Rich Smolen

Rich Smolen Email and Phone Number

Fractional CFO | Consulting | Financial Modeling | Capital Raising | M&A | Forecasting | KPI Development | Strategic Finance | COO @ Smolen Consulting CFO
Rich Smolen's Location
Greater Chicago Area, United States, United States
About Rich Smolen

I'm a fractional CFO for service businesses with less than $50 million in revenue. My experience spans 25+ years in a variety of industries, where I’ve worked in privately-held, VC/PE-backed and public environments. I've raised capital (both debt and equity), managed company sales processes, completed acquisitions and helped build businesses. I’m an expert in building bespoke financial models, which is often the first step in charting the path to growth. I have experience in a variety of industries, including business services, SaaS, financial services, professional services, technology and telecommunications. Companies with under $50 million in revenue without a full-time CFO are a great fit for my services. I help provide valuable insights to thoughtfully evaluate options for growth or optimizing businesses, partnering with clients on a variety of strategic finance initiatives.

Rich Smolen's Current Company Details
Smolen Consulting CFO

Smolen Consulting Cfo

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Fractional CFO | Consulting | Financial Modeling | Capital Raising | M&A | Forecasting | KPI Development | Strategic Finance | COO
Rich Smolen Work Experience Details
  • Smolen Consulting Cfo
    Founder
    Smolen Consulting Cfo Dec 2024 - Present
    I provide fractional CFO services for small businesses (typically $4-50M in revenue). Primary industry focus in business services, financial services, SaaS, professional services, telecommunications and technology.I focus on the numbers, so owners can focus on their business. From financial models and budgets to dashboards and KPIs, we help drive success by creating tools that measure and track results.If you want to achieve big goals and aspirations for your business, you need a framework for success. We help you explore all your options so you can make informed decisions. Foundational services:- Review of existing financial statements and systems- Cash management and forecasting- Custom financial model creation- Dashboards, KPI development and reportingFocusing of your core:- Monthly financial reporting, with variances to plan- Dashboards providing non-financial insights- Board/executive reporting packagesStrategic execution:-Investor and lender collateral creation and refinement- Capital raise strategy and planning- Due diligence readiness- Data room content creation and management- Equity and debt raise support- M&A target diligence- Term sheet evaluation and negotiation- Cap tables, valuation and scenario analysisRecent engagement - SaaS construction software:We evaluated the Company’s financials, provided an additional review of monthly results, and built a 5-year forecast, working closely with the executive team and existing accounting resource. We analyzed customer profitability and developed a framework to explain customer churn. Once the forecast was approved by the Board of Directors, we shifted our focus to support a capital raise and helped create investor presentations. We sourced term sheets for debt, helped prepare materials for due diligence, managed the data room, and helped negotiate the purchase agreement for a $26M Series A equity investment. The transaction closed 15 months after our engagement began.
  • Fast Cash Legal
    Board Member
    Fast Cash Legal Sep 2021 - Present
    El Segundo, California, Us
    Member of the Board of Directors
  • Fast Cash Legal
    President And Chief Financial Officer
    Fast Cash Legal Sep 2021 - Dec 2024
    El Segundo, California, Us
    • Drove 300% growth in annual origination volume over 3 years • Built financial model and developed all collateral used for investor discussions• Secured senior credit facility in 2020• Full management of credit facility administration, including monthly reporting, covenant compliance, draw requests and agreement modifications • Negotiated term sheets to refinance existing credit facility with more attractive advance rates and lower interest rates• Provided due diligence support for material family office investment in 2021• Developed dashboards and KPIs to measure and report on the business• Comprehensive pricing analysis and rollout which resulted in improved asset performance• Managed sales organization
  • Paro.Io
    Interim Cfo | Freelancer | Fp&A | Financial Modeling | Capital Raising | M&A | Due Diligence
    Paro.Io Oct 2018 - Present
    Chicago, Illinois, Us
  • Unitas Global
    Chief Financial Officer
    Unitas Global Jul 2020 - Sep 2021
    Chicago, Illinois, Us
    • Managed convertible note process that provided operating capital to shift core product offering.• Primary owner for capital raise process in 2021. Working with investment bankers, secured three term sheets.• Created simplified framework to explain large customer contract with Board and potential investors.• Managed senior credit facility relationship, including multiple amendments and term extensions.
  • Keller Lenkner Llc
    Chief Operating Officer
    Keller Lenkner Llc Jun 2019 - Jan 2020
    Chicago, Illinois, Us
    • Led effort to select and kick off NetSuite implementation and integrate with existing systems.• Thought leader on building data warehouse structure including tools for data visualization for use creating dashboards and providing analytics into all aspects of the business.• Developed schedules to capture complicated settlement agreements and calculate payments.• Built financial models and dashboards for multiple businesses within the company.
  • Salo Llc
    Finance Consultant
    Salo Llc Oct 2018 - Nov 2018
    Minneapolis, Mn, Us
  • Independent Consulting
    Consultant
    Independent Consulting Feb 2018 - May 2018
    Transition services to Oasis Financial CFO
  • Oasis Financial
    Cfo | Data Analysis | Fp&A | M&A | Lender Negotiation | Budgeting | Kpi Development And Reporting
    Oasis Financial Jan 2014 - Jan 2018
    Rosemont, Il, Us
    Oversaw capital structure, including placement of senior, term and junior debt and equity financing. Accurate monthly reporting of both financial and operating metrics for all stakeholders. Strategic partner with CEO and operating departments to make decisions based on data analysis and financial metrics. Managed external audit and tax compliance functions.Sale process – Primary ownership for successful sale process completed in 2016, including selection of investment bank, review and creation of all investor materials and presentations, coordination of responses during due diligence, key presenter in all investor and lender meetings, creation of financial model, review of all legal documents, and execution of incremental debt facilities to finance a portion of the purchase price.Completed acquisition – Led financial due diligence for significant acquisition in mid-2017 and obtained necessary financing to refinance acquired company debt. Developed monthly reporting for board. Credit facilities – Significant senior credit facility expansion during six-year tenure, including 4x growth of lender commitments, growth of two lender facility to seven bank syndicate, and negotiation of decreased interest costs. Refinancing of junior facility, increase and refinancing to support sale, expansion to support facility growth to refinance debt from acquired company. Experience drafting and amending credit agreements, working with company and lender counselData analysis – Led company efforts for data analysis, encompassing all operating aspects of the business, including call center performance, marketing, inside and outside sales, pricing and margin analysis, conversion rates and operational performance. Identified trends and developed detailed analysis to diagnose and explain shifts in business performance. Developed scorecard and detailed operating metrics to better understand business performance, identify opportunities and report to key stakeholders.
  • Oasis Financial
    Vice President, Finance | Financial Modeling | Fp&A | M&A Review | Budgeting And Forecasting
    Oasis Financial Feb 2011 - Dec 2013
    Rosemont, Il, Us
    Revenue recognition change – Led effort to implement change in revenue accounting, including engaging Big 4 audit firms to determine most appropriate accounting treatment, modeling historical and projected financials for change, amending credit facilities to allow continued covenant compliance, and explaining approach to financial auditors. Budgeting – Responsibility for bottoms-up annual budget process, including development and collaboration with department leaders, presentation to board of directors, and monthly variance analysis to identify and explain differences. Reporting – Created comprehensive monthly reporting for board. Primary responsibility for development of content for quarterly board meetings and all associated analysis.Employee benefits – Led annual renewal process for health benefits, negotiating renewals below average annual premium increases in comparably-sized companies. Managed transition of 401(k) program to new provider. Insurance – Successfully managed placement of D&O and E&O insurance, including changes in primary carriers and significant expansion of total policy limits. Annual presentations to current and prospective participants to ensure continued interest. Responsible for annual property and casualty and general liability insurance programs.Real Estate – Negotiated corporate lease, successfully facilitating move in corporate headquarters with no overlapping rent expense and generous buildout allowance. Led buildout and relocation, including selection of general contractor, supervision of buildout, and direct coordination of office move in targeted timeline. Managed two incremental buildouts in existing space.
  • Telecom Transport Management
    Vice President, Finance | Capital Raising | Forecasting | Reporting | Board Presentations | M&A
    Telecom Transport Management 2010 - 2011
    Seattle, Wa, Us
    Developed forecasts based on current and potential customer contracts. Managed process to raise equity and debt financing from current and prospective lenders and investors.Equity raise – Oversaw process to call $17.5 million in equity commitments. Worked with financial advisors for additional equity raise/strategic discussions.Debt raise – Completed $8 million subordinated debt facility and associated regulatory filings. Maintained relationships with existing and prospective debt investors.Forecasting/reporting – Reviewed market-level forecasts for distribution to current and potential investors as well as additional internal scenarios. Created and reviewed board materials for quarterly and special meetings. Reviewed monthly financial results prior to management and board distribution.
  • Optionsxpress
    Director, Corporate Finance|Forecasting/Budgeting|M&A|Due Diligence|Investor Relations
    Optionsxpress 2008 - 2010
    Forecasting/Budgeting – Creation and maintenance of monthly EPS model. Responsible for annual Budget creation, consolidation, review with department heads and presentation to Board.Acquisition Review – Created and modified acquisition models which included synergy assumptions, coordinated review of due diligence materials, reviewed finance due diligence items, reviewed and participated in negotiation of legal documents for potential acquisitions. Two acquisitions completed.Management Reporting – Primary responsibility for all materials distributed at Board meetings, monthly management reporting, and quarterly business reviews with CEO and department heads.Investor Relations – Drafted quarterly earnings release and monthly press releases. Compiled information for Proxy statement and Annual Report. Ran annual meeting process, drafted Proxy and Annual Report, and coordinated review, printing and distribution of materials to shareholders. Filed 8-Ks with SEC.
  • Optionsxpress
    Senior Finance Manager|Management Reporting|Sec Filings|Acquisition Review|Eps Modeling
    Optionsxpress 2008 - 2008
    Promoted to Director in less than a year.
  • Level 3 Communications
    Vp - Planning & Analysis|Budgeting|Management Reporting|Forecasting
    Level 3 Communications 2006 - 2007
    Broomfield, Colorado, Us
    Dedicated Planning and Analysis resource for Metro Network Services division of Level 3 Communications following acquisition of Looking Glass Networks in 2006.Forecasting/Budgeting/Modeling - Responsible for overall annual budgeting, monthly OpEx and CapExforecasting, and long range strategic planning efforts for 850 employee organization within Level 3.Management Reporting - Prepared monthly reporting information for senior executives that summarized financial performance and provided measures of key performance indicators to evaluate organization.
  • Looking Glass Networks
    Assistant Treasurer|Financial Modeling|Financial Analysis|Budget Vs. Actual|Bod Materials
    Looking Glass Networks 2000 - 2006
    Us
    Credit Facility – Responsible for all reporting requirements related to a $275 million Credit Facility with seven lenders. Actively participated in negotiations related to the establishment, amendment and recapitalization of this Facility. Managed all borrowings, maturities and interest payments. Treasury Services – Established banking accounts, responsible for daily cash management, managed vendor payments, and issuance of letters of credit and surety bonds. Oversaw overall company insurance and vehicle leasing programs.Financial Planning / Modeling – Responsible for all revisions to short term and long range financial models – including updating for actual performance, running various sensitivities for senior management and monitoring compliance with financial covenants. Created short-term cash forecasts to monitor near-term liquidity. Due Diligence - Coordinated and managed multiple due diligence processes, evaluated financial models, held synergy discussions, and created and modified combination models.Financial Analysis – Responsible for various ad hoc financial analyses, including segment reporting and budget vs. actual comparisons. Created all PowerPoint presentations for Board meetings, Lender updates, investor presentations and general corporate overviews for use by senior management.
  • Paradigm Group, Llc
    Associate|Financial Models|Due Diligence|Investor Portfolio Reporting
    Paradigm Group, Llc 1999 - 2000
    Reviewed investment opportunities and led due diligence efforts for investments in mid-market companies. Creation of comprehensive financial models to assist in review of potential investments. Completed three investments during tenure.Monitored overall portfolio performance and created quarterly investor updates for distribution.
  • Salomon Smith Barney Holdings Inc. (Nyse: Sb)
    Financial Analyst, Investment Banking
    Salomon Smith Barney Holdings Inc. (Nyse: Sb) 1998 - 1999
    New York, New York, Us
    Investment Banking Financial Analyst for Large Cap Diversified GroupDetailed Financial Analysis, ModelingComparable company research and analysisHigh Yield Financings for Telecommunications and Industrial clients$1.5B Equity Financing for Telecommunications clientParticipation in domestic and international road show for issuance of equityCreation of pitch books for prospective clients on strategy, potential acquisitions and capital market updates

Rich Smolen Skills

Financial Modeling Due Diligence Board Presentations Financial Analysis Mergers Forecasting Planning Management Investment Banking Strategic Financial Planning Budgets Corporate Finance Mergers And Acquisitions Restructuring Start Ups Strategic Planning Risk Management Contract Negotiation Finance Analysis Financial Services Project Planning Financial Planning Portfolio Management Financial Forecasting Financial Variance Analysis Budget Models Financial Metrics Dashboard Metrics Performance Dashboards Kpi Dashboards Investments Investor Relations Investor Presentations Investor Reporting Strategy Capital Markets Private Equity Budgeting Valuation Leadership Executive Management Cfo Part Time Cfo Services Executive Leadership

Rich Smolen Education Details

  • Gies College Of Business - University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Gies College Of Business - University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Finance

Frequently Asked Questions about Rich Smolen

What company does Rich Smolen work for?

Rich Smolen works for Smolen Consulting Cfo

What is Rich Smolen's role at the current company?

Rich Smolen's current role is Fractional CFO | Consulting | Financial Modeling | Capital Raising | M&A | Forecasting | KPI Development | Strategic Finance | COO.

What is Rich Smolen's email address?

Rich Smolen's email address is ri****@****ail.com

What is Rich Smolen's direct phone number?

Rich Smolen's direct phone number is +184752*****

What schools did Rich Smolen attend?

Rich Smolen attended Gies College Of Business - University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

What skills is Rich Smolen known for?

Rich Smolen has skills like Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Board Presentations, Financial Analysis, Mergers, Forecasting, Planning, Management, Investment Banking, Strategic Financial Planning, Budgets, Corporate Finance.

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