Controller

Heidi Burke

*** *** *** • Avon by the Sea • New Jersey 07717

201-***-**** • ********@*****.***

Areas of Expertise

Accounting Management Financial Planning / Reporting

Business Performance Treasury / Working Capital / Cash Flow

Strategic / Business Planning Business Growth / New Development

Operations Management Auditing / Information Systems/Regulatory

An experienced hands-on financial executive with a successful progressive career in manufacturing, retail and consumer related services, with a proven ability to deliver comprehensive business plans resulting in actual sustainable short and long term financial results. A proven, well-respected leader and mentor, vibrant leadership presence with the ability to function effectively with all levels in an organization, adept at building dynamic teams, developing and implementing strategy, and effectively solving operational/financial problems.

Experience and Accomplishments

Independent Consultant (INTERMITTENT SEE BELOW) 2018- current

Fortune 500, Privately owned middle market & Start-up clients, non-for-profits

Madison Marquette (Acquisition)– Asbury Park, New Jersey 2017-2018

CONTROLLER, FINANCIAL & OPERATIONS

Support retail, event venue, operating businesses, and development; provide financial guidance to management with coordination of multiple profit centers: retail, food, beverage and event production and development activities.

Perform and direct accounting functions, accounting policies, procedures and systems for consumer operating, construction, development and property management businesses.

Coordinate cash management, monthly close, reporting, budgets, planning analysis, cost control, audits, special projects

Develop staff, implement documentation and internal controls, implement Accounting/Financial and Micros POS systems.

Community Education Center (Acquisition)– West Caldwell, New Jersey 2012-2014

Vice President / Controller – Law Enforcement

Managed financial and contractual operations for this $250 million service operator of more than 100 community correction and state and federal secured detention centers providing in out patient rehabilitation services and support/collaborate with non for profit.

Conferred with Chief Financial Officer to facilitate financial investors restructuring, providing additional capital and current cash flow to improve operations; results included achieving accounting, reporting and treasury departments attaining best in class cost structure.

Developed short and long term strategy and implementation tactics for executive management to facilitate increased company valuations within critical aspects of overall business operations, specifically revenue and market growth.

Heidi Burke • Page Two

As Chief Executive, led cash dominion financial operation performance and reporting to primary investors and banks; significantly strengthened balance sheet, capital structure and cash flow positions within one year.

Controlled financial close, financial statement reporting, cash flow forecasting and modeling, audits; developed and instituted plans for high performance senior management and Board.

New Leaf Brands – (Bankruptcy/Acquisition) Old Tappan, New Jersey 2010-2012

CONTROLLER

Led all business, finance and accounting functions for this manufacturer/distributor of iced tea beverages; annual sales exceeded $10 million. Purchased by new investors - divested.

Performed comprehensive review and analysis of strategic alternatives, divestitures, mergers and acquisitions and recapitalization options. Hired pre-bankruptcy.

Developed long term business plans, financials and cash flow forecasting; effectively led a redesigned treasury, cash management, debt/contract negotiation.

Utilized extensive expertise to facilitate company sale and relocation; achieved optimum efficiency with little to no disruption to operational efficiencies.

The Vitamin Shoppe – (Mgmt reorg/new opportunity) North Bergen, New Jersey 2010

Controller / Treasurer

Worked closely with executive and management of this $750 million retailer with more than 500 stores; led and reorganized accounting, financial reporting, treasury functions, executive cross-functional operational / business reporting and communications supporting annual opening of 50 new locations incorporating more than $20 million in capital spending.

Evaluated and executed new capital / financing structure and expanded financial sourcing relationships with multiple sources. Executive Management Team reorganized

Barnes & Noble College – Basking Ridge, New Jersey 2006-2010

Controller / Treasurer

Led accounting, budgeting/planning, financial reporting, treasury, audit and contract functions for this $1.8 billion business consisting of more than 600 college and university bookstores; functional CFO as needed. Managed Capital grants, donations and federal aid.

Instituted annual strategic planning and budgeting, supported and delivered operations and financial results supporting $40 million in capital spending and $70 million in new business.

Managed sale of Barnes & Noble College to Barnes & Noble Retail, a publicly traded company; assessed profitability of contracts, monitored capital requirements, adherence to pay-back period, control of start-up costs and contracts from inception to implementation.

Reviewed ROI performance, contractual compliance and new store openings.

Liason to Banks, Auditors, Government agencies and Universities and RFP process.

Managed federal student billing, accounts payable and purchasing forecasts/delivery

Independent Consultant (intermittent) variious 2002-2019

Privately owned middle market clients, volunteer foundations

Perform all finance and accounting processes. Manage financials and cash flow

Develop business, perform market growth review and analysis with strategic alternatives.

Execute Internal/External Reporting, Internal Controls, Regulatory filings/ contractual compliance. Establish and present business performance measurements

Representative companies include: Cendant, Barr Labs, Paxar Corporation, L3 Inc.

Heidi Burke • Page Three

Unilever - Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 1997-2001

Director Finance / CFO - Pepsi Lipton Tea Partnership 1999-2001

Steered business objectives of this $0.5 billion division of a $50+ billion global food, household and personal care products company resulting in top line growth, cost savings, improved margins, marketing/communication returns and sustained profit enhancements.

Delivered to Board of Directors challenging and obtainable financial targets by managing risks and opportunities through intensive analysis of key sensitivities; maintained market share growth despite a waning category and overall declining volume.

Defined and implemented long term strategic and annual plans; assessed investments to launch new products for international expansion; redirected channel positions and role drivers; established high performance financial team to support functional business unit leaders and Pepsi / Unilever Corporate Controllers Group.

Director Finance - Unilever Foods North America ($4 billion sales) 1999

Drove long-term strategic plan and annual business plan resulting in focus on top line growth, cost savings, new business lines / products, and business acquisitions / divestitures.

Developed leading Key Performance Indicators and rolled out financial evaluation business model into planning and reporting measurements.

Director Business Excellence – Lipton ($2 billion sales) 1998-1999

Led Corporate Priority Project Initiatives resulting in cost / benefit / ROI improvements across all relevant business functions.

Designed Executive Committee communication and Corporate Governance improving delivery of financial operations and targets.

Director Finance Integration – Lipton 1997-1998

Led controller’s group financial accounting operations, reporting, planning, human resources and systems integration for two companies across business and financial department.

Developed accounting, finance and operational re-design of processes to “best in class”, including cost reductions.

KPMG PEAT MARWICK, MELVILLE, PARAMOUNT PUBLISHING prior

Education and Certifications

Fairleigh Dickinson University • Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Certified Public Accountant

Language skills include fluency in Spanish and German

Professional accomplishments

Center for Creative Leadership – Leadership Development Program

Unilever Financial Valuation Creation – Trainer

KPMG Peat Marwick – Manager/Recruiting/Teaching/Staffing

Mindfulness Training

Fund for Our Children – Former Board Member, VP Treasurer

Volunteer Foundations, Coaching

Personal and Professional References

Available Upon Request

Contact this candidate