STEVEN SONGSTAD
Peoria,AZ
Summary
Finance and accounting executive with broad operational leadership experience across professional medical skincare, ecommerce, and pharmaceuticals. Proven record of building scalable infrastructure to serve 7,000+ professional customers, restoring profitability, and reducing stockouts and order cuts by 80%. Combines financial discipline with operational expertise to support revenue growth, improve productivity, elevate the customer experience, and develop high-performing teams.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
SVP, Customer Experience Operations
SKINBETTER SCIENCE- L’OREAL
01.2024 - 08.2026
- Led B2B customer experience and cross-functional operations with seven direct reports, collaborating with Sales, Marketing, IT, Finance, and Operations to enhance service delivery and operational execution.
- Oversaw the customer-facing order-to-cash experience, coordinating order management, customer data, credit, and collections across shared service functions.
- Reduced stockouts and order cuts by 80%, improving order accuracy, distribution efficiency, and the overall customer experience.
- Partnered with Operations and IT to align data integrations, processes, and brand governance supporting a two-distribution-center model.
- Directed Better Connect program administration, managing reporting, payment approvals, and participant onboarding to ensure seamless collaboration across business functions.
- Managed a high-performing Customer Experience team, setting goals, providing guidance, and evaluating performance against established benchmarks.
- Initiated regular communication channels between departments to promote collaboration, ultimately benefiting the end-customer experience.
Chief Accounting Officer
SKINBETTER SCIENCE- L’OREAL
Phoenix, AZ
12.2016 - 01.2024
- Contributed to the executive leadership team that built the business from startup through acquisition and integration.
- Oversaw finance, accounting, IT, and distribution/fulfillment, managing a team of eight to ensure seamless operations and flawless financial management.
- Built and scaled financial and operational functions supporting growth from startup to 7,000+ professional customers and more than 30 global markets.
- Developed scalable infrastructure for 20+ product launches and global logistics, enhancing service across B2B, direct-to-consumer, and field sales channels.
- Led financial and operational due diligence for the L’Oréal acquisition, facilitating transition planning and integration.
- Directed accounting operations, ensuring GAAP compliance, close accuracy, and timely financial reporting.
- Coordinated external audits, resolving findings and supporting compliant financial statement preparation.
- Drove continuous improvement initiatives within the finance department, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
- Oversaw preparation of accurate and timely financial statements for senior leadership review and board presentations.
President
INTELADERM, LLC
02.2013 - 12.2016
- Led a U.S. skincare and beauty ecommerce retailer operating SkinCareRx, Apothica, and SkinBotanica. Managed a team of 16 across Finance, IT, Customer Service, Digital Marketing, Website Operations, Purchasing, and Distribution.
- Transformed business from net loss to positive net income through systems modernization, workforce alignment, and SKU rationalization.
- Migrated ecommerce websites to Magento and implemented NetSuite ERP, replacing outdated systems and processes.
- Transitioned third-party logistics providers across 150+ brands and 10,000 SKUs with zero days of shipping disruption.
- Prepared company for sale by transforming financial position and operations, leading to successful divestiture to The Hut Group in 2016.
Executive Director and Assistant Controller
MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
02.2010 - 02.2013
- Progressed through accounting leadership roles at a specialty pharmaceutical company with more than 800 employees and $850 million in annual revenue. Forecasted revenues, prepared budgets, and managed general and cost accounting, cash management, stock plan accounting, payroll, risk management, and internal controls.
- Managed more than $800 million in cash and short-term investments, applying strategic cash management practices to maximize returns.
- Integrated finance and operations functions for a $455 million asset purchase that closed within 14 days of signing, enabling North American product shipments in fewer than 20 days.
- Supported over 30 business and corporate development transactions, facilitating seamless pre- and post-closing activities.
- Led SAP ERP implementation and upgrade, along with SAP Business Planning and Consolidation implementation, enhancing financial planning and reporting capabilities.
- Established SOX 404 compliance programs and guided core business units through multiple consecutive years of deficiency-free audits.
- Earlier Medicis roles: Director, Accounting (2007–2010); Senior Manager, Accounting (2004–2007); Accounting Manager (2003–2004); Financial Reporting, Analysis and Corporate Tax roles (1999–2003); Staff Accountant (1999).
Accountant II
CITY OF GLENDALE
05.1997 - 03.1999
- Managed accounting activities and city cash and investment portfolio; prepared financial statements and tax reports, streamlined revenue reconciliation, and facilitated annual audit.
- May 1997–March 1999
- Prepared journal entries and maintained general ledger accuracy for municipal financial reporting.
- Reconciled bank statements, cash accounts, and subsidiary ledgers to support month-end close.
- Processed accounts payable and accounts receivable transactions while ensuring compliance with city procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
01-1998
Skills
- Business development
- Customer relationship management
- Sales forecasting
- Ecommerce strategy
- NetSuite ERP
- SAP ERP
- Magento
- IT management
- Process optimization
- Operational financial oversight
- Customer experience enhancement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Budget oversight
- Results-driven
- Results orientation
Timeline
SVP, Customer Experience Operations - SKINBETTER SCIENCE- L’OREAL
01.2024 - 08.2026
Chief Accounting Officer - SKINBETTER SCIENCE- L’OREAL
12.2016 - 01.2024
President - INTELADERM, LLC
02.2013 - 12.2016
Executive Director and Assistant Controller - MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION
02.2010 - 02.2013
Accountant II - CITY OF GLENDALE
05.1997 - 03.1999
Arizona State University West - Bachelor of Science, Accountancy