KEITH M. SHER, C.P.A.

*** ****** ****** ******* *******, Illinois 60169 224-***-****• adwr92@r.postjobfree.com Dear Hiring Authority,

In response to your job posting, please find the attached resume. I am a passionate individual who is motivated to a make a difference. In my current and prior positions, I’ve provided counsel and advice to management in developing objectives, strategies, and tactics from an accounting and financial perspective. I have strong communication, organization, and business acumen skills. I am not afraid to think outside the box. I have a history of shortening and improving controls of the month-end and year-end close process. Below is a list of highlights that can be found on the attached resume.

A thorough understanding of General Accepted Accounting Principles and delivering timely and accurate financial statements. For all the year-end reports I was responsible for, they were free of any type of audit adjustments.

Significant experience with ERP systems including implementations and conversions. For one implementation, I was the project leader.

Experience improving the reliability and confidence in budgets and forecasts. I am looking for senior level financial manager position with a company that wants to be the standard of their industry. A company that is determined for continuous and daily improvement in all areas of its organization. An organization that takes pride in the way it deals with its customers, vendors, and employees. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to discussing my background and qualifications. Sincerely,

Keith Sher

KEITH M. SHER, C.P.A.

680 Downey Street Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169 224-***-**** • adwr92@r.postjobfree.com SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Financial Reporting • Budgeting & Forecasting • Inventory Control & Costing • Financial Controls

• Strategic Planning • Credit & Collections • Banking Relationships • Payroll

• Human Resources • Cash Management • Tax and Regulatory Compliance • Information Systems

• ERP Implementations • Cost Reductions • Insurance & Risk Management • Manufacturing Accounting PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

STE Tax & Accounting, Park Ridge, IL – June 2022 – Present, Tax and Accounting Services Senior Consultant, Responsibilities and Duties: Provide Accounting and Tax services to clients. Flex-O-Glass, Chicago, IL – March 2020 – Jun 2022, Plastic Extruder, Revenues of $30 million. Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: General and cost accounting, internal and external financial reporting, year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, credit and collections, banking relationship, insurance, accounts payable, taxes, and cash management. M.S. Management, Deerfield, IL -May 2018 – March 2020, Financial Services & Real Estate. Revenues of $50 million. Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: Financial reporting, year-end audit, accounts payable, human resources, and payroll. Iceberg Enterprises, LLC, Des Plaines, IL – October 2016 – May 2018 – Manufacturer of office furniture with revenues of $43 million.

Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: General and cost accounting, internal and external financial reporting, year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, credit and collections, banking relationship, insurance, accounts payable, taxes, and cash management. Safco LLC, Skokie, IL - March 2014 – October 2016 - Manufacturer of low voltage power supplies with revenues of $6million. Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: General and cost accounting, internal and external financial reporting, year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, credit and collections, banking relationship, insurance, accounts payable, taxes, cash management, and human resources.

Reduced the physical inventory time from 3 days to 1. Then eliminated year end physicals with cycle counts..

Created budgets and forecasts.

Improved and expanded the internal financial package. Diemasters Manufacturing Inc, Elk Grove Village, IL - Sep 2010 - March 2014 - Metal stamper and fabricator with revenues of $15 million.

Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: General and cost accounting, internal and external financial reporting, year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, credit and collections, banking relationship, insurance, accounts payable, taxes, cash management, human resources and information technology (IT).

Reduced inventory by monitoring purchase orders and production to customer demand.

Worked with plant senior management team to implement weekly financial forecasts.

Implemented a balanced scorecard of the company's metrics.

Reduction of month-end and year-end closes.

Created daily cash projections.

Neenah Foundry Company, Neenah, WI – Mar 2010 – Sep 2010 – Temporary Position - Manufacturer of manhole covers and other iron castings with revenues of $500 million.

Director of Financial Services - Responsibilities and Duties: Credit and collections, cash applications, billing, accounts payable, and payroll.

Improved receivables by setting goals, improving procedures, utilizing construction liens and payment bonds, and working closely with the sales department.

Sparrer Sausage Company Inc, Chicago, IL Jan 2009 – Mar 2010 – Sausage Manufacturer with revenues of $25 million. Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: General and cost accounting, internal and external financial reporting, year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, credit and collections, banking relationship, insurance, accounts payable, taxes, cash management, and information technology (IT).

Improved inventory control and accuracy by modifying the Company’s ERP system.

Created and directed the company’s first operating budget.

Negotiated with the bank a $500/k over advance for the financing of the company’s busy season.

Created benchmarks/KPI’s for measuring the financial and operating performance of the company. Ivex Packaging LLC, Bridgeview, IL 2007 – 2008 – a manufacturer of protective packaging with revenues of $60 million. Controller - Responsibilities and Duties: General and cost accounting, internal and external financial reporting, year end audit, budgeting and forecasting, credit and collections, human resources, payroll, benefits, insurance, accounts payable, taxes, cash management, and information technology (IT).

Participated in the strategic planning for product line sales and profitability.

Assisted with the preparation of the SEC S1 filing

Improved financial controls resulting in cost reductions.

Improved manufacturing reporting resulting in improved efficiencies.

Improved tax compliance and timeliness eliminating penalties and late fees. KEITH M. SHER, C.P.A.

680 Downey Street Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60194 224-***-**** • adwr92@r.postjobfree.com Vitex Packaging Group, Itasca, IL, 2005 – 2007 – a manufacturer of flexible packaging with revenues of $20 million. Controller, Itasca Facility

Project Leader converting company’s ERP system.

Reduced raw material inventory levels.

Reduced insurance premiums by $50/k.

Certified Power, Inc, Mundelein, IL, 2000 – 2005 - a manufacturer of power train components, and a distributor of hydraulic, pneumatic, electronic, and drive train components for industrial and mobile applications with revenues of $100 million & 12 locations. Controller

Directed the conversion of an average cost to a standard cost inventory system.

Developed and implemented a direct labor utilization report resulting in a 5% margin improvement.

Resolved numerous inventory valuation issues.

Security Technologies Group, Wood Dale, IL, 1998 – 2000 – Left due to the sale of the company - Systems integration and management company of high-end security systems with revenues in excess of $100 million. Division Controller - Responsible for the reorganization of the accounting and financial functions for the division, which includes eight branches, after the elimination of a central corporate financial shared services group and provide financial and business advise to the Divisional Vice President.

Management responsibilities include implementation of a new financial team, recommendations to improve profitability, budgeting, credit and collections, billing, and job costing.

Hired, trained, and integrated the first accounting/finance department for the Division. Established job descriptions, goals and objectives for each position.

Inherited an accounts receivable aging which 74% of the invoices were over 60 days past due. Reduced this amount to 15% in 6 months due to an aggressive and effective collection effort and the implementation of new invoicing procedures, virtually eliminating billing errors.

Discovered over $1 million of unbilled projects and implemented a new method of initiating the billing process. Porter Pipe & Supply Co., Addison, IL 1995 – 1998, distributor of pipes, valves, & fittings with revenues exceeding $20 million. Chief Financial Officer

Reorganized the banking relationship from two banks to one bank. This change reduced the interest rate on our line of credit from prime plus 1% to prime and eliminated the owner’s personal guarantee.

Negotiated the mortgage for the purchase of a new building. This included a loan from the SBA.

Created daily management information reports.

Implemented a perpetual inventory system.

JMP-Newcor International, Inc., Skokie, IL 1988 - 1995, manufacturer & distributor of stoneware, flatware, & cutlery with revenues in excess of $60 million.

Corporate Controller

Responsible for reorganization of accounting and control systems following an LBO, computer automation of domestic and foreign operations, resolution of outstanding audit problems, establishment of banking relations, inventory costing, and direction of day-to-day financial operations.

Management responsibilities include direction of General Accounting, Financial Reporting, Cash Management, Inventory and Cost Accounting, Credit/Collection, Payables, Payroll, and Billing Departments. Developed systems and controls for manufacturing and imports, warehouse and distribution for U.S. customers and distributors in six European markets.

Completed computer automation of all financial systems and integrated it with sales and distribution systems.

Improved monthly closing process, reduced closing time by two-thirds, and expanded management information reporting.

Introduced new billing and collection process, reduced closing time by two-thirds, and expanded management information reporting.

Established controls that reduced inventory shrink to less than 1/10 of one percent.

Performed the due diligence relating to the acquisition of a company. Jim Beam and Wilson Jones Company - Subsidiaries of American Brands, Deerfield, IL 1982 - 1988, Manufacturers of office products and distilled spirits with revenues of $1 billion. Progressed from Staff Accountant and Accounting Supervisor to Accounting Manager Symons Corporation, Des Plaines, IL 1980-1982, Manufacturer of concrete forming equipment with revenues in excess of $100 million. Senior Cost Accountant

PERSONAL DATA

BS Degree, Accountancy, Northern Illinois University, 1980 · CPA Certification, Illinois SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE

• Excel - Power User •Word • Power Point • Access • Outlook

• SAP Crystal Reports • IQMS • Macola 360 • Prelude • Dynamics KEITH M. SHER, C.P.A.

680 Downey Street Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169 224-***-****• adwr92@r.postjobfree.com Career Highlights

Month-End and Year-End Closes

Thorough understanding of General Accepted Principles and the delivery of timely and accurate financial statements.

Reduction of audit expenses.

Enhanced monthly reporting packages.

Resolved inherited audit issues.

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting

Designed and implemented a direct labor utilization report that measured non-productive hours. Using the data provided in this report, reduced non-productive hours and increased profits.

Converted a company from average cost to standard cost by developing standard costs and designed and implemented variance reporting.

Crafted policy and procedures for rework items.

Established dashboards measuring KPI’s.

Resolved perpetual inventory to general ledger discrepancies.

Very comfortable on a production floor and interacting with production personal.

Reduced inventory levels by monitoring purchase orders and production to customer demand. Budgets & Forecasts

Experience improving both the reliability and confidence in budgets and forecasts.

Produced a companies’ first budget.

Weekly projections for management meetings.

Weekly cash flow projections.

Physical Inventories

Produced controls to improve accuracy of perpetual inventories.

Crafted policies reducing obsolete inventory.

Launched cycle count program eliminating year-end physicals.

Experience with LIFO inventory valuations.

ERP Systems & Software

Significant experience with ERP systems including implementations and conversions. For one implementation I was project leader.

Excel power user.

SAP Crystal Reports.

Credit and Collections

Improved receivables by setting department goals, improving procedures, utilizing constructions liens and payment bonds, and working closely with the sales department.

Tax & Compliance

Overhauled procedures improving tax compliance and timeliness of filings eliminating penalties and late fees.

Handled numerous sales tax audits from various states.

Discovered sales tax overpayment resulting in a significant refund from the state. Payroll

Numerous payroll conversations to new payroll services resulting in lower fees and improved service. Banking Relationships

Negotiated a $500/k over advance to finance Walmart Christmas promotion.

Member of company’s refinance team.

Negotiated a new asset-based loan with bank.

KEITH M. SHER, C.P.A.

680 Downey Street Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169 224-***-****• adwr92@r.postjobfree.com Job Move Reasons

Flex-O-Glass – Company is located on the west side of Chicago and crime in the neighborhood went from bad to scary.

MS Management – Company moved and my commute increased to an 1.25 hours Iceberg Enterprises – Turnaround situation that won’t turnaround. Safco – lost some large customers. 10% pay cut to management, including myself. Diemasters – significant downturn in the business. Neenah Foundry – temporary position.

Sparrer Sausage – change in management.

Ivex – company sold.

Vitex Packaging – facility closed.

Certified Power – better opportunity at Vitex, which allowed me to get more involved in operations and strategic planning.

Security Technologies Group – company sold.

Porter Pipe – needed more challenge.

JMP-Newcor – company was owned by two individuals and after his fifth year, one of the owners passed away. The company did not fair to well with the surviving owner. The company went Chapter 11 none months after I left.

Wilson Jones & Jim Beam – I was presented an opportunity at JMP and could not pass the challenge that the position offered. It was taking the company 30 days to produce monthly financial statements, they were over a year behind on the audit and the accounting department had no credibility with the bank. Symons – 35% pay increase at Wilson Jones and the opportunity to get into general accounting.

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