Ernest Baker Email & Phone Number

Forest Park, Il, Us

LWCC is one of the nation’s largest mega churches. Under its corporate umbrella is a broad range of thirteen (13) related entities (8 FP & 5 NFP), covering multiple industries (ministries, education, commercial real estate, retail mall, restaurant, aviation).Senior financial executive with full responsibility for planning, staffing, operating performance and leadership of the organization's complete financial, accounting, and some administrative and legal functions. Lead a staff of 24.

Finance & Accounting Consulting, including business plan & operational strategy development. Helping clients implement best-in-class solutions for financial, accounting, and operational excellence.Various contract assignments (Interim Controller, Acting Treasurer, Consultant) Manage all facets of accounting operations, financial & management reporting, treasury, cash flow forecasting, shareholder distributions, annual audit, taxes, credit & collections, and T&E. Involved in budgeting, capital expenditures, pricing, risk management, inventory management, employee benefits and payroll. Manage 9 direct and 1 indirect reports.Provide finance and accounting consulting and services. Prepare various IL State Board of Elections reports.

Chicago, Il, Us

Publisher of EBONY and JET magazines and manufacturer of Fashion Fair CosmeticsManaged all facets of accounting operations, financial-board-management reporting, T&E, treasury, annual audit, taxes, payroll, credit & collections, and purchasing & leases. Involved with all budgets and forecast, cash flow, risk management, and had inventory management and information technology involvement. Reported to the Chief Financial Officer. Managed up to 10 direct and 5 indirect reports.

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National advertising and marketing firm serving Fortune 500 clients, including Wal-Mart, Nestle, Exelon, Tyson Foods, General Motors, GE, McDonald’s, Kraft and others.Provided leadership and expertise in GAAP, financial management, cost and internal controls, business operations and strategy, financial systems and procedures. Major contributor in the organization’s growth, profitability and technical advancements. Key person on Executive Management Team. Major contributor to the agency’s business development, and technology advancements. Built and coached a best-in-class finance team, including two direct reports that were five-time recipients of the agency’s highest honor.

Safety equipment and supplies distributorship, with distribution centers in six statesBrought in as CFO after venture-capital investments to help acquisition-focused company achieve strategic objectives, build infrastructure and implement PeopleSoft ERP. Managed all financial, human resources, purchasing, office support functions and oversaw information technology. Reported to the office of the presidentLed systems upgrade to PeopleSoft (GL, AP, AR, & Billing), and assisted in overall project management. Actively involved in due diligence, acquisitions, and integration of acquired companies to SSP and PeopleSoft.

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"See E. Morris Communications above."

Small Business Investment CompanyPerformed screening, due diligence, and evaluation of investment prospects, and oversaw investment portfolio. Managed all financial, information technology and administrative functions

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Natural gas utility, acquired by WEC Energy Group Inc.Prepared corporate income tax returns, supporting schedules, and work papers for a $128 million subsidiary. Designed PC-based models to prepare a five-year budget and profit plan, accrual analysis, and five-year depreciation plan.

Conducted operational and financial audits of all DOL programs and operations, including those performed by its contractors and grantees. Set-up automated audit-planning system. Received monetary awards for outstanding performance.

Executive Education: Mini-Mba Certification Program

Bsba, Accounting