Matt Stark
Summary
Accomplished finance executive with 19 years of extensive expertise in forecasting, budgeting, and revenue recognition across diverse industries. Adept at leveraging advanced tools like SAP and Tableau to drive significant profit growth and operational efficiencies. Passionate about transforming financial strategies and eager to contribute to innovative, high-impact projects.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
CFO & VP of Operations
KINGART
Purchase, NY
01.2023 - Current
- Expanded responsibilities to include Operations, e-Commerce, HR and IT roles
- Implemented strategies to expand the product line, resulting in operational efficiencies and a significant increase of 160% YoY in profits.
- Oversaw the operations of sales support, finance, and third-party warehouse teams.
- Engaged in negotiations with manufacturers resulting in obtaining favorable pricing benefits
- Managed flow of goods to ensure cost efficient arrival of 125 container loads while maintaining consistent flow.
Director of FP&A
TeePublic
New York, NY
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Leadership of finance organization for $140M eCommerce marketplace reporting to COO
- Owned and coordinated the annual budgeting and reforecasting process, working closely with the parent company to maintain alignment and transition from broad forecasts to detailed order-level analysis.
- Ensured effective partnership with Marketing by directing pricing and promotional strategy, implementing A/B testing methodologies
- Collaborated with supply chain and logistics teams to enhance data flow and develop a comprehensive understanding of decision impacts
- Developed comprehensive KPI metric reporting dashboards utilized organization-wide, leading to increased data visibility, accelerated decision making, and 20% YoY growth in holiday season revenue.
- Managed the accounting team to ensure timely and accurate month-end close processes.
- Drove process improvement with data analytic teams to create standardized analysis templates, allowing for more effective, repeatable analysis.
Controller
KINGART
Purchase, NY
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Responsible for managing all finance and accounting responsibilities for a start-up Art supplies company.
- Revenue growth from $7M to $12M along with 125% profit growth
- Developed a strategic forecasting process that supported the CEO in achieving long-term objectives
- Successfully oversaw multiple e-commerce operations utilizing platforms like Shopify and Amazon.
- Optimized operational efficiencies by streamlining manual procedures through effective utilization of ERP system
- Closely managed cash flows for optimal fund utilization
- Implemented daily, weekly, and quarterly financial reporting for accurate insights into business health.
Director of Finance / Assistant Controller
BLUE SKY STUDIOS
Greenwich, CT
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Dynamic finance and accounting role for Digital Animation film studio reporting to SVP of Finance
- Involved in the production of four theatrical releases that grossed over $1B in World Wide Box Office, by helping to ensure films were completed both on time and on budget
- Management of a team of 3 (1 Manager direct report, 2 analysts) that handled all accounting functions, with a strong focus on growing my team’s skill sets in their field, as well as fostering leadership qualities
- Full ownership of annual $45m studio overhead budget, including preparation for corporate approval to monthly tracking and forecasting
- Successfully guided the transition process during the acquisition by The Walt Disney Company, ensuring compliance with all standards through the implementation of updated financial processes and systems. Effectively oversaw the transition from PeopleSoft to SAP for streamlined operations.
- Managed state tax credit program, including being focal point of annual external audit, which resulted in growth from $15M to $30M+ of annual tax credits
- Led the 5-year strategic planning process, establishing objectives to align Creative and Financial goals
- Developed and managed the annual development budget for over 40 projects.
- Conducted in-depth analysis and handled time-sensitive ad-hoc requests, effectively adapting workforce balance to changing business dynamics
- Enhanced decision-making capabilities by creating innovative analytic models.
Senior Financial Reporting Analyst & Technical Lead
IBM
Somers, NY
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Led international team supporting Growth Markets & Japan Hardware unit, IBM's fastest growing region
- Monthly consolidation and presentation of revenue and gross profit performance analysis, including comparisons to prior year and forecast
- Offered technical accounting advice to local country accounting teams on revenue recognition for new contract signings, encompassing intricate multiple element agreements.
- Managed workflow harmonization processes across multiple geographies for consistent and accurate reporting of hardware shipment and installation
- Ensured all local teams were well-informed about updates in accounting policies and successfully applied necessary changes.
- Provided expert guidance on contract for complex, cross brand, and multiple element arrangements.
Lead Financial Reporting Analyst
IBM
Somers, NY
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Lead analyst for North America Global Technology Services, $10B area of business with ownership of entire P&L
- Collaborated with diverse business stakeholders during a challenging period to drive profit growth
- Presented consolidated results to senior management on revenue, gross profit, and detailed contract information for troubled contracts, comparing against actuals and forecast
- Mentoring and coaching responsibilities for 30+ employee team of junior staff
- Contributed to forecast planning discussions and provided valuable inputs for decision making.
- Contributed in work effort to identify troubled services contracts and evaluate options to improve gross profit performance for the overall services business, resulting in improved performance.
Senior Staff Accountant
IBM
Somers, NY
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Demonstrated growth within IBM's accounting organization by moving up the ranks from an entry-level position to senior staff. Showcased expertise in various areas and led projects as both a lead analyst and project lead.
- Led and coached three staff accountants as Senior Accountant for IBM US internal services.
- Recognized by the finance community for successfully implementing system changes that provided project executive teams with improved financial information.
- Successfully managed a cross-functional project for the implementation of a new process flow related to internal use assets, which improved overall controls position. The team included various business areas, including fulfillment, fixed assets, finance, and accounting.
- Lead accountant for divestiture of printer business
Education
MBA - Finance & Economics
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
New York, NYBBA - Accounting & Management
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Coral Gables, FLSkills
- Advanced Excel skills
- Analytic Tools (Tableau, IBM Planning Analytics)
- Budget Development
- Business Forecasting
- Cash Flow Management
- Cost-reduction strategies
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Financial Management
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Systems (SAP, PeopleSoft, Hyperion, Business Dynamics)
- Strategic Planning
Timeline
CFO & VP of Operations
KINGART
01.2023 - Current
Director of FP&A
TeePublic
01.2022 - 01.2023
Controller
KINGART
01.2021 - 01.2022
Director of Finance / Assistant Controller
BLUE SKY STUDIOS
01.2014 - 01.2021
Senior Financial Reporting Analyst & Technical Lead
IBM
01.2013 - 01.2014
Lead Financial Reporting Analyst
IBM
01.2010 - 01.2013
Senior Staff Accountant
IBM
01.2005 - 01.2010
MBA - Finance & Economics
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
BBA - Accounting & Management
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI