Ruth Cantu Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, Ca, Us

Santa Monica, California, United States

Ruth serves as the Tax Director at Gerber Kawasaki, leading accounting and tax compliance and consulting engagements for high-net-worth individuals, partnerships, multinational corporations, fiduciary, and non-profit organizations. Her expertise spans federal and multinational tax planning, compliance, and reporting. She excels in navigating complex tax regulations, optimizing tax positions, and providing strategic tax advice. Ruth's deep understanding of tax law, regulations, and general information reporting, with an emphasis on common reporting standards, allows her to deliver tailored solutions aligned with clients' financial goals.

United States

Provided operational and transactional financial management services to various companies, including Honda Motor Finance, Marcus & Millichap, Interior Logic Group, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Driscoll’s, Forever21, B.Riley Financial, Thryv, and MSFT* Big 4 Public Accounting Experience of > 10 yearsPlayed a pivotal role in tax organizations, reporting directly to the CAO/CFO/VP and Director in addition to collaborating with global tax leadership teams with the unique ability to be hands-on with various ERP systems and fluid project management skillsConducted audit work for ASC 740 Tax Accounting Carve Outs and Compliance Reviews Previous IPO Experience, including financial data reconciliation and organizationManaged tax provision and compliance, transfer pricing and modeling, cash flow, forecasts, budgets, managerial, forensic, and transactional accounting with the ability to build strategic internal operational teamsLed the tax aspects of M&A and integration activities, identifying and driving tax planning opportunities to support corporate development, finance M&A integration, and other functional teamsConducted tax due diligence for cross-border acquisitions and strategic investments, collaborating with business stakeholders to develop pre-acquisition structuring and post-acquisition integration plans Coordinated with the tax team to implement acquisitions in tax compliance, transfer pricing, and tax accounting reporting processes Stayed updated with the latest US and International Tax legislation developments, advising on strategic investments and supporting tax audits on M&A transactions, including Pilar 1 and 2 planning opportunitiesImproved & Managed GIR - FACTA - CRS for resident/non-resident aliens and FFI reportingPublic Tax Credits: FTC’s, R&D; WOTC; EZ and Naked Tax Credits - Pre-regulation 2017 and 2023Remediated UTP (FIN 48) issues, reducing state tax audit liabilities by $27MInternational Countries: Canada, MX, SAF, SAM, Europe, AP

City Of Commerce, Ca

Managed corporate accounting and tax functionsRisk management and remediation of weaknessesImproved Daily Cash Flow forecast, budgeting, and analysisImplemented tax systems and procedures, including SOVOS, for sales tax reporting and IPE testing proceduresImplemented GAAP accounting policiesStructured and Implemented Internal Control Policies and ProceduresInstrumental in Financial Modeling due to TCJA 2016 - realized $99M benefitCreated & Implemented Cost Accounting PoliciesImplemented Inventory Purchasing & Transfer Pricing PoliciesPartnered with FP&A and IA Forecasting and Sustainability PlanningManaged and mentored staff and managers, executed annual performance reviews and served as a career advisor to team membersTax Credits: FTC’s and R&D; WOTC; EZ and Naked Tax Credits - realized $33M benefitImproved & Managed GIR - FACTA - CRS for non-resident aliens and FFI reportingInternational: China and HK | WOFE/LP

Agoura Hills, Ca

Managed tax functions for corporate and partnership real estate entitiesImplemented tax reporting systems and managed tax compliance.Developed provisioning templates - ROI Analysis; Cash Flow Budgeting/AnalysisImplemented GAAP & IC Policies Strategic use of Cost Segregation Studies - Fixed Asset Allocations / M&A - realized $55M benefitFinancial Accounting & Dividend Modeling Managed & Improved M&A Due Diligence ProceduresCoordinated with the tax team to implement acquisitions in tax compliance and tax accounting reporting processes

Kc And Tx

Assumed a pivotal role in the tax organization, reporting directly to the CFO and VP of Tax and collaborating with global tax leadership teamsConducted tax due diligence for cross-border acquisitions and strategic investments, collaborating with business stakeholders to develop pre-acquisition structuring and post-acquisition integration plans. Led tax accounting provision and compliance efforts for domestic and international operations.Coordinated with the Tax Team for the implementation of acquisitions into tax compliance, transfer pricing, and tax accounting reporting processesStructured and Implemented Internal Control Policies and ProceduresImplemented OneSource RS Tax Provision & Compliance Managed and mentored staff and managers, executed annual performance reviews and served as a career advisor to team membersImplemented & Managed Public & Naked Tax Credits: FTC’s and R&D; WOTC; EZ Improved & Managed GIR - FACTA - CRS for resident and non-resident aliens; FFI reportingPublic Tax Credits: Established WOTC; R&D and FTC Credits International: Brazil Audit Controversy; Africa PCCAA 2004; Chile realized $30M benefit

Torrance, Ca

Maintained a pivotal role in the tax organization, reporting directly to the CTO and collaborating with domestic and global tax leadership teamsManaged corporate finance functions domestically and internationally under GAAP, FAS5 & FAS109 and implemented the transition to ASC 740Partnered with Internal Audit (IA) to update & automate Internal Control (IC) policies Led and managed the internal distributor relations team surrounding GIR under FACTA 2010Created & Implemented Cost Accounting PoliciesIntegral in International Expansion into 80 countriesEstablished and communicated M&A playbook to ensure consistent application of policies and procedures across global operationsImplemented Inventory and Transfer Pricing Policies GloballyEnsured compliance with various tax regulations domestically and internationally Managed Public Tax Credits: FTC’s and R&D; WOTC; EZManaged indirect tax department and international country management of 35 branchesConducted tax due diligence for cross-border acquisitions and strategic investments, collaborating with business stakeholders to develop pre-acquisition structuring and post-acquisition integration plans.Drafted and reviewed memos related to tax positions and disclosures, maintaining audit-ready tax documentation.Coordinated with the tax team to implement acquisitions in tax compliance, transfer pricing, and tax accounting reporting processes.Managed and mentored staff and managers, executed annual performance reviews and served as a career advisor to team membersSuccessful Audit Controversy - Utilization of $30M in Dual Consolidated LossesStayed updated with the latest US and international tax legislation developments, advising on strategic investments and supporting tax audits on M&A transactions

Bachelor'S Degree, Accounting And Finance

Activities and Societies: Phi Chi Theta Women's Business Fraternity

Leadership And Management Certification, Women In Leadership

Asc 740 Tax Accounting Certification, Tax Accounting

Certification For Cheif Financial Officer, Cfo, Certification

Activities and Societies: Alumni Association of Kester and Byrnes Columbia School of Business and studying with Professor Shivaram.