MATTHEW S. CHRISTENSEN, CPA
CORE COMPETENCIES:
Business Process Planning & Strategic Development
Financial Forecasting & Analysis
Contract Structuring & Negotiations
Staff Management, Direction & Mentoring
Risk Mitigation & Cost Monitoring
Organizational Reengineering
EXECUTIVE PROFILE:
Dedicated and focused finance and accounting leader with a verifiable record of achievement in driving profitability, organizational growth, and revenue enhancements. Serve as a proactive catalyst for positive change.
Exceptionally skilled in analyzing business needs and developing strategic plans that drive sustained value. Create synergistic partnerships with internal stakeholders to review operating needs and implement tactical solutions and risk mitigation plans, resulting in success.
Recognized as a key contributor as evidenced by increased levels of responsibility via promotion throughout professional tenure. Applied a cross-functional skill set comprised of financial and operating expertise, and market research and sales to meet the needs of dynamic business environments.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
KB HOME CORPORATION, Raleigh, NC2003 2008
Senior Vice President (2006-2008)
Directed multi-disciplinary departments, including finance, sales, a retail studio, IT, and operations for a leading and well-regarded home builder with $260 million+ in revenue and $95 million in assets. Led six direct and 51 indirect reports as delivery volume increased by approximately 122% in just three years. Established positive working relationships with cross-functional area managers to develop financial forecasts, evaluate cost reduction opportunities, maximize revenues, and optimize cash flow. Reviewed and approved all capital requests for land acquisitions, successfully minimizing investment and market risk.
Key Contributions & Results:
Spearheaded fixed costs efficiencies, resulting in the regions lowest overhead, and the third lowest overhead in the country. Streamlined staffing by 36% through the elimination of redundancy.
Served as the Eastern regional lead for the finance business expert team; selected as one of four division personnel company-wide to participate on the corporate retail studio profitability improvement team. Utilized demand-based pricing strategies and renegotiated costs to increase studio profitability by 48%, the highest in the region.
Played an integral role in the joint venture between KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia for Twin Lakes community. Established pricing, reviewed financial structure and reporting requirements, and presented the financial and operating model that resulted in the development of a community that became one of the best selling neighborhoods in the Triangle.
Led construction, customer service, and purchasing operations, resulting in an increase in customer satisfaction from 8.7 to 9.3. Successfully reduced direct costs by 11.4%, construction cost variances by 68%, and construction build time from 101 to 87 days, which was the second lowest in the company.
Selected as part of an elite group to attend an internal professional development program focused on training division leaders for succession planning initiatives.
Vice President of Finance (2003-2006)
Supervised finance, accounting, HR, IT, and office management staff. Prepared all short- and long-term financial forecasts. Oversaw the annual budget preparation process. Managed internal controls and audit compliance.
Key Contributions & Results:
Maximized profitability, cash flow and ROI through product and pricing changes, and adjustments to land contract structures, resulting in average project profitability increasing from 9.7% to 17.5%. Reduced fixed costs as a percentage of revenue by 37% over two years.
Championed the implementation of best practices and internal controls throughout the division, including SOX compliance.
Established the finance department subsequent to the acquisition of Colony Homes by KB Home. Contributed to the finance, accounting, and IT system conversion.
CENTEX HOMES, Raleigh, NC1995 2003
Manager of Strategic Marketing (2001-2003)
Conducted strategic business planning, land acquisitions and product development. Performed research, analysis, and interpreted consumer and competitor data as part of identifying opportunities for improved marketing and expansion activities. Created product mix and projected sales absorption for new communities and modified strategies to ensure targets were achieved. Directed municipal rezonings and division entitlements.
Key Contributions & Results:
Secured support from an adjacent neighborhood and negotiated with municipality to increase community density, resulting in additional divisional profits of $750,000. Contributed to formulating the most favorable financial deal structures for all land acquisitions.
Designed financial and operating models to successfully launch two new product lines, generating the divisions highest profit margins and sales absorptions.
New Homes Sales Representative (2000-2001)
Rotated through sales to learn the process of the new home business. Started two communities, and successfully exceeded sales goals, customer satisfaction benchmarks, and mortgage company retention targets.
Controller (1995-2000)
Led all financial and accounting activities, including developing long-term financial projections, product pricing, and operational processes. Developed product sales and profitability analysis, which created synergies between product demand and pricing, and resulted in a 12% earnings increase. Selected as one of three controllers to redesign the corporations financial projection process, resulting in improved accuracy of financial forecasts, and increased scenario modeling. Recruited, hired, and trained a staff of 14.
KPMG, LLP, Senior Accountant, Raleigh, NC (1992-1995)
Coordinated, planned and supervised financial statement audits of construction, mortgage insurance, real estate development, and banking clients. Researched relevant accounting disclosures in accordance with GAAP and SEC regulations. Formulated financial, internal control and operational recommendations for management and performed due diligence for client acquisitions.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Accounting
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, Chapel Hill, NC
Honors: Awarded Research Assistantship by Kenan-Flagler Business School
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, cum laude
CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY, Omaha, NE
Certifications:
Certified Public Accountant, North Carolina
Additional Information:
Member, North Carolina Association of CPAs
Former Board Member, Triangle Urban League
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
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