Bike

Lifestyle

Outdoor

Health & Fitness

Chief Financial Officer

Accounting & Finance

• Created financial plan for seed capital raise.
• Grew the business from 12 employees to 80+ employees.
• Managed all finance, accounting, facilities, operations, human resources, recruiting, payroll, and IT for the initial 14 months of operation.
• Established and negotiated a debt facility with a large national bank.
• Prepared all financial and budgeting reports.
• Set metrics for individual project and company success.
• Creating a project accounting sheet to measure project margin, burn rate, forecast of cost to complete, and other project related metrics.
• Conducted all due diligence and integration for an acquisition of another technology-based startup.
• Worked with commercial real estate broker to lease corporate headquarters office space.
• Managed all cash and treasury activities.
• Led weekly sales pipeline meetings.
• Reviewed and managed all legal contracts.
• Communicated on a daily basis with all other C Level employees and founders.
• Established and set all financial metrics.
• Created financial plan for series A capital raise.
• Managed all Health Insurance, Commercial Insurance, Banking, and Real Estate relationships.
• Monitored company runway and burn rate.

Prepared financial statements, accompanying notes, and all supporting documentation for FYE 2015 audited
financial statements.
• Directed an accounting team of 2 managers and 3 associates.
• Acted as the point of contact for the FYE 2015 audit conducted by a Big Four accounting firm.
• Prepared monthly financial reporting package for the Board of Directors and Management.
• Transitioned the financial reporting package from an Excel workbook to a slide deck with commentary.
• Managed the entire payroll process.
• Participated in weekly budgeting and forecasting meetings with the department heads.
• Managed all cash and treasury activities.
• Reorganized the billing process to increase efficiency and customer focus.
• Managed and negotiated commercial insurance.
• Primary contact for tax accountants.
• Responsible for sales and use tax calculation and submission.
• Established a virtual card purchase program.
• Maintained corporate credit cards.
• Helped to reduce the monthly cash burn rate and increase runway.
• Worked closely with senior management to develop new product offerings.

Director of Accounting

Prepared financial statements, accompanying notes, and all supporting documentation for FYE 2014 audited
financial statements.
• Acted as the primary point of contact for the FYE 2014 audit conducted by a Big Four accounting firm.
• Signed the Management Representation Letter for the FYE 2014 audit.
• Interfaced with potential investors and investment bankers during due diligence.
• Prepared financial and business operations due diligence for potential and actual investors.
• Led financial diligence discussions with potential and actual investors.
•   Interfaced with the potential investors' Big Four financial diligence team.
•   Acted as the financial lead during integration post acquisition.
•   Worked closely with Accenture financial team to integrate into the Accenture system.
•   Prepared and maintained yearly and quarterly budgets.
•   Prepared weekly financial reporting package for the Board of Directors and Management.
•   Participated in weekly Executive Management meetings.
•   Consulted the Founders on a regular basis regarding strategic business decisions and challenges.
•   Led weekly sales pipeline and accounts receivable collections meetings.
•   Spoke at the quarterly all hands meetings.
•   Reconstructed the Company's pricing model.
•   Implemented monthly GAAP financial statement close.
•   Implemented policies and controls for: revenue recognition, client invoicing, accounts receivable collections, resource planning, travel and expense reimbursement, fixed assets, accounting for affiliates, and intangible
asset impairment.
•   Implemented cost controls and approved all expenses over $1000.
•   Approved increases in head count and salaries.
•   Collaborated with the CFO to create an employee bonus program.
•   Established a professional development budget for employees.

Controller

• Acted as the lead senior on an SEC audit engagement
• Led 10Q review for an SEC entity
•   Supervised an Audit Senior and Audit Associates to complete projects under tight deadlines
•   Conducted Interim substantive testing
•   Led weekly Prepared By Client meetings with key client personnel

Audit Senior

• Acted as the leader for four clients, including an SEC entity and Government Agencies
o   Reviewed and tested five federal programs to ensure they were in compliance with grant stipulations
o   Reviewed and tested 10K and 10Q for an SEC entity
o   Supervised an Audit Senior, Audit Associates and Interns to complete projects under tight deadlines
o   Developed a weekly progress tracker to streamline the 10K audit process
o   Led a weekly status meeting
• Compiled audit workpapers and end-of-year financial reports
• Reported directly to Partners, Senior Managers and Managers and worked closely with superiors at all levels
to address audit issues
• Communicated extensively with client leadership including the CFO, Vice President of Actuary, Controller, Legal Counsel, Director of Budget and Director of Accounting
• Coordinated with the Global Delivery Center Group to provide audit deliverables and perform ad hoc tasks
• Reviewed substantive testing and analytical procedures on clients' financial statements
• Reviewed and performed testing of SOX internal controls
• Participated significantly in recruiting efforts

The Scrimshaw Project Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Liberia, Costa Rica

Assurance Senior

• Prepared client proposals and conducted research for potential clients
• Audited two not-for-profit foundations that both received and disbursed federal funds
o Compiled audit workpapers and end-of-year financial reports
o Reviewed and tested 10K and 10Q for an SEC entity
o Supervised Assurance Associates and Interns and reviewed their work
• Represented my starting class as a member of the HR Steering Committee
o   Developed and distributed surveys to gather input regarding current HR issues
o   Presented and discussed results at quarterly meetings
o   Communicated responses from HR to my class
• Participated in the recruiting process as an interviewee buddy and intern and 1st year mentor
• Assisted the leadership of the Health and Fitness Committee and participated in events
• Performed substantive testing and analytical procedures on clients' financial statements
o   Audited Cash, A/R, Inventory, Investments, Fixed Assets, A/P, Leases, Debt Covenants, Income, Investment G/L, Operating Expenses, Grant Distributions, Capital Expenditures, Revenue Recognition and Cash Flows in accordance with US GAAP
o   Created variance and fluctuation analyses for testing depreciation expense, operating expenses, and A/R reserve to
evaluate viability of audit materiality thresholds
o   Performed testing of internal controls for multi-location engagement
• Communicated extensively with client staff and audit seniors and managers
o   Developed and maintained relationships with client staff at the CEO, CFO, CAO, Controller, Treasury Manager and Divisional President levels.
o   Worked independently and completed projects under tight deadlines
o   Participated in weekly status meeting and readily contributed ideas

Assurance Associate

• Independently investigated compliance and efficiency issues
• Discovered fraudulent activity and compiled supporting data
• Assisted the Internal Auditor III with current audits and reports

Graduate Assistant

• Managed customer accounts and loans
• Developed customer service skills

Personal Banker

Jessica Ponds is a Chief Financial Officer at Hypergiant, LLC in Austin, TX. View their experience, skills and work history on Malakye — the professional…

Jessica Ponds — Chief Financial Officer at Hypergiant, LLC

Jessica Ponds

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Education history

University of Texas at Austin

University of Wisconsin-Madison