Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
LANGUAGES
STRENGTHS
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

BRYANT STEELE JOHNSTON

Los Angeles

Summary

Accomplished financial executive with over 15 years of experience specializing in cost savings and process improvement. Successfully scaled private to public companies, implemented cost-saving measures resulting in a 20% reduction in annual expenses, and led ERP system implementations in platforms like SAP and AWS Cloud. Known as the accountant's accountant with expertise in FP&A leadership and finance as a service. Seeking a Financial leadership position to drive financial efficiency and strategic growth. Managed financial operations for 200 projects annually totaling over $100 million in expenditures, increasing profitability by 15% through new cost control systems and financial process automation.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

VP Controller

AWS
01.2020 - Current
  • Evaluated strategic initiatives to enhance Amazon Web Services' competitive edge.
  • Implement cost-saving measures resulting in a 20% reduction in annual expenses
  • Develop and lead operations finance team
  • Prepare weekly cash-flow forecasts and monthly balance sheet account reconciliations resulting in timely completion of financial reports
  • Manage operations cash flow, stock level impact and minimised debtors, resulting in improved liquidity and reduced bad debt
  • Co-ordinate and collate information for annual tax and statutory reporting requirements
  • Develop and implemented financial IT systems resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting
  • Reduced operating expenses by $4.5 million annually through process optimization and vendor negotiation
  • Increased profitability by 15% by implementing a new cost control system and automating financial tracking processes
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
  • Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for the organization.
  • Developed new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
  • Reduced operational costs by identifying areas for improvement and implementing cost-saving measures across various departments.
  • Oversaw budgets, payroll, and accounts payable and receivable.
  • Prepared accurate financial statements at end of quarter to summarize financial health and business performance.
  • Spearheaded the implementation of a new financial reporting system, resulting in more accurate and timely data for decision-making purposes.

SVP Accounting Systems Controller

Amazon
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Company Overview: Amazon LLC
  • Directed talent acquisition and promoted professional growth among accounting personnel.
  • Managed the execution of monthly, yearly, and rolling close tasks.
  • Enhanced efficiency of reporting process, decreasing closing duration to 5 days.
  • Applied advanced expertise in forensic accounting standards such as GAAP and IFRS to support audits.
  • Establishment and maintenance of internal controls over cost accounting, fixed asset accounting, and compliance with all corporate policies, and effective financial input into key strategic initiatives
  • Established effective practices to prevent transfer pricing errors and achieve 5% withholding tax optimizations.
  • Reduced financial closing process time by 15% through system optimization
  • Managed cross-functional team of 40 to deliver accounting system project objectives.
  • Managed 25 accounting projects simultaneously

VP Finance and Accounting Systems Controller

Toyota Financial
01.2015 - 01.2019
  • Managed the finance and planning function of a leading automotive manufacturer.
  • Prepared management accounts, quarterly forecasts and annual budgets, and provided value add reporting and financial analysis
  • Spearheaded a company-wide cost optimization initiative, reducing operational expenses by 20% without impacting performance
  • Implemented suitable controls of expenditure out of Revenue and Capital
  • Streamlined financial processes through innovative IT solutions.
  • Streamlined revenue workflows to achieve a reduction in sales-to-invoice cycle from 5 days to 1 day.
  • Managed a team of 15 finance professionals and provided financial training to non-finance staff
  • Implemented IFRS overlay of OECL AND US GAAP
  • Served as Audit response leader and Regulatory SME
  • Completed journal entries, reconciliations, and account analysis to prepare quarterly financial documents and general account management.
  • Prepared balance sheets, cash flow reports and income statements.
  • Provided treasury and cash management by overseeing reconciliation of banking activity, credit card processing, and sales tax returns.
  • Followed up with delinquent accounts to obtain funds and reduce aging balances.
  • Ensured compliance with tax regulations by managing the timely preparation and filing of all required returns.
  • Reduced month-end closing time by optimizing reconciliation procedures and improving collaboration between departments.

VP- Financial Controller

Hilton Worldwide
01.2012 - 01.2015
  • Enhanced brand visibility and reputation through strategic marketing initiatives.
  • Optimized expense management by implementing strategies that reduced Hilton brand hotels' operational costs by 15%.
  • Prepared monthly management accounts.
  • Analyzed financial data to enhance financial performance.
  • Developed financial models to support business decisions
  • Drove ERP implementation integration of Salesforce, Oracle, And Hyperion
  • Managed FP&A monthly close staff
  • Designed models to project growth trends for Tier 2-4 hotel brands.

Senior Auditor (between active and reserve duty)

U.S. Department of Labor
01.2009 - 01.2012
  • Company Overview: Government
  • Responsible for external audit of Us companies listed as moderate to high risk employers
  • Served as audit representative for the U.S. with joint venture companies using US GAAP and IFRS
  • Responsible for the tailoring language library used to flag transactions that meet fraud criteria
  • Decreased 'high risk' companies by 30 percent in one year by training and consulting with companies on US GAAP standards
  • Responsible for Audit staff and development

Commissioned Officer Capt.

US Marine Corps
01.2006 - 01.2012
  • Company Overview: United States Military
  • Active Duty 2 tours Force Recon

Education

Leadership Principles - undefined

Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
01.2018

Executive MBA - undefined

Duke University
Durham, NC
01.2015

Skills

  • Financial Accounting
  • Budgeting and Forecasting
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Tax and Statutory Reporting
  • Process Improvement
  • IT and Information Systems
  • Team Management
  • SAP, S/4 Hana, SAP Fico, MJava, Python, Microsoft Suite, Tableu, Hyperion, DAX, FMD, SQL, Microsoft Dynamics, AWS Cloud, Oracle Cloud, NetSuite, Anaplan, SAGE 100, Anaplan NetSuite, PeopleSoft, GreatPlains, Yardi, Quickbooks
  • Cash flow management
  • Financial process improvement
  • Financial strategy development
  • Risk management proficiency
  • Corporate governance
  • Tax planning and strategy
  • Adaptability to change
  • Capital structure optimization
  • Business valuation techniques
  • Mergers and acquisitions experience
  • Performance metrics analysis
  • Strategic financial planning
  • Investor relations management
  • Financial policy formulation
  • Working capital management
  • Debt financing expertise
  • Cost reduction strategies
  • Cross-functional team leadership

Certification

  • CPA NASBA
  • CSM Scrum Alliance
  • PMP PMI
  • SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT (CSSC) The council for Six sigma Certification
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner AWS university

LANGUAGES

English Native
Spanish Advanced
French Intermediate

STRENGTHS

  • Cost Savings Reduced costs by 15% through process improvement initiatives.
  • Team Management Managed and developed finance team of 20 to achieve individual and team goals.
  • Financial Analysis Provided valuable financial analysis and advice to senior management to support strategic decisions.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Successful Implementation of ERP System Led implementation of new ERP systems resulting in streamlined processes and increased efficiency. systems include SAP S/4, AWS Cloud, SAP GL, SAP FICO
  • Successfully created predictive sales model using Salesforce and FMD Resulted in an annual P&L savings of $90M and a one-time $50M cash flow gain focused on reducing payment terms and eliminating damaged product returns

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • ManagementConsulting (Deloitte) Humana Cares, Pharmacy Rebates, Medimmune Astra Zenca, PGXL labs, 2011 - 2015 Louisville KY Humana Inc
  • Financial Automation SME
  • FP&A process improvement leader
  • Controls documentation/reporting
  • Finance lead for pharmacy services
  • Accounting close manager
  • Identified and analysed business problems and opportunities for financial improvements
  • Furnished management with findings and recommendations needed to make significant operational decisions which impact profitability and cash flow

Accomplishments

-Merger and Acquisition SME

-Acquired and scaled a Salesforce partnership with -AWS, generating over $120 million in cash flow

-IFRS overlay of CECIL

Timeline

VP Controller

AWS
01.2020 - Current

SVP Accounting Systems Controller

Amazon
01.2019 - 01.2020

VP Finance and Accounting Systems Controller

Toyota Financial
01.2015 - 01.2019

VP- Financial Controller

Hilton Worldwide
01.2012 - 01.2015

Senior Auditor (between active and reserve duty)

U.S. Department of Labor
01.2009 - 01.2012

Commissioned Officer Capt.

US Marine Corps
01.2006 - 01.2012

Leadership Principles - undefined

Harvard University

Executive MBA - undefined

Duke University

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