Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Professional And Community Activities
Additional Education
Timeline
Generic

CARL R. SAXON, CPA

Allen,Texas

Summary

Seasoned Chief Financial Officer focused on helping companies accomplish missions and drive growth. Expansion-minded professional versed in navigating complex financial challenges. Loyal, honest, dedicated, professional executive leader committed to excellence, continuous improvement and integrity with deep expertise in strategic planning, financial analysis, due diligence, decision support, mergers & acquisitions and more. Generate outstanding value through exceptional collaboration and partnerships with the CEO, the executive team, operations, new business, HR and IT and mentorship of finance and accounting team members.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Chief Financial Officer

Eastport Holdings
01.2018 - 01.2024
  • Served as chief financial officer for holding company overseeing up to 15 operating companies, 1,000 employees and combined billings of $550 million
  • Prepared or reviewed all financial analyses needed for strategic planning initiatives, profitability improvement, bank covenant compliance and cash flow
  • Established annual budgets
  • Reviewed updated forecasts each month on rolling forward twelve-month basis
  • Handled audits, due diligence/business valuations and tax returns
  • Reviewed cost accounting reports
  • Negotiated and review vendor contracts and relationships including office leases, CPA firm, 401(k) providers and corporate, health and workers’ compensation insurance
  • Directed all finance, treasury and cash management functions
  • Supervised all accounting functions including financial reporting, payables, billing and collections and establishment of all finance and accounting policies and procedures
  • Managed staff of up to fifty including HR.

Chief Financial Officer

Square One/Southwest Media Group
01.2001 - 01.2017
  • Served as chief financial officer for four companies with up to 100 employees and combined billings of $130 million
  • Evaluated all merger and acquisition candidates and prepared all financial analyses needed for strategic planning initiatives including sale to Eastport Holdings in 2014
  • Prepared and updated all budgets and forecasts each month on rolling forward twelve-month basis
  • Handled all audits, business valuations and tax returns
  • Prepared or reviewed all client contracts and prepared cost accounting reports
  • Negotiated fees with new clients and for contract renewals
  • Negotiated and reviewed vendor contracts including office leases, CPA firm, 401(k), corporate, health and workers’ compensation insurance, IT systems and equipment and office suppliers
  • Directed all finance, treasury and cash management functions
  • Supervised all accounting functions including financial reporting, payables, billing and collections and establishment of all finance and accounting policies and procedures
  • Managed staff of up to eighteen including HR and IT.

Audit Manager

McGladrey & Pullen / DMJK
01.1992 - 01.2000
  • Served as audit manager and personally managed all aspects of client relationships including making presentations to management and Boards of Directors for over thirty clients per year
  • Performed planning, fieldwork, supervision and review of staff auditors, and preparation of financial statements, management letters and analyses for audits and reviews
  • Clients included businesses involved in manufacturing, construction, real estate, advertising, healthcare, non-profit associations and governmental entities
  • Also shared responsibility for managing audit department and directly supervised up to 15 team members.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration -

The University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Skills

  • Strategic financial planning
  • Financial Management
  • Financial Reporting
  • Performance metrics analysis

Accomplishments

  • Reduced interest expense by over $3,000,000 by centralizing all treasury management functions and operations and sweeping deposits against the line of credit daily.
  • Achieved Owner’s succession plan by negotiating a 33% increase in Eastport Holding’s offer delivering Owner’s target value for sale of Southwest Media Group.
  • Generated over $5,000,000 of cash back credit card rewards increasing profitability and enterprise value by 50%.
  • Improved cash flow and sustained net cash position by over $10,000,000 through effective negotiation of improved billing timing and/or terms.
  • Effectively managed costs during financial crises of 2020, 2008 and 2001 through reductions in force, salary reductions, capital calls and vendor negotiations to reduce operating expenses.
  • Reduced office lease expense by over 50% by downsizing lease to 1/3rd the former square footage following separation of two business units.
  • Improved cost controls and visibility by centralizing all payroll and HR functions for all business units.
  • Assisted with implementation of Donovan Data Systems and eventually Media Ocean.

Professional And Community Activities

  • Certified Public Accountant CPA, CGMA
  • AICPA and TSCPA member
  • Financial Executives International member, Ambassador Program lead
  • Association for Financial Professionals member
  • KU Alumni Association life member
  • Our Lady of Angels and St Jude Catholic Church volunteer
  • Knights of Columbus member
  • ChildFund International sponsor
  • MSCPA former Accounting Careers Committee chairman
  • The Bridge Home for Children former Finance Committee chairman
  • Kiwanis Club former member

Additional Education

  • Over 1,000 hours of Continuing Professional Education
  • Vistage Key Group participant
  • The Dale Carnegie Course graduate
  • Effective Motivational Management Program participant

Timeline

Chief Financial Officer

Eastport Holdings
01.2018 - 01.2024

Chief Financial Officer

Square One/Southwest Media Group
01.2001 - 01.2017

Audit Manager

McGladrey & Pullen / DMJK
01.1992 - 01.2000

Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration -

The University of Kansas

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CARL R. SAXON, CPA