As host of the FP&A Fast Track podcast, I interview FP&A experts and thought leaders so we can share their knowledge and experience to help our audience of FP&A professionals get their career on the fast track.We keep the podcast conversational and we talk about topics that are important for FP&A professionals career development. Some of the topics we cover include:Financial AnalysisBudgeting & Forecasting Finance Business PartneringStorytellingBusiness… Show more As host of the FP&A Fast Track podcast, I interview FP&A experts and thought leaders so we can share their knowledge and experience to help our audience of FP&A professionals get their career on the fast track.We keep the podcast conversational and we talk about topics that are important for FP&A professionals career development. Some of the topics we cover include:Financial AnalysisBudgeting & Forecasting Finance Business PartneringStorytellingBusiness AcumenTech & tools for FP&Aand more... Show less

John started his consulting career in 1997, when AutoNation contracted him to spearhead a financial reporting project to optimize daily dashboard reporting from new auto dealerships to the corporate accounting team at headquarters.Since 2011, John shifted his long-time focus from delivering FP&A consulting services to developing and delivering training for accounting and finance professionals who want to improve their communication skills.John's passion for communication was… Show more John started his consulting career in 1997, when AutoNation contracted him to spearhead a financial reporting project to optimize daily dashboard reporting from new auto dealerships to the corporate accounting team at headquarters.Since 2011, John shifted his long-time focus from delivering FP&A consulting services to developing and delivering training for accounting and finance professionals who want to improve their communication skills.John's passion for communication was born out of a realization that communication was THE killer app. It IS the single biggest success factor. The science has been clear on this point for decades. John is a go-to speaker, trainer and content resource for an wide range of international clients, training teams all over the world in groups from a dozen to a hundred or more. FACE TO FACE IS STILL BEST: John is adept at in-person delivery, and this is his preferred method since so much of communication relies on understanding more than just the words we use. VIRTUAL AND HYBRID IS HERE TO STAY: Given the widespread popularity of remote and hybrid work, John has developed expertise in helping organizations and individuals, thrive, not just get by in these settings. If you haven't already taken started honing your skills in Past engagements have included:Training and Development------------------------------♦ Developed and delivered training for businesses in a variety of industries♦ Led facilitation of training initiatives ♦ Provided Continuing Education for CPAsSome of the clients we have served include: Accenture Academy, the AICPA, the Ohio State Society of CPAs, Verizon, Oracle Corporation, Discovery Channel, The Department of Homeland Security (Finance Team) and others.Some topics for which I have developed and delivered training content include: Communication skills, presentation skills, storytelling for business, creating a data-driven organization, data visualization, emotional intelligence. Show less

All of my presentations, workshops, coaching sessions, and consulting work, and keynotes are available virtually and in-person. I have been providing virtual speaking and training since 2015. These have taken the form of live presentations, recorded courses (see Accenture Academy courses I've developed) as well as hybrid events where some participants are together in person and some are participating virtually.

Who the show is for----------------------While anyone might enjoy the show, I created it for accounting and finance professionals who want to improve their communication skills.Why I created the show--------------------------I create the show to share what I have learned, and continue to learn, about communication.What’s in it for you?--------------------------You will gain knowledge and skills in five of the most critical areas of communication… Show more Who the show is for----------------------While anyone might enjoy the show, I created it for accounting and finance professionals who want to improve their communication skills.Why I created the show--------------------------I create the show to share what I have learned, and continue to learn, about communication.What’s in it for you?--------------------------You will gain knowledge and skills in five of the most critical areas of communication. Throughout the last decade, I have trained thousands of accounting and finance professionals and the same key areas of communication come up again and again. Based on what I have observed as the most common issues faced by most people I have trained, I developed the C.L.E.A.R. communication model around these core areas:✅ Context✅ Listening✅ Empathy✅ Awareness✅ Rapport Show less

Coordinate directly with instructional design team to develop self-paced online courses in several key topic areas including communication skills, decision making and storytelling for business. Develop course outline and assessments and produce all copy related to the course, including video scripts, module quizzes, and course advertisements. (Contract)

Analytics Talent & Organizational Management for Business Leaders courseCoordinate directly with instructional design team to develop self-paced online courses in several key topic areas including communication skills, decision making and storytelling for business. Develop course outline and assessments and produce all copy related to the course, including video scripts, module quizzes, and course advertisements. (Contract)

Creating a Data-Driven Organization courseCoordinate directly with instructional design team to develop self-paced online courses in several key topic areas including communication skills, decision making and storytelling for business. Develop course outline and assessments and produce all copy related to the course, including video scripts, module quizzes, and course advertisements.

Engaging Your Audience through the Art of Storytelling courseCoordinate directly with instructional design team to develop self-paced online courses in several key topic areas including communication skills, decision making and storytelling for business. Develop course outline and assessments and produce all copy related to the course, including video scripts, module quizzes, and course advertisements. (Contract)

Collaborative Decision Making CourseCoordinate directly with instructional design team to develop self-paced online courses in several key topic areas including communication skills, decision making and storytelling for business. Develop course outline and assessments and produce all copy related to the course, including video scripts, module quizzes, and course advertisements.(Contract)

Developed and managed the $11 billion (revenue) long-term strategic plan for the Automotive Retail Group, with over 200 new vehicle dealerships and 90 AutoNation USA (used-vehicle) Megastores. Analyzed and reported on budgets and forecasts for the group.

• Developed operating budgets, capital budgets, and monthly forecasts and variance analysis for 89 corporate locations.• Provided financial support function to Regional Director of Operations to identify operational efficiencies and recommend action improvement plans• Analyzed financial trends and proposed strategic recommendations to optimize food sales, increase product margins, and decrease general and administrative expenses.• Assisted in the consolidation of budgets for 370… Show more • Developed operating budgets, capital budgets, and monthly forecasts and variance analysis for 89 corporate locations.• Provided financial support function to Regional Director of Operations to identify operational efficiencies and recommend action improvement plans• Analyzed financial trends and proposed strategic recommendations to optimize food sales, increase product margins, and decrease general and administrative expenses.• Assisted in the consolidation of budgets for 370 corporate locations• Facilitated the upload process from Excel models to Hyperion and back• Assisted in streamlining the planning process by utilizing advanced Excel spreadsheet and Hyperion functionality to more efficiently upload and download data between Excel and the G/L• Utilized existing Excel spreadsheet models and developed enhancements interfacing with Hyperion to provide cross-division comparisons and analytics to assist field operations managers in improving financial margins and operational efficiencies. Show less

Alliance was a start-up subsidiary of AvMed that was created to consolidate the physician practice industry. The board of directors decided to shut it down just a few months after I started with the company.• Reported directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and had substantial interaction with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on a regular basis• Prepared and analyzed valuations of potential target physician practices for this physician practice management… Show more Alliance was a start-up subsidiary of AvMed that was created to consolidate the physician practice industry. The board of directors decided to shut it down just a few months after I started with the company.• Reported directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and had substantial interaction with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on a regular basis• Prepared and analyzed valuations of potential target physician practices for this physician practice management company.• Performed due diligence on acquisitions. Show less

• Prepared annual capital plan encompassing over $2 billion, including the construction of two new ships• Prepared annual operating plan for several departments including sales, marketing, and reservations.• Analyzed monthly budget vs. actual variances and worked with department heads to identify and resolve negative variances as well as capitalize on drivers for positive variances. • Screened acquisition candidates and prepared acquisition analyses for presentation to senior… Show more • Prepared annual capital plan encompassing over $2 billion, including the construction of two new ships• Prepared annual operating plan for several departments including sales, marketing, and reservations.• Analyzed monthly budget vs. actual variances and worked with department heads to identify and resolve negative variances as well as capitalize on drivers for positive variances. • Screened acquisition candidates and prepared acquisition analyses for presentation to senior management, including preliminary due diligence on the subsequently completed merger with Celebrity Cruises. • Used JD Edwards regularly to import G/L data for various reports and analyses. Show less

Responsible for preparing analyses that were presented directly to senior management and the Board of Directors. I frequently had direct interaction with the Vice Chairman (Steve Berrard) and Chairman of the Board (Wayne Huizenga).• Analyzed the capital structure, operating performance, growth prospects, management capabilities, market environment, and competitive positioning of companies to assess opportunities.• Prepared analyses on billions of dollars in transaction value for deals… Show more Responsible for preparing analyses that were presented directly to senior management and the Board of Directors. I frequently had direct interaction with the Vice Chairman (Steve Berrard) and Chairman of the Board (Wayne Huizenga).• Analyzed the capital structure, operating performance, growth prospects, management capabilities, market environment, and competitive positioning of companies to assess opportunities.• Prepared analyses on billions of dollars in transaction value for deals across a range of industry segments within entertainment including: video rental, music retail, video game development, movie and television production and distribution, professional sports teams and sports and entertainment venues.• Prepared valuations of potential target companies including discounted cash flow, NPV, IRR, payback period, ratio analysis and multiple analysis• Researched and summarized information on target companies and industries• Evaluated and analyzed proposals submitted to the company proposing joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions by Blockbuster. Prepared executive summaries of these proposals for senior management and the board of directors.• Developed business plans for new ventures outside of the video rental business• Assisted in the development of the strategic plan for Blockbuster Park, a theme park conceptualized by Wayne Huizenga that would have housed a theme park as well as all of the South Florida professional sports teams in one location.• Performed due diligence on acquisitions.• Developed financial models, including P/L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow statementsDeals worked on included: $8.4 billion acquisition by Viacom, Acquisition of Spelling Entertainment Group, minority investment in and subsequent acquisition of Discovery Zone, acquisition of Virgin Interactive Entertainment, numerous acquisitions of Blockbuster franchise stores and independently owned stores. Show less

Participated in engagements including audits, tax support, and consulting engagements.• Responsible for all accounts and all phases of the audit process. • Prepared financial statements and appropriate disclosures.• On only the second audit I had ever been assigned to I ran the entire audit with only minimal phone support from the Senior on the job.• Provided basic preparation support to tax department including some basic research and preparation of support… Show more Participated in engagements including audits, tax support, and consulting engagements.• Responsible for all accounts and all phases of the audit process. • Prepared financial statements and appropriate disclosures.• On only the second audit I had ever been assigned to I ran the entire audit with only minimal phone support from the Senior on the job.• Provided basic preparation support to tax department including some basic research and preparation of support schedules.• During my tenure with the firm we served as one of the primary contractors to the RTC where I worked on notable South Florida takeovers including AmeriFirst Federal Savings Bank and First Union Bank among others. We were among the early leaders in underwriting and packaging failed bank REO and non-performing loan portfolios on behalf of the RTC and FDIC. The Amerifirst portfolios alone comprised over 1,100 properties and was sold to Lennar Florida Partners I in a $450 million transaction. Show less