trains and utilizes staff to actively support Sunera’s ‘leverage down’ model; reviews deliverables and solicits feedback

Maintains an up-to-date technical acumen; speaks knowledgeably and advises clients and co-workers on areas of expertise

Company representative within Ontario as well as keynote speaker participating in formal workshops & conferences

Key Accomplishments:

Generated $750k in billable revenue in second year of operation, while growing staff to three within first 18 months

Co-developed the IFRS line of service including project plan, all convergence methodologies and measurement tools

Principal, DA & Associates (co-proprietorship assurance and advisory amalgamation with Sunera) Dec 2001– Dec 2006

Sarbanes-Oxley Enterprise Risk Management Lead Nortel Networks (TSX) Manulife Financial (TSX)

Principal technical lead in SOx certification through comprehensive self-assessment of entity-level, transactional, disclosure and IT general controls. Worked collaboratively and proactively supporting compliance teams as Project Management Office Lead for quality assurance, test development, policy creation and remediation for such processes as Treasury, I.T., and Corporate Taxation; formulated test plan procedures and methodologies, while performing walkthroughs and detailed tests of design

formulating test plan procedures and test methodologies, while performing tests of design for operational effectiveness

BF Goodrich Aerospace Nov 1999 – Nov 2001

(wholly-owned subsidiary of $6B NYSE listed conglomerate; global aerospace and industrial materials manufacturer)

Director, Cost Accounting & Pricing Oakville, ON

Directed the costing and pricing disciplines thru astute P&L management with emphasis on operating efficiencies, program controls, business contract negotiations with Boeing, Bombardier and Honda, and employee development whilst maintaining the company’s image and position within the global marketplace

Acted as “Relationship Manager” amongst corporate managers and senior executives supporting all financial requirements for operational and decision-making effectiveness; managed Boeing, Bombardier and Honda program profitability

Lean Enterprise Team Lead – Oakville Finance; Six Sigma Green Belt and E-Commerce Finance Leader

Finance Lead, Strategy Development Team for emerging business opportunities including due diligence and valuation efforts

Established bill of material job costing rates and factors, capacity and cost-volume-profit determination in JD Edwards

Key Accomplishments:

- Drafted and executed Internal Control Self-Assessment Enterprise Risk Management initiative for Oakville facility

- Designed and implemented JD Edwards (ERP) Job-costing module ensuring data integrity and consistency for program analysis

CFM Majestic Inc. Apr 1994 – Oct 1999

(former $600M TSX listed CPG company and Financial Post Top 50 Fastest Growing Company for 3 Years)

Operations Controller Mississauga, ON

Primary steward for entire accounting cycle including financial reporting and close, fixed asset and inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, costing and taxation for CFM Developments Ltd. and CFM Majestic Products Company – the operating company, whilst leading a staff of five (5) in achieving administrative efficiencies

Manager, Customer Service Mississauga, ON

Selected by President to direct ten (10) personnel in sales order processing, shipping and customer service; established dealer pricing and promotions; prepared production plans and schedules; liaised with dealers regarding pricing, and conflict resolution

Senior Financial Analyst Mississauga, ON

Developed and analyzed corporate growth strategies including related diversification and counter seasonal product market strategies globally; dedicated Finance lead on multiple due diligence reviews for strategic investments, mergers and acquisitions and public offering; ownership of accounting cycle incl. financial reporting, filings, MD&A, and taxation for parent company

Key Accomplishments:

- Developed and implemented a Responsibility Accounting System – accountability by budget owners for operating performance

- Reduced month-end cycle time from 15 to 5 days

- Co-developed Preliminary Prospectus and Final Prospectus for TSX listed Initial Public Offering; Internal Team Lead on due diligence performed on Vermont Casting Inc. and Majestic Fireplaces – both successful acquisitions

Dofasco Inc. Apr 1991 – Apr 1994

(former $4B TSX listed company; currently wholly-owned subsidiary of Arclelor Mittal – largest global steel producer)

Senior Financial Analyst & Special Studies Hamilton, ON (TSX)

Created, applied and maintained costing and reporting models, aimed at providing relevant financial analysis required to support Commercial, Financial and Manufacturing decisions in areas of new business, product mix, capital expenditures, pricing et al.

Evaluated the economics of capital expenditure proposals using financial models (NPR, IRR, EAC et al.) personally developed and maintained in Excel to generate and analyze data and to substantiate results

Management Trainee Dofasco Inc. Internal Audit and Treasury

Key Accomplishments:

Successfully presented Dofasco’s winning position to trade lawyers and U.S. Department of Commerce auditors in New York, N.Y. after reconstructing the cost accounting system and developing computer models to restate costs in defense of first Anti-dumping lawsuit filed against Dofasco

Education & Professional Development

Master of Business Administration Wilfrid Laurier University, Toronto Strategy & Management Dean’s List 2000

Certified General Accountant Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario & Canada 1995

Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Major – Accounting & Finance) Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo 1991

Notable Professional Development:

Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) – Certification, IFRS - International Financial Reporting Stds. (UK)

Certified General Accountants of Ontario – Practical Aspects of Business Valuations Comprehensive Tax Study Series

ERP Systems Design & Implementation Experience: Maestro ERP, JDEdwards (costing & BOM), BAAN (GL, report writer)

Systems Work Experience: Maestro, JDEdwards, BAAN, SAP, Oracle, AS 400, Quickbooks, Business Visions, Simply Accounting

Community Involvement – Past & Present

Hamilton Engagement Committee Volunteer, PGA Golf Canada Men as Career Coaches Peel-Halton Coach, Boys Mount Hamilton Soccer League Wilfrid Laurier University President’s Roundtable Chair, Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Board of Directors W.L.U. School of Business MBA Advisory Council W.L.U. Alumni Sharing Knowledge Program Wilfrid Laurier University MBA Golf Tournament Co-Founder Big Brothers Niagara In-School Mentor Junior Achievement of Hamilton -Wentworth

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