REBECCA L. BROWN
FINANCIAL LEADER
LaPorte,Indiana
Summary
Dynamic, self-driven and versatile financial professional with experience leading and supporting revenue growth and increasing profitability for industry leaders in union and non-union environments. Astute analyst, analytical thinker and creative problem solver. Gifted project and operational manager. Designed improved budgeting, costing, and reporting systems for multimillion-dollar businesses. Intensely focused, innovative articulate and persuasive presenter, savvy negotiator, and trusted executive advisor. Drives business results with Strategic Planning, Reporting, Cash Management, Compliance & Risk Management, Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis, Inventory.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
STRATEGIC GROWTH, SPRINGBOARD MANUFACTURING
South Bend , Indiana
2020.01 - Current
- Key business advisor to the CFO and Operational management on business decisions affecting the company
- Work cross-functionally providing decision support and tools to help the organization achieve its growth plans
- Consolidate accounting functions in various states into the new corporate office in South Bend
- Transition accounting functions from acquisitions into the corporate accounting team
- Create policies, procedures, and automation tools that streamline processes and accounting policies across all divisions
- Ensure proper accounting and business controls are in place and effective
- Assist in migration to a consolidated ERP system for all locations.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
THE LEBERMUTH COMPANY
South Bend , Indiana
2018.01 - 2020.01
- Serve as a key strategic business partner of the senior leadership team
- Review, analyze, and strategize the financial and operational performance including long-term goals, budgets, and forecasts
- Recommend and implement critical financial and operational systems
- Analyze financial results and provide and implement recommendations
- Develop operating budgets and manage
- Supervise the Finance and accounting department while overseeing month-end, preparing financial review packages, and eliminating inefficiencies
- Member of the new ERP Business Central implementation team and strategically involved in the financial mapping and design of the system.
DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER
PROTECT PLUS COMPANIES
LaPorte , Indiana
2016.01 - 2018.01
- Responsible for directing the financial activities at 3 locations and responsible for providing timely and accurate reporting to Operations leadership as well as our corporate office (located in Hickory, NC)
- Partner with management to serve as a contact and resource regarding results of inventory, costing, and efficiencies of the locations
- Prepare journal entries, month end reports, and analysis to support initiatives and bring best practices and efficiencies to locations
- Maintain standard and estimated inventory costs
- Prepare and maintain written policies, records, and reports required by regulatory agencies and corporate policy
- Ensure internal controls are in place and maintained
- Direct and supervise accounting and administrative office staff
- Provide financial support and analysis for new part development.
OPERATIONS CONTROLLER
ATKORE INTERNATIONAL – ALLIED TUBE & CONDUIT
Harvey , Illinois
2014.01 - 2016.01
- Partner with the plant Operations teams and corporate management to effectively manage and control the manufacturing and distribution facilities for a $500M business operation
- Lead the plant accounting staff and manage finance functions including general accounting, cost accounting, fixed assets, business analysis, internal controls, forecasting, budgeting, inventory control, accounts payable, accounts receivable & financial reporting for six plants
- Provided Costing analysis on product lines to determine viability of continued product manufacture
- Educated and coached Plant Managers on the financial results of their operations
REGIONAL OPERATIONS CONTROLLER
TYCO - SIMPLEXGRINNELL
2012.01 - 2014.01
- South Central/Southwest Mountain Region Provide guidance and direction to the Regional Operations leadership team and drive improved operational and financial performance for a $246M region
- Oversee the preparation and evaluation of annual budgets and monthly forecasts
- Prepare financial analysis on daily, weekly, and monthly reports and present findings and recommendations to district and regional teams
- Monitor Working Capital metrics closely and drive improvement in field management practices for maximized Free Cash Flow
- Prepare and participate in Operations Reviews
- Drove 5-day reduction in DSO, reduced Over 90 days by $2.5M, and significantly decreased Debit RVI position
- Trained district leadership teams to understand their financial statements and presented recommendations for areas of improvement
- Substantially cut costs for Service by more than 30% in material/supplies, overtime, contractors, and transfers
- Audited districts to ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and best practices
- Worked closely with Internal Controls to investigate and correct compliance issues.
PLANT CONTROLLER/ FINANCE MANAGER
PLYMOUTH TUBE COMPANY
Winamac , Indiana
2010.01 - 2012.01
- Business partner for the plant General Manager and site team at a $115M manufacturing facility
- Track and analyze performance measures of quality, productivity, on time delivery, cycle time, inventory optimization and profitability
- Compile and analyze financial information to prepare journal entries and document business transactions including assets, liabilities, and capital
- Prepare financial reports to summarize current and projected financial position for the plant
- Provide coordination of the capital appropriation process and post-project reviews
- Perform Internal Audits
- Oversee management of Human Resources and Information Technology
- Assisted in attainment of manufacturing excellence
- Made valuable contribution to expense control and cash conversion by analyzing direct costs & Aged receivables
- Worked with Indiana Economic Development to obtain a 10-year Tax Abatement
- Assisted in breaking down barriers between the union and management team to ensure a more unified operation.
CHIEF FINANCIAL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
MCDANIEL FIRE SYSTEMS
Valparaiso , Indiana
1998.01 - 2009.01
- Promote growth, stability, and profitability for an employee-owned provider of fire systems, special hazard solutions and related services, which generates $75M in yearly sales
- Collaborate with executive officers to define direction and business goals
- Execute financial analyses and strategic plans
- Formulate capital and operating budgets, policies, standards, and controls
- Manage risk, assets, costs, cash flow, purchasing, inventory, benefit programs, legal issues, and key relationships
- Develop accounting information systems
- Negotiate and review contracts; make reports and recommendations
- Increased shareholder value by 96%; changed procurement practices and reduced inventory levels by 60%; streamlined fabrication processes and boosted productivity by 40%; originated policies that substantially reduced costs for travel, fleet management and other expenses
- Reorganized the IT and Purchasing Departments; improved effectiveness of job cost accounting and expanded profit margins; instituted new cash management processes that increased cash flow
- Restructured long-term debt; negotiated excellent terms for capital and debt financing; selected providers and secured insurance coverage for business assets and operations
- Selected and implemented industry-specific ERP software
- Administered 401(k) and ESOP plans, and group medical benefits; recruited and developed high-performing accounting staff
- Worked out arrangements with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for past Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) deficiencies and resolved numerous other legal matters.
Education
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - ACCOUNTING
University of Texas
Skills
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Internal Control Development
- Budget Administration
- Balance Sheet Management
- Preparing Financial Statements
- Business Controls
- Corporate Administration
- Corporate Strategic Planning
- Acquisition Integration
- ERISA Plan Administration
- Union Negotiations
SOFTWARE PROFICIENCIES
- Dynamics NAV
- Hyperion FM
- JDE
- IQMS (ERP)
- Great Plain
- Viewpoint (ERP)
- Siebel CRM
- Salesforce.com
- BaaN (ERP)
- A/S400 MAPICS/BPCS
Affiliations
Institute of Management Accountants : Center for Creative Leadership : Construction Financial Management Association
Timeline
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
STRATEGIC GROWTH, SPRINGBOARD MANUFACTURING
2020.01 - Current
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
THE LEBERMUTH COMPANY
2018.01 - 2020.01
DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER
PROTECT PLUS COMPANIES
2016.01 - 2018.01
OPERATIONS CONTROLLER
ATKORE INTERNATIONAL – ALLIED TUBE & CONDUIT
2014.01 - 2016.01
REGIONAL OPERATIONS CONTROLLER
TYCO - SIMPLEXGRINNELL
2012.01 - 2014.01
PLANT CONTROLLER/ FINANCE MANAGER
PLYMOUTH TUBE COMPANY
2010.01 - 2012.01
CHIEF FINANCIAL / ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
MCDANIEL FIRE SYSTEMS
1998.01 - 2009.01
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - ACCOUNTING
University of Texas
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