Wayne Edwards

Experience

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  BDO Seidman, LLP

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1997

  Senior Associate

  Audit team leader responsible for all aspects of multiple public and non-public client engagements including SEC reporting and assisting client organizations evaluate its operating controls, guidelines and processes ensuring that such controls are adequate, functional and in adherence to appropriate standards, regulatory requirements and corporate policies.

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  BellSouth Corporation

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2000

  Assistant Controller

  Various roles within the BellSouth family of companies including a Specialist in Accounting Policy for BellSouth Telecommunications, a manager creating an IT Shared Services finance organization at BellSouth Corporation, and Assistant Controller over Inventory at BellSouth Mobility.

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  Nortel Networks

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2004

  Finance Senior Advisor

  Analyzed the financial impact of the different sales approaches used by organizations.

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  Verizon Business

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  Director Accounting Policy and Compliance

  Orchestrated, planned, and reported on the SOX 404 compliance effort as it pertained to revenue and accounts receivable. Advised process owners on best practice for implementing internal controls. Accountable for improving the understanding of revenue recognition and accounts receivable issues, reporting annual testing results to other senior management, and assisting with the integration of policy and financial reporting during the merger with MCI. Recruited and managed 5 direct reports.• Created new organization to review material new revenue agreements in order to properly understand technical accounting issues thereby improving quality of financial records and generating reporting efficiencies.• Oversaw the process for anticipating the impact that new agreements would have on revenue. This resulted in a decrease in audit scope and fees. Show less

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  CIBA Vision

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2008

  Head of North American Reporting and Compliance

  Directed the monthly closing and reporting process for 3 North American ledgers, the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Developed a complete Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance strategy, implementing all necessary controls and remediating deficiencies as necessary. Analyzed the impact of departmental transactions on the general ledgers. Accountable for training employees on the testing of controls, improving the effectiveness of the close process, and rebuilding staff morale to reduce turnover. Managed 6 direct reports.• Avoided $10K in consultant fees by developing SOX processes and procedures to reduce the number of outside consultants required for testing.• Cut recruiting costs by reducing staff turnover; the cost for recruiting each mid-level staff accountant is $20K.• Collaborated with external auditors on North American audit issues to lessen incremental fees. Show less

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  Merial

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2012

  Director of Accounting Policy and Compliance

  Charged with gaining insight into appropriate accounting policies and procedures while enhancing awareness of best accounting practices. Authored white-papers on key accounting positions for senior management, relevant entity leadership, and external auditors. Researched the latest IFRS standards and FASB convergence initiatives to explain the differences between GAAP and IFRS to other senior management. Investigated, interpreted, documented, communicated, and implemented accounting policy based on ASC, IFRS, FASB, IASB, and SEC pronouncements for policy enhancements and business opportunities. Oversaw global Internal Controls for Financial Reporting (ICFR) standards in relation to universal key controls, corporate level annual self-assessment, and Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) 16 assessments. Spearheaded the annual ICFR management representation letters process with global entity management, functional and operational senior management, and company executive management. Assisted business development in multiple M&A opportunities.• Saved $15M and mitigated potential costly litigation by noting an opportunity to defer intellectual property transfer during the preliminary review of a proposed acquisition agreement.• Reduced expenses by $375K over 3 years after collaborating with the CAO to drive a 5% reduction in audit fees.• Improved the company’s position within a strategic research agreement by streamlining development opportunities, strengthening Merial exclusivity to the impacted intellectual property, and accommodating improved cash-flow for equity investment with $10M while generating long-term savings.• Eliminated the need for incremental external auditor fees by preparing accounting white-papers to support positions on acquisitions, other complex agreements, and technical accounting issues. Show less

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  Immucor, Inc.

  Sept 2012 - Apr 2013

  Leader responsible for developing global accounting policies and procedures. Absorbed additional duties with regards to managing and documenting revenue recognition practices. Managed annual goodwill analysis and impairment testing. Researched accounting issues, including impact of new pronouncements, in order to prepare appropriate accounting support and documentation. • Challenged and defended new position on economic useful lives of certain fixed assets creating a $4 million dollar decrease in depreciation expense for fiscal 2014.• Developed a control self-assessment process and related reporting structure to assist in the reduction or elimination of internal control errors. Created a clear line of accountability and a stronger awareness of risks resulting in an organization with a lower risk profile.• Supported acquisition and integration efforts related to entrance into the transplant medicine market. Show less

  • Director of SEC Reporting

    Sept 2012 - Apr 2013

  • Director of Accounting and Finance

    Sept 2012 - Apr 2013
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  First Data Corporation

  Jan 2014 - Apr 2017

  Director - Technical Accounting

  Responsible for ensuring compliance with US GAAP and internal accounting policies. Managing research and implementation of new revenue recognition standard. Participates in a variety of projects across functions and provides a resource for other groups within the organization. Provides technical accounting expertise and policy interpretation for complex transactions. Responsible for technical accounting research and writing accounting memos to support accounting positions and conclusions. Reviews proposed agreements and other potential transactions to advise finance and business leaders on the accounting implications. Maintains existing accounting policies and create new policies as needed. Monitor the activities of accounting standard-setting bodies and evaluate the impact on the Company's policies and financial statements. Show less

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  Consultant and Contractor

  Aug 2017 - Jul 2018

  Technical Accounting Subject Matter Expert - Revenue Recognition and Leasing

  Currently assisting multi-national organizations as they prepare to implement ASC 606 as well as IFRS 15 and preparation for the new leasing standard including training, agreement review, policy interpretation, procedure compliance, memo preparation and review, and impact analysis.

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  Novelis

  Aug 2018 - Oct 2019

  External Financial Reporting and Technical Accounting

  Global subject matter expert on technical accounting and reporting matters under US GAAP, IFRS, and Indian Accounting Standards. Managed global launch of new policy, subledger system and implementation procedures related to the new leasing standard ASC 842 (and IFRS 16 and IndAS116). Advising executive management team, controllership group, financial planning & analysis, treasury, tax, and others on impact of complex transactions and adoption of new accounting standards. Provide leadership and support to Corporate Accounting and Regional Controllership teams and mentors technical accounting and external financial reporting team members with a focus on development and retention. Show less

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  ARG | AgentHR Recruiting Group

  Jul 2020 - Oct 2020

  Technical Accounting Consultant

  Research technical accounting positions for a top engineering and construction management firm.

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  Pond & Company

  Oct 2020 - Apr 2022

  Corporate Controller

  Responsible for direct supervision of all accounting and financial functions. Primary responsibilities include supervision of the monthly close process, monthly billings to clients for services provided, collection of accounts receivable, supervising accounts payable, payroll, monthly reporting, annual audit, and treasury. My team creates and implements policies and procedures to identify, resolve and document accounting issues in addition to creating procedures to make the close and reporting processes more efficient and accurate. Show less