BETH S.

COHEN
3 Farmview Drive * Bethel, CT 06801 * 203-748-0514 * bc5ce1fa@westpost.net
CFO / VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
===============================
Strategic Planning / Forecasting & Budgeting / Internal Controls
Astute and seasoned executive with highly successful career leveraging financial
and business acumen to drive budgeting, forecasting, and accounting operations
to increase profitability for high-growth organizations. Devise policies, proced
ures, and systems from the ground up to leverage best practices, sound methodolo
gies, and strong internal controls; ensure consistent alignment with applicable
regulatory requirements and contractual agreements. Core competencies include:
* Finance / Accounting Systems
* Internal / External Audits
* Banking / Creditor Relationships
* Financial Statement Preparation
* Financial Analysis / Modeling
* General Administration / Management
* Human Resources / Staffing
* Real Estate / Facilities Management
* Contract / Lease Negotiations
* Cross-divisional Collaboration

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
=======================
MEDIA SPACE, Norwalk, CT, 2001 - Present
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE, 2002 - Present
DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING, 2001 - 2002
Earned rapid promotion to VP of Finance to lead finance, accounting, administrat
ion, and HR operations, to include cash management, contract administration, emp
loyee stock incentive plan, financial statements / reporting, financial modeling
, annual budgets, long- and short-term forecasting, and budget versus actual per
formance analysis. Liaise with Board of Directors, senior executives, and sales
managers to advise on budgeting, forecasting, and expense management. Work colla
boratively with external auditors to facilitate annual financial statement audit
s and other activities. Perform in-depth financial analysis to identify risks, w
eaknesses, and opportunities for improvement and growth. Conceptualized and impl
emented aggressive cost savings measures to maintain quality while reducing expe
nses. Review client situations and advise on credit extensions. Recruit, direct,
and mentor 9-member team.
Selected accomplishments:
* Orchestrated major strategic overhauls and transformations, including transiti
on from Sole to Sequential Liability Business Model, new budgeting approach, and
new payment methodology for top newspapers.
* Established and oversaw multimillion-dollar credit facilities and negotiated h
ighly favorable terms.
* Steadily increase liquidity year-over-year, including $6MM increase in 2008.
* Cultivate relationships with financial institutions, attorneys, technical cons
ultants, insurance agents, and HR outsource specialists.
* Negotiated successful resolution to $12MM accounts receivable issue related to
Washington Mutual bankruptcy.
* Spearheaded major initiative to transition to paperless office environment, in
cluding documenting and flowcharting workflows and internal controls.
* Clearly defined, introduced, and manage accounting system internal controls; e
valuated, selected, implemented, and administered SuccessFactors Business Execut
ion Software.
* Enabled electronic filing and payment of withholding and income tax for Federa
l, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Washington returns.
* Managed seamless transition of accounts and services to Citibank within expect
ed timeframe.
* Collaborate closely with IT resources to continually enhance system / applicat
ion operations to achieve improvements in efficiency, productivity, and bottom-l
ine health.
* Handled all real estate operations, including major project to establish New Y
ork sales office.
* Reduced month-end close turn-around by nearly half, from 15 days to 7 days.
* Established Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) as preferred cash disbursement met
hod.
* Leveraged Great Plains and FRx Report Writer to automate and streamline financ
ial reporting.
IMIX.COM, Stamford, CT, 1998 - 2001
CONTROLLER OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Brought in as first employee for start-up ecommerce company. Oversaw all aspects
of establishing and implementing financial and administrative functions, as wel
l as managing HR, data entry, and licensing. Held full responsibility for accoun
ts receivable / accounts payable, payroll, sales / personal property / payroll t
ax returns, inventory, cash management, and general ledger. Developed annual dep
artment and corporate budgets. Prepared and analyzed financial statements; coord
inated audits. Generated quarterly royalty reports and partner revenue sharing r
eports.
Selected accomplishments:
* Instrumental to successful business launch; contributed to all major functions
, including administration, finance, sales, marketing, and manufacturing.
* Created all accounting procedures, systems, and internal controls; ensured con
sistent compliance with internal and external guidelines and regulations.
* Effectively managed all HR functions, recruiting / staffing, benefits administ
ration, employee relations, and file management; handled significant downsizing
initiative.
* Drove general administrative functions, including procurement, insurance polic
ies, contract administration, event planning, real estate, and special projects.
* Coordinated office set up in New York and California, as well as relocation of
corporate headquarters; handled property selection, lease negotiations, and int
erior design.
~ Prior experience as Senior Accountant with The Northern Trust Company of Conne
cticut and Senior Staff Accountant with Holfelder & Bryan, Certified Public Acco
untants. ~
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS
=======================
PACE UNIVERSITY, Pleasantville, NY
Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting
Certified Public Accountant * Notary Public
Affiliations:
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants * National Association
of Professional Women
Technical Skills:
Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access), Visio, Gre
at Plains, SuccessFactors Business Execution Software, Frx Report Writer, Peacht
ree Complete Accounting, QuickBooks, Adobe Acrobat