Debra Shelton, Cpa Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Houston, Tx, Us

Houston, Texas, Us

Ascend Performance Materials makes high-performance materials for everyday essentials and new technologies. Our focus is on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. • Lead a global team of over 60 accounting and finance professionals across seven countries in the areas of FP&A, statutory accounting, cost accounting, and internal controls.• Participate on cross functional teams in end-to-end acquisition activities; including due diligence, valuation, purchase price accounting and integration. Successful completion of five global acquisitions in the previous two years. • Develop and implement strategies to attract, retain, motivate and develop team members across the global finance organization, including proposal and approval by CEO to implement the first Finance rotation program in June 2022.• Drive continuous improvement in areas of systems and processes through collaboration with other Ascend organizations in order to reduce risk, deliver efficiencies, and provide improved information for better decision making. • Oversee our relationship with external auditors to insure on time delivery of annual audits and quarterly reviews required for debt compliance. Also a key member of both the Risk and Audit committees, responsible for compliance with US GAAP and communication of risks in the organization. Completed implementations of ASC 842 and ASC 606 in Jan 2020.• Actively participate in strategy discussions and preparation of forward-looking financial statements; including monthly forecasts, annual budgets and long-range plans.• Act as a trusted business partner to the Senior Leadership Team in areas of compliance, internal controls and reporting.• Guide and direct efforts around internal controls to help identify key risk areas, testing and mitigation efforts. • Counsel team members in establishing priorities in a fast-paced, challenging and evolving organization.

Houston, Texas, Us

Houston, Texas, Us

Houston, Texas, Us

The leading alternative certification program (ACP) provider, having certified 7,000+ hired teachers in 2016,and more than 35,000 hired teachers since inception. Reported directly to the CEO and managed three direct reports.• Led transition of accounting from cash basis to US GAAP in August 2016, resulting in a 50% reduction in AR balances.• Transitioned treasury to new platform to create efficiencies in fund transfers; initiated and implemented a fraud-prevention system and cash management and forecasting processes.• Coordinated all tax activities with outside consultants, including federal, multi-state, and local taxes; managed 2016 audit with final report issued early and on budget.• Created extensive budgeting and forecasting tool to provide for six quarter rolling forecasts which are presented to the board on a quarterly basis; achieved scalability with the aggressive state expansion initiatives.• Revised monthly reporting model to create efficiencies and accuracies in financial reporting, including debt covenant compliance; created management discussion/analysis format to provide insight into monthly financials/related KPI.• Presented financial results to the executive management team, investors, and quarterly board each month or so.

Pasadena, Texas, Us

Company develops and operates XTLH® Plants that transform low cost gas feedstock into valuable clear liquid fuels.• Managed three direct reports while cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with banks and vendors.• Led budgeting and consolidation of eight global, multi-currency companies while overseeing monthly analysis of budgets, variations, and corrective action plans (and their implementation).• Implemented common treasury platform to reduce global intercompany settlements from five days to less than one. • Coordinated tax activities with outside consultants, including federal, multi-state, and local taxes; managed audits of affiliates with local firms; achieved savings of $750K in use tax related to purchase of a facility in Louisiana.• Developed and maintained relationships with insurance brokers, demonstrating insurance value / coverage.• Established and restructured companies as needed, ensuring all required filings were made and tax issues were addressed prior to or after restructuring as needed. • Supported due diligence efforts of potential investors and banks.• Managed corporate records; migrated company from QuickBooks to NetSuite.

Atlanta, Ga, Us

A global leader in the development and implementation of secure, integrated payment solutions.• Served as a vital member of the executive team that raised new venture capital in June 2009; managed three direct reports while implementing new systems for accounting, transaction metering, human resources, and payroll.• Negotiated and reviewed client, vendor, and partner contracts to minimize risk and maximize revenue generation.• Selected and transitioned to self-insured medical plan, generating a 25% annual cost savings.• Implemented key process improvements and metrics that enhanced repeatability, reliability, and profitability.• Reduced Trade AR > 60 days from 28% to less than 8% within six months.• Developed and maintained relationships and reporting with both external bankers and venture capital investors.

Montreal, Qc, Ca

A global IT and management consultancy company, focused on workforce management solutions in North America.• Recruited by the acquirer of Worksuite, reporting directly to the CEO; managed 14 staff in finance, accounting, human resources, and administration aspects of a $65M global software and solutions organization.• Executed the transition plan to relocate the North American corporate headquarters (from Boston to Houston), resulting in a $4M annual cost savings. • Modified medical insurance plans while maintaining competitive benefits in order to save $500K per year.

Katy, Texas, Us

Toronto, On, Ca