Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
References
Timeline
Generic
JOSEPH THOMAS

JOSEPH THOMAS

Hoffman Estates

Summary

Dynamic Executive Director with extensive experience at Claire's, excelling in external financial reporting and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in enhancing cash flow management and leading high-performing teams. Adept at implementing process improvements and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders, driving organizational success through strategic financial oversight and effective communication.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Executive Director, Accounting and Finance

Claire's
Hoffman Estates
10.2021 - Current
  • Oversee the preparation of external financial and regulatory financial statements, including footnotes and supplementary schedules. Responsible for the presentation of monthly financial results to the company's Board of Directors and external stakeholders.
  • Research and evaluate the impact of new accounting pronouncements, and incorporate or modify disclosure requirements arising from new pronouncements.
  • Serve as the primary subject matter expert on complex and specialized accounting issues.
  • Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
  • Review debt covenant compliance and reporting for the company’s credit agreements.
  • Process stock-based compensation activity accurately and timely, including restricted stock unit grants, vesting, and forfeitures. Oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual stock-based compensation reporting and disclosure requirements.
  • Coordinate the company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis, as well as other required asset impairment and valuation analyses.
  • Serve as the primary contact for external auditors to ensure the timely completion of quarterly reviews and annual audits.
  • Oversee daily activities of accounting and finance staff members, including sales and gross margin, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and cash management functions. Responsible for hiring, training, and evaluation of personnel performance.
  • Reorganized finance and accounting departments to improve efficiency and cut excess spending.
  • Coordinate the month-end close process activities, such as journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations, to ensure all deadlines are met accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Perform detailed variance analyses between actual results, budget, and forecast estimates.
  • Maintain the general ledger and global chart of accounts, as well as the global consolidation process in Hyperion Essbase.
  • Manage global cash flow forecasting processes, and liquidity risk management activities.
  • Lead the design and execution of inventory audits, cycle counts, and reconciliation processes.
  • Oversee detailed analysis of inventory movements across multiple channels and systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and resolve process and/or system control deficiencies to improve the accuracy of inventory management systems.

Senior Manager, Financial Accounting Advisory

Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago
10.2018 - 10.2021
  • Led implementations of new accounting standards for multiple public and private companies by drafting technical accounting whitepapers and developing business requirements for related accounting systems.
  • Served as subject matter expert on internal audits over the financial statement close process and other key operational areas. Provided leading practices on scoping, execution, and reporting of results to Audit Committees.
  • Performed due diligence procedures related to potential acquisitions for multiple public institutions by assessing target financial statements and accounting records for compliance with U.S. GAAP.
  • Developed a target operating model for a community bank, inclusive of a future state organizational structure and an assessment of finance functions to be retained, eliminated, outsourced, or enhanced. Focus areas included reconciliations, accounting policies, process narratives, risk and control matrices, and testing of controls.

Manager, Assurance Services

Ernst & Young LLP
Detroit
09.2010 - 10.2018
  • Led integrated audits on a diverse array of public and private financial institutions.
  • Responsible for developing and growing client relationships with senior management, including CFOs, Controllers, Directors of Accounting Policy, Directors of Internal Audit, and SOX Compliance Managers.
  • Served as an audit quality reviewer by evaluating audits in accordance with firm methodology and PCAOB standards.
  • Served as the lead instructor for assurance training of staff and senior associates. Recognized for multiple years as a top instructor by firm leadership.

Education

Masters of Science - Accounting

East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, MI
05.2010

Bachelor of Arts - Accounting

East Lansing, MI
East Lansing, MI
05.2009

Skills

  • Financial planning and analysis
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Process improvement
  • Verbal and Written Communications
  • Team leadership, training, and development
  • Financial planning and analysis
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Process improvement
  • Verbal and Written Communications
  • Team leadership, training, and development

Certification

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Illinois
  • Active member of the American Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS)

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Executive Director, Accounting and Finance

Claire's
10.2021 - Current

Senior Manager, Financial Accounting Advisory

Ernst & Young LLP
10.2018 - 10.2021

Manager, Assurance Services

Ernst & Young LLP
09.2010 - 10.2018

Masters of Science - Accounting

East Lansing, MI

Bachelor of Arts - Accounting

East Lansing, MI

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JOSEPH THOMAS