Jason Ghera

Company Overview: (Pierce & Associates merged with McCalla Raymer in 2016)

Oversee the corporate Accounting & Finance department for a multi-state law firm comprised of 500+ employees serving Fortune 500 banking institutions and mortgage lenders with direct reports in 4 states and offshore. Administered financial reporting, analysis, partnership reporting, process improvement initiatives, forecasting, treasury, cash management, tax, and audit. In charge of and delivered monthly financials reports to a 30-member board team. Collaborated with external attorneys, accountants, banks and shareholders on three business mergers between large law firms including equity restructuring, cash transactions, and tax consequences that tripled revenues while assisting in raising capital through both Lines of Credit and Notes Payable. Lead role for the annual audit and tax preparation for 10 years and managed the complex financial issues arising from the combination of firms and prior year company issues.

• Built a cohesive and close accounting team of 8, located across 4 states and 2 countries. Mentored each individual to improve their skills and professional development
• Lead the implementation of MS Dynamics 365 changing from an outdated version of Microsoft Dynamics
• Headed a $150M annual budget and various forecasts
• Provided financial guidance to a few shareholders with various wealth building and retirement strategies ranging from investments, real estate, and retirement
• Reduced the audit cost and time by 33% which in turn allowed the tax returns for the firm and partners to be completed earlier in the year
• Created a daily cash report to share with management
• Managed 60 bank accounts.
• Supervised four companies and 50+ departmental profit and loss statements.
• Cut labor cost in accounting by 25% and recovered $500k in unclaimed property by analyzing redundancies within the company’s post-merger.
• Overseeing Treasury and reduced banks used and bank costs by 10%.
• Oversaw all aspects of the month-end close process, ensuring timely completion of accurate financial statements for executive review.
• Maintained strong relationships with external auditors, facilitating smooth annual audit processes and addressing any concerns promptly.
• Reduced operating costs through meticulous budget management and cost analysis.
• Managed a team of finance professionals, providing guidance, support, and ongoing training to ensure continued growth and development.
• Led organizational cash flow and cash flow forecasting initiatives.
• Assisted in the preparation of annual tax filings, ensuring full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations while minimizing tax liabilities where possible.

Managed 5 teams ranging from 2 to 5 Staff accountants per team for 5 small startup software (SaaS) companies based in California. Managed the daily entries, month end close, as well as financial reporting. Reported to the owners and gave feedback and advice on financial decisions they were facing. Produced various budget and analytical models to help drive decision making. Helped in multiple capital raises from various banks and venture capital groups ranging from Seed to Series D.

• Worked with investors to help raise over $20M between the 5 companies I managed.
• Acted as CFO and served as a strategic advisor to the owners of the companies performing due diligence on capital raises and various restructuring
• Assessed strengths and weaknesses of each company using various revenue and expense models to help owners make key decisions.
• Reduced the monthly financial close processes by 50% with 3 of the 5 companies.
• Implemented SaaS KPIs for companies to use tracking various Churn rates and other commonly used SaaS metrics to track sales, customers, and cash.
• Created various SaaS Pricing models to assist these companies in choosing what best fit them.

• A six-month engagement aiding CDK Global (NASDAQ: CDK) with the merger and purchase accounting for an automotive software company. Partnered with external valuation and legal teams to evaluate the valuation of the intangible assets being acquired. Direct the mapping strategy of the Chart of Accounts for the merger and prepare purchase entry and purchase memo for review by internal audit and compliance. Organize Lease Accounting Memo for outside auditors to review.
• Revamped customer contracts applying the ASC 606 recognition standardization.
• Assessed company lease agreements and updated by applying the ASC 842 leasing criteria.

Led the Accounting & Finance department for a 500+ employee law firm and governed a $100M annual budget. Improved internal visibility of financial operations with the Executive team developing new expense and revenue reports. Directed the roll out of a brand-new credit card expense reporting system and formed a regulated policy. Oversaw the change of the ERP and Operating systems as it related to GL accounts, vendor mapping, and monetary impact. Aided with report evaluations developed to manage staffing levels using inventory levels and time motion studies.

• Operated $150M in annual revenues and controlled the $9.5M debt restructuring.
• Oversaw A/R, A/P, and Accounting groups with a team of 20 in all
• Increased collections by 50 % through a combination of successful negotiating, implementation of internal control processes/procedures, and a proactive diplomatic approach to the collection process.
• Slashed month-end close times by 30% and reduced workforce by 25% by executing automation processes to increase productivity and efficiency.
• Oversaw all aspects of the month-end close process, ensuring timely completion of accurate financial statements for executive review.
• Maintained strong relationships with external auditors, facilitating smooth annual audit processes and addressing any concerns promptly.
• Reduced operating costs through meticulous budget management and cost analysis.
• Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining processes and implementing efficient financial controls.
• Managed a team of finance professionals, providing guidance, support, and ongoing training to ensure continued growth and development.

• Reviewed detailed breakdowns of fixed asset general ledger accounts and forecast depreciation expenditures. Organized end of month closing processes and composed monthly and year-end financial reports. Managed Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable along with overall Cash Flow for the firm.
• Produced the first audited financial statements after appraisal of years of earlier financial records.
• Cut the aged payables by 75%.
• Increased collection times by 10%
• Obtained 100% client and vendor compliance through regular collaboration and performing due diligence.
• Originated the organizational breakdown for the firm.
• Reduced discrepancies in account balances by thoroughly reviewing and reconciling general ledger accounts on a monthly basis.