Kurt McFarland
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
San Francisco, CA, United States
Toptal member since April 7, 2021
Kurt is a former investment banker who provides strategic CFO services to high-growth companies. As a consultant, he brings a pragmatic approach to problem-solving tailored to the unique requirements of each client. He is equally comfortable partnering with C-suite execs and boards as diving into the weeds with junior staff. Kurt has held numerous finance and strategy leadership roles within VC and PE-backed companies operating in the healthcare, food, technology, retail, and mobility sectors.
Career Highlights
Education Highlights
Certification Highlights
Case Studies
Expertise
- Budgeting
- Capital Raising
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Corporate Finance
- Forecasting
- M&A (Buy-side)
- M&A (Sell-side)
- Strategy
Work Experience
Interim CFO
FLINTpro Corp
- Rebuilt a financial model, including detailed revenue drivers, scenario analysis, and 3-way financial statements.
- Developed supporting materials for a successful $4.5M capital raise during difficult market conditions in 2022.
- Restructured finance function and reporting capabilities by implementing new software, bookkeeping support, R&D expertise, and tax advisors from my professional network.
Interim CFO
NationBuilder
- Rebuilt NationBuilder's financial model and led the 2022 budgeting process. Worked closely with the CEO, President, and leadership team to identify key business drivers and improve forecasting accuracy.
- NationBuilder acquired Speakable in early 2021, and I managed the integration process, including migrating accounting systems, setting up new systems and processes, and creating consolidated reports.
- Managed the 2021 audit process for NationBuilder and its subsidiaries, including Speakable and international entities.
CFO
Kinela
- Led the successful acquisition of a clinical services business and the associated equity capital raise.
- Rebuilt and streamlined modeling, budgeting, reporting, and analytics processes across the business.
- Assumed responsibility for the food operations division; led the COVID-19 supply chain project; and implemented processes that improved data, performance tracking, supplier management, and new product development.
- Led a project to improve receivables collection, reducing the average receivables days by 40% (from 24 to 14) within six months.
Director
KPM Capital
- Identified an underserved market segment in the high-growth startup space and developed specialized systems, tools, and methodologies to serve the unique needs of these types of clients.
- Built a loyal and recurring client base of high-growth companies entirely from personal networks and referrals.
- Transitioned to providing fully remote CFO services during COVID-19 without compromising client requirements or outcomes.
Head of Finance
Expert360
- Led successful capital raising, sales target setting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, statutory and management reporting, business analytics, tax, and compliance.
- Rebuilt and streamlined modeling, reporting, forecasting tools, and analytics processes across the business.
- Provided real-time data and dashboards to drive improvements in the sales team, resulting in net revenue growth of 125% in less than two years and seven consecutive quarters of QoQ growth.
- Participated as an observer (non-voting member) in all quarterly board meetings and managed investor relations.
Transformation Associate
Ingham's Chicken
- Executed projects initiated under private equity ownership as part of "Project Accelerate," resulting in $200 million of annual earnings improvements.
- Developed and implemented a turnaround strategy for the Turkey division, which went from breakeven in FY16 to EBITDA of AUD 8 million in FY17 (from a combination of cost-out, operational improvements, and launch of new products).
- Played a key role in a successful AUD 1.2 billion IPO deal team in 2016. Responsible for drafting the prospectus and marketing materials, financial analysis, and managing the IPO verification process.
Associate
Qatar First Bank
- Managed investments across the entire lifecycle for a $430 million fund, including originating, screening, due diligence, executing deals, improving operational performance, and exiting.
- Served as an investor and advisor for a $4 billion stadium redevelopment and real estate project consortium for the 2022 World Cup.
- Executed the successful sale of a Qatar-based construction company for $77 million that generated a two-time return in less than two years.
- Served as an investor and advisor for a $300 million capital raise for a Qatar hotel development project.
- Invested successfully in Memorial Healthcare Group (Turkey's second-largest healthcare provider) and Al Rifai (a Lebanon-based manufacturer and retailer of nuts, kernels, and snacks).
Assistant Manager
Seera Investment Bank
- Managed private equity investments for a $300 million fund across origination, execution, and exit.
- Implemented performance improvement initiatives and managed the sale process of BWA Water Additives (a UK-based global provider of water treatment chemicals), leading to a successful sale that generated an IRR of 20%.
- Served as a board observer (non-voting member) at Kosan Crisplant, a Denmark-based provider of LPG cylinder systems and solutions.
Analyst
Macquarie
- Executed principal investments and advised clients on M&A transactions. Created financial models, business plans, IMs, pitch books, teasers, and industry research, and managed the transaction project.
- Advised Macquarie Media Group on the AUD $1.3 billion listed takeover of Southern Cross Broadcasting.
- Executed principal investments in Zhaopin ($105 million) and Ambow ($54 million), using Macquarie's balance sheet.
- Advised European Directories on the €290 million acquisition of Gouden Gids (directories) in the Netherlands.
- Led Fujitsu Australia on the AUD$250 million acquisition of KAZ Group (IT services).
- Advised Pacific Equity Partners on the AUD$440 million acquisition of Hoyts Group (cinema chain).
Education
MBA in Business Administration
IE Business School - Madrid, Spain
Bachelor's Degree in Commerce
University of Sydney - Sydney, Australia
Certifications
CFA
CFA institute
Skills
Finance
M&A (Buy-side), Corporate Finance, Capital Raising, Forecasting, M&A (Sell-side), Valuation, CFO, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Accounting, Finance Strategy, Operational Finance, Budgeting, Pricing, Cross-border M&A, Private Equity, Due Diligence
Output Software
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Expensify
Data & Analysis Software
Intuit QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite
Other
Xero, Strategy, Project Management, Startups, Investment Analysis, Stripe, Think-cell, Receipt Bank, Entrepreneurship, Growth, Finance, Statistics, Economics, Reporting, Analytics, Market Entry, Board Reporting, US GAAP, Initial Public Offerings, Turnaround, Virtual CFO
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