Controller

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Financial Professional with experience in public accounting and private industry servicing SaaS, manufacturing, distribution, construction, non-profit, and professional service organizations. Dependable, organized, proactive, charismatic, action-oriented, strategic, problem-solving manager. A hands-on leader with extensive experience utilizing strong communication and interpersonal skills, known as a team-builder and an exceptional client relations person who works well with others, or independently to achieve strategic organizational objectives. I have a passion for empowering people and teams to collaborate and I partner with business unit leaders and department heads to drive successful outcomes.

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Grace Hill LLC Greenville, South Carolina 2019 to Present

Controller for an advanced technology-enabled solutions SaaS organization that helps companies managing multi-family properties develop and retain top talent to elevate property performance and reduce operating risk, with talent performance solutions encompassing policies, training and assessments. The Company has approximately $45 million in annual sales, 160 employees and is owned by a Private Equity Group.

Oversee the operations of the accounting department including cash management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collections, commissions, course partner revenues, general ledger and payroll.

Manage the month end closing activities and the preparation of the monthly financial package for the executive leadership team and investors.

Prepare board presentations and effectively communicate financial results, budget to actual variances, and key KPI’s at quarterly board meetings.

Oversee treasury management and cash flow projections.

Direct the annual budgeting process among six business units, working with FP&A to maintain the company budget and create and maintain five-year forecast model.

Merger and acquisition diligence and integration for $16M transaction.

Responsible for hiring, coaching, training and developing staff.

Identify potential risks to the Company, provide solutions, and maintain internal controls to safeguard company assets.

Developed tracking tool to capture costs associated with externally developed course content programs for resale to clients and for internally developed software for use in the daily operation of the business.

Review and execute vendor contracts and customer term sheets to ensure the Company’s interests are protected.

Review and compute commission payments for sales associates and course partner revenue agreements.

Manage cash flow monitoring daily cash balances, reviewing cash receipts and cash disbursement, and preparing weekly cash flow forecast.

Manage relationship with external auditors and tax accountants for the timely issuance of the year-end financial audit, 401(k) plan audit and filing of corporate income tax returns.

Work collaboratively with business units, departmental heads and subject matter experts to reduce the month-end close by 33%.

Ensure compliance with Federal, state and local tax requirements.

Oversee risk management making sure the company has appropriate insurance coverage.

JSI Store Fixtures, Inc. Greenville, South Carolina 2018 to 2019

Corporate Controller for a premier manufacturer of custom wood, foam, metal, and refrigerated store displays with approximately $70 million in annual sales and 350 employees with manufacturing facilities in Milo, ME; Bangor, ME; Payson, UT; Greenville, SC; and Collinwood, Ontario, Canada and is owned by a Private Equity Group.

Managed all accounting and finance functions including monthly close and preparation of consolidated financial statements.

Coached, developed, and mentored an eight-member staff composed of an Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, Cost Accountant, two Accounts Receivable Specialists, two Accounts Payable Specialists and a Credit and Collections Specialist.

Implemented accounting policies and procedures that supported continuous process improvement and ensured compliance.

Handled costing of all company products ensuring an accurate foundation of product costs.

Responsible for annual operating plan and subsequent reforecasting of the plan, as required.

Managed cash flow planning process ensuring funds availability, monitored daily cash balances, reviewed cash receipts and cash disbursement and prepared financial covenant compliance certificates.

Responsible for the annual audit ensuring an on time, on budget performance with no material variances.

Supervised accounts receivable, accounts payable, and credit and collections.

Worked collaboratively with Sales, Operations, Engineering, Executive Management, and the Board of Directors on several cost savings and revenue generating initiatives.

Worked with outside tax consultants on tax related issues while ensuring the proper filing and reporting of all sales, payroll, and other taxes.

Responsible for the Company’s borrowing base management.

Oversaw risk management making sure the company had appropriate insurance and other risk management processes in place.

Plasticard Locktech International, LLP Asheville, North Carolina 2013 – 2018

Corporate Controller for the world’s largest keycard manufacturer and leading specialty printer, including gift and loyalty cards, POS cards, RF identification cards, and badges with approximately $200 million in sales and 1,000 employees with manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Nevada, Illinois and Missouri and distribution centers in Canada and the Netherlands.

Collaborated with management and operations to develop and prepare short-term and long-term business plans and forecast to support the Company’s strategic direction.

Coached, developed, and mentored a 17 member staff consisting of a Plant Accountant, Accounting Manager, three Senior Accountants, a Cost Accountant, five Accounts Receivable Specialists, two Accounts Payable Specialists, a Credit Specialist and three Collections Specialists.

Partnered with the leadership team to make certain budgets and forecasts are achieved.

Provided monthly variance analysis against operating plans identifying and reporting on potential areas of risk and opportunity.

Managed all areas of the Finance Department, including the coordination of all monthly closing responsibilities of the Company’s financial and operating systems, and the preparation of all monthly, quarterly, and annual consolidated financial statements.

Developed and implemented accounting policies and procedures that supported continuous process improvement and ensured compliance.

Led financial due diligence and assisted in contract negotiations and final deal transaction for the acquisition of the Nevada facility that propelled the Company in becoming the largest manufacturer of non-secured keycards.

Maintained relationships with the bank, trade creditors, and outside professionals.

Managed the year-end audit, including providing review and analysis in support of the annual results.

Responsible for local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.

Implemented policies and procedures to improve company cash flows that included: granting cash discounts to key customers, requiring customer orders in excess of $10,000 to pay a 50 percent deposit in order to schedule the order for production with the balance due prior to shipping, negotiating special payment terms with strategic suppliers taking advantage of discounts and volume rebates, implementing a just in time inventory program with the company’s corrugation vendor, separating large service contracts into smaller periods, establishing an automated sweep account to minimize borrowings, eliminating cash travel advances and reimbursing on actual expenses, and selling the Company’s scrap materials.

Participated as member of the ERP implementation team.

Knights Apparel, Inc. Spartanburg, South Carolina 2008 – 2013

Corporate Controller for a manufacturer and wholesaler of licensed collegiate sports apparel and licensed professional sports apparel in North America with approximately $174 million in sales and 200 employees with a division in Canada and a manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic., and was owned by a Private Equity Group.

Directed the shutdown of the Company’s manufacturing facility in College Station, TX, and the relocation of the Company’s corporate offices from Oak Brook, IL to Spartanburg, SC.

Managed all areas of the Finance Department, including the coordination of all monthly closing responsibilities of the company’s financial and operating systems, and the preparation of all monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

Streamlined the monthly closing process, reducing the closing cycle from nine to three days.

Created a more streamlined, client-focused team in Finance, reducing the workforce by 35 percent without disturbing continuity of operations. The Finance team consisted of 11 members – an Inventory / Cost Accountant, two General Ledger Accountants, a Royalty Accountant, a Payroll Specialist, four Accounts Receivable Specialist, an Accounts Payable Specialist and a Credit and Collections Specialist.

Refined the annual budgeting process by integrating the annual sales plan and incorporating the capital budget into the annual plan.

Reviewed the Company’s accounting procedures for improvements to result in information timeliness, reduced effort, and greater accuracy.

Managed all third-party audits, licensing audits, due diligence audits, and bank audits.

Reduced accounts receivable charge backs by 36 percent by initiating, implementing, and monitoring new accounts receivable and collection procedures.

Assisted in the planning and coordination of the Company’s physical inventory valued in excess of $10 million.

Developed and implemented the financial and operational internal controls to safeguard company assets.

Assisted in negotiating a new asset-based lending agreement with the bank, saving the Company several hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees annually and maximizing the Company’s borrowing capability.

Maintained relationships with the bank, trade creditors, and outside professionals.

Responsible for local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.

Reported weekly and monthly operating results against operating plans and forecasts to senior management and the board of directors on areas of significant variance and pro-actively recommended appropriate courses of action.

Bertelsmann Music Group (a Bertelsmann AG Company) Duncan, South Carolina 1995 – 2008

Plant Controller for the premier entertainment and national manufacturer and distributor of music, DVDs and software in North America with approximately $600 million in sales and 400 employees.

Established, coordinated, and administered corporate and financial strategic business plans.

Hired, trained, motivated and developed Finance Department staff into a highly productive, responsive and customer-oriented business unit, consisting of a Staff Accountant, an Accounts Receivable Specialist, an Accounts Payable Specialist and a Payroll Specialist.

Successfully modified the fulfillment system resulting in increased productivity of 15 percent, which resulted in improvement of product quality and customer satisfaction.

Implemented a quality control system to monitor productivity indicators resulting in improved performance and customer satisfaction.

Evaluated accounting/management practices; and designed and implemented procedures to safeguard company assets.

Created and implemented consistent accounting practices, controls, and mechanisms in response to organizational growth.

Identified opportunities that impacted financial accounting and reporting and developed solutions and process controls.

Developed and implemented policies and procedures resulting in improved working capital management to include: the establishment and coordination of a methodology to reduce inventory by over $800,000 (80 percent of total value) by improving purchasing requisitions, implementing a just-in-time inventory program, and eliminating slow moving items in order to generate cash.

Maintained relationships with trade creditors and outside professionals.

Reported monthly and weekly operating results against operating plans and forecasts to senior management on areas of significant variance and pro-actively recommended appropriate courses of action.

Analyzed company business initiatives to include operations, marketing, risk, and quality from a financial/ profitability perspective.

Identified key business issues/opportunities to proactively ensure and enhance bottom line profitability and growth.

Analyzed all strategic and tactical capital and business opportunities including acquisitions, risks/reward, contribution margin improvement, and net income contribution basis.

Led due diligence reviews on acquisition of business identifying key cost savings and problem areas.

Reduced operating costs annually through strategic alliances and partnering with vendors resulting in savings of approximately $1.1 million.

Crisp Hughes Evans LLP – Certified Public Accountants & Consultants Greenville, South Carolina 1994 - 1995

Auditing & Accounting Manager in a regional CPA firm with ten offices in South Carolina and North Carolina with approximately 250 employees.

Managed multiple engagements simultaneously in a fast-paced, service driven business.

Planned, scheduled, conducted, and supervised audits of various complexities for approximately 35 closely held and publicly held clients ranging in sales from $1 million to $40 million, communicating directly with owners, management, and client personnel identifying opportunities and recommend solutions.

Planned, scheduled, conducted, and supervised audits of employer-sponsored retirement plans with plan assets totaling up to $11 billion.

Prepared financial statements and related disclosures (including work paper review and researching technical issues).

Prepared quarterly and annual reports in accordance with requirements established by the Securities Exchange Commission.

Evaluated and recommended improvements for internal and operational controls to affect operational readiness.

Effectively supervised, trained, motivated, and evaluated staff to detect problems and communicate solutions.

Served as United Way of Greenville County Loan Executive and Campaign Coordinator.

Skoda, Minotti, Reeves & Co. – Certified Public Accountants Cleveland, Ohio 1987 - 1994

Auditing & Accounting Manager in a local CPA firm with approximately 60 employees.

Managed multiple engagements simultaneously while establishing high levels of customer satisfaction.

Maintained client relationships for approximately 60 closely held entities ranging in sales from $1 million to $30 million, communicating directly with owners, management, and client personnel.

Planned, scheduled, and conducted audits, reviews, and compilations of various sizes and complexities (including audits of employer-sponsored retirement plans).

Supervised, trained, motivated, and evaluated staff and client personnel.

Prepared financial statements and related disclosures.

Conducted year-end tax planning and implemented tax strategies for corporate and individual clients, with preparation of related returns (including researching tax issues).

Assisted clients in the development of business plans.

Networked and marketed the firm and its services to referral sources and prospective clients (this directly resulted in the addition of 20 new clients).

Communicated with clients’ attorneys and bankers (including the negotiation of loan agreements with lending institutions).

Responsible for the recruitment, selection, and training of junior grade Public Accountants for both the firm and select clients.

Edward C. Hawkins & Company – Certified Public Accountants Cleveland, Ohio 1985 - 1987

Staff Accountant in a local firm with approximately 20 employees.

Maintained client relationships for approximately 30 closely held clients.

Planned, scheduled, and conducted reviews and compilations of various sizes and complexities.

Prepared individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns; payroll tax returns; franchise tax returns; and personal property tax returns.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND TRAINING

Master of Business Administration: Webster University – St. Louis, Missouri

Bachelor of Science and Business Administration, majoring in Accounting: John Carroll University – University Heights, Ohio

Certified Public Accountant

Member: South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants

Software applications: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Dynamics SL (Solomon), SAP, EFI Monarch, Sage Intacct

Contact this candidate