Jim Legates Email & Phone Number

Riviera Beach, Florida

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, US

• Merchant Lynx Services (MLS) is National high growth Wholesale FSP (Full-Service Provider) and Merchant Acquirer, serving ISO's, Agents, and Merchants since 1994 and is a registered ISO with Esquire Bank, N.A..
• Manage Finance and Accounting
• Coordinate audit and tax planning
• Portfolio analysis for purchase and ISO/ISV profitability

Riviera Beach, FL, US

• National high growth (+26%) a year high tech firm with three operating companies: provides business technology platforms, internet protocol (IP) credit card processing, digital voice services, broadband network.
• Stabilized NetSuite ERP implementation through 2018 from an aborted previous ERP in 2017
• Due diligence on possible acquisitions
• Coordinated audit and tax planning
• Oversaw Human Resources, payroll, benefits and onboarding of new employees
• Realigned accounting and finance staff to better support operating divisions

• High growth, multi-state company with 200 FTE’s (30 Attorneys) with offices in FL (Boca Raton, Tampa, Tallahassee, Melbourne, Orlando, and Sarasota), NY, and NJ and offices planned in 3 other states. Very transactional.
• Responsible for Accounting, Finance, Risk, Tax, Treasury, and Strategic Planning.
• Stabilized firm through financial realignment in late 2013 - early 2014 and later 2016-2017
• Established Policy and Procedures for Accounting and Trust Departments including the maintenance and auditing of all key financial processes and controls
• Coordinated the annual budget and periodic re-budget throughout the year
• Drove the monthly close process and constantly identified and implemented best practices

• Fort Lauderdale Law firm, two title companies and several others once employing 1,000 FTE’s in the US and 250 in India. Highly transactional: 15,000 invoices a month, 15,000 checks, and 6 major revenue departments..
• Responsible for Accounting, Financial, Strategic Planning and Risk Management areas
• Managed Firm growth at 500% from 2007 to 2010 and negative growth of -75% 2010 to 2013
• Managed M&A activity for firm – formed 6 companies and LLC’s
• Reversed cash from negative cash flow, increased conversion, negotiated 10 million dollar revolving credit line
• Established and enhanced outside Audit, Tax, and Cash Management

Atlanta, GA, US

Tatum is a national professional services firm that leverages the skills of highly experienced financial and technology experts to address our clients' needs through a mix of five engagement models:Interim Executive CFO, COO, and moreProject Staffing to support the CFO or CIOConsulting: we assess your needs and take action to deliver end resultsThe company.

• Publicly traded NASDAQ (MLTO) provider of direct-to-consumer medical products focused exclusively on chronic diseases. Two locations – FL and Puerto Rico. Medicare, Medicaid, HMO, patient reimbursed billings.
• Responsible for SEC reporting: 10-K, 10-Q, 10-Q/A, 8K, 501b, 5K - delisted company from OTC saving $450K a year
• Implemented new general ledger, forecasting and reporting package
• Accounting, Financial Reporting, Audit, and Tax
• Managed company risk in the areas of insurance, legal, audit and other professional fees while improving insurance coverage, adherence to GAAP, intercompany transactions, strategy, and forecasting

• Christos Cotsakos’ privately funded Internet start-up. Four co-located data centers – NY, CA, TX, and Ireland. Executive Team Member
• Responsible for Accounting, Financial Reporting, Audit, and Tax for five legal entities
• Completed and administered Private Placement Memorandum (PPM), 506 and Blue Sky regulations for $7,000,000 private placement – over 300 subscriptions.
• Completed audits and tax filings for 4 entities
• Implemented new general ledger, forecasting and reporting package
• Implemented zero-based budgeting for 2007 and profitability scenarios for 5-year plan

• Private and venture capital funded Software Company specializing in international securities trading software. Locations in Atlanta, GA, New York City, and Provo, UT.
• Responsible for Accounting & Financial Reporting, Risk Management, Human Resources and Legal
• Key participant in venture capital funding and acquisition processes
• Elected to Office of the President as one of four operating mangers to oversee all company operations
• Secretary to the Board of Directors, as the only Senior Manager and non-shareholder
• 55 % reduction in cash burn rate in 5 months: improved cash flows through expense cutting, resource allocation and restructuring

• Recruited by COO to this $500 million dollar acquisition aggressive retailer with 625 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Chile, Argentina, and Dominican Republic. Growing at 25% unit increase a year..
• Responsible for all accounting and financial reporting to management, UK parent and field operations to insure completion in accordance with GAAP, tax regulations and operations usability
• 33% reduction in close process: decreased reporting time from 12 to 8 days
• Analyzed over 100 store acquisition feasibility scenarios and lease extensions resulting in 75 openings.
• Managed the conversion and consolidation of Canada, Argentina, Chile, and the Dominican Republic general ledgers into the US General Ledger, twelve legal entities
• Controller for the Dominican Republic and coordinated government, audits and tax issues

New York, NY, US

• Consulting arm of $14 billion dollar accounting firm. Worked as a Business Advisor to company senior management. Work encompassed travel throughout the United States and to Germany. Worked across industry lines..
• Prepared divesting and merger feasibility analysis on $200 million distribution arm of customer.
• Provided expertise on system selection and IT architecture integration. Hyperion (Pillar and Essbase) to reduce reporting time and improve budgeting.
• Saved $720,000 negotiating 3 million dollar contract on behalf of customer.
• Saved $350,000 by consolidating and reducing personnel and IT operations between US and German divisions while increasing responsibility and preparedness.

• Company sold in December 1999. Responsible for sales and finance for Massachusetts’ largest dry-cleaning, garment supply and industrial chemical distributor with 2,800 customers in MA, RI, CT, and NH. 18 direct reports.
• Negotiated and implemented merger of two competitors, establishing the largest MA dry-cleaning supplier.
• Issued financial statements, handled all treasury, tax, bank lending and audit processes.
• Initiated 2-day close process from 10 improving cash flow and reducing interest expense.
• Set goals, developed short, and long-term (2-4 year) strategic plan for business growth and market potential.
• Achieved a 2% market share gain in six months by establishing a sales program called SSI, which coordinated sales activity, customer service and training of employees.

Senior manager for multi-million dollar apparel manufacturer with 120 employees. Full P/L responsibility in the areas of finance, operations, and sales. Promoted three times. Achieved sales growth rate of 33% a year for six-year period.

Boston, MA, US

Boston, MA, US

Reported to Vice President in establishment of a new operating division for pension fund management.

Mba, Business Administration, Management And Operations

Bs In Ba, Finance And Investments Minor: Accounting