I am an experienced Chief Financial Officer and internal control specialist, focused on helping companies successfully establish and improve accounting, financial reporting, risk management and compliance systems for greater operational effectiveness.  As a seasoned CPA, MBA and CIA, I ensure these improvements contribute to the business strategy and add value to the bottom line. 

 

Sound fundamental internal processes enable managers and stakeholders to confidently increase capacity by focusing resources on strategy development and execution, rather than expending unnecessary energy simply keeping the wheels on. I facilitate this by analyzing the linkage between the company’s goals and the activities supporting strategy execution.  I then identify process weaknesses, bottlenecks, overlooked risks and opportunities to build upon strengths.  I assess process effectiveness and communicate actionable steps management can take to strengthen systems, increase value and reduce costs.  I then assist with implementation.

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Background:  

Since early 2020, I have consulted as a fractional CFO, helping clean up historical accounting data and implement management reporting to facilitate forward-looking product-line profitability and cash flow projections.  I have been involved in selecting and implementing systems and related operational process changes.  

 

I served as the CFO for a mid-size, multi-division construction company, where I developed and oversaw the management of internal and external finance, accounting and operational reporting systems. I drove the implementation of inventory and equipment management, human resource and compliance process enhancements, and the structure of internal controls. In addition, I developed the business plan for a new recycling division to drive incremental revenue and developed a divisional and individual project profitability assessment model.  

 

Prior to this, I obtained my MBA with a finance concentration from Washington State University and served as an adjunct accounting professor at Portland State University.  I also consulted for myriad clients regarding process and system improvements, including assisting with the implementation of ASC 606 for a multi-national publicly-traded tech company.

 

As Director of Internal Audit for Northwest Natural, I led a team of financial, process and information system auditors conducting reviews and investigations for improved organizational effectiveness and risk mitigation. I also drove the company’s Enterprise Risk Management program and assisted the General Counsel’s team with corporate governance and compliance. In addition, I managed the co-sourced Internal Audit function for Tektronix, Inc., and worked in various supervisory roles in Finance, Accounting and Internal Audit at Nike, Inc.  I began my career in public accounting with Arthur Andersen, after obtaining my BA in Accounting from the University of Oregon.