Chief Accounting Officer / Corporate Controller

Patricia A. Donald

323-***-**** Cell • *********@*****.***

Chief Accounting Officer / Director of Finance Audit & Internal Controls Highly accomplished and hands on Chief Accounting Officer /Corporate Controller with 20 years of progressive business and financial planning in diverse industries (restaurant, real estate, property management and outdoor advertising) with high-growth and multi-national organizations. Utilize keen analytical expertise to help build financial discipline and maximize a return to the bottom line by establishing financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems at corporate and operational level. Extensive experience in strategic planning and finance qualifications with strong analytical business acumen, business development, transaction structuring/negotiation, human resources, leadership, training, team building, risk management and IS technology.

Proven areas of expertise include:

• Financial Analysis, Planning and Reporting • Cash Flow Forecasting • Contract Negotiations

• Sales Forecasting and Capital Budgeting • Profitability and Cost Analysis • Audit and Internal Controls

• Treasury Management and Financing • Property Management • Managerial & Human Resources Exp. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Highwood Properties, Inc., Santa Monica, CA

Business management firm responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial accounting, tax, real estate, financing and directing operational functions of a $100M multi-national organization with 60+ entities and over 1000 employees combined in the restaurant, real estate, and outdoor advertising industry. Chief Accounting Officer / Corporate Controller Nov 2004 - Present Notable Achievements:

• Disputed outside worker’s comp audit and prepared audit that resulted in refund of over $300k in premium payments.

• Decreased A/R outstanding from 90 days past due to current, improving cash flow by over $100k monthly.

• Create accounting and operation efficiencies that decreased outside tax cost annually by 20%.

• Full integration of accounting system from QuickBooks to Advantage R365 system. Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Prepare and analyze corporate financial statements in compliance with GAAP to CEO/President and outside investors.

• Oversee the management of all facets of accounting processes including A/R, A/P, P/R, Cost Accounting, GL Analysis, Audits, Y/E Tax Work, Property Management, Accounting Information Systems and Restaurant POS Systems.

• File state and federal returns such as Sales Tax, Business Licenses, Health Permits, Business and Personal Property Tax.

• Prepare year-end 1099’s and distribute to outside contractors and consultants.

• Evaluate contracts for vendor services to assist with proposals and contract negotiations.

• Liaison with external auditors to facilitate the audit process and ensure timely resolution of audit findings for tax return filings.

Budgets

• Manage budgets for building construction, restaurant buildouts, tenant improvements and all capital expenditures.

• Work with operations to analyze and review budget proposals, create detailed annual budgets, and prepare necessary supporting documentation and justification. Manage organizational cash flow and forecasting and assist President with Financial Planning & Analysis.

Audit

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the organization's business policies and accounting practices.

• Ensure company is adhering to legal and regulatory compliance for all employee, accounting, and financial reporting functions of the business.

• Prepare and conduct various audit projects required by regulatory agencies such as BOE, workers comp and property tax assessor at corporate and subsidiary locations, including interviews/walkthroughs, audit testing, risk assessments, working paper reviews, documentation of results/deficiencies, investigations, and other related activities.

• Performing task level work such as compliance, performance, financial audits and/or consulting engagements, including information technology for possible fraud, waste, and abuse.

• Responsible for technical accounting compliance, including consultation with external auditors and tax advisors on complex accounting and tax issues as necessary.

Treasury & Finance

• Manage strategic Treasury activities, including cash flow forecast, debt management and bank covenants.

• Prepare lender reporting packages for property acquisitions and refinancing’s.

• Provide analytical support on a portfolio of $50M in asset-based loans by analyzing collateral and financial details supporting the loan and interpreting information.

• Communicate effectively with lenders and third parties regarding ongoing diligence, reporting, and borrowing needs.

• Develop and implement cash management procedures to monitor liabilities, including secured and unsecured financings, as well as daily cash position and liquidity.

• Primary contact with the external stakeholders including lending banks, external auditors, outside partners, government agencies, attorneys, insurance companies, consultants, tax accountants and other service providers. Patricia A. Donald page 2 of 2

Real Estate Property Management

• Direct property management and leasing department. Review leases, manage A/R process, monitor cash receipts, security deposits, tenant billing adjustments, maintenance of tenant information and perform tenant ledger reconciliations.

• Update schedules for lease data; including but not limited to rent rolls, expirations, terminations, occupancy, etc.

• Prepare annual year end reconciliation process – CAM, percentage rent, insurance, real estate taxes and arrange all audits at the property.

Human Resources and Risk Management

• Oversee PR Department, interface with ADP and submit bi-weekly payroll records for 1000+ employees.

• Manage insurance enrollment and administer benefits programs.

• Work with general counsel to update employee manuals and handbooks to ensure legal compliance. Handle worker's compensation claims, unemployment, legal compliance, inquiries regarding policies, procedures, programs, and other administrative tasks.

• Manage the worker’s compensation process by designing and implementing specific strategies to objectively reduce the cost and duration of employee injuries by working closely with Regionals, GMs, third party worker’s compensation adjusters, insurance carriers, broker, defense attorneys, and the state regulatory agencies while maintaining full compliance with the various state worker’s compensation acts and regulations.

• Review internal and external loss detail reports. Detect key areas of concern, in coordination with the General Counsel and recommend strategies to reduce risk areas. Advise management about appropriate resolution of employee relations issues and insurance coverage for protection against property losses and potential liabilities. Information Systems

• Direct the IT Support Teams management and administration of all systems, including update and maintenance, user hardware, software, servers, and phone systems.

Fresh Enterprises, Inc. (Baja Fresh Mexican Grill), Irvine, CA Fast Casual Tex-Mex Restaurant chain with $300M+ in sales throughout its 150 units and 3,000+ employees across the US. Director of Finance, Audit & Internal Controls / Controller Dec 1999 – Oct 2004

• Prepared financial statements, supervised P/R, A/P, cost accounting and sales auditors.

• Key member in finance responsible for preparation of Private Placement Offering(PPO) to sale entity to Wendy’s.

• Ensured compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)

• Prepare quarterly and annual audit and tax return work-papers.

• Prepare capital budgets for new restaurant buildouts. EDUCATION

Cal State Northridge, Northridge, CA BS, Accounting Compeat Restaurant Accounting Systems, QuickBooks and Excel Proficient References Available Upon Request

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