Managed the accounting functions for an industry leader in the publishing and distribution of value-priced computer gaming, productivity and education software sold through national office products, electronics and mass merchandise channels. Implemented and managed Quickbooks Enterprise accounting system with Fishbowl Inventory add-on in a multi-office, multi-warehouse environment with customer on-site consignment.

Consulting practice providing management, accounting and marketing advisory services to businesses and non-profit organizations. Working part-time since 2008 while completing CPA certification requirements and preparing for CPA exam. ++Created business plan and financial projections for Computer Skills for Seniors education program created by a consortium of Southern California non-profit organizations.++Designed social networking marketing program for alumni relations office of major university.++Organized outreach conference for research center at UCLA Geffen School of Medicine bringing together medical device manufacturers, social services organizations and academic researchers to share technology advances in medical care and quality of life for seniors.

Managed all accounting and MIS functions for $20MM family-owned manufacturer and distributor of Hispanic food products serving grocery stores and institutional food customers. Directly supervised GL, AP, AR, Payroll, Sales Invoicing, Fixed Assets, Cost Accounting, Inventory Control and MIS activities. Managed inventories at 3 production centers and 5 distribution sites. Created standard bills of materials, overhead allocation methods, new product cost estimates, and production efficiency and cost variance analysis. Prepared specialized reports for audits, tax filings, insurance, and government agencies using Excel, Crystal Reports and FRx. Coached 4 direct reports. ++Hired for short-term consulting project to complete stalled integration of ERP system. Superior results led to position as Controller and MIS Manager until company was forced to drastically downsize after losing major lawsuit. ++Created and implemented systems to measure and report profitability of products, sales routes and locations that enabled company to maximize deployment of limited resources and increased average sales margins by 10% in spite of rising product costs.++Designed inventory control procedures and on-hand versus expected-sales reporting package that led to 35% reduction of company-wide inventory levels, freeing $475M in working capital while reducing lost sales due to stock outs.++Prepared and presented financial analysis and business plans for merger and acquisition opportunities, proposed business partnerships, new product lines, distributorship agreements, make-versus-buy decisions, and sales territory expansions.++Shortened the monthly financial reporting cycle by 10 days by automating data entry tasks, standardizing monthly procedures, eliminating unnecessary and duplicate reporting, and training staff.

Consulting practice providing management, accounting and marketing advisory services to businesses and non-profit organizations. Left company upon being hired by client.++Supervised setup and integration of small and mid-range accounting systems including Great Plains, Solomon, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, QuickBooks Enterprise Edition and QuickBooks Professional.++Created accounting structures, policies and procedures to accompany accounting system integrations.++Recommended, sourced and installed workstations, network hardware and server systems.

Managed accounting and finance functions for $35MM business and printing papers manufacturing plant with 275 employees, part of $350MM paper division of $1 Billion privately-held Simpson Investment Company. Directly supervised GL, AP, AR, Payroll, Cost Accounting, Fixed Assets and Inventory Control. Coordinated all budgeting and variance analysis and supervised $15MM in annual capital expenditure projects. Maintained cost system & LIFO valuations, and analyzed standard cost variances. Prepared all financial reporting in MAS90 and presented results to corporate management. Worked closely with external and internal auditors. Coached 7 direct reports.Plant Controller 1996-1998Assistant Plant Controller 1994-1996General Accounting Supervisor 1993-1994++Led cost containment and reorganization projects that increased annual profits by $2 Million through process improvements and retoolings to allow production of new product lines.++Significantly reduced department costs of financial report production by working with other departments to determine their real information needs, eliminate unneeded reports, and standardize reporting formats while providing more actionable, targeted data in spite of reducing department headcount by 10%. ++Financial member of cross-function team that evaluated potential buyers and alternate uses for the facility after parent company decided to exit the paper industry. Efforts led to the mutually advantageous sale of the facility to another company, which retained 50% of the employees.

Office and consumer products division of S&P 500 manufacturer of labeling and identification products.++Developed Activity-Based Costing model for determining actual cost of discounts and services provided to company’s 50 largest accounts, integrating information from sales, marketing, and operations. Senior management used result of model to realign pricing and promotion strategy to increase bottom-line profit.++Prepared 5-year financial plan in support of reorganization of division following purchase of Dennison operations, as well as annual plan formation and comparative profitability analysis.

Publisher of market research guides and targeted research in the specialty retail, office products, grocery, restaurant and foodservice industries. Coordinated staff of 35 in four functional teams. ++Managed research teams and coordinated data gathering in 10 industry sectors across up to 12,000 specialty retail companies and industry wholesalers++Quality of work led to selection to start-up team to establish new research headquarters in Tampa, FL.

U.S. distribution division of Japanese office supply manufacturer Plus Corporation. Managed sales operations over a 17-state territory, including creating pricing and promotion strategies, directing activities of 20 independent sales representatives and directly calling on large office supply customers including Staples and Office Depot.

Regional office supply wholesaler, distributor, and retailer. Managed all financial and operational aspects of 3 retail and commercial sales locations including supervising retail and outside sales staff of 12.