Philippe Content, Finance Expert in Albany, United States
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Philippe Content

Verified Expert  in Finance

Finance Expert

Location
Albany, United States
Toptal Member Since
November 21, 2022

Phil is an experienced CFO who overhauls companies and increases EBITDA margin by 5 to 10%. He has completed over $6 billion in M&A and capital-raising transactions for private and public companies worldwide in several industries, including manufacturing, renewable energy, and software. As a CPA and Series 24 licensee, he advises companies on how to maximize value. Phil uses his over 15 years of financial experience to bring out-of-the-box solutions to his clients.

Career Highlights

CFO
AIS
CFO
Perrone Aerospace
CFO
Virgin Islands Next Generation Network

Education Highlights

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Boston University, Questrom School of Business
Master's Degree
Royal Military Academy, Polytechnic Division

Certification Highlights

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
State of New Hampshire

Case Studies

Work Experience

CFO

2023 - PRESENT
Century Linen - Falcon Affiliates
  • Oversaw the deployment of a new ERP system. The company moved from a QB solution based on seven subsidiaries to a NetSuite/Oracle-based system. Developed closing procedures with the team. The monthly closing was now one week instead of one month.
  • Hired new team members for the back office. We retooled the accounting team, bringing new talent. Reorganized the IT team to have a better integration with the accounting team.
  • Developed an on-time budget for 2024. Started building the budget from the bottom up in August. The budget was presented to the Board in December 2023.
Focus areas: Bank Covenants, Audits, Accounting, US GAAP, Reporting

Feasibility Study and Financial Modeling (Manufacturing/Greenfield/Fertilizers)

2023 - 2023
GUILD CONSULTING LLC
  • Developed, with input from the client, a monthly financial model. The model was rather complex and allowed for several parameters to be changed.
  • Trained the client on how to use the model and how to perform sensitivity analysis. The model was used to apply for a loan with a large financial institution and a Federal Grant.
  • Built the model to provide financial data to the client used in the application process for the Federal Grant. As this happened recently, we have not heard back if they successfully obtained the grant.
Focus areas: Feasibility Studies, Financial Modeling, Manufacturing, Greenfield, United States, Fertilizers

CFO

2019 - 2021
AIS
  • Led the accounting and contracts departments for the supplier of cyber solutions to the US government.
  • Obtained over $6 million in paycheck protection program funding and developed employee stock ownership and long-term incentive plans to reduce employee churn.
  • Developed a plan to diversify the company into the commercial sector, leveraging intellectual property designed for the US government.
  • Reviewed the R&D tax credit policy and software solutions accounting practices, resulting in an operating margin increase of several percentage points.
  • Conducted product line cost analysis and proposed a restructuring plan, eliminating operating losses of $1.2 million.
  • Reduced the audit of US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) from 10 to 3 months.
  • Increased the reporting system accuracy, resulting in a 10% EBIT margin boost.
Focus areas: Federal Acquisition Requirements (FAR), Contract, US GAAP, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Excel 365, Deltek, Risk, Tableau, DCF Valuation, Complex Problem Solving, Bank Covenants, Crisis Management, Budgeting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Audits, Securities Regulation, DCF Modeling, Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS), Simulations, Securities, Regulatory Documentation, SEC Filing, M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), CFO, Controls, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Financial Reporting, Negotiation, Management, Accounting, Mentorship & Coaching, M&A Modeling, Statistics, Probability Theory, Control & Cost Analysis, Grant Accounting, Government Contracting, Financial Investment Structuring, Private Placements, Reg D Private Placements, Documentation, Fractional CFO, Interim CFO, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Strategy, Modeling, Capital, Pitch Decks, Credit/Debt, Finance, Business Loans, Debt Financing, SME/SMB Financing, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising Strategy, Due Diligence, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Flow, Controller, Business Strategy, Monthly Close Process, Financials

CFO

2016 - 2019
Perrone Aerospace
  • Handled all financial responsibilities for a leading soft goods supplier to the aerospace industry.
  • Grew the interest charge domestic-international sales corporation dividend from $350,000 to $850,000.
  • Increased R&D tax credits by over half a million USD.
  • Implemented a receivables insurance program to cover an additional $3 million in international receivables now included in the credit facility borrowing base.
  • Renegotiated bank facilities and eliminated personal guarantees required from owners.
  • Advised the board on financial and strategic issues, including M&A transactions.
Focus areas: Control & Cost Analysis, Bank Covenants, Excel 365, QuickBooks Online, Risk, International Finance, DCF Valuation, Complex Problem Solving, Project Finance, Budgeting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Audits, DCF Modeling, Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS), Simulations, Regulatory Documentation, M&A (Buy-side), CFO, Controls, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Financial Reporting, Negotiation, Management, Accounting, Mentorship & Coaching, M&A Modeling, Statistics, Probability Theory, Contract, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Financial Investment Structuring, Interim CFO, Fractional CFO, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Strategy, Modeling, Credit/Debt, Finance, Business Loans, Debt Financing, SME/SMB Financing, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Flow, Manufacturing, Controller, Cap Tables, Monthly Close Process, Financials

CFO

2011 - 2014
Virgin Islands Next Generation Network
  • Handled financial duties for a startup, middle-mile government-owned optical services telecommunication firm with $100+ million in grants.
  • Ensured that NOAA did not terminate close to $100 million in ARRA grants due to mismanagement by the previous administration.
  • Deployed a new ERP system with MS Great Plains while building the network over several islands, issuing requests for proposals and approving contracts.
  • Developed procedures and processes in line with Government guidance to comply with grant conditions.
  • Reported regularly to the Virgin Islands Senate on the company's progress in completing the network and staying under budget.
Focus areas: Grant Accounting, Crisis Management, Project Finance, Budgeting, Government Contracting, Excel 365, Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains (GP) ERP, Risk, Complex Problem Solving, Audits, Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS), Simulations, Securities, CFO, Controls, Policies & Procedures Compliance, Financial Reporting, Negotiation, Management, Accounting, Mentorship & Coaching, Statistics, Probability Theory, Contract, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Control & Cost Analysis, Documentation, Fractional CFO, Interim CFO, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Modeling, Capital, Credit/Debt, Finance, Business Loans, Debt Financing, SME/SMB Financing, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising Strategy, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Flow, Controller, Feasibility Studies, Greenfield, Monthly Close Process, Financials

CFO

2007 - 2011
Skypoint Solar
  • Developed multi-year financial projections and budgets to raise over $30 million.
  • Completed the equipment analysis and developed manufacturing COGS for CIGS and a-Si manufacturing technologies. Developed solar farm models for a 5MW deployment in New Jersey.
  • Negotiated a manufacturing site incentive package resulting in over $100 million in tax and manufacturing incentives.
Focus areas: Accounting, Fundraising, Modeling, DCF Modeling, Forecasting, Business Models, Revenue & Expense Projections, Strategy, Capital, Pitch Decks, Credit/Debt, Finance, Debt Financing, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising Strategy, Due Diligence, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Flow, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Controller, Feasibility Studies, Greenfield, Startup Consulting, Monthly Close Process

General Manager

2005 - 2007
Sweerts & Vaas LLC
  • Registered as the broker dealer with FINRA CRD140507 and was responsible for the Series 24 or securities principal. Oversaw compliance as the broker dealer. Completed over 10 transactions during that period covering several industries.
  • Raised over $30 million for Skypoint Solar, a solar startup manufacturer of CIGS and a-Si panels. Negotiated with a Chinese investor to develop the technology.
  • Advised the Skypoint Solar CEO to integrate into solar parks vertically. Developed several parks, including a 1MW facility in New Jersey.
  • Developed a business plan and raised seed funding of $150,000 for a micro-hydraulics company based out of Portland, Oregon.
Focus areas: M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), M&A Modeling, Capital, Fundraising, Strategy, Modeling, Pitch Decks, Credit/Debt, Finance, Business Loans, Debt Financing, SME/SMB Financing, Business Plan Consulting, Valuation, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fundraising Strategy, Due Diligence, Cash Flow Forecasting, Cash Flow, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, NetSuite, Startup Consulting, Business Strategy

CEO of NJNC | Co-head of Global Corporate Strategy | CFO of Divested Units

1999 - 2005
Lucent Technologies/Alcatel
  • Developed a new business plan for NJNC and returned the subsidiary to profitability in less than two years. Venerated $10 million in federal programs and obtained $2 million in state funding.
  • Participated in the $4.7 billion acquisition of Chromatis and managed a staff of 20 located in different countries.
  • Performed international and US post-merger integration activities as well as spin-outs of businesses within Lucent.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Post-Merger Integration, Post-merger Integration, Troubleshooting, Business Strategy, Public Companies, Public Company Reporting
1987 - 1989

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance

Boston University, Questrom School of Business - Boston, Massachusetts, United States

1977 - 1982

Master's Degree in Engineering Sciences

Royal Military Academy, Polytechnic Division - Brussels, Belgium

JUNE 2019 - JULY 2023

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

State of New Hampshire

JULY 2005 - DECEMBER 2014

Series 24 – General Securities Principal Exam

FINRA

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