Taylor Smith
Fractional Chief Financial Officer at BrightIron- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Charlie Dang
It’s rare that you come across a standout Vice President of Finance like Taylor. I had the pleasure of working with Taylor for a year at Cash Money. I was always in awe of Taylor’s ability to constantly be in meetings throughout the day and simultaneously manage a team of twenty-two. His leadership skills can still be felt through closed doors. As simple as a
J Douglas Maxwell
Taylor is a multi-talented finance chief. He possesses a unique blend of top-quality technical skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to connect effectively with coworkers at all levels of the organization. Taylor's leadership was particularly important during a difficult systems implementation in 2012. His calm, reassuring demeanor kept the team motivated and focused while Taylor effectively partnered with IT, Accounting and Operations to identify key issues and resolve problems. Taylor is a "hands-on" finance chief who seamlessly transitions between the detailed view and the big picture view. His knowledge and experience in accounting, finance, treasury, operations and IT made him an extremely valuable contributor and trusted partner. Taylor played a significant role in the success of our Canadian business.
Charlie Dang
It’s rare that you come across a standout Vice President of Finance like Taylor. I had the pleasure of working with Taylor for a year at Cash Money. I was always in awe of Taylor’s ability to constantly be in meetings throughout the day and simultaneously manage a team of twenty-two. His leadership skills can still be felt through closed doors. As simple as a
J Douglas Maxwell
Taylor is a multi-talented finance chief. He possesses a unique blend of top-quality technical skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to connect effectively with coworkers at all levels of the organization. Taylor's leadership was particularly important during a difficult systems implementation in 2012. His calm, reassuring demeanor kept the team motivated and focused while Taylor effectively partnered with IT, Accounting and Operations to identify key issues and resolve problems. Taylor is a "hands-on" finance chief who seamlessly transitions between the detailed view and the big picture view. His knowledge and experience in accounting, finance, treasury, operations and IT made him an extremely valuable contributor and trusted partner. Taylor played a significant role in the success of our Canadian business.
Charlie Dang
It’s rare that you come across a standout Vice President of Finance like Taylor. I had the pleasure of working with Taylor for a year at Cash Money. I was always in awe of Taylor’s ability to constantly be in meetings throughout the day and simultaneously manage a team of twenty-two. His leadership skills can still be felt through closed doors. As simple as a
J Douglas Maxwell
Taylor is a multi-talented finance chief. He possesses a unique blend of top-quality technical skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to connect effectively with coworkers at all levels of the organization. Taylor's leadership was particularly important during a difficult systems implementation in 2012. His calm, reassuring demeanor kept the team motivated and focused while Taylor effectively partnered with IT, Accounting and Operations to identify key issues and resolve problems. Taylor is a "hands-on" finance chief who seamlessly transitions between the detailed view and the big picture view. His knowledge and experience in accounting, finance, treasury, operations and IT made him an extremely valuable contributor and trusted partner. Taylor played a significant role in the success of our Canadian business.
Charlie Dang
It’s rare that you come across a standout Vice President of Finance like Taylor. I had the pleasure of working with Taylor for a year at Cash Money. I was always in awe of Taylor’s ability to constantly be in meetings throughout the day and simultaneously manage a team of twenty-two. His leadership skills can still be felt through closed doors. As simple as a
J Douglas Maxwell
Taylor is a multi-talented finance chief. He possesses a unique blend of top-quality technical skills, strong communication skills, and the ability to connect effectively with coworkers at all levels of the organization. Taylor's leadership was particularly important during a difficult systems implementation in 2012. His calm, reassuring demeanor kept the team motivated and focused while Taylor effectively partnered with IT, Accounting and Operations to identify key issues and resolve problems. Taylor is a "hands-on" finance chief who seamlessly transitions between the detailed view and the big picture view. His knowledge and experience in accounting, finance, treasury, operations and IT made him an extremely valuable contributor and trusted partner. Taylor played a significant role in the success of our Canadian business.
Credentials
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CPA, CGA
Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario)Jan, 2001- Nov, 2024
Experience
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BrightIron
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Canada
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Professional Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Fractional Chief Financial Officer
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Dec 2021 - Present
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LendCare
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Canada
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Financial Services
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100 - 200 Employee
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Chief Financial Officer
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Jul 2017 - Sep 2021
As the company’s first CFO, I was responsible for bringing the quality of financing reporting and systems up to the level required to support a period of rapid growth and expansion, as well as satisfying the needs of our private equity backers. In my first year, I worked with the finance team to completely redesign our day-to-day procedures to ensure faster and more accurate reporting while maintaining strong internal controls, allowing us to successfully complete the company’s first “Big Four” audit. Since then, we amended and extended our senior credit facility to support continued growth, and negotiated and implemented two additional securitization facilities during my tenure. I also oversaw an accounting system conversion, expansion of the finance team to add two new manager positions (FP&A and Treasury), and the design of a forecasting model to help us understand and plan for short and mid-term goals. In April 2021, LendCare's owners sold 100% of their shares to goeasy Ltd. (TSX: GSY), a leading Canadian financial services company. After being an integral part of the sale negotiation process, my post-acquisition focus shifted to integration and transition, including a conversion of accounting standards from ASPE to IFRS. LendCare continues to operate as a standalone division of goeasy.
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Cash Money
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Canada
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Financial Services
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400 - 500 Employee
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Vice President Finance
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Mar 2012 - Jul 2016
I was an integral member of the Canadian management team, participating in all aspects of operational and financial decision-making, and managing a team of twenty-two through all aspects of the financial reporting process, including audit, tax, cash flow management, budgeting, and analysis. I managed several key external relationships for the company, including banking, legal, regulatory, group benefits, and crucial suppliers.I oversaw a period of rapid business growth in which the company increased its number of retail locations by over 50% and its revenues by over 150%. In my tenure as VP Finance I achieved significant improvements in the quality and efficiency of financial reporting, successfully managed the accounting impact of a challenging point-of-sale system conversion, and proposed and implemented a group RRSP plan for the company’s employees.
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Corporate Controller
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Oct 2006 - Mar 2012
In my previous role as Corporate Controller, I initially managed a team of ten accountants, eventually growing to eighteen, through the monthly financial reporting process. I worked closely with the CFO on annual budgets, cash flow management, external audit, and preparation of corporate tax returns.When the company was acquired in 2011, I worked as an instrumental contributor to the acquisition transaction, managing all aspects of the financial and legal diligence process. In the months following the transaction, I was responsible for redesigning the monthly financial reporting process to accommodate the acquirer’s needs.
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Spectral Medical Inc.
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Canada
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Biotechnology Research
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1 - 100 Employee
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Accounting Manager
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May 2000 - Apr 2004
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Education
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1992 - 1996
Wilfrid Laurier University
Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.)
Community
