Rapid-Growth Startup Business - providing strategic business guidance to the founders and implementing financial systems, performance reporting & KPI's using the Xero platform

Leading the department and taking over responsibilities of the departing CFO of $30M non-profit group. Canvassing managers, identifying systemic deficiencies, initiated a program of improvements to better serve the needs of diverse program activities, introduced supplemental reporting to address systemic deficiencies, improving departmental effectiveness and repositioned the team with a greater customer service-focus.Also, commercial property operations, financing, cash management, KPI’s, annual budget & reforecasting, consolidation, Management & Finance Committee reporting, annual audit, evaluating & implementing strategic software enhancements.

Providing a variety of professional CFO and Controller services to commercial and non-profit clients, who have chosen to outsource their finance needs.Working alone or as part of a team, on engagements up to $100M, being a main point of contact for all client needs, and liaison with CLA Principals and the dedicated outsourcing support team.Onboarding new clients, evaluating, specifying and implementing new accounting systems and processes, guidance on PPP Loan financing & forgiveness, ongoing financial oversight, ensuring regulatory compliance, periodic reporting, assisting business strategy, Board presentations and applying the specialist skills and resources of a top 10 national CPA firm when needed.

Totally overhauled of every aspect of the Finance department's operations and guided the business out of startup phase into maturity.-Specification, implementation and customization of Fund-EZ accounting system, procedures & reporting, to satisfy management needs, Board requirements, best practice and A-133 standards.-Evaluation and selection of new key vendors; Business Insurances, Banking, Payroll, Health Benefits and 401(k).-Revision and development of Fiscal Policies & Procedures Manual and Staff Handbook.-Supervising multiple projects, with outsourcing as necessary, to ensure a challenging deliverable timetable was met.-Selection, training and management of Finance & Administration support staff.Federal and multi-state registrations and submissions, including 990’s and two full year audits in first six months.

Provided leadership, direction, and business support regarding the financial and operational performance for a group of Pre-School Day Care Centers with multiple funding streams.-Directly responsible for payroll, month end closing, cost and overhead allocation, budget v actual and performance reporting, fund accounting, reconciliations, cash management, forecasting and analysis using Fund-EZ system.-Management of main office and center-based finance staff, including professional development; direct and supervise payroll, accounts payable, and accounting staff.-Preparation of full audit pack and annual A-133 Financial Statements for external review.-Oversee preparation and submission of financial returns including Form 990 and CHAR500.-Worked closely with ED and CFO on planning & strategy, including Early Learn RFP submission & implementation.-Worked with Executive Director on evaluating acquisition of new centers into the group.-Management of group IT infrastructure, including procurement, on-going maintenance and trouble-shooting.-Overall procurement review and negotiations to ensure best value continues to be received from vendors.-Preparation of regular financial performance reports for the Board, ACS Early Learn, Child Care, Head Start, UPK, CACFP and Foundation program funding, including close-out, contract renewal and proposal materials.

Responsible for all areas of finance including multiple income streams, A/R, A/P, G/L, cash-flow, fund accounting, payroll & benefits, reporting, forecasting and analysis, audit preparation and financial statements.-Streamlined systems and processes to enable faster and more relevant reporting, and reducing staff costs.-Designed and implemented new accounting systems, replacing Fund-EZ with QuickBooks Premier.-Overhauled and simplified forecast & budget models to enhance understanding and usability by non fiscal staff.-Preparation and submission of financial returns including FS10, Form 990, CHAR500, etc.-Preparation of financial materials supporting the successful renewal of the school’s Charter.

Responsible for all areas of school’s financial operation; multiple income streams, A/R, A/P, G/L, cash-flow & treasury, payroll, reporting, forecasting and analysis, audit pack, fund accounting, financial statements.-Upgraded financial procedures and systems, from a disconnected collection of spreadsheets, to a modern integrated QuickBooks Pro accounting system, with all the benefits of improved accuracy & efficiency.-Worked closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure all essential information needs were fully satisfied.-Trained staff, selected candidates, provided IT support, managed procurement and site maintenance.-Served in a hands-on ‘front of house’ role, being first point of contact for parents, students, staff and trustees.

Responsible for all day-to-day financial operations of the group; an on-line media planning system, used by major European television companies. A pan-European operation, with companies in Düsseldorf Germany and London UK.-Oversaw sales invoicing and corporation tax, payroll, cash management, A/R, A/R, G/L, Forex, group consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, management of administration staff.-Designed and implemented the TAS (Sage) financial accounting & reporting system.-Reported financial performance for all companies to Board of Directors and Venture Capital institutions.-Compiled and submitted Financial Statements and statutory filings for both countries. -Assisted CFO on company acquisition, merger, closure of the German entity, and sale of the group to IMD plc.

Interim-management appointment to prepare year-end audit and pre-merger due diligence review.-Turnover of $25m and managing 12 staff across two sites.-Preparation of monthly Finance Pack for Senior Management Team.-Streamlined data capture - enabled high quality information to be produced more quickly and at lower cost utilizing the Oracle Fees database and SUN Financials accounting system.