JENNIFER P. SMITHSON
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Mergers & Acquisitions • Strategic Planning • Team Leadership
C-Level financial executive with expertise leading financial operations and strategy in multi-billion-dollar organizations.
Demonstrated dynamic leadership and transparency in turnaround environments, building high-performing teams to
drive progress towards organizational objectives. Expertise in developing and implementing strategies, especially in
mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures to maximize long-term financial performance.
Core Competencies
Organizational Leadership • Budgeting & Cost Management • Productivity Improvements • Financial Modeling •
Contract Negotiations • Forecasting • Profitability Assessments • Financial Reporting • Growth Strategies •
Strategic Planning • Team Development • Financial Operations & Systems • Corporate Integrations
Performance Highlights
• Led business unit’s $35M sale via writing financial aspects of offering memorandum and presenting details to
potential investors. Advised in legal negotiations to finalize contract terms.
• Reduced annual operating costs by $15M after modeling new financial scenarios and conceptualizing new go-to-
market and customer acquisitions strategies.
• Coached and mentored 6 employees to senior-level roles in 3 years to implement development strategy.
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INANCIAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
LEADING ELECTRIC CORPORATION, Atlanta, GA 20xx – 20xx
Chief Financial Officer (20xx – 20xx)
Provide fiscal leadership of external reporting, tax, and risk management functions for one of the largest regional
providers of electricity and natural gas. Lead financial due diligence for corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and
integrations, while also advising legal team to finalize negotiations. Initiate strategy to reduce overall operating expenses
and revitalize organizational structure. Evaluate new financial technologies and systems for implementation.
Mergers, Acquisitions, Divestitures, & Integrations
• Led business unit through significant growth, from initial $200M to current $1B+ in revenue, adding $400M
acquisition, $300M acquisition and $200M internal business unit.
• Directed business unit’s $35M sale via writing financial aspects of offering memorandum and presenting details
to potential investors. Advised in legal negotiations to finalize contract terms.
• Managed team of 12 analysts to conduct thorough financial due diligence on 7 completed acquisitions as well
as 5 potential acquisitions. Presented team’s recommendations to leadership team to support decision-making.
• Conceptualized new staffing plan for financial business unit to integrate 30+ acquired employees. Minimized
overlap in roles and responsibilities by reorganizing entire team, resulting in only 3 layoffs.
Cost-Savings Initiatives
• Reduced annual costs by $18M by modeling financial scenarios of the cost to acquire new customers and
recommending revised go-to-market strategy.
• Saved $10M+ in potential taxes through accounting and tax treatment in support of business unit divestment.
• Established centralized risk management team of 7 professional staff to save $5M in one fiscal year.
New Vendors, Systems, & Technologies
• Coordinated project to transition external accounting vendor; evaluated and selected new accounting firm and
conducted re-audit of most recent fiscal year.
• Generated $1M in cost savings after managing $3.3M new platform to integrate 5 financial systems of 3
separate businesses to 1 centralized platform.
Jennifer P. Smithson | [email protected] | 770-555-9874 Page 2
Director of Finance (20xx – 20xx)
Supervised team of 17 professionals, reporting to Chief Financial Officer. Managed external audits, lender and board
reporting, and transaction processing functions.
Project Management
• Led accounting group reorganization after acquiring 2 companies. Created new organization structure for 17
staff by appropriately aligning skills with position objectives and effectively integrating new staff.
• Integrated new Oracle software across 4 business units, including reviewing platform specifications, overseeing
staff training, and serving as internal subject matter expert.
Financial Reporting & Modeling
• Directed financial reporting in connection with sale of 2 businesses for $325M, including spearheading
diligence matters and net working capital negotiations.
• Prepared financial components of offering memorandums for bond and equity fund raisings with aggregate
value of $130M in partnership with general counsel, investment bankers, and external attorneys.
Team Leadership
• Coached and mentored 6 employees to senior-level roles in 3 years to implement company-wide employee
development and growth strategy.
• Devised and implemented new employee on-boarding protocol to equip new staff with knowledge and skills
necessary to support both individual and company-wide progress towards mission and goals.
BEST SOFTWARE, LLC, Atlanta, GA 20xx – 20xx
Comptroller
Maintained company financial records, including A/P, A/R, and bank statements. Reconciled and balanced accounts with
accuracy, and managed payroll activities for staff of up to 78 employees. Recorded cash receipts in internal accounting
software, monitored fixed assets, and managed invoices. Prepared and maintained operating budgets totaling $6M+,
issued financial statements, and prepared tax reports per established protocols. Supervised staff of 9 accountants and
financial professionals, including creating staffing plans, hiring, and conducting performance reviews.
New Systems & Processes
• Sourced, assessed, and implemented cloud-based storage system to centralize records and drive efficiency.
• Redesigned in-house accounting system to assure compliance with updated accounting standards.
• Led internal audit to identify weak controls and recommended action plan to senior management.
Liaise with Internal & External Stakeholders
• Completed and passed 5 federal and state audits with no findings or concerns. Directed team to gather
appropriate records and served as primary point-of-contact with auditing staff.
• Presented financial records to board of directors, responded to inquires, and provided follow-up details.
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ARLY CAREER EXPERIENCE
Senior Accountant, SPECIALIZED HOMEWARES, LLC, Atlanta, GA 20xx – 20xx
Certified Public Accountant, SMITHSON INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC, Atlanta, GA 20xx – 20xx
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ROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & AWARDS
VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER, Street Elementary School, 20xx • ACTIVE MEMBER, American Association of Finance and
Accounting, 20xx – 20xx • E
MPLOYEE ON THE RISE AWARD, Specialized Homewares, LLC, 20xx • BOARD MEMBER, Roswell
Chapter, Make-a-Wish Foundation, 20xx – 20xx
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DUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA), University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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ACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BBA), Major - Accounting, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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ERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, 20xx – 20xx
