Publication
Are Art Investments a Worthwhile Asset Class?
https://www.toptal.com/finance/financial-analysts/art-investments
Zachary is available for hire
Hire ZacharyZachary Elfman
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
Vigo, Spain
Toptal Member Since
January 6, 2017
An American, now resident in Spain, Zachary continued his journey in London after completing his master's at the LSE, first as an analyst for a PE fund before switching to a global value hedge fund. Zachary is an expert in modeling, fundamental analysis, and valuation. As a freelancer, Zachary has completed the sale of a small business, advised on early-stage funding rounds, and acted as interim CFO for upstart companies. When he is not freelancing, he enjoys making wine.
Career Highlights
Sell-side Advisor
Flooring Solutions, Inc.
Investment Analyst
Noster Capital
Financial Analyst
ARCIS Capital
Education Highlights
Master's Degree
London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor's Degree
University of Southern California
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Financial Advisor
2022 - 2022
A Crypto Mining Operation Powered by Renewable Energy
- Projected three separate financial statements with separate capital structures: energy production, crypto mining, and carbon credit harvesting.
- Advised on the optimal capital structure between the three different business segments and provided valuations of each for fundraising purposes.
- Compiled a pitchbook to be used in fundraising efforts.
Focus areas: Budgeting, Fundraising, Strategy
Financial Consultant
2021 - 2021
JustLend
- Constructed the financial model for a P2P lending platform.
- Sensitized inputs to determine the appropriate capital structure and funding requirements as well as the company budget.
- Advised on pricing strategy and the path to cash flow breakeven.
Focus areas: Startup Consulting, Modeling, P2P
Interim CFO
2020 - 2021
Online Natural Wine Retailer
- Got a grip and modeled out the company's finances from multiple data sources, Shopify, invoices, and more.
- Put together a pitch deck for early-stage equity financing.
- Provided strategic financial advice throughout, offering sector expertise.
- Suggested multiple tangible ways to cut costs and improve margins.
- Liaised with bankers and other sources of debt financing.
Focus areas: Costs, Business Strategy, Cash Flow Analysis, Budgeting, Fundraising
Investment Analyst
2020 - 2020
Private Investor
- Developed an investment strategy to capitalize on economic disruption.
- Tailored the strategy to meet the needs of the investor in terms of return potential, maximum loss tolerance, and time horizon.
- Presented multiple options for how to achieve the desired financial outcome and hedge against existing asset holdings.
Focus areas: Portfolio Management, Hedging
Market Researcher
2020 - 2020
Undisclosed Packaging Company
- Conducted a comprehensive market analysis for a startup packaging firm.
- Built a data dashboard to highlight the most interesting target markets by geography.
- Wrote a detailed report encapsulating my findings.
- Used a data-driven approach, while also highlighting qualitative items of interest.
- Delivered reports to the client and strategic partners.
Focus areas: Market Research
Financial Analyst
2020 - 2020
Undisclosed Private Equity Fund
- Built a financial model for a novel private equity fund.
- Helped to strategically define the investment strategy.
- Delineated the investment strategies into different "buckets" with varying return profiles, before aggregating everything.
- Incorporated fee and carry structure to project potential returns to GP and LPs.
Focus areas: Portfolio Management, Strategic Planning, Financial Forecasting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Investment Analyst
2020 - 2020
Undisclosed Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund
- Constructed a portfolio dashboard to monitor fund investments in volatile markets.
- Pulled data from various sources to distill vital metrics and see what is actually happening at an order book level.
- Developed a deep understanding of cryptocurrency fundamentals.
Focus areas: Cryptocurrency, Portfolio Management, Investment Analysis, Modeling
Financial Consultant
2019 - 2020
Blockrize
- Built the financial and business model for a novel credit card issuer, which offers cryptocurrency for rewards.
- Forecast the financials based on market data to derive both equity and debt funding needs.
- Advised the client on the red flags and risks inherent in consumer lending businesses.
Focus areas: Cryptocurrency, Consumer Lending, P&L Forecasting
Interim CFO
2019 - 2020
Undisclosed Short-term Car Leasing Startup
- Built a financial model for internal projections and external fundraising efforts.
- Helped to determine and track key startup metrics such as CAC, LTV, cash burn rates, and runway.
- Offered ongoing high-level financial/strategic advice to co-founders.
- Served as a sounding board during the company's negotiations with seed-stage investors.
- Reconfigured monthly accounting reports to better track underlying business performance.
Focus areas: Funding Strategy, Valuation, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting
Financial Analyst
2019 - 2019
To-be-named Prosecco Brand
- Pulled together a model and budget for a nascent prosecco brand.
- Challenged cost, volume, and pricing assumptions.
- Determined the amount of investment needed to carry the company through to breakeven.
- Sensitized key assumptions to determine risk points.
- Socialized findings with key people in the company.
Focus areas: Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting
Financial Advisor
2018 - 2018
Sepals Mining
- Built the financial model and investment case for a nascent cryptocurrency mining operation powered by hydro.
- Evaluated input costs in various currencies and sensitized the returns based on different crypto pricing assumptions.
- Proposed an appropriate capital structure and funding needs, and calculated returns to investors.
Focus areas: Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Financial Statements, Investment Cases, Modeling, Business Strategy
Macroeconomist
2018 - 2018
Quillon (via Toptal)
- Designed the macroeconomics for a to-be-launched cryptocurrency.
- Wrote approximately half of the white paper.
- Designed a supply schedule and incentive scheme for all stakeholders involved in the currency.
- Developed a deep understanding of cryptonomics and Blockchain technology.
- Gained firsthand experience in the founding of a cryptocurrency.
Focus areas: Market Models, Incentive Simulations, Forecasting, Economics
Sell-side Advisor
2017 - 2018
Flooring Solutions, Inc.
- Advised on the sale of a small business in the commercial flooring industry.
- Ran an M&A process from start to finish—beginning with an initial valuation all the way through to close.
- Received letters of intent and helped the selling owners decide on the merits of each.
- Negotiated terms directly with the leading bidder, identified a lawyer, and protected the sellers' interests during the legal dealings.
Focus areas: M&A Modeling, M&A (Sell-side), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Market Researcher (Big Data & MRO)
2017 - 2017
DeLaPorte & Associates (via Toptal)
- Conducted an industry analysis of the big data and MRO within the airline sector for a player considering entering the space.
- Sized the market opportunity and mapped out the major existing players.
- Identified red flags in entering the space.
- Developed a good understanding of the application of big data to the aerospace industry.
Focus areas: Market Research, Total Addressable Market (TAM)
Investment Analyst
2017 - 2017
Treetop AM (via Toptal)
- Completed an initial investment analysis of a consumer finance company operating in Scandinavia.
- Built out a fully-functioning yet simple financial model, with easy access to key inputs to be sensitized.
- Delved into public information to improve the accuracy of forecast earnings, cash flow, and balance sheet.
- Highlighted key risk areas for consumer finance companies and specifically identified a number of red flags.
- Completed everything in a very short timeframe.
Focus areas: Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Forecasting, Credit Risk, Three-statement Modeling, Valuation Modeling
Interim CFO
2017 - 2017
Seminary Hill (via Toptal)
- Provided financial advice to a family with existing apple orchard on plans to build and operate a cidery.
- Built a financial model for internal projections and external fundraising efforts.
- Adjusted an intricate model, in many iterations, to reflect input from a consultant cider master, local government, orchard manager, and family itself.
- Derived an optimal capital structure based on future cash flow projections and availability of financing sources.
- Brought my own wine industry experience to bear throughout the process.
Focus areas: Cash Flow Forecasting, Forecasting, Budget Management, Capital Structuring, Financial Advisory, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Consultant
2017 - 2017
Siren Group AG (via Toptal)
- Helped determine the pricing of leads by analyzing the profitability of insurance companies.
- Built a simple financial model to clarify an analysis.
- Conducted market research to determine market norms.
- Examined insurers in different countries with varying reporting standards.
Focus areas: Price Analysis, Financial Modeling
Buy-side Advisor
2014 - 2015
Parking Panda
- Advised a high net-worth individual on the $6-million financing of a startup parking platform/app in a Series A funding round.
- Modeled the company's finances and provided a valuation to frame the investment round.
- Directly negotiated terms with the founder/CEO to advance the round and protect the client's interests.
- Revised terms and legal documents.
Focus areas: Venture Funding, Financial Modeling
Investment Analyst
2010 - 2014
Noster Capital
- Analyzed publicly-listed equities for potential investment by $100 million fund. Investments ranged between $3 million to $15 million and were long-term in outlook.
- Built highly detailed financial models, developed investment theses, and wrote comprehensive company reports. Focused on finance, energy, telecoms, retail, tech, and manufacturing sectors.
- Originated investment ideas and discussed potential investments with an investment team. Conducted company-specific as well as macro research. Interacted regularly with sell-side to gain perspective on specific stocks and macro environment.
- Monitored up to seven portfolio companies at any given time, resizing or exiting positions when necessary. We ran with a very concentrated portfolio of 10-to-15 holdings so we only traded a few times per week.
- Ensured the ongoing communication with the company management teams, at times providing the perspective of longterm shareholders.
Focus areas: Revenue & Expense Projections, Valuation, Equity Research, Financial Modeling
Financial Analyst
2008 - 2010
ARCIS Capital
- Built complex financial models of both companies and entire portfolios to be potentially acquired by the $1-billion fund. Investments ranged from $5 million to $100 million, venture to mature.
- Screened or analyzed approximately eight pitches (looking for investment) per month. Met management teams of target companies and conducted thorough due diligence. Industries included telecoms, tech, manufacturing, business services, and retail.
- Structured and closed a total of seven transactions, liaising with M&A bankers and lawyers. Negotiated and set incentives for management teams to properly align interests.
- Monitored existing portfolio companies, remaining in regular contact with management teams. We participated in three follow-on investments during the difficult economic environment of 2009.
- Engaged other private equity funds for a co-investment when club deals were called for.
- Pitched potential investors of the fund during the pre-marketing phase of the fundraising cycle.
Focus areas: Revenue & Expense Projections, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Valuation, Financial Modeling
Summer Analyst
2007 - 2007
Emerging Market Economics
- Compiled a report regarding transparency of revenues in the oil-&-gas industry on a country by country basis. Published by Transparency International.
- Evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively all of the countries of the world for investment risk to provide comprehensive database used by private companies and organizations.
Focus areas: Data Analysis
Other Experience
Publication
Lyft vs. Uber: Hailing a Ride to Public Markets
https://www.toptal.com/finance/market-research-analysts/lyft-vs-uber
Publication
Libation Frontiers: A Deep Dive into the World Wine Industry
https://www.toptal.com/finance/market-sizing/wine-industry
Publication
Why Tesla? Evaluating the Electric Craze
https://www.toptal.com/finance/equity-research-analysts/why-tesla
Publication
Supply Chain Lessons and Opportunities: Notes on a Crisis
https://www.toptal.com/finance/logistics/supplychainlessons
Education
2006 - 2007
Master's Degree in Economic History
London School of Economics and Political Science - London, UK
2002 - 2005
Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Philosophy
University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA, USA