Thomas V. Schaffer
**** *** **** *****, **********, MO 63385
abm6gg@r.postjobfree.com Cell: 314-***-****
http://www.linkedin.com/in/tomschaffer
SUMMARY
Accomplished Financial Executive with experience in manufacturing,
construction, agriculture and health care. Key contributions include
banking relationships, human resources / benefit administration, insurance
/ purchasing negotiations, customer relations, process improvements and
credit / collections. Thorough, organized and detail-oriented.
Demonstrated leadership by example. Ability to improve processes and
accuracy through computer systems and data verification, Adept at
compiling meaningful reports to accomplish operational improvements.
Regularly use ERP software, including Solomon IV, J.D. Edwards, Peoplesoft,
Visual Manufacturing and Chilson (AgriSoft).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GRANITE CONSTRUCTION INC. / GATEWAY CONSTRUCTORS JV, St. Louis, MO 2007 -
2009
$3B construction company concentrating on large infrastructure projects.
Lead general contracting partner in Gateway Constructors JV with Fred Weber
Inc. and Millstone-Bangert Inc. on the $438M I-64 highway / bridge rebuild
in St. Louis.
Project Accounting Manager
Hands-on project accounting with month-end closing, financial reporting and
analysis, audit support for internal and external audits, purchasing,
accounts payable, and union payroll. Managed staff of 6.
. Analyzed subcontractor insurance certificates / endorsements and
partnered with subcontractors and their insurance brokers to assure
subcontractor compliance with demanding contractual insurance
requirements before subcontractor start of work on jobsite until
completion. Protected joint venture from uninsured claims.
. Reduced the number of steps from 13 to 4 required on new hire, changed
status and employee termination forms, training end users on use of new
procedures as part of payroll process improvement efforts.
. Created and presented new forms and procedures for the Cost Accounting
Process Improvement Team, delivering improved accrual accuracy for all
locations (97% or better accuracy with accruals normally totaling between
$3M and $5M on the I-64 project alone).
. Improved financial reporting timeliness by 4 weeks / month through the
design and implementation of monthly financial statements and related
reports.
. Reduced accounts payable staff by 1 person by creating Excel macros and
procedures to quickly import large amounts of accounts payable and
journal entries into J.D. Edwards and streamlined accrual tracking and
processing.
. Trained large project Accounting / Business Managers on financial and
equipment utilization reporting, extracting data to analyze cost, import
accounts payable into A/P module and improve accrual accuracy.
. Enhanced staff efficiency in calculating and adjusting over / under
absorption of equipment variance through data downloads and Excel
formulas, saving 2 days labor per adjustment.
. Analyzed / tracked equipment rental invoices, reducing cost by $50K+ due
to duplicate charges and incorrect bill rates.
. Hired, trained, mentored and managed staff to work together and service
the customer's needs, thereby eliminating the friction and lack of
teamwork plaguing this department.
MOARK, LLC, St. Louis, MO 2004 - 2007
$500M subsidiary of Land O' Lakes and second largest egg producer /
marketer in US.
Corporate Controller
Hands-on corporate accounting, month and year-end closing, financial
consolidation, inter-company account reconciliation and eliminations for 19
entities, including 5 c-corps and 14 LLCs, financial reporting and
analysis, 401(k) and welfare benefits administrator, fixed asset
accounting, accounts payable and audit support for 401(k) plan, self-
insured benefits programs, internal, interim and year-end financial audits.
Trained and supported company controllers with closing, account
reconciliations, benefits problems, payroll reporting and other needs.
Gathered and reported financial data for due diligence in attempted sale of
company to third parties and for merger with Land O' Lakes. Recorded the
sale of 3 legal entities. Assisted with the implementation of SOX.
Thomas V. Schaffer Page Two
MOARK, LLC, continued
. Saved $200K annually in broker fees by eliminating under-performing
insurance broker and working directly with the third party administrator
and insurance companies.
. Identified potential savings, recommended and influenced acquiring
company's payroll conversion process, saving net of $150K, including in-
house payroll processing expenses.
UNIVERSE CORPORATION, St. Louis, MO 1999 - 2003
$12M metal fabricator and erector of architectural claddings systems.
Union ironworker and non-union manufacturer and erector of aluminum
composite panels, glass, curtain wall, storefront and skylights.
Vice President of Administration and Controller
Hands-on general and cost accounting, financial reporting, audit schedule
preparation and coordination, banking relations, human resources,
negotiating property / casualty / health and welfare insurance, credit,
collections, purchasing, IT operations and logistics with staff of 6 clerks
and 1 IT professional.
. Saved $200K annually, reduced bad debt expense to 0.2% of sales and days
sales outstanding to 45 days by tracking preliminary lien / bond rights,
making collection calls and negotiating settlements, filing liens, bond
claims and lawsuits.
. Reduced health insurance cost by adjusting benefits and employee
contributions to save $100K annually.
. Directed work-related injury care, tracked losses and utilized
occupational health management group for annual cost savings of $25K+.
. Saved $50K annually by requiring competitive quotes for inbound and
outbound freight.
. Improved cash position by $100K through extensive billing modifications.
DAVLAN ENGINEERING, INC., St. Louis, MO 1996 - 1999
Davlan Engineering and related entities with sales of $15M for machine shop
products, metal fabrication, assembly, screw manufacturing, 2 non-ferrous
foundries and stainless steel Ernest Trova sculpture manufacturing.
Chief Financial Officer
Oversaw general / cost accounting, financial reporting / analysis, banking
relations, human resources, property / casualty / health / welfare
insurance negotiations, credit / collections. Implemented integrated
manufacturing, scheduling and financial systems with job costing, inventory
control, purchase tracking and automated accruals.
. Redesigned cost accounting systems and chart of accounts, improving cost
identification by subassembly, operation and part. Created detailed and
summary reporting for team analysis and potential cost savings.
. Saved $75K annually by improving interest on invested surplus funds by
50% through short-term investing.
. Changed health care provider for 1 of the 3 companies, contracted with
new prescription drug supplier and adjusted employee deductible for a 14%
savings in self insured healthcare costs; $100K annual savings.
BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL, St. Louis, MO 1994 - 1996
Top 10 hospital with over 12,500 employees, $1B in gross revenue.
Affiliated with Washington University.
Manager, General Accounting and Financial Reporting
General accounting, financial reporting, monthly and year-end closing,
budget variance analysis, chart of account conversion, merger of books of
the 2 hospitals, audit and tax preparation coordination. Managed staff of
14 professional accountants and support staff.
KURTZ LAFARGE, St. Charles, MO 1990 - 1994
$40M division of Lafarge Corporation with 2 limestone quarries, 13 concrete
plants, 130 ready mix trucks and greater St. Louis' largest residential
street paving operations.
Controller / Treasurer
EDUCATION / TRAINING
BS, Business Administration, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Post graduate training in cost accounting, software, human resources and
accounting systems