Ward Schultz, CPA

Chief Financial Officer at Optima Partners Compliance Advisory
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Spring House, US

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Michael J. Ellis. CISSP, CISA, CDPSE

Ward's extensive knowledge of accounting, taxes, payments, and financial audits is absolutely impressive, but what sets Ward apart is not only his financial acumen, but his additional experience in business operations. My professional relationship with Ward therefore extends well beyond our finance and technology responsibilities, and also efficiently covers areas traditionally under the scope of a COO. Knowledge and experience runs wide and deep, and I'd recommend Ward to any company in need of a top level CFO or COO.

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Credentials

  • PICPA Certificate in Data Visualization
    AICPA
    Apr, 2020
    - Nov, 2024
  • Certified Public Accountant
    PICPA

Experience

    • United States
    • Financial Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Chief Financial Officer
      • Oct 2022 - Present

    • United States
    • Financial Services
    • 200 - 300 Employee
    • Chief Financial Officer
      • Dec 2021 - Sep 2022

      The First Collaborative AR Platform. The First Collaborative AR Platform.

    • United States
    • Human Resources
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Chief Financial Officer
      • Jun 2020 - Dec 2021

      SaaS provider of human capital solutions | Private Equity Sponsor: Primus Capital SaaS provider of human capital solutions | Private Equity Sponsor: Primus Capital

    • United States
    • Financial Services
    • Chief Financial Officer
      • Aug 2016 - Nov 2019

      Platform-based merchant processing for European eCommerce (merged into affiliate bank). Equity Sponsor: LaSalle Capital Partners • Implemented multi-currency SQL financial data warehouse and reporting system for Finance and Risk departments. Designed and delivered automated cohort-based chargeback ratio risk analysis enabling both early detection of unacceptable risk levels and dramatic resource efficiency gains. • Created extensive monthly board package tracking KPI’s, operating… Show more Platform-based merchant processing for European eCommerce (merged into affiliate bank). Equity Sponsor: LaSalle Capital Partners • Implemented multi-currency SQL financial data warehouse and reporting system for Finance and Risk departments. Designed and delivered automated cohort-based chargeback ratio risk analysis enabling both early detection of unacceptable risk levels and dramatic resource efficiency gains. • Created extensive monthly board package tracking KPI’s, operating metrics, trends and profitability by business model. Integrated crypto retail shopping cart with general ledger. • Automated daily multi-currency volume, revenue and profitability reporting, merchant statements and commission accrual. Reduced closing cycle from 25 days to 2 days. Led pre-merger tax impact analysis of alternate deal structures. • Successfully merged the company into a foreign bank. Show less Platform-based merchant processing for European eCommerce (merged into affiliate bank). Equity Sponsor: LaSalle Capital Partners • Implemented multi-currency SQL financial data warehouse and reporting system for Finance and Risk departments. Designed and delivered automated cohort-based chargeback ratio risk analysis enabling both early detection of unacceptable risk levels and dramatic resource efficiency gains. • Created extensive monthly board package tracking KPI’s, operating… Show more Platform-based merchant processing for European eCommerce (merged into affiliate bank). Equity Sponsor: LaSalle Capital Partners • Implemented multi-currency SQL financial data warehouse and reporting system for Finance and Risk departments. Designed and delivered automated cohort-based chargeback ratio risk analysis enabling both early detection of unacceptable risk levels and dramatic resource efficiency gains. • Created extensive monthly board package tracking KPI’s, operating metrics, trends and profitability by business model. Integrated crypto retail shopping cart with general ledger. • Automated daily multi-currency volume, revenue and profitability reporting, merchant statements and commission accrual. Reduced closing cycle from 25 days to 2 days. Led pre-merger tax impact analysis of alternate deal structures. • Successfully merged the company into a foreign bank. Show less

    • United States
    • Professional Services
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • Senior Principal Consultant CBIZ / CMF
      • Apr 2013 - Aug 2016

      Financial consulting services to the Private Equity market. (2013 to 2016 & 2019 to 2020) CLIENTS AND PROJECT IMPACTS BELOW: • Resources Investment Advisors (KS): Interim CFO pre and post-acquisition. Accrual method conversion, process documentation, improvements, and opening entry. (4 months) PE investor: New Mountain Capital. Acquirer: One Digital • Processing.com (CA): Post private equity investment FP&A, controls and processes upgrade. (3 months followed by full time… Show more Financial consulting services to the Private Equity market. (2013 to 2016 & 2019 to 2020) CLIENTS AND PROJECT IMPACTS BELOW: • Resources Investment Advisors (KS): Interim CFO pre and post-acquisition. Accrual method conversion, process documentation, improvements, and opening entry. (4 months) PE investor: New Mountain Capital. Acquirer: One Digital • Processing.com (CA): Post private equity investment FP&A, controls and processes upgrade. (3 months followed by full time hire). PE investor: LaSalle Equity Group. • Goodwest Industries (PA): Interim CFO role to upgrade FP&A. Created cost accounting system, dashboards, metrics and budgets for a food products manufacturer following acquisition. (8 months) PE investor: Palladium Equity Partners • Star2Star (FL): Extensive process and internal controls improvement project for a 250-employee national cloud-based provider of telecom services following private equity investment. (6 months) PE investor: New Spring Capital Partners • Boostability (UT): SaaS revenue recognition systems redesign, initial budget creation and accounting system upgrade for a 500-employee leading SEO services company following PE investment. (5 months) PE investor: HIG Private Equity • Simply Beautiful Smiles (NJ): Interim CFO role to upgrade financial systems and processes, built initial budgets and cash flow forecasts for a multi-state medical services group following a PE investment. PE investor: The Beekman Group Show less Financial consulting services to the Private Equity market. (2013 to 2016 & 2019 to 2020) CLIENTS AND PROJECT IMPACTS BELOW: • Resources Investment Advisors (KS): Interim CFO pre and post-acquisition. Accrual method conversion, process documentation, improvements, and opening entry. (4 months) PE investor: New Mountain Capital. Acquirer: One Digital • Processing.com (CA): Post private equity investment FP&A, controls and processes upgrade. (3 months followed by full time… Show more Financial consulting services to the Private Equity market. (2013 to 2016 & 2019 to 2020) CLIENTS AND PROJECT IMPACTS BELOW: • Resources Investment Advisors (KS): Interim CFO pre and post-acquisition. Accrual method conversion, process documentation, improvements, and opening entry. (4 months) PE investor: New Mountain Capital. Acquirer: One Digital • Processing.com (CA): Post private equity investment FP&A, controls and processes upgrade. (3 months followed by full time hire). PE investor: LaSalle Equity Group. • Goodwest Industries (PA): Interim CFO role to upgrade FP&A. Created cost accounting system, dashboards, metrics and budgets for a food products manufacturer following acquisition. (8 months) PE investor: Palladium Equity Partners • Star2Star (FL): Extensive process and internal controls improvement project for a 250-employee national cloud-based provider of telecom services following private equity investment. (6 months) PE investor: New Spring Capital Partners • Boostability (UT): SaaS revenue recognition systems redesign, initial budget creation and accounting system upgrade for a 500-employee leading SEO services company following PE investment. (5 months) PE investor: HIG Private Equity • Simply Beautiful Smiles (NJ): Interim CFO role to upgrade financial systems and processes, built initial budgets and cash flow forecasts for a multi-state medical services group following a PE investment. PE investor: The Beekman Group Show less

    • United States
    • Advertising Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • CEO / CFO
      • Apr 2010 - Mar 2013

      Gift & loyalty marketing platform | Equity Sponsor: New Spring Capital Recruited by lead venture capital investor in Ecount, Inc. to develop a new strategy and turnaround plan. Pivoted business from a provider of credit and gift card services to enhanced loyalty services. • Created Go-to-Market strategies including sales presentations, added channel partners and lead generation marketing campaigns. Replaced product sales team with solutions sales team and led sales pipeline… Show more Gift & loyalty marketing platform | Equity Sponsor: New Spring Capital Recruited by lead venture capital investor in Ecount, Inc. to develop a new strategy and turnaround plan. Pivoted business from a provider of credit and gift card services to enhanced loyalty services. • Created Go-to-Market strategies including sales presentations, added channel partners and lead generation marketing campaigns. Replaced product sales team with solutions sales team and led sales pipeline increase of $2M in one year. • Developed loyalty product feature roadmap, mobile app., digital gift card, currency exchange, campaign manager portal and SQL reporting for customer segmentation. Integrated to new channel partners. Company merged after pivot. • Designed and implemented omni-channel marketing portal. Show less Gift & loyalty marketing platform | Equity Sponsor: New Spring Capital Recruited by lead venture capital investor in Ecount, Inc. to develop a new strategy and turnaround plan. Pivoted business from a provider of credit and gift card services to enhanced loyalty services. • Created Go-to-Market strategies including sales presentations, added channel partners and lead generation marketing campaigns. Replaced product sales team with solutions sales team and led sales pipeline… Show more Gift & loyalty marketing platform | Equity Sponsor: New Spring Capital Recruited by lead venture capital investor in Ecount, Inc. to develop a new strategy and turnaround plan. Pivoted business from a provider of credit and gift card services to enhanced loyalty services. • Created Go-to-Market strategies including sales presentations, added channel partners and lead generation marketing campaigns. Replaced product sales team with solutions sales team and led sales pipeline increase of $2M in one year. • Developed loyalty product feature roadmap, mobile app., digital gift card, currency exchange, campaign manager portal and SQL reporting for customer segmentation. Integrated to new channel partners. Company merged after pivot. • Designed and implemented omni-channel marketing portal. Show less

    • United States
    • Financial Services
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • CFO
      • Feb 2007 - Jun 2010

      • Retained post-acquisition in previous role to provide global expansion of prepaid product. Scaled financial systems to support over $7B in annual card issuance and global revenue of $155M executed by global staff of ten. • Completed global rollout of prepaid product suite to 35 countries. Created 24X7 offshore accounting function. Designed financials closing application to reduce audit ready monthly closing process from 10 business days to 40 hours (Day 2). Multiple cost saving… Show more • Retained post-acquisition in previous role to provide global expansion of prepaid product. Scaled financial systems to support over $7B in annual card issuance and global revenue of $155M executed by global staff of ten. • Completed global rollout of prepaid product suite to 35 countries. Created 24X7 offshore accounting function. Designed financials closing application to reduce audit ready monthly closing process from 10 business days to 40 hours (Day 2). Multiple cost saving Lean/Six Sigma projects completed involving customer service and accounting processes. • Led internal controls project with 25 resources to integrate cardholder transaction database with general ledger system to comply with SARBOX and COSO banking standards. Show less • Retained post-acquisition in previous role to provide global expansion of prepaid product. Scaled financial systems to support over $7B in annual card issuance and global revenue of $155M executed by global staff of ten. • Completed global rollout of prepaid product suite to 35 countries. Created 24X7 offshore accounting function. Designed financials closing application to reduce audit ready monthly closing process from 10 business days to 40 hours (Day 2). Multiple cost saving… Show more • Retained post-acquisition in previous role to provide global expansion of prepaid product. Scaled financial systems to support over $7B in annual card issuance and global revenue of $155M executed by global staff of ten. • Completed global rollout of prepaid product suite to 35 countries. Created 24X7 offshore accounting function. Designed financials closing application to reduce audit ready monthly closing process from 10 business days to 40 hours (Day 2). Multiple cost saving Lean/Six Sigma projects completed involving customer service and accounting processes. • Led internal controls project with 25 resources to integrate cardholder transaction database with general ledger system to comply with SARBOX and COSO banking standards. Show less

    • Financial Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Chief Financial Officer
      • May 2004 - Feb 2007

      Hired to improve financial systems, operating performance, transparency, and prepare company for future exit of founders and venture capital investors. Key driver of a $200M transaction/exit with $25M in increased purchase price value attributed to systems developed during my tenure (Was also was nominated for the Microsoft Innovation Award for this project). • Developed predictive analytics to forecast prepaid card utilization leading to 20X revenue growth and earnings turnaround… Show more Hired to improve financial systems, operating performance, transparency, and prepare company for future exit of founders and venture capital investors. Key driver of a $200M transaction/exit with $25M in increased purchase price value attributed to systems developed during my tenure (Was also was nominated for the Microsoft Innovation Award for this project). • Developed predictive analytics to forecast prepaid card utilization leading to 20X revenue growth and earnings turnaround. • Designed multi-currency, integrated SQL-Based revenue forecasting and gross margin reporting system providing customer level detailed P&L. Drove improvements in gross margin of over 10% and improvement in EBITDA from a loss of over 15% to an EBITDA profit over 20%. Key participant in large customer wins. • Automated accounting processes and workflows resulting in dramatic resource efficiency gains. Actively managed accounts receivable resulting in improvement of cash position by over $5M. Developed internal audits eliminating finance-originated billing errors. Closed 22 capital lease agreements. Structured $8M patent litigation settlement resulting in no gross margin impact. Obtained $37M bank debt recap offer. Show less Hired to improve financial systems, operating performance, transparency, and prepare company for future exit of founders and venture capital investors. Key driver of a $200M transaction/exit with $25M in increased purchase price value attributed to systems developed during my tenure (Was also was nominated for the Microsoft Innovation Award for this project). • Developed predictive analytics to forecast prepaid card utilization leading to 20X revenue growth and earnings turnaround… Show more Hired to improve financial systems, operating performance, transparency, and prepare company for future exit of founders and venture capital investors. Key driver of a $200M transaction/exit with $25M in increased purchase price value attributed to systems developed during my tenure (Was also was nominated for the Microsoft Innovation Award for this project). • Developed predictive analytics to forecast prepaid card utilization leading to 20X revenue growth and earnings turnaround. • Designed multi-currency, integrated SQL-Based revenue forecasting and gross margin reporting system providing customer level detailed P&L. Drove improvements in gross margin of over 10% and improvement in EBITDA from a loss of over 15% to an EBITDA profit over 20%. Key participant in large customer wins. • Automated accounting processes and workflows resulting in dramatic resource efficiency gains. Actively managed accounts receivable resulting in improvement of cash position by over $5M. Developed internal audits eliminating finance-originated billing errors. Closed 22 capital lease agreements. Structured $8M patent litigation settlement resulting in no gross margin impact. Obtained $37M bank debt recap offer. Show less

  • Fastnet Corporation
    • Allentown, Pennsylvania Area
    • CFO
      • May 2002 - May 2004

      Regional Internet Services Provider | Nasdaq National Listed • Integrated acquisitions resulting in revenue growth from $14 million to $40 million. Developed a profit center P&L providing the basis for regional sales and operational strategic decisions. Created and implemented financial turnaround plan resulting in elimination of cash flow loss. Closed $1 million revolving credit facility during loss period. • Developed extensive Board of Directors report including product margin… Show more Regional Internet Services Provider | Nasdaq National Listed • Integrated acquisitions resulting in revenue growth from $14 million to $40 million. Developed a profit center P&L providing the basis for regional sales and operational strategic decisions. Created and implemented financial turnaround plan resulting in elimination of cash flow loss. Closed $1 million revolving credit facility during loss period. • Developed extensive Board of Directors report including product margin analysis, attrition and bookings reports, budget variances and operations commentary. Implemented retail lock box for 27,000 customers. Improved internal controls for billing and telecom costs. • Led Section 363 sale process of four business units resulting in non-contingent cash sale within original six- month schedule, 90% job retention and proceeds 20% above highest expected level. Show less Regional Internet Services Provider | Nasdaq National Listed • Integrated acquisitions resulting in revenue growth from $14 million to $40 million. Developed a profit center P&L providing the basis for regional sales and operational strategic decisions. Created and implemented financial turnaround plan resulting in elimination of cash flow loss. Closed $1 million revolving credit facility during loss period. • Developed extensive Board of Directors report including product margin… Show more Regional Internet Services Provider | Nasdaq National Listed • Integrated acquisitions resulting in revenue growth from $14 million to $40 million. Developed a profit center P&L providing the basis for regional sales and operational strategic decisions. Created and implemented financial turnaround plan resulting in elimination of cash flow loss. Closed $1 million revolving credit facility during loss period. • Developed extensive Board of Directors report including product margin analysis, attrition and bookings reports, budget variances and operations commentary. Implemented retail lock box for 27,000 customers. Improved internal controls for billing and telecom costs. • Led Section 363 sale process of four business units resulting in non-contingent cash sale within original six- month schedule, 90% job retention and proceeds 20% above highest expected level. Show less

  • Asia Access Telecom, Inc.
    • East Brunswick, NJ
    • CFO, Director
      • Jul 1998 - May 2002

      Facilities-based international telecom carrier | Equity Sponsor: Como Holdings Singapore • Joined as pre-revenue co-founder to support wholesale and retail customer base development in the U.S. and deregulating markets in Asia. Established operations in three countries, the East and West coasts of the U.S., and grew revenues from zero to a profitable $50M level. Retained board role but replaced myself as CFO due to impact on family of excessive foreign travel. • Designed real-time… Show more Facilities-based international telecom carrier | Equity Sponsor: Como Holdings Singapore • Joined as pre-revenue co-founder to support wholesale and retail customer base development in the U.S. and deregulating markets in Asia. Established operations in three countries, the East and West coasts of the U.S., and grew revenues from zero to a profitable $50M level. Retained board role but replaced myself as CFO due to impact on family of excessive foreign travel. • Designed real-time risk management reporting systems for customer and supplier-billed and unbilled traffic which ultimately supported greater than 50 million calls per month. • Created business plan leading to $6 million VC equity funding and $1 million in equipment term loans. Negotiated over 125 traffic exchange agreements. Designed multi-step JV strategy and operating agreement with Global Fortune 500 carrier (KDDI Global) that resulted in 4X revenue growth for the combined entity. • Re-engaged as a board member in 2014 to prepare valuation and to negotiate the sale of JV interest to JV partner at $400M annual revenue level. Completed JV exit in 2016 at 6X multiple of invested capital concluding full life cycle of startup co-founder to exit at enterprise scale. Show less Facilities-based international telecom carrier | Equity Sponsor: Como Holdings Singapore • Joined as pre-revenue co-founder to support wholesale and retail customer base development in the U.S. and deregulating markets in Asia. Established operations in three countries, the East and West coasts of the U.S., and grew revenues from zero to a profitable $50M level. Retained board role but replaced myself as CFO due to impact on family of excessive foreign travel. • Designed real-time… Show more Facilities-based international telecom carrier | Equity Sponsor: Como Holdings Singapore • Joined as pre-revenue co-founder to support wholesale and retail customer base development in the U.S. and deregulating markets in Asia. Established operations in three countries, the East and West coasts of the U.S., and grew revenues from zero to a profitable $50M level. Retained board role but replaced myself as CFO due to impact on family of excessive foreign travel. • Designed real-time risk management reporting systems for customer and supplier-billed and unbilled traffic which ultimately supported greater than 50 million calls per month. • Created business plan leading to $6 million VC equity funding and $1 million in equipment term loans. Negotiated over 125 traffic exchange agreements. Designed multi-step JV strategy and operating agreement with Global Fortune 500 carrier (KDDI Global) that resulted in 4X revenue growth for the combined entity. • Re-engaged as a board member in 2014 to prepare valuation and to negotiate the sale of JV interest to JV partner at $400M annual revenue level. Completed JV exit in 2016 at 6X multiple of invested capital concluding full life cycle of startup co-founder to exit at enterprise scale. Show less

  • Silverline Technologies
    • East Brunswick, New Jersey
    • CFO
      • Sep 1997 - Jun 1998

      Implemented new accounting system (Great Plains) to properly record revenue and project costs for fixed price, T & M, and maintenance IT professional services contracts. Plans to IPO this 1,000 employee $35 million Company were canceled and the CFO position was eliminated after 35% of revenue was lost due to the NYNEX Verizon merger. Implemented new accounting system (Great Plains) to properly record revenue and project costs for fixed price, T & M, and maintenance IT professional services contracts. Plans to IPO this 1,000 employee $35 million Company were canceled and the CFO position was eliminated after 35% of revenue was lost due to the NYNEX Verizon merger.

  • Capsule Communications
    • Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
    • CFO
      • Jan 1994 - Feb 1997

      Led turnaround by improving working capital management and closing credit facility to support revenue growth from $27 million to $50 million. Created business intelligence metrics critical to monitoring operational efficiency and driving company to profitability. Installed new GL package. Led turnaround by improving working capital management and closing credit facility to support revenue growth from $27 million to $50 million. Created business intelligence metrics critical to monitoring operational efficiency and driving company to profitability. Installed new GL package.

Education

  • Drexel University - College of Business and Administration
    MS, Accounting and Finance
  • Villanova University
    MT, Taxation

Community

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