David Downing Email & Phone Number

Houston, TX, US

Houston, TX, US

Houston, Texas, United States

• I lead strategic initiatives to enhance client companies' financial planning and analysis (FP&A) capabilities. My role involves providing expert guidance on financial reporting, forecasting, key metric analysis, and.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: Develop and implement robust FP&A frameworks, ensuring accurate and timely financial forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Data Integration & Reporting: Oversee the integration of various financial systems (e.g., NetSuite, Salesforce) to streamline data flow and improve the accuracy of financial reporting.
• Process Improvement: Identify and rectify inefficiencies in financial processes, enhancing data accuracy and reducing manual workload through automation.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including finance, accounting, and IT, to ensure alignment on financial objectives and data integrity.
• Client Engagement: Provide tailored consulting services to clients, understanding their unique business needs and delivering actionable insights to support decision-making.

Houston, Texas Area

• ChipMonk (www.chipmonkbaking.com) produces and sells healthy, low-glycemic cookies perfect for low-carb and gluten-free diets
• Built and led a team of 10+ employees to ensure efficient and effective production and distribution of our packaged food products
• Grew annual revenues to over $1 Million within 3 years across multiple channels including e-commerce (Shopify, Amazon, Walmart.com), retail wholesale (over 300+ wholesale accounts), and contract manufacturing
• Developed and oversaw models and tools to forecast financial results, price our products, and track production efficiency and yields
• Led fundraising efforts for the company including building investor presentations and raising over $500,000 in growth capital
• Achieved sustainable profitability allowing for the successful negotiation and sale of the business to a larger holding company building a portfolio of high-growth specialty food brands

Houston, Texas Area

• I served as the fund's jack of all trades and loved every minute of it. Each day was different from the last, and I proactively worked to seek ways to drive value across Work America Capital's portfolio. Here were a.
• Lead business and financial analysis efforts across portfolio companies to identify areas for business improvement. This included KPI and dashboard creation and oversight, project management of key initiatives, and.
• Lead due diligence and research efforts around potential acquisitions, exits, and investors. Typical activities included assessing industries and individual startups, determining company valuations, and building pitch.
• Supported Work America Capital's CFO and served as interim controller for the fund's management company. Controller responsibilities included accounts payable and receivable management, cash flow forecasting, affiliate.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

• The Economic and Industry Analysis Team was a part of Southwest's Financial Planning & Analysis organization and supported numerous departments across the Company. Our team provided objective, data-driven analysis of.
• Served as primary source of support for senior leaders across the company on all topics related to the airline industry including emerging trends, competitive financial analysis, benchmarking, and forecasting
• Researched and documented over 2,000 industry news articles and distributed 45 in-depth industry updates which provided executive team with insights and analyses on competitor actions and commercial aviation trends
• Regularly presented to large audiences across the company on topics related to the airline industry
• Owned and continually improved several models utilizing complex DOT and SEC data sources to provide regular and ad hoc analysis on competitors and the overall airline industry
• Oversaw development of a Tableau dashboard for reporting on airline industry growth and competitive overlap which was built to be used by teams across Southwest including Investor Relations and Network Planning

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

• Performed process reviews across multiple departments to identify risks, assess internal controls, and recommend opportunities for improvement. Areas of focus have included financial reporting, fuel hedging, corporate.
• Oversee and execute audit activities including interviewing key stakeholders, documenting risks and controls, creating project audit plans, assigning resources for control testing, working with internal Customers to.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

• I conducted audits to identify risks and evaluate the effectiveness of operational, financial, compliance, and technology controls. Each day I strove to:
• Professionally interview customers to become familiar with activities and controls within audit areas.
• Identify risk factors and related internal controls for key business processes.
• Analyze business processes to determine if they are effective and efficient.
• Develop and effectively communicate recommendations to identified business risks.

Houston, Texas Area

• I worked as a member of project teams helping clients solve complex problems by assessing their current situation, designing solutions involving people, process and technology dimensions, and implementing change.
• Utilized lean six sigma tools including value stream mapping to analyze the retail maintenance process of a $37B petroleum marketing company and identify opportunities to reduce repair and maintenance expenses by 10%
• Performed multiple operational due diligences within the oil and gas industry for both private equity firms and corporate clients. Assessments included developing a point of view on the targets’ organizational.
• Supported the design and execution of a transformation plan to prepare a carved-out entity to operate independently by the end of a 90-day transition services agreement
• Independently planned and performed over 30 site visits across multiple clients to conduct interviews, perform walkthroughs, and document current-state and develop future state procedures/flowcharts
• Drove the successful completion of an accounting integration for a $3B construction company on budget and on time leading to annual savings of more than $500,000 for the client

Austin, TX

• Assisted with the preparation of tax returns for individuals and small businesses
• Encouraged business development through a variety of social media channels. Effectively increased firm's Twitter presence from less than 100 followers to over 500.
• Performed bookkeeping for local clients using QuickBooks.

Houston, Texas Area

• Conducted software license reviews of FORTUNE 500 companies, entailing contract research, analysis of software deployment data from multiple sources, and reconciliation of conflicting data to determine current license.
• Assessed vendor compliance for major energy companies to identify risk areas and potential problems. Helped clients enhance relationships with suppliers while recovering cash from overpricing
• Colloborated on major project with a Senior Associate leading to $600,000 of potentially recoverable revenue for our client
• Trained three new associates by demonstrating the technical requirements of the job. Provided insight and guidance on project structure and goals
• Recognized as Employee of the Month for overall diligence and commitment to the team

Houston, Texas Area

• Contributed to writings of two distinguished professors by editing book drafts and by suggesting changes to ideas, organization, and style
• Performed research in the field of Art History by examining relevant texts and verifying bibliographical references

Greater Nashville Area, TN

• Surveyed and analyzed local architecture and composed more than 200 slides regarding the history of classical structures for use in a university lecture series.
• Re-conceptualized and developed company’s official website
• Developed catalogs of classical architectural elements and antiques for future use by the firm.

Houston, Texas Area

• Oversaw creation of online teaching resource for an ancient history class utilizing Google Maps.

Greater Nashville Area, TN

Master'S Degree, Accounting

• Texas MPA Advanced Excel Certificate • Worked 15-20 hours a week at a local tax firm to help pay my way through school

Ba, Economics, Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

Graduated Magna Cum Laude • Currently volunteering with the Rice Center for Career Development to mentor students in their career searches.

Education record