JEFFREY S. ABBOTT
*** ****** ***** **. • Kernersville, N.C. 27284
Cell: 917-***-****• Home: 336-***-**** • **********@***.***
EXECUTIVE-LEVEL MANAGEMENT: Finance
CFO • FINANCE VP • FINANCE DIRECTOR
Accomplished senior financial professional with exemplary experience and success in partnering finance with operations and business development objectives to drive continuous revenue and profit growth. Expertise in finance and accounting, financial planning and analysis, administration, internal controls and procedures, due diligence, budgeting, forecasting, valuation, and insurance management. Effective blend of solid strategic planning and general management skills with outstanding corporate finance qualifications. Qualifications enhanced with CPA, MAcc and CFE.
Finance Management • Financial Modeling • GAAP • IFRS •Tax Planning and Compliance •Cost/Benefit Analysis • Budgeting & Forecasting • Financial Statements • Strategic Planning • General Ledger • Finance Share Service • Staff Management • Risk Management • Cost Accounting • Business Plans • Financial Analysis and Reporting • Cash Flow Optimization • Budget Control and Administration • P&L• Internal Controls • M&A • Capitalization • Expense Control • Valuation • AP / AR • For-Profit & Non-Profit
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
THE CLEARING HOUSE, New York, New York and Winston-Salem, North Carolina • 1981-2011
The Clearing House is comprised of 2 bank-owned companies, including a for-profit global payments processor which clears and settles 64 million transactions valued at more than $1.5 trillion each day and a non-profit industry association. The Clearing House had annual revenues of $100 million and 220 employees.
Senior Vice President – Finance, 2009-2011
Vice President – Finance Director, 2001-2009
Lead all financial and fiscal management aspects of both a for-profit payments processor and a non-profit industry association. Drove and coordinated all administrative, business planning, finance, treasury, accounting, insurance, tax, compliance, budgeting, and long-range financial planning activities. Managed change during company transitions.
Managed $100 million annual budget. Lead and developed staff including five professionals - Controller, Assistant Controller, Facilities Director and 2 Senior Accountants. Played key contributing role on Compensation and Benefits Committee. Lead preparation and delivery of quarterly reports for Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
Lead Finance and Investment Committees. As Leader of Investment Committee responsible for appointment of investment managers and actuaries, establishment of investment guidelines, review of manager performance and monitoring compliance with investment policy statements. Collaborated with actuaries in selection of actuarial assumptions used in valuation of pension plan. As Leader of Finance Committee, ensured timely, accurate, and transparent reporting and developed plans to mitigate unexpected and unfavorable financial results.
Member of Executive Leadership Team. Actively participated in strategic planning to drive company growth and profitability. Reported directly to CEO.
• Drove savings of more than $7.2 million annually to owner-customers by demonstrating through detailed long-range planning that unit pricing to could be reduced.
• Enabled Company to self-fund all capital projects without capital calls, while maintaining debt-free balance sheet, by initiating and implementing robust financial model.
• Generated increased product revenue of $2 million annually by implementing cost accounting system (Activity Based Costing) to identify need to increase pricing on one of core products.
• Facilitated reorganization that, within 3 years increased revenue by 21%, pre-tax profit by 74% and equity by 151% by developing financial solution to combine 5 bank-owned LLC’s into single LLC and increase number of owners from 11 to 24.
• Played pivotal role during Company’s first-ever major relocation by serving on Transition Executive Committee and resolving issues resulting from turbulent residential real estate market and implications for transferring employees while ensuring on-budget completion of project.
• Negotiated city, county, and state tax incentives in excess of $1 million connection with relocation.
JEFFREY S. ABBOTT • Page 2 • **********@***.***
Controller, 1998-2001
Directed and coordinated financial planning and budget management functions; managed daily operations of finance department. Monitored and analyzed monthly operating results against budget. Prepared financial analysis for contract negotiations and investment decisions. Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal reporting requirements. Directed financial audits and provided recommendations for procedural improvements.
Established and implemented short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures. Designed, established, and maintained organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish goals and objectives. Collaborated with product and department managers to develop 5-year business plans.
• Implemented new accounting system while managing all accounting and tax matters during transformation of organization from single not-for-profit entity to 5 separate LLC's with 4 for-profit entities.
• Developed and managed inter-company service agreements among 5 newly created and related entities; delivered financial reporting to each LLC management team Board.
• Played key role in successful acquisition of competitor and mergers of check clearing houses in Midwest and Wes by preparing valuations and leading financial due diligence.
Assistant Controller, 1985-1998
Managed payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, budgeting, and forecasting. Led and developed 5 direct reports.
• Developed 1st automated settlement system for Company’s check exchange operation by using electronic spreadsheets.
Financial Analyst, 1983-1985
Clerk, Purchasing Department, 1981-1983
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Accounting, 2004
PACE UNIVERSITY, New York, New York
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1980
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, New York, New York
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Fraud Examiner
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants