Transformative Finance Leader Online Retail Growth Expert

STEVEN BER

Plainfield, IL 708-***-**** ***********@*******.*** https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-ber/

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Dynamic financial visionary and strategic executive leader with 15+ years of online retailer experience and domain expertise in the areas of financial planning, financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, due diligence, accounting, strategic partnerships, and creating sustainable growth. Proven track record of navigating complex business landscapes, maximizing profits, increasing financial performance, and handling both sides of M&A transactions (acquisitions, implementations, integrations). Led Base Financial Controls (BFCs) implementation and spearheaded numerous initiatives to streamline automation of processes, optimize working capital controls, and facilitate seamless transitions to accrual-based financial models.

Articulate and inclusive communicator who builds strong cross-functional relationships to elevate the organization, implement innovative financial strategies, and drive operational excellence. Fosters a culture of learning and development within the team. Brings a hands on proactive leadership style, coupled with a forward-thinking approach to lead teams to significant transformations and improved performance metrics/KPIs.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Strategic Planning & Execution

Financial Systems/Tech Integration

Risk Management/Compliance

New Business Development

Budgeting/Forecasting

Internal Controls

Financial Modeling

Corporate Governance

Financial Planning & Analysis

Mergers & Acquisitions

Continuous Improvement

Team Leadership & Coaching

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

POWER EQUIPMENT DIRECT (PED), Bolingbrook, IL

(a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferguson Enterprises, publicly traded on the NYSE) March 2008 to March 2025

Vice President of Finance (CFO) Jul. 2016 – Mar. 2025

Manage a nine-person finance team, providing guidance and overseeing the day-to-day financial operations, identifying financial strategies, managing and abiding by financial controls, and ensuring tactical execution to achieve long-term EBITDA growth. CFO level responsibilities, such as P&L/BS owner, reporting to the President.

Develop and execute annual budgets for P&L and Working Capital, leveraging market data analysis to establish challenging yet achievable fiscal year targets.

Provide monthly forecast, maintaining a 95% accuracy rate, and present a detailed, monthly 25-page financial performance commentaries to Ferguson leadership to enable more data-driven, strategic decision-making.

Drive cost-saving initiatives, including a $200K Visa/MC settlement claim, bolstering the company's bottom line.

Lead financial reporting efforts, ensuring consistency in financial statements, and accurate/timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

Oversee CAPEX forms and budgeting for large, multi-faceted projects, ensuring accurate forecasting and capitalization requests.

Championed a multi-year complex project to create detailed P&L breakdowns by webstores (15 webstores) in Power BI, enabling informed strategic decisions and business transitions.

Oversee the documentation of core accounting and finance processes, leading BFCs and ensuring compliance across all financial areas to minimize risk for PED.

Implemented initiatives to modernize payment processes, including implementing eCheck processing, transitioning to ACH payments for vendors, and incorporating automation in department/returns ACH payments, and end of day automations.

Consolidated two HVAC companies into one P&L for reporting purposes, and championed ERP system upgrades and workflow enhancements, increasing departmental productivity and efficiency.

Spearheaded the due diligence activities surrounding the 2018 acquisition of AC Wholesalers (ACW) and converted ACW from their legacy Quickbooks platform onto Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Due to changing legislation, registered and managed sales tax for all states due to the new economic nexus laws in Avalara (sales tax engine).

Director of Finance May 2013 – Jul. 2016

Managed the Finance/Accounting department, giving strategic and tactical guidance on financial needs such as budgeting, cashflow analysis, and forecasting.

Led financial reporting efforts, ensuring consistency in financial statements, and accurate/timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

Implemented fraud mitigation measures in order to minimize risk and reduce chargeback rates through an ROI analysis, partnering with Apruvd resulting in chargeback rates decreasing from 2.0% of sales to 0.15% of sales.

Tracked performance metrics and trends for business forecasting, analyzed variances and data to identify areas of improvement, and prioritized activities to drive profitable growth.

Served as the main point of contact for all due diligence activities for Ecomfort HVAC acquisition (2015).

Accounting Manager Jun. 2010 – May 2013

Managed a team of three, providing daily direction on all finance and accounting related functions, including budgeting, cash flow analysis, general ledger (GL) account reconciliation, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory reconciliation, returns, chargebacks, and collections.

Created all new GL accounts for the company and oversaw all financial reports, managing month-end close process including balancing credit card statements, journal entries, calculations, accruals, and reconciliations.

Served as the main point person for the due diligence process and associated activities during the sale of PED to Ferguson in 2012, including providing all historical PED financials prior to the sale.

Developed an upload template to convert the PED GL accounts to the Ferguson GL accounts.

Provided project leadership managing successful conversion of ERP system from QuickBooks onto Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (MDGP), and conversion of inventory system from Fishbowl to MDGP.

Worked closely with accounting team and senior leadership to identify gaps and organizational needs to help drive operational efficiencies.

Senior Accountant Mar 2008 – Jun. 2010

Conducted financial analysis and provided insights to senior management, contributing to strategic decision-making and business planning initiatives.

Cleaned up all the general ledger accounts, reconciled bank statements and other balance sheet accounts, processing all returns, chargebacks, and collections for the company.

Prepared monthly operating statements, identified operational issues to plan/forecast, and recommended solutions to improve company performance.

Engaged with leadership team to identify innovative ways to improve operational efficiencies, as well as with other functions to help company to achieve corporate goals.

Prior Work Experience:

Business Analyst, Casey Products., Woodridge, IL 2006 to 2008

Business Analyst, Gallagher Basset., Itasca, IL 2005 to 2006

Credit Analyst, Motorola Employees Credit Union, Schaumburg, IL 2004 to 2005

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Finance, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Finance, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

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