Peter Wells, Finance Expert in New York, NY, United States
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Peter Wells

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
New York, NY, United States
Toptal Member Since
December 19, 2018

Peter began his investment banking career at Moelis & Co., where he completed $10 billion in M&A, restructuring, and financing deals. He recently served as the CFO of a software startup raising $6 million of capital. As a freelancer, he enjoys working on transactions for high-growth companies. Peter has extensive experience working with clients to assess new opportunities and position them with the resources to fuel their growth.

Investment BankingFundraisingMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Revenue & Expense ProjectionsPrivate EquityCorporate FinanceProject FinanceCFOPost-merger IntegrationCorporate GovernanceGrowth StrategyHedge Fund ConsultantFinancial ForecastingComparable Company AnalysisAccountingTransaction AdvisoryJoint Venture

Career Highlights

COO | CFO
MIND Media
Financial Analyst
Equity Hedge Fund (Confidential)
Associate
Moelis & Company

Education Highlights

Bachelor's Degree
Loyola Marymount University

Certification Highlights

Series 63
FINRA
Series 79
FINRA
Series 7
FINRA

Case Studies

Work Experience

Corporate Development and Financial Advisor

2019 - 2023
Freelance Clients
  • Advised and implemented spin-out strategies to form two new ventures, one in logistics and the second in sustainability, built around the primary fresh produce distribution business.
  • Led the acquisition, financing, and redevelopment of two cold storage warehouse facilities totaling $15 million in asset value.
  • Managed the fundraising process resulting in $22+ million in capital investments while leading internal financial returns analysis of 10+ investment and financing opportunities.
  • Provided guidance and oversaw the implementation of a standalone finance function for the logistics division with $20 million in annual sales, including staffing and ERP system implementation.
Focus areas: Fundraising, Growth Strategy, Partnerships, Debt Raises, Venture Funding, Financing, Manufacturing, Investment Banking, Financial Forecasting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fund Structure, Deal Flow Origination, Agribusiness, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Investments, Deal Sourcing, Agrotech, Deal Closure, CIO, Market Intelligence

CFO

2018 - 2022
PaulJoseph&Co
  • Oversaw the fund formation process, including jurisdiction, licensing, drafting operating agreements, and fund offering documents while reducing setup costs by over 50%.
  • Implemented systems for monthly performance reporting and verification, along with investor communication and marketing.
  • Negotiated and implemented agreements for fund administration, compliance, reporting, legal, and third-party marketing to provide services to hedge fund operations.
Focus areas: Fund Formation, Investor Relations

COO | CFO

2013 - 2018
MIND Media
  • Built a detailed financial model for internal projections and external fundraising efforts.
  • Structured and managed three fundraising rounds, securing $6 million in outside investment.
  • Led all of the aspects of the fundraising process; managed and developed relationships with investment firms, prepared investor materials, negotiated, and drafted deal documentation.
  • Sourced and structured key supplier and distribution partnerships in North America, Europe, and Asia.
  • Acted as a project manager for successfully rebuilding the software platform and associated tech hardware.
Focus areas: CFO, Investment Memoranda, Startup Funding, Venture Funding, Business Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising, Financing, Manufacturing, Financial Forecasting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Deal Flow Origination, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Investments, Deal Sourcing, Deal Closure, CIO, Market Intelligence

Financial Analyst

2013 - 2017
Equity Hedge Fund (Confidential)
  • Built detailed financial models to evaluate investments in publicly traded equities.
  • Reviewed public documents and analyst reports building a multiple-scenario analysis for future revenue and profitability.
  • Worked on a contract basis directly for a portfolio manager with $50 million of equity invested in a long/short emerging market strategy.
Focus areas: Stock Price Analysis, Investment Monitoring, Investment Thesis, Equity Valuation, Valuation Analysis, Five-year Projections, Fundraising, Financing, Financial Forecasting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fund Structure, Fund Analysis, Deal Flow Origination, Investments, Deal Closure, CIO, Market Intelligence

Associate

2007 - 2013
Moelis & Company
  • Joined as the first analyst to start at the firm's inception and earned an early promotion to associate after 2.5 years in the analyst program.
  • Advised clients in the media, gaming, and telecommunications sectors; evaluated principal investment opportunities for Moelis Capital Partners.
  • Led the development of a merger model for Univar's (NYSE:UNVR) $1.2 billion acquisition of Basic Chemical Solutions and drafted investment memorandum for the associated debt financing.
  • Analyzed financial recoveries to key debt and equity stakeholders and viability of restructuring proposals under various operating scenarios as part of Citadel Broadcasting's $2.4 billion Chapter 11 restructuring.
  • Managed the transaction process, drafted investment memorandum, and built a financial model for The Gores Group's $345 million sale of portfolio company Global Tel Link to Veritas Capital and Goldman Sachs.
  • Closed over ten transactions with an aggregate value in excess of $10 billion.
  • Executed numerous transactions in the healthcare industry sector, including facilities, insurance, and IT clients.
Focus areas: Three-statement Modeling, Capital Structuring, M&A (Sell-side), Leveraged Buyout Modeling, M&A (Buy-side), Private Equity, Investment Memoranda, Debt Raises, Equity Financing, Financial Restructuring, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fundraising, Financing, Investment Banking, Financial Forecasting, Fund Structure, Fund Analysis, Deal Flow Origination, Agribusiness, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Investments, Deal Sourcing, Agrotech, Deal Closure, Market Intelligence

Junior Analyst

2006 - 2007
UBS Investment Bank
  • Built financial models to evaluate the credit worthiness of leveraged buyouts and investor returns for private equity funds.
  • Conducted company and market research to support business development and pitch processes.
  • Developed a quarterly review of activist hedge fund activity distributed to all of the global managing directors across the bank.
  • Received an early promotion after one year of a two-year program at the position.
Focus areas: Debt Structuring, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Fundraising, Financing, Investment Banking, Financial Forecasting, Fund Structure, Fund Analysis, Deal Flow Origination, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Investments, Deal Sourcing, Deal Closure, Market Intelligence

Fund Administration

2005 - 2006
The Gores Group
  • Worked with fund operations team to draft quarterly investor letters to limited partners of the private equity fund.
  • Assisted with fund accounting and capital calls for new investments.
  • Supported the investment team with the valuation of the portfolio for quarterly reporting, including an analysis of public comps and precedent transactions.
  • Maintained the operational accounting systems for general partner and operational improvement groups.
Focus areas: Comparable Company Analysis, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Valuation Analysis, Accounting Systems, Accounting, Capital Raising, Private Company Valuation, Private Equity, Operational Finance, Fundraising, Financing, Financial Forecasting, Fund Structure, Fund Analysis, Deal Flow Origination, M&A Due Diligence (Financial), Investments, Deal Closure, Market Intelligence
Image of Climbing the IoT Value Chain publication
Publication

Climbing the IoT Value Chain

https://www.toptal.com/finance/financial-consultants/iot-value-chain
2000 - 2004

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles, CA, USA

AUGUST 2016 - PRESENT

Series 34

National Futures Exchange

AUGUST 2016 - PRESENT

Series 3

National Futures Association

NOVEMBER 2011 - MARCH 2013

Series 63

FINRA

AUGUST 2011 - MARCH 2013

Series 79

FINRA

AUGUST 2010 - MARCH 2013

Series 7

FINRA

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