Ela Baird
West Dundee,US
Summary
Finance and operations executive with 8+ years of experience across corporate finance, accounting, HR, and operational management. Strong background in rebuilding financial processes, improving reporting accuracy, managing cash flow, and strengthening internal controls in fast-paced environments.
Experienced in full-cycle accounting, GAAP reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and working capital management. Work closely with operations, purchasing, logistics, and leadership teams to improve efficiency, solve operational issues, and support company growth.
Promoted from Financial Manager to Controller and VP of Finance & Administration within a short timeframe based on performance, process improvements, and expanded leadership responsibilities.
International exposure supporting investment operations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. PHR-certified with academic background in Political Science and International Relations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Retail First
Elgin, IL
05.2025 - Current
- Serve as the financial and operational backbone of the organization with full ownership of financial reporting, cash management, cost control, HR compliance, and executive advisory.
- Built complete financial reporting structure from scratch (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Executive Dashboards)
- Lead full GAAP month-end close including AP, AR, accruals, reconciliations, and account balancing
- Manage company cash flow and working capital strategy
- Negotiated 60-day vendor payment terms to strengthen liquidity
- Implemented early payment incentive program (3.6% discount) accelerating receivables collection and improving cash cycle
- Oversee 7 active loans including machinery financing, equipment loans, and commercial mortgages
- Prepare and submit Illinois sales and use tax filings; coordinate closely with external CPA for tax compliance
- Recalculated overhead, labor burden, and machine cost allocations — corrected product costing inaccuracies
- Monitor daily labor punches and payroll accuracy to protect margin integrity
- Collaborate with operations, purchasing, shipping, and receiving to prevent chargebacks and invoice disputes
- Review ASNs and invoices prior to submission to ensure customer compliance
- Identify and correct improper accrual postings
- Advise executive leadership on margin strategy, pricing, cost containment, and operational improvements
- Built company employee handbook from scratch
- Implemented harassment prevention training and strengthened HR compliance procedures
- Manage payroll, benefits, insurance, and labor law compliance
- Partner with executive leadership on EBITDA improvement initiatives, pricing strategy, cash optimization, and operational scaling
- Built executive dashboards and operational reporting tools to improve real-time financial visibility across departments
- Supported cross-functional system integrations involving payroll, logistics, customer operations, and financial reporting
- Developed scalable finance processes and internal controls to support rapid organizational growth
- Collaborate closely with operations and technology stakeholders to improve workflow automation and reporting accuracy
Controller
Retail First
Elgin, IL
11.2023 - 04.2025
- Rebuilt accounting structure and financial discipline after inheriting incomplete close processes and inaccurate reporting controls.
- Re-established full monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes under GAAP after prior breakdown in closing procedures
- Corrected improper accounting practices where invoices were bypassed and replaced with journal entries, restoring AP integrity and audit trail reliability
- Implemented structured accrual tracking system to replace unmonitored and inaccurate accrual postings
- Identified receiving unit-of-measure discrepancies (unit vs. pack) that were inflating inventory accruals and distorting cost forecasts
- Partnered with warehouse and receiving teams to standardize receiving procedures and eliminate quantity misstatements
- Corrected overstated accrual balances that were negatively impacting cash flow forecasting and working capital projections
- Led financial controls, reconciliations, and balance sheet integrity reviews to restore reporting accuracy
- Built executive reporting packages including P&L, balance sheet, and variance analysis
- Strengthened internal accounting policies and approval workflows to prevent recurrence of control failures
- Managed AP, AR, general ledger, and accrual oversight
- Reduced close timeline and improved reporting reliability
- Coordinated with external CPA and supported audit readiness initiatives
- Implemented structured chargeback monitoring controls across shipping and billing operations
- Supported lender compliance reporting and debt documentation requirements
- Implemented and optimized ERP, EDI, shipping API integrations, payroll systems, and operational reporting workflows
- Rebuilt accounting and reporting infrastructure during organizational scale-up phase
- Improved close processes, reporting accuracy, and operational visibility in a high-growth environment
- Partnered cross-functionally with warehouse, operations, purchasing, and leadership teams to align financial and operational reporting
Financial Manager
Retail First
Elgin, IL
06.2022 - 11.2023
- Strengthened financial oversight and operational visibility by implementing tighter controls, improving forecasting accuracy, and enhancing cost transparency.
- Reformed corporate credit card procedures by implementing mandatory receipt uploads and documentation requirements, increasing expense transparency and accountability
- Identified and corrected unreviewed credit card activity to reduce untracked spending and cost leakage
- Developed structured expense tracking and cost analysis reporting to provide leadership with clearer visibility into operating expenses
- Delivered forward-looking cash flow forecasts to CEO based on real-time inventory levels, open sales orders, and outstanding purchase orders
- Identified gaps in inventory reconciliation and open order tracking; implemented follow-up controls to ensure accuracy and timely cleanup
- Strengthened forecasting reliability by integrating operational data (inventory, production, purchasing) into financial projections
- Implemented process improvements across AP and expense review workflows
- Improved internal control procedures to reduce risk and enhance documentation standards
- Collaborated with operations and purchasing to ensure financial data reflected actual production and supply chain activity
- Increased financial discipline and reporting structure during period of operational growth
Financial Analyst (IFRS)
Silk Way Transport INC
Illinois, US
02.2021 - 02.2022
- Conducted IFRS-compliant financial reporting and analysis for a trucking and logistics firm. Prepared detailed variance reports, strategic forecasts, and profitability models for executive review. Coordinated with factoring companies to manage receivables and short-term funding.
Financial Accounting Specialist
Silk Way Transport INC
Illinois, US
02.2019 - 02.2021
- Managed full-cycle accounting including accounts receivable, accounts payable, reconciliations, and month-end close. Assisted in preparation of financial statements, internal audits, and compliance with DOT and tax regulations. Forecasted expenditures and revenues to support business decision-making. Liaised with external stakeholders including factoring companies for invoice financing and collections.
Executive Assistant to the Owner
SUR INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CO. LTD
01.2018 - 03.2019
- Supported the company owner in high-stakes investment operations across Africa, Qatar, and Europe. Traveled internationally to attend investment meetings, conduct market research, and coordinate business expansions. Handled high-level communications, document preparation, and business correspondence across multiple time zones. Maintained strict confidentiality and ensured smooth execution of global business strategies.
Education
Licentiate Degree - Political Science & International Relations
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
Austria01-2016
Master of Arts (Non-Thesis) - Political Science & International Relations
Marmara University
01-2017
Skills
- Financial Reporting Strategic Planning Budgeting & Forecasting
- ERP Implementation
- EXCEL
- ERP Systems
- FP&A
- HR
- Regulatory Compliance
- Global Shop Solutions (GSS ERP)
- ADP Payroll
- SurePayroll
- EDI / TrueCommerce
- FedEx & UPS Integrations
- Financial Reporting & Dashboard Development
- Process Automation
- Inventory & Costing Analysis
- Advanced Microsoft Excel
- Cash Flow Forecasting & Working Capital Management
Accomplishments
- Achieved improved cash flow visibility through effectively rebuilding financial reporting and forecasting processes.
- Achieved stronger cost accuracy through effectively recalculating labor, overhead, and machine allocations.
- Achieved faster receivables collection through effectively implementing early payment incentive programs.
- Achieved improved operational efficiency through effectively integrating ERP, EDI, and shipping workflows.
- Achieved greater reporting reliability through effectively restructuring month-end close and accrual procedures.
- Achieved reduced inventory discrepancies through effectively partnering with warehouse and receiving teams on control improvements.
- Achieved improved compliance and audit readiness through effectively strengthening internal accounting controls.
Certification
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR), 2025
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Expected 2026
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Candidate
Languages
English
German
Turkish
Interests
Home renovation project planning, Real estate market research, Yoga, Volunteer support for local animal shelters, International economic policy, Travel
Timeline
Vice President, Finance & Administration
Retail First
05.2025 - Current
Controller
Retail First
11.2023 - 04.2025
Financial Manager
Retail First
06.2022 - 11.2023
Financial Analyst (IFRS)
Silk Way Transport INC
02.2021 - 02.2022
Financial Accounting Specialist
Silk Way Transport INC
02.2019 - 02.2021
Executive Assistant to the Owner
SUR INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CO. LTD
01.2018 - 03.2019
Master of Arts (Non-Thesis) - Political Science & International Relations
Marmara University
Licentiate Degree - Political Science & International Relations
Johannes Kepler Universität Linz