FINANCE EXECUTIVE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


Strategic finance executive with a proven track record of creating, managing, and transforming processes to maximize results in professional service and corporate environments. Collaborative strategic partner that drives smart decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term goals. Employs a tenured broad base of knowledge across finance and accounting, supplemented by IT, HR, and Cyber Security management experience. Successful at building, directing, and empowering strong, effective teams.

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Financial Acumen

Harnesses financial data and visualizes the underlying trends, providing insight to all levels of an organization. Builds understanding by “making numbers talk” to gain business buy-in and maximize value drivers. Earns trust internally and externally at all levels, creating a shared vision and engaging the full team to deliver results. 


Trusted Strategic Advisor

Balances often-competing goals, concerns, and interests of multiple constituencies. Partners with the C-suite to provide strategic and operational perspectives to provide business context in making effective decisions. Focuses teams on strategic goals by identifying opportunities and challenges, prioritizing initiatives, leveraging stakeholders, and implementing improvements. Provided proforma financials for complex acquisition while negotiating terms of transaction – resulted in two successful mergers.

Broad Experience, Deep Expertise

Distinctive experience working with leaderships at a variety of enterprises, including for-profit, nonprofit, PE-owned, K-1 partnership, think tank, and privately-held. Recognizes and discerns that stakeholders can approach situations differently, and adapts communication style to meet needs. Leads with a strategic direction, allowing experts the freedom to implement effective solutions. Provided strategic financial & operational leadership for growing $18 million consulting and public relations firm adding $125 million in acquisitions.

Strong Team Builder

Leads change through building strong cohesive teams with diverse backgrounds and strengths. Mentors staff to maximize effectiveness and support business growth.  

Andrew S. Golub

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE


KEY COMPETENCIES



   





Experience



Philip Morris Management Corp. - Washington, DC & New York, NY                                                                                                                                              1996 - 1998

Vice President Finance

​Fortune 10 government affairs office housing lobbying, corporate contributions, corporate affairs, and legal for Kraft Foods, Miller Beer, PM International


Managed the complete corporate finance function of the DC lobbying/legal office. Developed and tracked external lobbying/legal and corporate contribution budgets.

  • Created financial metric reporting and led annual DC operating budget process; assisted with the Global Philip Morris Corporate Affairs Operating Budget.
  • Managed federal and state consultant, lawyer and lobbyist contracts for PMUSA, Kraft Foods, Miller Brewing and PM International.
  • Managed political and nonpolitical contribution budgets of 501(c)3, 4 & 6 organizations

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Weber Shandwick | Powell-Tate - Washington, DC                                                                                                                                                                      2001 - 2002

Vice President / Director of Finance

​DC PR firm; largest office at the time for $427M Weber Shandwick Worldwide (an Interpublic Company)


Engaged to provide strategic focus to Chairman while managing daily finance and operations during merger efforts.

  • Managed firm finances: analyses, monthly close, monthly/quarterly forecasts, annual budget, compensation oversight, oversaw finances of client & consultant contracts, AR, supervise staff
  • Identified and reduced operating expenses to generate a 28.5% EBITDA margin
  • Provided financial analyses in support of merger with acquired firm

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Edelman Public Relations - Washington, DC                                                                                                                                                                                  2002 - 2010

Senior Vice President Finance

​Privately-held $975 million global PR firm. During tenure, DC office grew from $17 million and 73 people to $50+ million and 225 people. This was the most profitable office in the company. 


Inaugural finance head providing strategic financial leadership for $50 million PR and $14 million international research division, StrategyOne. Built and led finance teams based in DC and NYC. Managed reporting/compliance, price negotiations along with foreign client FARA filings. Served as company GSA Contract Administrator. Managed a team of nine. Reported to the Edelman US CFO, the President of StrategyOne, and the Washington Office GM.

  • Created a new client pricing/budget tool to help non-finance savvy PR professionals across US offices to understand impact of financial decisions. Helped them understand the levers of profitability and led to more strategic client pricing decisions.
  • Secured Edelman’s first GSA Contract and subsequent renewals; assured FAR compliance, contract audits, IFF, MODs, and SINs. Developed government pricing strategy.
  • Successfully acquired and guided integration of two acquired grassroot businesses: Lunde & Burger Grassroots and Grassroots Enterprises. Pro-formally assessed acquisition targets.
  • Implemented global Oracle ERP system replacing multiple legacy geography-based accounting systems. Created one consolidated system allowing global client management and timely consolidated financials.
  • Lowered overhead costs by renegotiating $31.2 million, 10-year space lease of 51,128 sq. ft. office and amendments, along with two lease expansions.

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WPP Group, plc (Local Brands: Cohn & Wolfe and Hill & Knowlton) - Washington, DC                                                                                                                                1998 - 2001

Vice President Finance

Communications holding company with 350 owned brands


Analyzed metrics & enhanced profitability while building out a new office. 

  • Financial and operational oversight: financial reporting/modeling, monthly close, reforecasts, operating and capital budgets, annual bonus program, consultant commission programs, client financial & contract management, payroll, AR; staff utilization, billability and capacity, office leasing, build-out and move
  • Counseled CEO with operational and strategic decisions; served on executive management team
  • Improved operating margins with aggressive cost controls; 60% revenue growth and 39% margin growth in first year. Reduced annual operating expenses by 22% despite new office twice the size.
  • Reduced A/R to a five year low, reduced operating costs and increased profit margin by 5%
  • Led the accounting, finance, HR, IT, corporate research groups, 14 direct reports

Bates White Economic Consulting - Washington, DC                                                                                                                                                            2018 - Present
Chief Financial Officer
Economic consulting K-1 partner firm with 265 staff specializing in advanced economic, financial, and econometric analysis to law firms, companies, and government agencies


​Responsible for all finance, accounting, and payroll functions of the firm. Oversee annual firm budget process and assist with annual billing rate adjusts. Manage/mentor a team of seven professionals plus one full-time consultant. Member of the Management Committee and 401K Committee. 

  • Report firm financial performance at quarterly Board meetings and monthly Partner meetings to provide metrics on the firm’s financial health. Manage and report current and projected firm cash flow weekly.
  • Manage all banking, credit, audit, real estate, and vendor relationships, including securing a $5.6 million PPP loan and subsequent forgiveness. revolutionary
  • ​Secured a $5.6 million PPP loan and subsequent forgiveness. 
  • Oversee Elite 3E ERP and time system upgrades. Drove a year-long ERP evaluation process resulting in a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance &Operations implementation scheduled to take 10 months to go-live.
  • Liaise with outside auditors on annual audit and tax planning efforts including K-1s. Clean audits without significant findings. Converted firm from GAAP to cash tax basis audited financials.
  • ​Executed RFP process, assessed vendor responses, and selected new tax accountants for the firm.
  • Created a single source of data for maintaining and tracking Equity Partner ownership financials, adding rigor and improving visibility.

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Atlantic Council of the United States, Inc. - Washington, DC                                                                                                                                                       2016 - 2018

Chief Financial Officer

International nonprofit think tank that promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges. Has 11 Centers, 136 FTEs, 220 Fellows, and offices in DC, Istanbul, Stockholm, and Warsaw. 


Reported to the CEO and Board Finance and Audit Committees, provided oversight of all financial and accounting operations. Oversaw IT, Legal, Security, and Office Services. Managed six finance and accounting staff, three in Office Services, and one IT manager.

  • Enhanced accounting staffing, management reports, policies, procedures, and systems to gain efficiency. Initiated management reporting, providing leadership with a full view of the organization for the first time.
  • Managed cash flow and coordination of $20 million investment portfolio with outside advisors; managed all banking, insurance, and corporate credit relationships.
  • Drove three RFPs for improving business operations: investment advisors to manage investment portfolio, outsourced accounting services, and architectural services to maximize space utilization.
  • Reviewed and executed all payrolls, MOUs (memorandum of understanding), contracts, donor gift agreements, US and non-US government grants, foundation grants, sponsorships, and vendor contracts.
  • Ensured that restricted funding was spent as designated by donors.
  • Represented the Atlantic Council at the Think Tank CFO Roundtable to gather best practices on common challenges such as cyber security concerns and insurance bargaining to lower costs and mitigate risks.
  • Stood up a Board-level Security Committee focused on cyber, office, and US/international event security.
  • Fortified IT infrastructure with a number of new elements, including new firewall, servers, wireless, VPN, two-factor authentication, backup solution, and 5x bandwidth. Responded to cyber intrusions by foreign nations by working with Microsoft and the FBI.


ASG Strategic Consultancy – Rockville, MD                                                                                                                                                                                  2013 - 2016

Founding Principal

Fully subscribed consultancy that provided strategic finance/accounting and operational services.


Provided CFO services, profitability models, private equity investment reporting, acquisition analysis, financial due diligence, annual budget process, reforecasting, CEO/ownership exit strategy, financial management training, staffing analysis, accounting and finance staff management, and process improvement.​

  • Provided financial due diligence materials for a government contractor in support of their eventual sale.
  • Executed profitability analyses of a national events company’s trade shows and a number of other strategic projects.
  • Assisted a PR/media training firm by developing financials to ready them for sale or employee buyout.


Interpoint Group - Washington, DC                                                                                                                                                                                                     2010 - 2013

Chief Financial Officer

Pegasus Capital (PE) owned B2G (business-to-government) consulting and public affairs firm with seven US offices and one international office.


Oversaw $125 million acquisition and integration of companies into Interpoint while building supporting financial and operational infrastructure. Responsibilities included budgets, forecasts, cash flow, acquisitions, asset management, business insurance, AR and AP, credit program, G/L GAAP compliance, tax, client & vendor agreements, leases, and Legal.

  • Hired staff, built processes, and established offices to position the company for aggressive growth.
             -  Restructured HR, hired a CIO, engaged a national commercial real estate broker, renegotiated benefit plans, administered 401K, developed employee policies and              procedures, travel and expense policy, and managed company bonus plans.

                    -  Divested two financially under-performing divisions, increasing monthly consolidated EBITDA by $250K.

  • Provided strategic financial & operational leadership for growing $18 million consulting and public relations firm adding $125 million in acquisitions.
  • Strategized and created financial/organization due diligence for PE firm exit and company sale. Created a management road show (identified targets, presented to potential acquiring firms, due diligence materials).
  • Reduced security deposit liability 30% by managing banking relationship including letter of credit efforts.
  • Created P&L/cash flow proforma models to identify risks and opportunities versus investment costs. Reengineered cash flow to mitigate risk and allow for surgical adjusts across an extended horizon.