Interim CFO responsibilities included FP&A, Tax, and Cash Management, in addition to Vice President & Corporate Controller responsibilities.

Responsible for accounting and reporting operations, including accounting systems, controls, disclosures, internal and external/SEC reporting, and XBRL tagging. Lead and implement process improvement projects, promote cross-functional efficiency, provide leadership and staff development. Lead the month-end close, management reporting, reconciliations, variance analysis and commentary. Coordinate quarterly reviews and annual audit. Monitor and ensure GAAP compliance.

Provide strategic direction, leadership, control and coordination for all accounting, treasury, tax, financial planning and analysis, compliance and internal control, risk management, legal, information technology, human resources, inventory, facilities and local office administration. Develop and maintain key business partnership role with the CEO, local executive team, and Italy group office senior management.Accomplishments:• Remediated two material weaknesses and one significant deficiency within eight months• Implemented structure and accountability to consistently meet corporate reporting deadlines• Upgraded staff skills and competencies, reorganized and clarified duties, supplemented planning and analysis resources• Elevated CFO role to a real business partner with and leader among the executive ranks

Frequent travel and extended stays with Mother, diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer.

Responsible for all aspects of inventory accounting, including SOX compliance.Accomplishments:• Key contributor to remediation of material weakness in inventory accounting within months of joining company• Implemented month-end variance analysis for inventory accounts, both balance sheet and income statement• Streamlined and automated intensely manual processes, leveraging system capabilities and enhancing controls• Created store level shrink targets in support of corporate-wide planning activities

Responsible for inventory accounting, including business analysis and cost accounting for custom products.Accomplishments:• Converted from the Retail Inventory Method to the preferable Weighted Average Cost Inventory Accounting Method• Implemented, enhanced, and maintained the Weighted Average Cost Stock Ledger• Key contributions to privatization efforts including asset-based loan collateralization, appraisals and examinations.• Charter member of cross-functional change management team, for company initiative evaluation and implementation

Senior FP&A position responsible for strategic planning, operational budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.Accomplishments:• Streamlined and automated monthly management review report generation• Integrated planning models, including headcount planning, enhancing accuracy• Partnered with sales and marketing teams in evaluating new proposals to profitably grow the business, including leases• Contributed to Essbase requirements planning for business metrics and KPIs used in management reporting

Director – Financial Planning, Analysis & Reporting (2000 –2003)Responsible for corporate-wide planning and reporting activities. Accomplishments:• Participant on Direct Channel Team to develop alternative retail channels, including e-commerce site• Created standards by type of shop and volume for off-site storage, resulting in annual savings of 25%• Selected by President and Executive Committee for four-director team to monitor results and recommend changes• Developed dynamic Excel models to project results for marketing and sales programs, used in decision making• Implemented Hyperion planning system to streamline company-wide planning and forecasting effortsDirector – Merchandise Accounting (1999 –2000)Lead inventory control and accounts payable as well as distribution, production & logistics FP&A.Accomplishments:• Re-engineered processes, while enhancing controls, resulting in resource redeployment• Recognized for fastest and most comprehensive physical inventory reconciliations and analyses in company history• Upgraded reporting analytics used for supply chain functions, resulting in cost savings from timely KPI reporting Manager – Financial Reporting (1998 –1999) Responsible for General Ledger and Fixed Assets systems and coordination of closing activities including external audits.• Promoted to Director in less than one year from joining company

Manager – Retail Finance / Pearle Store Control (1996 –1998) Managed the planning and analysis function, as well as sales audit, for Corporate-owned Stores.• Led the transition during integration, relocating the function from Dallas to Cleveland• Tracked and reconciled the $40 million+ advertising budget, including implementation of open to spend reporting• Implemented analytical models used in acquisition, investment and real estate site selection decisions Sr. Planning Analyst (1995 – 1996) Directly responsible for preparing plans, forecasts, projections, and monthly management reports for the Pearle Product Support Group. Participated in various financial modeling and analysis projects.• Automated monthly management reports and integrated models for plans and forecasts, replacing manual processes• Established comprehensive Excel model for preparing managed care bids, considering company-wide P&L impact• Developed a dynamic four-year strategic planning Excel model used for the offering memorandum and divestment

Sr. Cost Accountant (1994 – 1995)Directly responsible for consolidating divisional manufacturing cost and variance reports, including commentaries, identifying themes and trends for senior management. Administered client-server relational database.Cost Accountant (1992 – 1993)Selected for unique high-profile role, serving as liaison between internal departments and external business partner to fulfill plant controllership duties for multiple manufacturing sites. Responsible for accounting, planning, standard costing, cost system maintenance, along with physical inventory processes. Created policies and procedures and implemented systems.Accountant – Sales Accounting/Inventory Control (Jun. 1991 – Dec. 1991)Associate Accountant – General Accounting (Jan. 1991 – May 1991)