Sam Zafa Email & Phone Number

Florida, United States

Louisville, Mississippi, Us

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) | New Market Tax Credit application | Multi-million dollar Construction Project | Set up the deal from start to finish | Moved to a new location with zero business downtime | Turned around a loss-making entity. ROLE: CFO reporting directly to the CEO, responsible for accounting and finance.Spearheaded application. • Valuation and Share purchase of a Toyota Dealership. • As the CFO, held the top financial position in the organization and had key leadership responsibility in overseeing accounting and financial activities to include, but not limited to, safeguarding assets, preparation of financial reports, and staff recruitment and development.• Assisted the CEO in all financial operations, including tracking cash flow and financial planning and analyzing the company's strengths and weaknesses, and proposing strategic direction.• Was responsible for processing the financial activities to maximize profits and plans for future growth of the company.• Served as financial advisor to the leadership team.• Led and managed the budgeting process and audit functions.• Gathered financial data for analysis and forecasting with respect to profits, trends, costs, and compliance.• Oversaw and reviewed contracts, from insurance to Construction to Operations.• Compared sales and profit projections to actual figures and budgeted expenses to actual expenses; made or oversaw any necessary adjustments to future projections and budgets.• Worked with the President and other executives to coordinate planning and establish priorities for the planning process.• Studied long-range economic trends and projected their impact on future growth in sales and market share.• Led tax planning efforts as necessary with company growth. Ensured the company complies with tax laws and regulations specific to the industry.

Meridian, Mississippi, Us

Pine Belt Auto Group owns 8 stores with 10 brands in Hattiesburg, Brookhaven, and Meridian, Mississippi. The group is part of another 29 companies owned by Billionaire brothers Thomas and James Duff.The group includes Chevrolet, Buick, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.

Jackson, Ms, Us

Flipped a $9.5M commercial real estate to $11.35M in 20 months | Increased Occupancy from 33% to 79% of a distressed property | Increased NOI from $376K to $590K in 24 monthsROLE: Operations Head and Advisor to the President. • Led, supervised, and developed team members providing business valuation services.• Managed and reviewed business valuation engagements alongside other team members in various locations.• Negotiated financing terms with lenders and investors to secure the most favorable financing for the company.• Managed financial risks associated with real estate transactions. Including identifying and mitigating risks to ensure that the project is profitable and sustainable.• Focused on operating cost efficiencies, financial modeling, and leading all types of financial planning (i.e. annual operating plans, and business analyses) as well as establishing performance benchmarks for the segment.• Managed acquisition process from deal sourcing through closing.• Interfaced with the brokerage community and principals directly to source investment opportunities.• Analysed financing options and operating metrics. Prepared proformas and business plans for new acquisitions.• In conjunction with the asset management team, created and reviewed capital budgets and business plans and coordinated with third-party managers and other sources to help fully define and vet investment opportunities.• Was the focal point of the due diligence process, including gathering and analyzing due diligence materials and coordinating third-party reports. • Verified property details, market analyses, title/survey, and rent comps, as well as completed property inspections, unit walks, lease file audits, and maintenance audits.

Jackson, Ms, Us

• Worked with lenders to identify optimal debt strategies and negotiate debt documents.• Familiarity with private investor capital legal structures and accounting treatment, as well as with institutional joint-venture structures and processes.• Wrote clear and concise communications and drafted Investment Memoranda for presentation to the firm’s Investment Committee.• Led management interviews, either onsite or via teleconference.• Fostered and maintained good working relationships with brokers, sellers, lenders, property managers, and vendors to help facilitate acquisitions.• Developed, managed, and strengthened relationships with current and prospective clients of the firm.• Conducted financial analysis: analyzing the financial feasibility of the company's real estate projects.• Analysed the market trends, property values, and project costs to determine if the project is financially viable.• Oversaw and reviewed the preparation of cash flow projections, income statements, and balance sheets.• Property development, real estate investment, and management.• Advised the company on the financial aspects of real estate transactions and provided guidance on financing options, investment strategies, and risk management.• Responsible for building and leading a highly effective and efficient team.• Collaborated with internal departments and other external groups to produce desired results for the property/portfolio.• Active involvement in the quarterly preparation and presentation of a high-profile deliverable (board book) presented to the senior real estate leadership team at the quarterly board meeting. Ad hoc reports, including scenario analysis, cash flow projections, etc.• Built and maintained financial models pertaining to company/fund/portfolio-level analytics.

Jackson, Ms, Us

• Maintained frequent contact with tenants focusing on improving service delivery and client satisfaction.• Developed and maintained strong business relationships with tenants and vendors.• Actively participated in the collections process by regularly communicating with tenants and appropriate regional staff, providing support as required.• Reviewed tenant alteration plans prior to commencement of work and confirmed all required documentation was obtained.• Provided additional services to tenants and enhanced work order revenue.• Developed the annual operating and CapEx budgets and implemented the business plan. Managed and oversaw CapEx projects in assigned properties as required.• Ensured net operating income (NOI) goals were met, at the property level including formulating and submitting quarterly accruals, and budget forecasts, providing explanations for variances, and any required financial reporting.• Solicited, negotiated, and administered service contracts and one-time projects as required.• Reviewed and authorized purchase orders and payments to vendors in accordance with company policy.• Engaged contractors with sufficient technical expertise to service the property in accordance with lease requirements and company standards.• Provided leadership, direction, and day-to-day supervision to the PM team, executed strategic goals, and assigned work, and training to the property management team.• Ensured vacant spaces were maintained and always ready for leasing tours.• Maintained familiarity with all sections of leases related to operating provisions, services/additional services, expenses, tenants’ use, and landlord’s obligations.• Met regularly with janitorial, maintenance, and security contractors to review the quality of work and adherence to contract specifications.• Investigated and took action to remedy all accidents and property damage.

Tampa, Fl, Us

Market research on product-market-fit Series A Funding

Houston, Tx, Us

Meridian, Ms, Us

628% ROI | New Point Application | Asset acquisition | Manufacturer Approval | Increased market share from negative 99% to +112%• Analysed potential acquisitions and investment candidates, and performed complex financial modeling and other analysis to support the negotiation of selected transactions. • Performed complex financial analysis including the identification of outliers and trends, etc.• Analysed internal business metrics (current product mix, market share, distribution channels, pricing strategy, and other competitive factors) for strategic decision-making.• Built an understanding of the specified area and performed as a subject matter expert SME to key stakeholders. • Maintained involvement at a tactical level. • Maintained knowledge of competitive/industry trends.• Developed, maintained, and continuously improved tools used in the M&A and venture capital processes.• Experience using financial metrics, ratios and calculations, and financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow).• Established, implemented, and monitored accounting policies, practices, and systems to create a strong internal control environment.• Analysed and reviewed financial data and prepared supplemental reporting packages for the company in preparation for their external financial statements.• Partnered with the CEO in strategic business planning. • Created a growth mindset for the organization by hiring, developing, and promoting team members to higher levels of responsibility. • Performed leverage buy-out LBO modeling of targets, and evaluated tax implications of M&A structures and impacts of exit strategies.

Meridian, Ms, Us

Buick brand buyback to the Manufacturer | Business restructuring | Set up a new leadership team | Service Department expansion |ROLE: Part of the strategic decision-making team. Reporting directly to the CEO.• Provided analytical, forecasting, reporting, and project support to private equity owners and senior management.• Oversaw the compilation and analysis of financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, and document business transactions.• Incorporated internal daily audits of treasury controls and monitoring of budgeting models.• Oversaw preparation of financial reports; utilities and telephone accruals; monitored records of inventory and ensured compliance with all established billing and credit standards.• Managed the accounting operation, including special projects.• Led implementation of new accounting standards and ensured compliance with existing standards.• Change management.• Served as the principal liaison with the Company’s internal and external auditors as well as managing various audit activities throughout the year, including the remediation of issues found during those audits.• Strategized and implemented the finance integration for merger and acquisition activity, joint venture formation, and asset and/or business disposition accounting, with a focus on the early identification and communication of how accounting will impact each transaction.• Head Accounting & Finance Operations. • Oversaw Risk Management functions and policy evaluation and procurement - Floor Plan Management.• Approved Payroll and upgraded the Dealer Management System (Dominion vue and CDK).

Charlotte, Nc, Us

• Refined and updated the BRS in waterfall and managed projects in Agile on JIRA• Worked closely with the Solutions architect to design and develop the KPMG Financial Institutions Reporting Engine (FIRE)• Led the user provisioning and access controls for the KFIRE application, ensuring compliance with regulations• Developed Controls, Policies, and procedures for SOC2 Internal Audit & Compliance at SunTrust Bank

Atlanta, Ga, Us

• Managed client-facing calls & internal Scrum calls for a portfolio of 12 clients at DIRECTV, reporting to senior executives.• Updated BRS in waterfall, managed Agile projects on JIRA, and maintained project repositories on Confluence.• Ran SQL queries in multiple environments, certified in Load Testing, and created Test Harness to reduce testing times.

Karachi, Sindh, Pk

• Led a team of 15 chartered accountants in executing desktop reviews and audit assignments, ensuring compliance support for IBAN conversion.• Implemented IT audit, reducing audit hours by 75% and increasing audit quality, utilizing Agile, Scrum, and other best industry practices.• Managed and delivered Web (E-Commerce), Mobile applications (Digital) & API projects, collaborating with stakeholders to clarify and prioritize requirements.

Karachi, Sindh, Pk

• Presented regular status updates to project manager, aiding project management initiative• Organized meetings with management and development team to understand Business Requirements• Applied SQL scripts to test database and executed them for testing purposes• Assisted in transitioning from waterfall to agile setup

Chief Financial Officer Program, Finance And Financial Management Services

Executive Education, Value Investing

Certificate In Negotiation Mastery

Fellow, Finance And Financial Management Services

Member, Business Study, Accounting

Professional Qualification, Finance

Bachelor’S Degree, Applied Accounting

Accounting Technician - Acca, Accounting

High School