Richard B.

Winters CPA
Mount Prospect, IL 60056 (847) 790-6658 Cell E-mail: rbwwinters@gmail.com
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Summary of Qualifications
Senior Financial Executive with proven leadership and results in accounting and controls, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, risk management, profitability analysis, system conversions, tax reporting, acquisition analysis, and staff development. Demonstrated record of success in identifying and effecting beneficial changes in processes and procedures. Credentials include CPA certificate and MBA from Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management.
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Professional Experience
ZS Associates, Inc., Evanston, Illinois
1999 to Dec 2011 International Consulting firm with Fee Revenue of over $300 million - Direct competitors: McKinsey & Company, IMS Consulting Group, The Boston Consulting Group, Inc., Bain & Company Corporate Controller Senior Financial Executive responsible for Financial and Tax Reporting, Billing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Internal Controls, Profitability Analysis, Budgeting, Billing Rate Management, Risk Management and Treasury for 20 offices in 11 countries while overseeing an international staff of 30 Oversaw growth from 6 offices in 4 countries while implementing controls and accounting processes in all new offices to enhance credibility and effectiveness of the Finance function, integrating it more effectively with the needs and vision of company leadership Encouraged staff growth and retention through opportunity, training and development creating a cohesive, respected and high-performing team with a voluntary turn-over rate of less than 5% per year Initiated and led search and conversion to a new ERP system, Aderant/CMS. New system accelerated process of bill generation to clients and reduced the month end closing process by 3 days. Negotiated contract that reduced annual license and maintenance fees by up to $40,000 per year Oversaw financial reporting and profitability analysis covering clients and 25 different practice areas Developed new analyses of key performance dimensions including realization, utilization, pricing, billing and collections Managed conversion to cloud based expense report process, reducing reimbursement cycle by one week Managed preparation of US consolidated and individual country tax returns Developed first Global Accounting Policies Manual to standardize treatment of transactions Administrator of 401k Plan that grew from $8 million to $70 million in assets. Negotiated new contract with plan custodian to eliminate all direct fees while obtaining more services Consolidated worldwide insurance to one carrier, lowering general liability insurance costs by 15%. Negotiated both letters and lines of credit with bank and managed use of line of credit Initiated use of three month rolling cash flow forecast to identify and resolve cash shortages Finance liaison to HR/Payroll and IT. Participated in search for new payroll software provider

Paradigm Group LLC, Northbrook, Illinois

Venture Capital / Financial Consulting Firm - over $200 million invested in over 40 companies

1997 to 1999

Chief Financial Officer Responsible for Financial and Tax reporting, Billing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Internal Controls, Review of Investment Opportunities, Follow-up Analysis of Funded Companies Interviewed owners/management of companies seeking capital; evaluated business plans to determine merit and viability of proposals and whether Paradigm had any interest in investing Wrote quarterly newsletter to apprise investor group of financial results, business/marketing activities and future plans of funded companies

Richard B. Winters CPA

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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, Chicago, Illinois 1988 to 1997 Law Firm with Fee Revenue of $45 million Controller Senior Financial Executive responsible for Financial and Tax Reporting, Billing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Internal Controls, Budgets, Trust Accounting, Payroll and Treasury while overseeing a staff of 14 Initiated and led search and conversion to a new ERP system, Elite. New system reduced monthly closing cycle by 2 days while enhancing reporting capabilities including providing ability for on-line drill-down analysis Devised an automated cost recovery system that increased cost recoveries from clients by 7% while reducing accounting clerical staff by 10% Directed cash management and managed use of line of credit Led negotiations with insurance companies in annual employee health and general business insurance renewals minimizing rate increases Negotiated advantageous leasing terms for computer equipment, including an attractive purchase option clause at lease termination. Firm policy had previously been to purchase all fixed assets

Longman Group USA, Chicago, Illinois

Publishing Company with annual revenues of $60 Million, subsidiary of Pearson Group LLC

1985 to 1988

Corporate Controller Responsible for Financial reporting, Forecasting and Planning, Consolidation of US operations, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Internal Controls and Treasury while overseeing an accounting staff of 5 Directed reporting of monthly, quarterly, and annual results to U.K. parent including consolidation of intercompany activity Managed preparation and presentation of annual corporate budget and quarterly forecasts for the parent company and four subsidiaries. Assisted in the preparation of three and five-year plans. Developed first budgeting manual. Directed reporting, planning, budgeting and cash management activities of Controllers of four operating subsidiaries Prepared and presented to senior management analyses for all acquisition candidates; thirteen companies acquired

Previous Professional Experiences

Kemper Financial Services Budget Analyst for Mutual Fund & Insurance Company Ernst & Young Senior Auditor
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Education
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Masters of Business Administration Majors in Finance and Management Information Systems

Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Accounting
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Professional Memberships & Certifications

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Illinois CPA Society Chartered Global Management Accountant Active participant in Chicago branch of Aderant User Group