Kevin Ronson CPA, CA, HBA

Chief Financial Officer (prior position Director of Finance [contract])

Provide senior leadership for Finance, HR, and IT at KGK Science as well as its publicly traded parent company Wellbeing Digital Science’s (and its other subsidiaries).

Developed a detailed cash flow forecasting model that could be quickly produced on a weekly basis and provided valuable insights into weekly ending cash balances for each of the upcoming twelve weeks.  Revamped the project management system so that it aligned with key financial milestones and could provide real time information for weekly cash flow forecast, as well as complete financial statement forecast.

Restructured the general ledger so that it provided 3D financial information (revenue and expense for the company, but also by division and project).  The new general ledger structure was designed to be able to report expenses by nature as well as function.  Used the new general ledger structure, and improved project management system, to significantly enhance financial forecasts so they contained detailed forecasts for individual accounts and projects.

Improved month end working papers to ensure accurate monthly reporting and to make year end audits more efficient.  Launched a new purchase order system to align with general ledger structure and department accountability.

Chief Operating Officer

Provided senior leadership for all departments (Sales, Development, Support, Creative Services, Finance and Operations) while helping to build out a full senior leadership team, to enable a personal focus on Finance & Operations.

Enhanced financial reporting from standard statements produced by the accounting software, to a full reporting package that includes month over month and year over year KPI comparisons, as well as several pages of graphical KPI tracking with trend lines.  Created a financial model that breaks down projections to identifiable cost drivers to allow for more dynamic and richer planning.

Implemented an improved customer survey system to provide richer statistical data and consistent follow-up.  Introduced weekly management team meetings, one-on-one check-in meetings with direct reports, and weekly all-staff 15-minute huddles to ensure better communication and priority alignment throughout the company.

Chief Financial Officer (prior positions VP of Finance and Operations, Director of Finance and Operations, Director of Finance, and Finance Manager)

Responsible for handling all financial matters and for providing recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer.  Managed an eighteen member team (four direct reports) covering finance, human resources, project administration, and customer service.  Entrusted with the development of financial forecasts, management of an international escrow service, and production of financial statements

Provide analytical and operational expertise to assist other departments in efforts that improve company performance.  Analyzed results of a recurring sales campaign and identified a key success factor that lead to the design, and implementation, of a revised strategy with improved results.

Reengineered the payroll system, providing a simplified process for handling commissions; improved system for tracking paid and unpaid absences; enhanced internal controls; increased convenience for staff through the implementation of direct deposit; and improved employee access to individual payroll information.  In addition, refined the management of the escrow service to allow for faster payout to recipients, resulting in a drop in the average waiting period from twenty-five to ten days.

Played a critical role in raising an $18 million growth investment from Morgan Stanley.  Performed the due diligence and analysis that supported the acquisition of Voicebank.net and led the subsequent integration of their financial systems.

Senior Staff Accountant (promoted from Staff Accountant in 2008)

Planned and conducted audits; performed reviews, compilations, and special assignments; prepared both personal and corporate tax returns.  Clients ranged from not-for-profit organizations to publicly traded corporations; they spanned a wide range of industries that included: technology, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, food services, and retail among others.  

Assigned appropriate tasks to junior staff to help in their skill development and professional growth; reviewed their work and provided feedback on areas of improvement, as well as recognized areas of achievement.  Responsible for a mentoring program designed to support students as they underwent the examination process to earn their Chartered Accountant designation.  Provided an introductory training session to teach the techniques of effective case writing as well as general guidance on finding balance during the difficult process.

Member of the firm’s Information Technology Task Force, charged with the responsibility of implementing a paperless office.  Played a key role in the implementation of the paperless conversion, conducting eleven group training sessions for personnel who ranged from administrative assistants to firm partners (also conducted several one-on-one sessions).  Provided necessary systems training to Zaritsky Penny personnel as part of the merger of the two firms, and supplied ongoing support to ensure seamless system operations.

Administered the firm’s professional templates; created an electronic library, and initiated creation of firm’s intranet.  Created a variety of dynamic and interactive documents to achieve efficiencies throughout the firm and to improve quality assurance in day-to-day operations.

Completed payroll courses at Fanshawe College (London Campus) achieving a grade of A+ in all courses.

Achieved an overall first decile ranking on the Core Knowledge Exam, as well as a first decile ranking in Finance, Taxation, Assurance, and Performance Measurement.

Received an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from the Honours Economics and Accounting program.

Strong technology skills and ability to quickly learn new software.  Strong knowledge of, and experience with, Excel, Quickbooks Online, Sage50, FinancialForce, and Salesforce.  Proficient in Microsoft Office/Office 365, Google Apps for Business.  Experience with Simply Accounting, Quickbooks Desktop, Dynamics 365 for Business, WordPress.