The CFO Consulting Group is a boutique management advisory services firm serving the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We specialize in finance, strategic planning, operations, IT, distribution and warehousing, and supply chain management. We focus on helping small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in the consumer goods and services sectors, with revenues of $2 to $150 million, optimize their operations for greater results. Our services include offering Fractional CFO services, due diligence… Show more The CFO Consulting Group is a boutique management advisory services firm serving the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We specialize in finance, strategic planning, operations, IT, distribution and warehousing, and supply chain management. We focus on helping small and medium sized enterprises (SME) in the consumer goods and services sectors, with revenues of $2 to $150 million, optimize their operations for greater results. Our services include offering Fractional CFO services, due diligence support in M&A situations, succession planning, strategic planning, and forecasting, as well as SRED (Scientific Research and Experimental Development) and IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program) reviews.Our experienced business and management consultants bring to bear a unique blend of analytical skills, management experience and proven business judgement in fostering significant growth and creating substantial long-term value for our clients. "Bottom-line" results delivered quickly.Please contact me at Tim@TimothyMan.com to set up a free 1-hour consultation to learn how we can help you enhance your organization's profitability. Show less

The CFO Centre provides highly experienced, part-time CFOs to small and mid-market organizations. • Saved over $4.4 million in warehousing and distribution costs for an E-Commerce retailer.• Scaled and structured financial systems and people at pace for a $60 million client growing 40x.• Designed and built a metrics-based (CAC, MRR/ARR, Churn Rate, LTV) three-year business plan for a highly complex B2C subscription business in order to facilitate a capital raise.… Show more The CFO Centre provides highly experienced, part-time CFOs to small and mid-market organizations. • Saved over $4.4 million in warehousing and distribution costs for an E-Commerce retailer.• Scaled and structured financial systems and people at pace for a $60 million client growing 40x.• Designed and built a metrics-based (CAC, MRR/ARR, Churn Rate, LTV) three-year business plan for a highly complex B2C subscription business in order to facilitate a capital raise. • Business cased the expansion of a retail chain from 1 to 30 stores; negotiated and approved all new leases. Show less

California Innovations, with revenues of $100 million, is the world's largest manufacturer & distributor of insulated products including meal carriers, coolers, diaper bags & fashion accessories with operations in Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong & Shenzhen.Responsible for the successful operational management of the Company's Finance (Accounting, Costing & Budgeting), Legal/Contracts, IT and Human Resources departments, & provided support and guidance on Supply Chain,… Show more California Innovations, with revenues of $100 million, is the world's largest manufacturer & distributor of insulated products including meal carriers, coolers, diaper bags & fashion accessories with operations in Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong & Shenzhen.Responsible for the successful operational management of the Company's Finance (Accounting, Costing & Budgeting), Legal/Contracts, IT and Human Resources departments, & provided support and guidance on Supply Chain, Product Development and Sales functions, as well.Accomplishments include:• Returned the Company to profitability after several years of unprofitable performance.• Increased Net Margin by 45% in two years, while selling worldwide to customers such as Walmart, Sams Club, Costco, Target, Carrefour, Toys R Us and Amazon.• Reduced advertising & marketing allowances by $700,000 within first twelve months.• Raised & negotiated $20 million in new debt financing in a distressed situation.• Designed & implemented an IBM Cognos Business Intelligence system in a record six weeks; delivering reports & analyses in real-time rather than in weeks, automating sales forecasting, and providing visibility into the Company’s margins allowing management to control the sales team, drive its margins & measure its performance against realistic expectations. • Refocused product development, sales & marketing teams to increase sales & profitability while rationalizing underperforming assets.• Negotiated & implemented new vendor terms with the Company’s factories in Asia, creating over $3 million of additional liquidity.• Reduced staffing levels by nearly 30% with no degradation in the Company’s performance.• Changed culture of the Company to a profit-oriented & goal-driven organization, while improving Company morale.• Negotiated numerous licensing, manufacturing, sales & distribution agreements including NCAA, Columbia, Disney, & Elle helping to drive a 16% increase in revenues in one year. Show less

Shaftesbury is a leading creator, producer and distributor of original content for television and multiple platforms, with programming available in 120 countries and production of $90 million. Productions include Murdoch Mysteries, The Listener, Life with Derek, and Connor Undercover. Selected accomplishments include:• Assumed key role in the marketing of a private placement of the Company in North America, UK & Europe, together with RBC Capital Markets (Toronto) & Grant… Show more Shaftesbury is a leading creator, producer and distributor of original content for television and multiple platforms, with programming available in 120 countries and production of $90 million. Productions include Murdoch Mysteries, The Listener, Life with Derek, and Connor Undercover. Selected accomplishments include:• Assumed key role in the marketing of a private placement of the Company in North America, UK & Europe, together with RBC Capital Markets (Toronto) & Grant Thornton (London); built the corporate data room and fielded potential buyer’s questions.• Developed the business case for the successful acquisition of the Company’s digital arm (Smokebomb Entertainment).• Reduced taxes payable by $2 million.• Developed and instituted the Human Resources, Banking, Financial Reporting, Budgeting and IT infrastructures required to support year over year growth of 30%. Show less

With revenues of $17 million, AdvertisingWorks was the largest and most acclaimed independent advertising and corporate communications agency in Southwest Florida. Clients included some of the largest real estate developers in the U.S. including D.R. Horton, Centex Homes, and West Bay Club. • Implemented an advertising agency ERP system (Clients & Profits) in two months, purchased four years prior.• Negotiated the purchase and financing of a $3 million office… Show more With revenues of $17 million, AdvertisingWorks was the largest and most acclaimed independent advertising and corporate communications agency in Southwest Florida. Clients included some of the largest real estate developers in the U.S. including D.R. Horton, Centex Homes, and West Bay Club. • Implemented an advertising agency ERP system (Clients & Profits) in two months, purchased four years prior.• Negotiated the purchase and financing of a $3 million office facility.• Reduced overhead costs by over $150,000 in the first twelve months. Show less

Nexar, with revenues of $8 million, was a mid-sized Consumer Goods, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company. Clients included Taylor & Francis (academic publisher in the U.S.), Kisko (frozen treats), Specialty Food Service (equipment supplier to the restaurant industry), On Board Transportation and Haworth Press.• Conducted the due diligence, negotiated, and financed the purchase of an established third-party warehousing and distribution… Show more Nexar, with revenues of $8 million, was a mid-sized Consumer Goods, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) & Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company. Clients included Taylor & Francis (academic publisher in the U.S.), Kisko (frozen treats), Specialty Food Service (equipment supplier to the restaurant industry), On Board Transportation and Haworth Press.• Conducted the due diligence, negotiated, and financed the purchase of an established third-party warehousing and distribution organization.• Doubled the number of clients and generated a 25% increase in revenue in the first eighteen months. Show less

Pearson Canada was formed out of the merger of Penguin Group (Canada) and Pearson Education (Prentice-Hall, Addison-Wesley, and Ginn) in Canada to become Canada's premier media company with revenues of $320 million.Selected accomplishments include:• Assumed key role in the merger and integration of Penguin and Pearson Education in Canada.• Directed business units in the implementation of comprehensive integration strategies in order to achieve synergies in excess of $1.6… Show more Pearson Canada was formed out of the merger of Penguin Group (Canada) and Pearson Education (Prentice-Hall, Addison-Wesley, and Ginn) in Canada to become Canada's premier media company with revenues of $320 million.Selected accomplishments include:• Assumed key role in the merger and integration of Penguin and Pearson Education in Canada.• Directed business units in the implementation of comprehensive integration strategies in order to achieve synergies in excess of $1.6 million per annum.• Mentored the CEO of the newly combined group in Canada, as well as the executive groups in Canada and the USA, highlighting high-risk areas.• Developed effective and successful integration strategy. • Developed merger business case including synergy and cost and revenue forecasts.• Reduced working capital by 14% within twelve months, improving cash flow by $7 million.• Managed strategic corporate procurement of $100 million per year.• Led the conversion of the combined group’s financial reporting, general ledger, and accounts payable to a world-class SAP ERP system in a global shared services environment.• Reduced taxes payable by $3.2 million. Show less

With revenues of $120 million (processing 20 million units per year across 30,000 SKU's), Penguin Canada was a leader in sales, marketing and distribution services with an indigenous publishing program accounting for 10% of revenues.Selected accomplishments include:• Held P&L responsibility for the company reporting to the Canadian President and to New York.• Led turnaround of a money-losing subsidiary to profitability within one year and record profits within three… Show more With revenues of $120 million (processing 20 million units per year across 30,000 SKU's), Penguin Canada was a leader in sales, marketing and distribution services with an indigenous publishing program accounting for 10% of revenues.Selected accomplishments include:• Held P&L responsibility for the company reporting to the Canadian President and to New York.• Led turnaround of a money-losing subsidiary to profitability within one year and record profits within three years.• Led the integration of a major competitor, Putnam Berkley Inc. (increasing revenues by $40 million). Developed effective and successful integration strategy. Negotiated and oversaw a $2 million expansion of Penguin’s distribution facility on time & on budget to accommodate an additional 3 million units of inventory.• Increased third-party distribution income by 240% in two years by adding clients such as Microsoft Press, the Lyons Group (“Barney”) and Dorling Kindersley. • Significantly improved profitability and success rate of indigenous publishing program through refocusing publishing and sales strategy and implementing new title acquisition procedures.• Selected as the first Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Penguin Putnam USA in Manhattan, New York (revenues of $1 billion). Show less

Canbook Distribution Services was a joint venture between Penguin Books Canada Limited and the largest Canadian-owned publisher (McClelland & Stewart) serving the two partners and a total of 250 imprints shipping to over 7,000 wholesale, independent and retail chain booksellers in Canada and the United States. Full P&L responsibility for this third-party logistics (3PL) provider operating out of two distribution facilities. • Led turnaround of this money-losing partnership… Show more Canbook Distribution Services was a joint venture between Penguin Books Canada Limited and the largest Canadian-owned publisher (McClelland & Stewart) serving the two partners and a total of 250 imprints shipping to over 7,000 wholesale, independent and retail chain booksellers in Canada and the United States. Full P&L responsibility for this third-party logistics (3PL) provider operating out of two distribution facilities. • Led turnaround of this money-losing partnership to profitability within one year and progressive profits every year thereafter.• Replaced the entire management team including the General Manager, Director of IT, Director of Distribution, Director of Customer Service and the Controller.• Sourced, negotiated and led the implementation of a $1 million ERP and Warehouse Management System on time and on budget, creating a state-of-the art facility monitored by KPIs, more expert employees, structured inventory controls and vastly enhanced customer satisfaction, leading to new revenue streams and client retention.• Won “Distributor of the Year” for the publishing industry in Canada three years in a row. • Sustained 99.93% pick/pack accuracy.• Negotiated the buyout of McClelland & Stewart including with Heritage Canada (Ottawa). Show less

Held various senior positions within the company prior to being promoted to Executive Vice President in 1997.Responsible for Finance, Distribution, Customer Service, Credit & Collections, Publishing Operations, Legal/Contracts, Rights, Human Resources and Information Systems departments.• Led and managed the growth of the Company from $30 million to $70 million organically and through mergers, acquisitions, joint venture partnerships and licensing.• Reduced warehousing &… Show more Held various senior positions within the company prior to being promoted to Executive Vice President in 1997.Responsible for Finance, Distribution, Customer Service, Credit & Collections, Publishing Operations, Legal/Contracts, Rights, Human Resources and Information Systems departments.• Led and managed the growth of the Company from $30 million to $70 million organically and through mergers, acquisitions, joint venture partnerships and licensing.• Reduced warehousing & distribution costs by over $2 million annually through utilization of technology.• Business cased, negotiated, and presided over the construction of a $7.2 million, 100,000 sq ft distribution centre, five office moves and two warehouse relocations.• Mentored staff and the senior management team through periods of rapid growth and significant change. Show less

Responsible for the annual statutory accounts audit of the Province of Ontario ($30 billion).

Chartered Accountant Designation obtained.