DIETER GONZALES
New York,NY
Summary
Executive finance and operations leader with more than 20 years of progressive experience, including two decades with an independent media planning and buying agency. Strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer and ownership, combining hands-on command of accounting, cash flow, forecasting, and audit with commercial strategy, agency operations, human resources, contract economics, procurement and organizational planning. Experienced leading finance for a business with historically $50–$100 million in annual media billings, translating financial and operating data into executive decisions while maintaining the controls, processes and infrastructure required in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
Overview
1
1
Language
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Financial Officer / Senior Finance & Operations Executive
PEDONE & PARTNERS, INC. d/b/a LUXE COLLECTIVE GROUP
01.2005 - Current
- Serve as the senior financial executive and strategic business partner to the Chief Executive Officer and ownership, directing financial strategy, operating planning, resource allocation, risk assessment and executive decision support for an independent media planning and buying agency.
- Own the full accounting and finance function, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, client billing, vendor payments, payroll oversight, general ledger, month-end and year-end close, bank and balance-sheet reconciliations, journal entries, revenue and expense analysis, job costing and financial controls.
- Prepare and communicate monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting, budgets, rolling forecasts, cash-flow projections, profitability analyses, variance reporting and scenario models to the Chief Executive Officer and key stakeholders; convert results into actionable recommendations.
- Led annual and multi-year strategic planning initiatives, developing staffing models and restructuring scenarios to align agency cost structure with evolving business conditions and optimize operational efficiency.
- Partner with external certified public accountants, tax advisors and third-party auditors; coordinate schedules, supporting documentation, audit requests, tax filings, year-end reporting and management responses while maintaining accurate documentation and audit trails.
- Directed treasury and working-capital management across significant client media spend, balancing collection timing, vendor obligations, and cash requirements while monitoring exposure and escalating material risks to safeguard financial health.
- Evaluate new business opportunities and renewals by modeling revenue, staffing requirements, media budgets, commission structures, retainers, minimum fees, margins and profitability; advise leadership on pricing, commercial terms and the financial viability of prospective engagements.
- Provide financial and commercial leadership in client contract and procurement negotiations, including statements of work, fee structures, scope changes, termination economics, payment terms, minimum guarantees, referral arrangements and risk-protective language in coordination with counsel.
- Advise the Chief Executive Officer on organizational design, headcount planning and workforce changes; develop staffing allocations and forward-looking operating structures tied to client workload, revenue forecasts and profitability targets.
- Establish and maintain internal controls, accounting procedures, approval protocols and finance-training standards; continually refine systems and workflows to improve accuracy, timeliness, accountability and scalability.
- Conducted recurring client, account and departmental profitability reviews, partnering with account and media leadership to ensure accurate billing and effective cost allocation, enhancing financial accountability.
- Manage vendor, insurance, lease, contractor and service-provider negotiations, using cost-benefit analysis and competitive review to control overhead and preserve operating flexibility.
- Reduced non-billable executive spending by approximately 15–20% through a targeted expense-reduction initiative, redirecting savings toward upgraded office systems.
- Restructured and modernized legacy accounting processes and recordkeeping, strengthening financial controls and improving the efficiency of the accounting function.
- Negotiated lower equipment-lease and outside-contractor costs and instituted recurring billing and budget reviews with department heads to improve client invoicing accuracy.
- Built finance-team training and operating protocols that increased consistency, accountability and efficiency across day-to-day accounting activities.
- Selected Impact
Bookkeeper / Office Manager
MORGAN COLLECTION
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Oversaw bookkeeping, financial records, purchasing, inventory reconciliation, cost analysis, and office operations for a textile design company; additionally facilitated merchandising, trade shows, public relations, and marketing initiatives.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring timely and accurate transactions.
- Reconciled bank statements monthly, maintaining accuracy in financial records.
- Implemented new bookkeeping software, enhancing efficiency in data entry and reporting.
Bookkeeper / Office Manager
SIGNUM INTERNATIONAL
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Oversaw financial and bookkeeping functions for $5 million business, handling invoicing, inventory oversight, customer support, and monthly bank and factor account reconciliations.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely payments and accurate record-keeping.
- Reconciled bank statements, identifying discrepancies to maintain financial accuracy.
- Prepared monthly financial reports for management review, highlighting key insights and trends.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Related Business Studies
New York University
New York, NYCertificate - Import/Export Laws and Regulations
New York University
New York, NYBachelor of Arts - International Business
Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NYSkills
- Systems: QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365, accounting and financial reporting systems
- Strategic financial planning
- Financial reporting
- Financial management
- Financial modeling
TECHNOLOGY & ADDITIONAL
Languages: English and Spanish
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer / Senior Finance & Operations Executive
PEDONE & PARTNERS, INC. d/b/a LUXE COLLECTIVE GROUP
01.2005 - Current
Bookkeeper / Office Manager
MORGAN COLLECTION
01.2004 - 01.2005
Bookkeeper / Office Manager
SIGNUM INTERNATIONAL
01.2002 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Arts - International Business
Fashion Institute of Technology
Certificate - Import/Export Laws and Regulations
New York University
Bachelor of Arts - Related Business Studies
New York University
CORE EXECUTIVE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- GAAP Financial Reporting & Close
- Agency Operations & Administration
- Commercial & Contract Strategy
- Procurement & Vendor Negotiations
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Scenario Planning
- Accounting Operations & Internal Controls
- Human Resources Policies & Compliance
- New Business Valuation & Pricing
- Risk Management & Corporate Governance
- Cash Flow & Working Capital
- Tax, CPA & Third-Party Audit Management
- Executive / Stakeholder Reporting
- Client Profitability & Job Costing
- Team Leadership & Organizational Design
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- New York University — New York, NY
- Fashion Institute of Technology — New York, NY
- Pratt Institute — Brooklyn, NY
Personal Information
Title: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | FINANCE, OPERATIONS & BUSINESS STRATEGY