Robert E Meyers, CPA, CGMA

Experience

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  KPMG

  Jan 1987 - Jan 1992

  Supervising Senior Accountant
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  PepsiCo

  Jan 1992 - Jan 1994

  Accounting Manager, PepsiCo Food Systems (PFS)

  Directed financial operations for equipment purchases and promotional business materials that were allocated to Taco Bell, Hot N’ Now, California Pizza Kitchen and Chevy’s business units. Supervised a staff of nine and reported to Finance Director. Company consolidated operations to Dallas.

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  The Walt Disney Company

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1999

  Managed accounting operations for the North American Licensing businesses with annual licensing revenues of $500M. This included Merchandise, Publishing, Art Classics and Canada. Managed accounting and finance operations for the global Creative Resource cost centers. Supervised a staff of eighteen and reported directly to the Controller/Vice President of Disney Consumer Products.• Designed and implemented a new centralized department that administered licensing contracts for North American business units, which became the model for the shared services group throughout division• Reduced headcount by 25% while increasing staff efficiency by 33% Show less Managed accounting operations, participated in the budget, and forecast for the U.S. Licensing Group with annual licensing revenues of $400 M. Directly oversaw the month-end closing process, preparation of annual budgets, monthly forecasts and the five-year strategic plan. Supervised a staff of ten and reported directly to the Vice President of Finance. • Performed detailed business reviews on stage and ice and the Los Angeles Dodgers business units that included gross margin analyses, profitability studies and inventory analyses • Participated in developing and the successful implementation of a timekeeping system for Creative Resource artists that allocated expenses to Disney business units and licensees Show less Managed accounting operations for the Disney Magazine Publishing Group with annual revenues of $80M. Directly oversaw the month-end close process for five vertically integrated business units. Assisted in the preparation of annual budgets and monthly forecasts. Hired, trained and developed a bicoastal department of five and reported directly to the Controller of the Disney Publishing Group. • Performed due diligence on three magazine acquisitions ranging in purchase value from $7M to $175M• Played an integral role in improving the Magazine Group’s cash flow by $4.3M through aggressive management of working capital and reducing the month-end close process by five business days while growing from $34M and three businesses to $80M and five businesses Show less

  • Director Of Accounting, Disney Consumer Products

    Jan 1998 - Jan 1999

  • Senior Manager, Disney Consumer Products

    Jan 1996 - Jan 1998

  • Manager, Accounting, Disney Consumer Products

    Jan 1994 - Jan 1996
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  EMind.com

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  Director/Controller (acting CFO)

  Managed finance, accounting, legal, information systems, human resources, purchasing and facilities for an Internet startup providing e-learning continuing education courses for accounting and financial industry professionals. Hired and supervised a staff of five and reported directly to the CEO.• Led the pre-IPO process including preparation of the prospectus, comfort letters and functioned as the primary interface with bankers/underwriters, attorneys, accountants and lead investors• Managed two successful equity rounds of financing exceeding $20M• Established the necessary systems, processes and infrastructure that accommodated the rapid growth of employees (34 to 85) and the opening of three additional U.S. offices• Developed comprehensive cash flow, monthly forecast and course profitability models Show less

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  The Walt Disney Company

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2009

  Directed controllership duties for Disney’s global retail divisions (brick and mortar & e-commerce) with $750M in revenues. Supervised a staff of 32 at multiple locations and reported directly to the CFO/Senior Vice President of Disney Retail.• Represented Controller/Accounting interests during the reacquisition of the Disney Stores• Negotiated and managed transition services provided by seller (The Children’s Place) for a six month post acquisition period• Responsible for the purchase accounting/acquisition treatment in accordance with GAAP• Determined appropriate controllership department structure; successfully recruited and trained 19 individuals• Set up policies and procedures for new entity, implemented Minimum Control Standards and Sarbanes-Oxley Act testing/certification requirements Show less Directed finance, accounting and loss prevention for Disney’s North America retail divisions (online & franchise) with $160M in revenues. Supervised a staff of 29 at multiple locations and reported directly to the General Manager/Vice President.• Streamlined close & forecast process and developed new reports/key metrics to enhance business planning and decision-making• Successfully recruited and retained high performing staff during a period of multiple rounds of layoffs and changes to business model. Department received excellent overall favorable rating (81%) from FY06 Culture Survey, an 8% improvement• Leveraged relationships within DCP and TWDC to advance business unit goals, resulting in $1.3M annual savings. Negotiated lower WDIG and Legal AOP allocations and approval to revise the inventory reserve estimated percentages Show less Restructured and led a team of 20 accounting and financial professionals for a specialty retailer with 324 stores and $700M in revenues during the sale of the business unit to The Children’s Place. Reported to the Controller and the head of the business unit.• Recruited by Disney Consumer Product’s CFO to provide leadership and stability during the sale of the business unit• Provided detailed variance and budget reports that contributed to the successful turnaround of the business unit with a profit swing of $127M• Provided extensive financial, historical and statistical information to the buyer that facilitated the successful transition of financial management Show less

  • Director, Worldwide Controller, Disney Consumer Products

    Jan 2008 - Jan 2009

  • Director, Finance/Controller, Disney Consumer Products

    Jan 2005 - Jan 2008

  • Director, Financial Reporting, Disney Consumer Products

    Jan 2004 - Jan 2005

  • Senior Finance Consultant, ABC Inc., Touchstone Television Finance

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2004
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  GFA Healthcare Consulting

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

  Senior Finance Consultant (acting Controller)

  Provided comprehensive financial and operational duties to a newly formed healthcare consulting firm that provides guidance to various medical institutions and clinics.• Implemented internal systems and processes to handle rapid growth and expansion of three offices in North America• Improved cash flow by standardizing employee time sheets and streamlining client invoice process to save twenty administrative hours per month• Provided guidance for company structure and advantageous contact language/billing terms which improved the monthly cash flow by fifteen days Show less

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  Diva Accessories

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  Chief Financial Officer

  US division of an accessory retailer, part of an Australian privately owned conglomerate, BB Retail Capital, representing five distinct retail chains with over 3,000 locations worldwide. Reported to President/CEO of US operations.• Immersed in the detailed coast-to-coast start up operations of the company on a daily basis, including corporate and new store pre-opening logistics for twenty locations• Implemented comprehensive strategic and operational controls to manage company’s cash flows; including daily cash management, weekly cash flow forecasting and funding requirements while improving timely reporting of financial information• Initiated employee benefit plan for US operations• Due to high cost outlay in US and collapse of east coast landlord deals resulted in withdrawal from US Show less

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  Resources Global Professionals

  Feb 2012 - now

  Consultant

  Projects: Finance transformation, company divestiture, derivatives, Dodd-Frank, A/R & collections, subsidiary accounting, worldwide SAP implementation and financial reporting