Karen Tolbert
Chicago,IL
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven finance professional with over 15 years of experience in Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A), strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis. Proven track record of delivering critical financial insights, managing complex projects, and driving operational excellence. Adept at leading and mentoring teams, with a consultative approach to partnering with executive leaders and business units to achieve organizational goals. Proficient in financial modeling, variance analysis, and strategic decision-making.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Controller
SteelSeries North America Corp
Chicago, Illinois
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Led the FP&A business planning process, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and variance analysis, providing recommendations to senior leadership
- Developed strategic promotional plans, validating the feasibility of marketing campaigns, and managed pricing strategies to enhance product portfolio market position
- Created financial models for product launches and conducted cost-benefit analyses, achieving profit margins north of 30% for North and Latin American regions
- Collaborated closely with Sales and Operations to execute key online growth strategies and align market approaches with evolving e-commerce trends
- Strategically forecasted and communicated potential business-impacting events, empowering executive teams with critical insights
- Acted as a vital liaison between Finance, Product, and Operations departments to streamline internal processes for the Sales Organization.
Finance Director
SteelSeries North America Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
01.2012 - 12.2020
- Oversaw financial operations for North America, Canada, and SteelSeries ApS Direct Sales/Marketing, managing annual revenue of up to $218M
- Directed adherence to corporate processes regarding sales and marketing expenditure, customer rebates, and inventory management
- Analyzed actual financial results to budget, preparing variance reporting to functional groups
- Created and updated financial reports on frequent basis to present information to leadership teams.
- Coached staff on best practices for managing finances including budgeting techniques, expense tracking methods.
- Developed comprehensive budget models that reflect organizational goals while providing guidance on budget-related matters to department heads as needed.
Financial Controller
Blueant Wireless Inc.
Orland Park, Illinois
04.2010 - 12.2012
- Established and managed the regional finance department, achieving annual revenues of $35M
- Managed and directed budgets, expenditures, accounting, financial reporting.
- Streamlined operations, reducing expenses by $250k annually.
- Identified areas of cost savings or increased efficiency through process improvements.
- Prepared monthly financial reports and complied with reporting procedures.
- Analyzed financial statements to provide strategic recommendations in support of business decisions.
Independent Finance Consultant
PPM Technology Holdings
Chicago, Illinois
05.2009 - 04.2010
- Identified and researched target companies, resulting in acquisitions totaling $40M in equity
- Created scope of work documents to determine the most appropriate approach for valuations.
- Developed valuation models and pro forma financials for acquisition targets
- Coordinated integration of HR operations and financial systems across divisions.
Commercial Finance Manager
Recall Corporation
Chicago, Illinois
01.2007 - 03.2009
- Managed a budget of over $85M in sales, maintaining a 40% gross margin
- Conducted business case analyses for capital investments, reducing costs by over $1M.
- Analyzed financial statements to identify trends in revenue growth or cost reduction opportunities.
- Prepared presentations for management review highlighting key performance metrics.
Regional Controller
Jabra Corporation
Lombard, Illinois
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Managed financial operations for North and Latin American regions, overseeing a staff of fifteen
- Created regional budgets, conducted financial variance analyses, and managed $149M in revenue.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance
DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School
Bachelor of Science in Business Economics -
Florida A&M University
Skills
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Variance Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Profitability Optimization
- Business Case Formulation
- M&A Modeling
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Data Analysis
- Financial Modeling
- ERP & Financial Systems (Oracle, SAP/SAP B1, Navision, Hyperion)
Timeline
Business Controller
SteelSeries North America Corp
01.2021 - 01.2023
Finance Director
SteelSeries North America Corporation
01.2012 - 12.2020
Financial Controller
Blueant Wireless Inc.
04.2010 - 12.2012
Independent Finance Consultant
PPM Technology Holdings
05.2009 - 04.2010
Commercial Finance Manager
Recall Corporation
01.2007 - 03.2009
Regional Controller
Jabra Corporation
01.2004 - 01.2007
Master of Business Administration - Finance
DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School
Bachelor of Science in Business Economics -
Florida A&M University
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