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Gregory Fisichelli
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Boston, MA, United States
Toptal member since April 9, 2024
Bio
Greg is a senior finance executive and CFO who has led the scale-up of emerging SaaS, biotech, and manufacturing technology companies. He has raised over $50 million in equity capital for early-stage ventures and over $1 billion in debt capital for middle-market, capital-intensive businesses. Greg offers a diverse skill set in strategic finance and hands-on financial operations management, specializing in FP&A, budgeting, technical accounting, reporting, audits, treasury, and taxes.
Career Highlights
Interim CFO (SaaS)
Tempo
Fractional CFO (Biotech Start-up)
Xsphera Biosciences
CFO (Clean Tech Start-up)
ZwitterCo
Education Highlights
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Washington
Bachelor's Degree
Tufts University
Certification Highlights
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
New Hampshire Society of CPAs
Case Studies
Buildout of Back-office Operations for Global Leasing and Investment Company
Accounting SystemsCustomer ServiceHuman Resources (HR)Information TechnologyEmployee BenefitsManagement+ 9 more
Cash Flow Projection Model
Cash Flow ModelingFive-year ProjectionsBudget ModelingSales ForecastingExpense ManagementCFO+ 6 more
Expertise
- Accounting
- Budget Modeling
- Cash Management
- Finance
- Financial Modeling
- Planning
- Strategy
- Team Building
Work Experience
Interim Controller (SaaS)
2024 - PRESENT
Mimecast
- Oversaw North American finance operations and financial reporting functions for a global SaaS company worth $700 million, covering the controller's maternity leave.
- Quickly got up to speed with managing the accounting team and maintaining a monthly close cadence of seven days.
- Managed monthly cash flow tracking and reporting, improving visibility and timely collaboration with the treasury team.
- Reviewed and approved US and Canada payroll in Workday and ADP, reducing manual processing time and average number of errors by 20%.
Focus areas: Reporting, Accounts Payable, Workday Payroll, Cash Flow, US GAAP, Revenue Recognition, Audits, Taxation, Controller, Revenue & Expense Projections
Interim CFO (SaaS)
2023 - 2024
Tempo
- Led and stabilized the finance function during rapid growth, closing three new acquisitions and reorganizing the internal structure. I managed a team of 15 finance and data analytics professionals.
- Drove financial performance and executed a strategic plan. I oversaw 30% revenue growth and implemented improved KPIs and metrics to support the new GTM strategy and customer retention plan.
- Managed the 2024 budget planning process, synthesizing private equity sponsor revenue goals with product, engineering, and sales department resource needs to achieve the EBITDA margin goals of 45%.
- Presented monthly results, variance analyses, and KPI trends to the executive leadership team, the private equity sponsor, and the board. I managed financial reporting in NetSuite, bank covenants, expense controls, tax compliance, and GAAP audits.
- Directed a three-month quality of earnings project with due diligence advisors to prepare the company for sale.
Focus areas: Strategy, Planning, M&A Analysis, Acquisition Analysis, Budgeting, Forecasting, Data Analytics, Reporting, Human Resources (HR), Accounting, Team Building, CFO, Cash Flow Management, Financial Reporting, M&A (Sell-side), Technology, Controller, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Tax Advisory
Fractional CFO (Biotech Start-up)
2020 - 2023
Xsphera Biosciences
- Led finance and operations as part-time CFO for an early-stage biotech company. I helped raise $11 million in Series A funding, partnering with founders to develop a business plan and pro forma financial models.
- Implemented the QuickBooks Online accounting system, creating and delivering quarterly investor financial reports within 30 days after quarter end.
- Developed a 13-week rolling cash forecast to manage cash burn, stretch payables, and lengthen runway by six months.
- Cultivated vendor relationships to achieve more favorable payment terms, established an accounts payable system, and implemented a payroll and employee benefit program for 20 employees.
Focus areas: Capital Raising, Budget Modeling, Cash Management, Reporting, Accounts Payable, Human Resources (HR), Vendor Management, QuickBooks Online, CFO, Cash Flow Management, Financial Reporting, Startups, Technology, Controller, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
CFO (Clean Tech Start-up)
2019 - 2022
ZwitterCo
- Led capital-raising efforts to secure $33 million in Series A equity on a $125 million post-money valuation.
- Created a pro forma financial model and pitch deck and supported founders on investor presentations. I organized content for the data room, managed outside advisors, and fielded due diligence Q&A.
- Built the finance function, hired and trained six employees, implemented NetSuite, and managed a team of outside consultants.
- Established internal controls for treasury, purchasing, capital budgeting, and employee expenses, reducing budget spend variances to less than 10%.
- Handled construction and board approval of annual budget models and multiyear plans.
- Collaborated with department heads to fine-tune revenue by customer and market, hiring plans, and operating expenses and capital expenditures, increasing the EBITDA target by 30%.
Focus areas: Capital Raising, Financial Modeling, Reporting, Management, Budget Modeling, Planning, Supply Chain, Vendor Management, Cost Accounting, Human Resources (HR), IT Infrastructure, NetSuite, CFO, Cash Flow Management, Financial Reporting, Startups, Technology, Controller, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
SVP for Global FP&A, Treasury, and Tax
2014 - 2019
Beacon Rail Leasing
- Led a financial planning team, scaling global business operations and achieving a CAGR of 39% over six years.
- Built a finance back office, implemented Microsoft Dynamics AX, and established investor reporting, customer billing, accounts payable, HR, and IT infrastructure.
- Managed a 10-person team in Boston, London, and Luxembourg.
- Organized a $1.5 billion credit facility, banking relationships, and covenant reporting. I led a refinancing project to lower rates, expand capacity, and increase covenant flexibility, resulting in $5 million annual savings.
- Analyzed and tracked competitor performance, led an acquisition scoping project, and identified $2 million in cost-saving synergies through staffing and operational improvements.
- Managed the treasury function strategically to optimize cash flows, minimize foreign exchange risk, and exceed investor targets. I executed a pre-Brexit foreign exchange hedging strategy that saved £15 million on a £110 million construction project.
- Reviewed all financial reporting across global footprints and liaised with local audit teams. I demonstrated technical expertise in US GAAP, IFRS, and UK, Germany, and Luxembourg reporting.
- Directed the construction of a $50 million operating budget and a long-range plan involving multiple geographic markets and entities. I built the model, directed planning meetings, and presented the plan to the board for approval.
- Handled an IPO readiness project to elevate governance, reporting, and internal processes. I managed due diligence and sell-side planning, resulting in a $1 billion private sale to J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
- Conducted the request for proposal process for selecting a new auditor and oversaw annual US and UK audits.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Hedging, Debt Raises, Debt Analysis, Budgeting, Forecasting, Tax Planning, Audits, Team Building, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Cash Flow Management, Financial Reporting, M&A (Sell-side), Statutory Audits, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
Education
1992 - 1994
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
University of Washington - Seattle, WA, USA
1985 - 1989
Bachelor's Degree in Economics and German Studies
Tufts University - Medford, MA, USA
Certifications
SEPTEMBER 1996 - PRESENT
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
New Hampshire Society of CPAs
Skills
Finance
Accounting, Cash Management, Financial Reporting, CFO, Controller, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Taxation, Budgeting, Forecasting, Capital Raising, Financial Modeling, Tax Planning, M&A (Sell-side), Hedging, Debt Raises, Debt Analysis, Accounting Systems, Cash Flow Modeling, Five-year Projections, Cash Flow
Data & Analysis Software
NetSuite, QuickBooks Online
Industry Expertise
Technology
Other
Finance, Budget Modeling, Cash Flow Management, Startups, Leadership, Management, Planning, M&A Analysis, Acquisition Analysis, Reporting, Team Building, Statutory Audits, Economics, German-English Translation, Writing & Editing, Strategy, Data Analytics, Human Resources (HR), Accounts Payable, Vendor Management, Supply Chain, Cost Accounting, IT Infrastructure, Audits, Microsoft 365, Customer Service, Information Technology, Employee Benefits, Sales Forecasting, Expense Management, Executive Reporting, Business Administration, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Workday Payroll, US GAAP, Revenue Recognition, Tax Advisory
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