Finance Manager/Controller

JAMES S. STAVRIS, JR., CPA, MBA

** ******** ***** ***********, ** 06492 203-***-**** (h) 860-***-**** (c) *******@*****.***

EXECUTIVE-LEVEL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Strategic and cost-conscious finance professional commanding more than 20 years of progressive leadership success. Detail-oriented and analytical MBA providing a record of consistent achievement by controlling costs, ensuring regulatory/tax compliance, and developing high-caliber staff. Possess valuable combination of technical (accounting, audit and tax), managerial and educational experience. Thrive in fast-paced, challenging environments. Skilled in oral and written communications, public speaking and presentations.

EXPERTISE AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

• Accounting Policy Development; General Ledger Management; Financial Analysis; Budget and Strategic Planning; Cost Control; Tax Management

• Risk Management; Internal Controls; Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance

• Mergers & Acquisitions; Due Diligence; IPO; Business Development; Client/Vendor Relations

• Consulting; Operational Streamlining; Training & Development; Communications

PROFESSIONAL TRACK

Allied World Assurance Company Farmington, CT ---------------------------------------------------------2004 - Present

$1B Bermuda-based global property/casualty insurance/reinsurance company providing commercial lines coverage in property, general casualty, professional liability, and healthcare market segments.

Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit (2008 – Present)

Serve as key contributor of 7-member global internal audit team. Perform audits of US and global operations while developing capabilities of direct report. Coordinate and assist business unit maintenance of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) process documentation. Administer SOX testing and compliance. Function as member of US training and development team, assisting in assessment of company’s training needs, develop and deliver training curriculum and presentations.

Played key role in transition and implementation of internal controls and processes following acquisition of Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc.

Darwin Professional Underwriters, Inc. Acquired by Allied World Assurance Company in October 2008

US property/casualty insurance company writing $250M in annual premiums.

Assistant Vice President, Internal Audit (2006-2008)

Established internal audit function following completion of company’s IPO; performed annual risk assessments. Planned and performed internal audits in all areas of company. Assumed primary responsibility for ensuring business unit compliance with SOX internal control requirements. Led projects requested by management or Board of Directors. Reported directly to Chair of Audit Committee of Board of Directors.

Contributed to process improvements and efficiencies across multiple units of the company.

Developed professional staff by designing and delivering high-quality training sessions.

JAMES S. STAVRIS, JR., CPA

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Assistant Vice President, Controller/Chief Accounting Officer (2005-2006)

Sarbanes-Oxley Consultant (2004)

Directed all financial reporting and accounting functions, including GAAP, STAT, and TAX. Served as company’s 1st Controller, assisting in development of accounting policies and overseeing SOX compliance. Assisted in development and monitoring of annual budgets. Administered all federal and state tax accounting and reporting while coordinating external and internal audit activity. Managed staff of 7 professionals including directing career development.

Played instrumental role in raising more than $95M via guiding company through successful initial public stock offering.

Headed implementation, testing, and coordination of SOX compliance, while containing costs to less than $100K annually.

Championed expansion of accounting staff, from 3 to 7 personnel in 18 months, while heading accounting process for 2 corporate acquisitions.

Established 1st unit-based company training initiative and contributed to assessment of training needs.

Deloitte & Touche, LLP Hartford, CT 2003-2004

One of Big 4 accounting firms providing audit, tax, and business consulting services.

Senior Tax Manager

Provided tax expertise to public and closely-held middle-market corporate tax clients in high-tech, real estate, manufacturing, and retail industries. Led staff training and development via designing and presenting in-house training courses.

Reduced client prep time and realized significant reduction in firm audit/review time, providing client with fee savings and firm with more time available for value-added services, through designing and implementing tax calculation templates to assist clients with FAS 109 tax accounting requirements.

Saved client more than $300K by calculating tax benefit of Section 338 election in acquisition.

Played integral role in development of corporate tax planning strategies.

KPMG, LLP Hartford, CT 2002-2003

Major accounting firm providing audit, tax, and business consulting services.

Senior Tax Manager

Serviced large consolidated corporate tax clients in financial services industry. Controlled staff training and development. Co-created insurance tax planning strategies.

Realized more efficient and accurate tax compliance through revising internal processes and procedures as well as streamlining information gathering.

Achieved annual savings of $250K to $500K after providing Insurance Premium Tax review and consulting services to several major insurance companies.

JAMES S. STAVRIS, JR., CPA

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Arthur Andersen, LLP Hartford, CT 1998-2002

One of Big 4 accounting firms providing audit, tax, and business consulting services.

Senior Tax Manager/Insurance Tax Practice Training & Staff Development Coordinator

Raised annual fees from less than $500K to more than $2M over 2-year period.

Saved corporate clients $1M+ in tax liability by assisting in design and implementation of tax strategies.

Represented Firm at several Captive Insurance industry conferences as subject matter expert and conference speaker.

PRIOR WORK HISTORY

Executive Risk, Inc., Simsbury, CT - Director of Tax - 1994 – 1998 (3.5 yrs)

The Hartford, Hartford, CT - Tax Planning Manager, 1993 – 1994 (1.5 yrs)

Coopers & Lybrand, Hartford, CT – Senior Tax Manager – 1987 – 1993 (7.5 yrs)

Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT – Assistant Controller – 1985 – 1987 (2 yrs)

The Hartford, Hartford, CT – Senior Internal Auditor – 1984 – 1985 (1 yr)

Seward & Monde, CPAs, North Haven, CT – Staff Accountant Audit & Tax – 1982 – 1984 (2yrs)

ACADEMIC/PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS & AFFILIATIONS

Master of Business Administration: Colorado State University

Bachelor of Science, Accounting: Quinnipiac University

Certified Public Accountant, State of Connecticut

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CSCPA)

Institute of Internal Auditors

National Society of Tax Professionals

Beta Gamma Sigma National Business Honor Society

Articles published in Bests' Review, The Insurance Tax Review, and Tax Advisor

Speaker at Captive Insurance Industry Conferences:

Hawaii Captive Insurance Conference (2003)

Vermont Captive Insurance Association Annual Conference (2002)

Captive Insurance Company Association Annual Conference (2002)

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