Christopher Hough Email & Phone Number

Houston, Texas, Us

Co-founder and leader of House of Hough, a luxury linen rental company whose mission is to offer the finest quality products at the highest level of service, providing personalized attention to every detail. Our goal is to provide that extra touch of beauty, elegance, and style, making every event an occasion to be remembered.

Houston, Tx Texas, Us

•Strategic advisor to executive management supporting four of the top performing Lexus dealerships in the country.•Coach, motivate and manage a team of 40 amazing associates in Houston and Las Vegas accounting business offices.•Lead strategic planning and execution of long-term growth initiatives. Responsible for the design and preparation of business planning, forecasting, and business performance analysis.•Analyze dealership performance according to internal goals and metrics as well as industry benchmarks and key performance indicators.•Collaborate with departmental leaders to drive operational performance and improvement.•Trusted partner and liaison with business partners, including Legal, Audit, Suppliers, IT, HR, Treasury, etc...•Accountable for monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting of financial results.•Involved in significant real estate and construction projects.

Responsibilities include Corporate Accounting, Budgeting and Forecasting, Financial Reporting, Management Reporting, Treasury liaison, Acquisition/Integration Support, and Special Projects/Project Management.Close working relationship with Operations, Executive Management, and Ascent Business Partners.

Reporting to the CFO, provide assistance with managing the company’s financial and administrative organization, including planning, accounting, financial reporting and payroll. Maintains relationships with store controllers and other store personnel, and other stakeholders, as applicable. Key responsibilities include:•Contribute to the achievement of Ascent goals and objectives•Understand key aspects of Ascent’s business and improve industry/market knowledge through education/training and exposure to Company•Develop superior analytical capabilities•Develop technical expertise in acquisition financial models•Establish self as a knowledge expert of the financial aspects of the budget and forecast models•Maintain a store focus in all aspects of job functions•Maintain technical expertise in Oracle; develop understanding of store systems•Maintain strong relationships with Ascent team, Shared Service providers and store personnel•Manage financial reporting – including interface with store controllers to ensure timely and accurate reporting•Assist the store controllers on policies, procedures and systems; maintaining books and records, and adequate accounting•Prepare monthly operating review materials and variance analyses•Assist with establishing and measuring performance goals and metrics•Assist in monitoring financial and operational controls across the organization •Manage financial reporting for the corporate and real estate entities•Manage/coordinate monthly executive reporting•Manage external financial reporting •Manage the budget and forecast development process•Assist with acquisition integration efforts; liaison between stores and corporate during the integration period•Assist with analysis of financial impact of business initiatives•Coordinate with Treasury on cash management; manage internal wires as necessary •Assist with other projects and tasks, as applicable

Houston, Texas, Us

Assisted in growing the financial acumen of the Friedkin Companies Inc. and its operating company affiliates. Applied financial planning and analysis skills creating financial decision support for the operating affiliates. -Heavily involved in the forecasting and business planning process across affiliate companies and at the corporate level. -Reviewed monthly financial results of the affiliated companies -Involved in the monthly financial reporting and analysis to the top executive team-Prepared and managed external financial reporting-Interacted with business unit affiliates on a regular basis-Supported the treasury function and development of various process improvements-Assisted in significant cost reduction efforts throughout organization, most notably within IT-Performed other ad-hoc projects, as needed, for senior management

Chicago, Il, Us

Responsible for management and oversight of accounting and finance functions for 18 countries within the Americas, including payroll, payables, receivables, cash management, budgeting, and internal control framework. •Preparation of annual budget for International Accounting division; monthly variance analysis to budget and forecast•Oversee monthly cash forecasting to ensure maintenance of liquidity and availability of assets.•Manage fare audit process, resulting in reduction of process time from 90 days to 45, and additional revenue recovery of over $83k monthly. •Primary international liaison for Sales, Human Resources, Legal, Airports, Treasury, Cash Accounting, Revenue Accounting, Corporate Accounting, and Internal Audit.Major projects included:-Centralization of International Accounts Payable function to Mexico City, contributing over $500k yearly in cost savings.-Conceptualization and implementation of international payroll database within company’s data warehouse. Result allows payroll data to be captured and consolidated from several different payroll systems and offers dynamic reporting options available for Controller groups and Human Resources.-Online publication of business continuity policies and procedures, best practices, and internal control requirements.

Chicago, Il, Us

•Identified and analyzed significant issues related to the organization’s performance, assessed strengths and opportunities for improvement, and provided recommendations to help the organization ensure a sound internal control structure.•As Project Manager, led team of internal auditors in the development of audit approach and work programs, guided testing, managed project progression and budget, reviewed audit results and communicated to Chief Auditor.•Conducted Sarbanes Oxley audit testing and performed corporate and field audits at headquarters, domestic and international airports, accounting offices, and sales offices.•Liaised with various departments (HR, Legal, Treasury, Corporate Security, Airport Services, et al) while performing special projects, as requested by senior executive management and departmental management.•Involved in numerous technology system development projects including those that monitor and manage flight oversales, electronic customer service orders, and document management.•Designed and re-developed multiple standard field, corporate, and Sarbanes Oxley audit programs used by auditors.•Responsible for maintaining the Self Audit Questionnaire and related reference material posted on the Internal Audit Website, distribution of Airport Service Bulletins and other current developments to the audit department, and database used during audits and annual field audit plan.

Chicago, Il, Us

•Developed strong business, analytical, accounting, computer, and management skills while performing audits of publicly- and privately-held companies in a variety of industries including transportation, real estate, manufacturing, logistics, high-tech, telecommunications, financial institutions, not-for-profit, and oil & gas.•Responsible for the planning, execution, and wrap-up of audit engagements, including formation and monitoring of budgets and staffing requirements.•Compiled detailed general ledger account balances into balance sheet and income statement format and assisted in the drafting of financial statements and footnotes.•Supervised and developed staff by providing on-the-job technical training and promoting effective teamwork skills. Acted as a mentor to incoming staff and interns.

•Completed financial audits in a team environment to provide investors, banks, and other key decision makers assurance for the financial reporting of clients.•Performed financial statement analyses to understand changes over time, related causes, and the ultimate effects of these changes on operations and financial reporting.•Added value to clients by reviewing and analyzing key business processes, accounting systems, and internal controls to develop formal recommendations for top management.