Debbie Stewart Email and Phone Number
Family-Owned Businesses (FOBs) are Flourishing. In 2023 43% saw double-digit sales growth and 90% added 1–50 jobs to their payroll. FOBs have outperformed non-FOBs by 17% on average in economic profit over the past five years.Growth costs money. Business owners often struggle to access the cash they need to grow because their finances have become more complex. And, because of this complexity, business owners can face doubt when their sense of how the business is doing doesn’t line up with the financial statements. The solution? Transparent, stable cash flow so you make smart decisions with your hard-earned resources.Why Hire Me as Your Fractional CFO?• Do you want sustainable growth and profitability? I can work with you on financial strategy and planning.• Do you want to ensure that you meet your financial obligations, can invest in growth and minimize liquidity risks? Then talk to me about cash flow management.• Do you need support in preparing investor presentations, conducting due diligence or negotiating funding terms? Bring me in to advise on fundraising and investor relations.• Do you want to be more confident in your decision making? Let me establish customized financial reporting and analysis tools.• Do you wonder if your pricing is relevant? I can work with you on pricing and cost optimization to maximize profitability while remaining competitive.• Did your company move from cash-basis financials to GAAP financials and you want a better understanding of your information? I can advise on that. • Does your business come with regulatory hazards? Connect with me to review risk management and compliance frameworks that will safeguard your business from potential legal and financial woes.Why Finance Fueling Growth?I clean up financial complexities that stand in the way of Family-Owned Business growth. At Finance Fueling Growth I bring my 20+ years of financial experience at ConAgra, Cargill, Hydra Flex, and Pearson’s Candy to professionalize finance operations so that FOBs can focus on the thing they love: their products and people. I use my expertise to uncover cash-flow bottlenecks, open up profitability, and build trust in financial statements. Want a CFO without having to hire full-time? Consult with me to discover what’s possible.
Finance Fueling Growth
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Business AdvisorFinance Fueling Growth Feb 2023 - PresentProvide fractional CFO services tailored to CPG and manufacturing startups and mid-size to large nonprofits • Financial Planning and Analysis: Develop comprehensive financial plans, budgets, and forecasts; provide strategic financial guidance and actionable insights to support decision-making and optimize financial performance• Financial Reporting and Compliance: Prepare accurate financial statements, reports, and supporting documentation; ensure compliance with accounting standards and implement controls to mitigate risks• Strategic Advisory and Risk Management: Advise on business strategy, planning, forecasting, capital raising, and risk management; collaborate with leaders to develop strategies for financial stability, growth, and profitability• Financial Process Optimization and Systems: Streamline financial processes, evaluate and guide financial systems, and optimize costs, efficiency, productivity, and profitability• Transaction Support and Relationship Management: Assist in preparing for mergers, acquisitions, or sales through due diligence, analysis, and stakeholder communication; cultivate professional relationships to identify and select suitable partners for mutually beneficial outcomes
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Chief Financial OfficerPearson'S Candy Company Oct 2021 - Feb 2023Saint Paul, Mn, UsPearson’s develops, manufactures and markets branded and private label confections throughout the U.S., including the iconic brands Pearson’s Salted Nut Roll, Mint Patties, Nut Goodie and Bun. Pearson’s was purchased by Promise Holdings, LLC in December 2022.Responsible for the planning, implementation, managing and running of all the finance activities of the company, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations. • Collaborated with sales leadership to develop and implement a new pricing strategy, increasing branded product revenue by 12%.• Developed accurate cost standards and reporting, reducing variances.• Administered self-insured health care plan.• Negotiated and reviewed co-manufacturing and union contracts to ensure mutually beneficial terms. -
Chief Financial OfficerHydra-Flex, Inc Jul 2017 - Oct 2021Savage, Minnesota, Us● Top financial executive responsible for day-to-day management and leadership of all finance, accounting and risk management functions to support average annual business growth exceeding 20%● Partner with executive team members on strategic business decisions and implementation, including current year budget and long-term business plan● Provide support to all departments by performing financial analysis and providing leadership on understanding how business decisions impact financial results● Develop regular and ad hoc reporting including the monthly management and departmental reporting package as well as reporting to outside stakeholders● Manage banking relationships including negotiating long-term debt agreements to create significant savings● Work closely with accounting, insurance and legal firms to manage on and off balance sheet risk● Create and maintain department structure and future human capital management plan, including succession planning and staff development ● Oversee financial controls company-wide, including segregation of duties, ensuring compliance with GAAP accounting, and ongoing communication with all managers● Successfully lead application and approval process for government rebates, tax incentives, and stimulus packages● Successfully completed sale of the business at a double-digit EBITDA multiple● Facilitated minority shareholder buyout and stock restructuring -
ControllerSweet Harvest Foods Sep 2015 - Jul 2017Cannon Falls, Mn, Us• Key advisor and participant in company sale negotiations, projections and due diligence• Executive responsible for management and leadership in all financial and administrative activities of the company, including management of Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology Departments• Responsible for the management of the day-to-day accounting functions including treasury, budgeting, audit, tax, accounting, legal, and insurance • Responsible for managing IT functions including major projects, software/hardware upgrades, and daily computer issues• Responsible for all human resource functions including recruiting, hiring and terminations, benefit selection and renewal, and personnel disputes and issues• Develop and maintain company processes and policies, while creating cross-departmental integration -
Senior Accounting ManagerFlagstone Foods Jul 2013 - Sep 2015Minneapolis, Mn, Us• Oversee accounting operations including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Taxes• Manage the month and annual close process, including reconciliation and analysis of related accounts and schedules• Create monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements• Lead financial integration with TreeHouse Foods including SOX compliance and SEC reporting• Coordinate annual audit and quarterly reviews with internal and external auditors• Supervise staff of 8 accountants at various levels, including performance management and development planning• Administer daily treasury management and prepare periodic compliance package for banking partners• Review, prepare, and implement effective and efficient accounting processes and controls• Advise staff regarding the handling of non-routine and complex reporting transactions• Prepare consolidated annual budget and rolling forecast -
Accounting ManagerDespatch Industries Aug 2012 - Jul 2013Lakeville, Mn, Us• Supervise staff of 5 accountants, including performance management and development planning • Responsible for all day-to-day accounting functions including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, G/L maintenance, fixed assets and cost accounting• Develop and implement new procedures and policies to enhance the workflow of the department• Ensure monthly and quarterly reporting and compliance activities are performed in a timely and accurate manner• Prepare corporate reporting, financial statements, and internal management reports• Perform detailed budget to actual variance analysis and identify key performance drivers• Advise staff regarding the handling of non-routine and complex reporting transactions• Review all journal entries and account reconciliations for accuracy -
Consolidations LeadCargill Oct 2010 - Aug 2012• Supervised staff of 5 accountants, including performance management and development planning • Coordinated global close processes for business units using SAP• Performed consolidation of over 400 legal entities, many with complex ownership structures• Prepared and analyzed consolidated financial reports• Interfaced between corporate staff and business unit leadership• Prepared annual budget
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Process DesignerCargill Jul 2008 - Oct 2010• Designed processes for the Record to Report sub-team including capital budgets, property, plant and equipment, customer profitability, general ledger activity and consolidated financial reporting• Gained extensive knowledge of industry challenges, current legacy systems, system requirements, and SAP to begin to build process improvements in quick time frame• Designed test cases and conducted user acceptance testing across all process areas and SAP modules• Provided implementation and system expertise to business units during go-live, particularly in the area of period end close
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Senior Financial AnalystCargill Jul 2004 - Jul 2008• Performed consolidation of over 800 legal entities, many with complex ownership structures• Prepared and analyzed consolidated financial reports• Managed finance related small projects• Developed ad-hoc and platform reporting for senior management• Interfaced between corporate staff and business unit employees• Prepared annual budget• Supervised Records and Information Management staff of three
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Controller, Bulk Popcorn DivisionConagra Foods Mar 2002 - Jul 2004Chicago, Illinois, Us• Prepared consolidated financial reports for five locations, including one international site• Prepared annual financial plan and operating budget• Prepared and analyzed manufacturing key performance indicators• Prepared inventory variance reports and analysis• Performed SKU rationalization• Presented findings and recommendations to top management • Interfaced between technology staff and end-users• Interfaced between corporate staff and division employees• Prepared all capital analysis and requests• Lead and directed the work of staff of five -
Project AccountantConagra Foods Jan 2000 - Mar 2002Chicago, Illinois, Us• Assisted in month-end closing procedures • Assisted in cost accounting and bill of material development• Performed detailed analysis of financial statements • Provided support to Controller and Vice President of Finance • Completed projects to improve business and financial processes • Completed transfer of corporate accounting system to Oracle• Developed and maintained detailed project plan for Integrated Logistics Project• Supervised completion of plan tasks by project group • Facilitated meetings with ConAgra Corporate and Snack Foods Group Employees
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Staff AuditorDeloitte & Touche Sep 1998 - Jan 2000Worldwide, Oo• Preparation and planning of financial audits• Calculation and design of audit approach.• Detailed analysis of client financial records• Facilitated communication between client and audit management • Assisted in the resolution of accounting issues.
Debbie Stewart Education Details
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University Of Notre DameAccounting
Frequently Asked Questions about Debbie Stewart
What company does Debbie Stewart work for?
Debbie Stewart works for Finance Fueling Growth
What is Debbie Stewart's role at the current company?
Debbie Stewart's current role is CFO - I Clean Up Financial Complexities that Stand in the Way of Family-Owned Business Growth | Advisor, Consultant, Strategy, M&A, Integrations, Manufacturing, Industrial, Food & Beverage.
What schools did Debbie Stewart attend?
Debbie Stewart attended University Of Notre Dame.
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