Summary:
More than 13 years of senior and executive-level financial management experience. Proven ability to produce dramatic increases in revenue, margins, and operational efficiency. Adept at developing and implementing policies and procedures. Familiar with reorganizing processes and departments. Innovative leader, skilled in problem resolution and project management. Excellent contract and vendor negotiation skills. Able to decrease costs while improving operations. Background in manufacturing, warehouse, and operations. Outstanding presentation and communication skills.
Professional Background:
Sports Awards Co., Chicago, IL 1996 – Present
Financial Controller, responsible for all financial management, as well as Credit and Collections, Human Resources, Accounting, and Billing.
- As company’s first controller, identified areas for improvement and developed operational and business policies and processes that resulted in growth from $4.8 million in sales and no profit to $7 million in sales with extensive profit.
- Reorganized pricing structure to improve profitability. Performed production time studies for each product, and utilized results as basis for new pricing.
- Instituted royalties of 35% for outsourced items, producing additional $110,000 in annual revenue.
- Investigated financial inconsistencies and identified cases of embezzlement and theft.
- Initiated automation of several business processes, including production, Fedex and UPS shipping, Payroll, and timesheets.
- Improved gross margins on manufactured items by 10% through product line statements that identified problem areas and pricing models for catalog and custom products.
- Arranged low interest rate financing through City of Chicago, allowing company to move facilities to new site with 200% more space, with almost no increase in annual cost.
- Introduced new incentive program in 2001, resulting in doubling of production after only 3 months.
- Eliminated overtime by organizing work flow and automating routine processes.
- Implemented new hiring and management policies, reduced turnover, redesigned pay structure, and improved benefits program.
AAR Corporation, Chicago, IL 1991 – 1996
Manager of Special Projects (1994 – 1996)
- Directed key long-term project involving reduction of excess and aged inventory.
- Identified potential buyers and negotiated orders, resulting in elimination of entire $2.5 million of aged stock, completely recovering full cost.
- Upon completion expanded project scope to include aged inventory of all international divisions. Accomplished major sell-off, dramatically reducing potential losses.
- Managed all revenues and expenses for large military contract, responsible for $4 million in annual sales revenue.
Accounting Manager (1993)
- Selected to conduct complete re-organization of North Carolina accounting division.
- Developed and implemented improved accounting policies and procedures, and introduced new internal controls.
- Recruited, hired, and trained several new staff members.
- Brought office from disorganized and failing condition to highly efficient and profitable location.
1833 Four Lakes Ave., Apt. 2G Lisle, IL 60532
jschmidt@hotmail.com Tel: (630) 434-8275 Work: (773) 628-8138
John Schmidt, cpa Page 2
(AAR Corporation, continued)
Internal Auditor (1991 – 1992)
- Carried out operational and financial audits for domestic and international divisions of aviation company with $500 million in annual sales.
- Identified discrepancies in North Carolina office data, and eventually traced losses to embezzlement by local management.
- Performed in-depth analysis of North Carolina office operations, and identified numerous areas for improvement.
Grant Thornton, Chicago, IL 1988 – 1991
Senior Auditor
- Performed audit functions and activities for public accounting company.
- Carried out budgeting, planning, and preparation of financial statements for corporate clients in wide variety of industries and businesses.
- Conducted studies into client internal controls and operations, and prepared reports detailing recommendations for improvements.
- Supervised and trained team of staff accountants.
Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign
BS in Accounting, 1988
Sat and passed CPA examination immediately upon graduation
Certifications and Licenses:
State of Illinois Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Computer Skills:
Windows 95/98/NT, Word, ADP, RS6000, Access, IQ and other proprietary systems
References:
Available upon request