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Duane Huesers, Finance Expert in Broomfield, CO, United States
Duane Huesers

Finance Expert in Broomfield, CO, United States

Member since November 21, 2019
Duane has identified over $15 million in profit improvements, negotiated debt financings of $3 million to $110 million, evaluated several acquisitions, and improved management reporting as CFO of several family and private equity-backed entrepreneurial companies. He enjoys freelancing as it provides an opportunity to be involved with a variety of situations, allowing him to leverage his knowledge to help businesses be more successful.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Case studies

Industry Expertise

  • Retail & Wholesale

Other Expertise

Employment

  • Financial Advisor

    2017 - PRESENT
    Financial Business Advising
    • Stepped in as an interim CFO for six months at Forman Mills, a PE-sponsored company.
    • Built a financial model for an evaluation of a potential acquisition of $350 million in expected revenue.
    • Provided bankruptcy support for liquidating company with $400 million in revenue.
    • Developed a financial model to provide support for a bank refinancing.
    • Identified and built a case for expense reduction opportunities. The annualized savings were approximately $5 million.
    Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Accounting, Interim CFO

  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

    2016 - 2017
    Hastings Entertainment
    • Built a financial model to drive the turnaround of a $400 million company—identifying an expense savings of $12 million.
    • Motivated and held staff accountable during a difficult time.
    • Managed the daily cash flow which was critical as sales deteriorated.
    • Worked closely with external attorneys and financial advisers to negotiate the bankruptcy process through courts (after the owner decided to not fund the turnaround attempt).
    • Provided leadership during the liquidation process.
    Focus areas: Turnaround Management, Bankruptcy, Insolvency

  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

    2013 - 2016
    United Fashions of Texas
    • Analyzed real estate site selection strategies and recommended changes to improve the probability of success.
    • Drove change from ADP to Ceridian payroll and human resources systems, providing much better visibility into workforce utilization.
    • Converted the company from an S corp to C corp to avoid double taxation of income. It was projected to save owners $7 million.
    • Delivered $100,000 of expense savings in banking, insurance, and telecommunication costs.
    • Directed the company's first external audit with BDO.
    • Shortened the financial close to three days after the month end.
    Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting, Accounting, Income Tax, Real Estate Site Selection

  • SVP Finance (Functionally as the CFO)

    2007 - 2013
    National Stores
    • Negotiated a $50 million bank line of credit facility as well as various fixed asset and mortgage financing, as needed.
    • Implemented a new POS system and data analytics tools to provide more insight into customer behavior.
    • Drove IT infrastructure improvements, including a SAN and improved connectivity, to better support growth plans.
    • Led and oversaw the performance of the accounting, IT, HR, and purchasing departments.
    • Provided a financial perspective to operating departments through an ongoing dialog.
    • Implemented cost reductions of over $250,000 in telecommunications, supplies, fixed assets, banking, and operating systems.
    • Evaluated two companies for possible acquisitions; recommended passing on both companies.
    • Collaborated with the operating departments, providing a financial perspective on their decisions.
    Focus areas: Cash Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), IT, Human Resources (HR), Purchasing, Real Estate Site Selection, Real Estate, Finance for Real Estate, Accounting for Real Estate, Finance, Accounting

  • VP of Finance

    2002 - 2006
    Coldwater Creek
    • Rebuilt finance and accounting teams to better support company growth.
    • Successfully implemented Sarbanes-Oxley.
    • Actively involved with the board in general and with the audit and compensation committees in particular.
    • Executed secondary public offering for $50 million.
    • Negotiated a bank line of credit to support company growth.
    • Developed financial models of new business opportunities to extend the Coldwater Creek brand.
    Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Accounting, SEC Financial Reporting, Board Presentations, Sarbanes-Oxley, Evaluation of New Business Opportunities

  • VP of Finance

    1992 - 2002
    Tuesday Morning
    • Executed a leveraged buyout to allow the founder to cash out, then went public again 16 months later.
    • Raised $250 million through an IPO and a secondary offering.
    • Worked closely with the board on financial reporting matters, including a restatement of previously issued financial statements.
    • Led a cross-functional team to help drive supply chains needed to support store growth.
    • Handled daily cash management, critically important due to the seasonality of the business model.
    • Negotiated the bank lines of credit, up to $110 million at the peak.
    • Introduced the concept of return on assets to encourage better focus on invested capital.
    Focus areas: Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Management, SEC Reports, System Changes, Process Changes

Education

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Accounting
    1978 - 1983
    University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS, USA
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting
    1972 - 1977
    Washburn University - Topeka, KS, USA

Certifications

  • Colorado | Certified Public Accountant
    DECEMBER 2019 - NOVEMBER 2021
    Colorado Board of Accountancy
  • Texas | Certified Public Accountant
    SEPTEMBER 2019 - AUGUST 2020
    Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

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