At SIZE
Don is a highly experienced corporate controller with extensive bank compliance and cash forecasting. Don went to one of Size’s CPG clients to gain knowledge transfer from a resigned Controller and take on the hands- on role in anticipation of the permanent hire replacement. Don was a driving force in the client catching up from a 4-month lag in month end closes. Additionally, as the client had a new bank with an asset-based loan facility, Don also handled the compliance surrounding this arrangement as well as took initiative to create daily and weekly cash forecasts.
Bio
Don is a CPA (Inactive) who has nearly 35 years of experience in Corporate Finance and Accounting, specializing in month end close and reporting, systems implementations, process re-engineering and budgeting (especially cash forecasting).
Don started out as a Big 4 auditor with Deloitte and Touche and left for an Accounting Supervisor position at the pet food division of the global candy Mars in 1991. His work at Mars covered a large swath of the operations touching upon inventory, accounts receivable, trade promotions, treasury and tax. He made his mark at Mars by streamlining the invoice deductions process so that millions of dollars could be collected back or categorized properly. From this accomplishment, Don became a “Y2K” project manager as well as the National Food Broker Audit Lead which helped all U.S. divisions better manage trade spend.
After earning his MBA, Don moved from the multi-national consumer packaged goods (CPG) Mars to a start-up internet commerce company called CarsDirect (now Internet Brands). As Director of Accounting, he revamped the administrative process for buying a vehicle online and many other operational processes that integrated with accounting. As the company expanded into other businesses, Don created revenue forecast models, cash application interfaces and was in charge of the CEO’s Board Book.
Don left Internet Brands to work with other early stage or private equity portfolio companies in Interim Controller roles. The clients were generally in the CPG, E-commerce, Automotive or Healthcare industries. Some of these roles converted into employment which brought further excellence, efficiency and consistency to the respective accounting area functions.
Don has his BA in Economics from UCLA and his MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business.