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James Carroll Allen
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
Charlottesville, VA, United States
Toptal member since August 23, 2021
Bio
Jim is an experienced finance professional specializing in corporate finance, investment analysis, global markets, financial regulation, and written and oral communications. As a CFA charter holder, Jim has earned the respect of his colleagues for his technical understanding and adherence to that organization's ethical code to put the best interests of clients first. His approach to working with others assumes intelligence, candor, and goodwill.
Career Highlights
Owner | CFO
The Wooden Plate Co., dba Graze Craze
Principal
Delahaye Advisers LLC
Editor
SNL Financial
Education Highlights
Master of Arts Degree
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Chartered Financial Analyst
CFA Institute
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA)
University of Texas at Austin
Certification Highlights
CFA Charter
CFA institute
Case Studies
An Examination of Transparency in European Bond Markets
Market StructuresRegulatory AnalysisFixed IncomeTechnical ResearchTechnical WritingValuation+ 26 more
United States Venture Market: Has the Time Come?
Equity MarketsSmall & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME)Financial RegulationsSEC DisclosureFinancial ReportingEquity+ 37 more
Regulation NMS: Review and Recommendations
Market StructuresSecurities RegulationTechnical ResearchTechnical WritingChartered Financial Analyst (CFA)Financial Analysis+ 32 more
The Future of Research in the US After MiFID II: Resolving EU/US Disparities
Investment ResearchFinancial MarketsSmall & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME)Equity MarketsSEC DisclosureFinancial Reporting+ 43 more
The Compensation of Senior Executives at Listed Companies: A Manual for Investors
RemunerationCorporate GovernanceSEC DisclosureInvestor RelationsFinancial ReportingSEC Financial Reporting+ 32 more
Elements of an Investment Policy Statement for Individual Investors
High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI)Hedge FundsPrivate EquityInvestment Policy Statements (IPS)Investment ResearchFinancial Services+ 5 more
Expertise
- Business Planning
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Financial Modeling
- Funding Strategy
- Investment Banking
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Project Management
- Valuation
Work Experience
Owner | CFO
2022 - PRESENT
The Wooden Plate Co., dba Graze Craze
- Organized funding for the purchase of a franchise option for Central Virginia and raised capital for operations.
- Served as a principal agent in marketing the organization's products and services to customers in the region.
- Organized the corporate governance structure for a C corporation.
- Devised and implemented marketing strategies for sales of company products and services.
- Prepared reporting for second-round debt financing, including multi-year cash flow projections.
- Amended business strategy to emphasize large institutional and catering clients.
Focus areas: Funding Strategy, Accounting, Administration, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Investment Capital Raising
Principal
2021 - PRESENT
Delahaye Advisers LLC
- Penned and reviewed content for a CFA Societies of Texas white paper advocating for state-based securities regulation and describing the risks it would mitigate. Presented the messages to state legislative leaders.
- Served as a case researcher at Darden Business School, which included writing cases considering finance, ethics, regulation, management, and possible exit strategies.
- Proofed offering prospectus for EU-based private fund offering.
- Provided pro-bono support to a small business owner in plans for a company sale.
- Performed due diligence and gave a market analysis of payments and securities settlement business in 2000 to aid a global technology firm with its near-term global strategy.
- Reviewed the pitch deck for a client of an affiliated firm, providing financial and communications recommendations for effectiveness.
- Researched industry for a report advocating increases in regulatory size definitions for small medical protective equipment manufacturers with a goal of enabling such firms to improve their chances of obtaining federal contracts.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Communication Strategy, Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, Corporate Planning, Business Modeling, P&L Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Financial Forecasting, Business Analysis, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), SaaS, Financial Modeling, Financial Writer, Financial Analysis, M&A Modeling, Valuation Multiples, DCF Valuation, Business Planning, Equity Markets, Equity, Finance, Technical Research, Technical Writing, Strategy, Funding Strategy, Valuation, Communication, Writing & Editing, Macroeconomics, Behavioral Economics, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF to PPT, Zoom, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Word, Microsoft 365, Private Equity Valuation, M&A (Buy-side), Three-statement Modeling, 409A Valuation, Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, QuickBooks Online, Pitch Decks, Case Studies, Business Cases, Modeling Cases, Investment Cases, Due Diligence, Due Diligence Consultant, Revenue Modeling, Excel 365, Google Sheets, Business Development, Storytelling, Investment Thesis, Investment Presentations, Investment Policy Statements (IPS), Presentations, Financial Presentations, Executive Presentations, Consulting, Management Consultant on Demand, Presentation Design, Journalism, Pitch Deck Consultant, Market Sizing, Market Research, Business Models, Strategic Planning, New Business Development, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Ownership, Minority Investments, Research Analysis, Fundraising, Debt, Structured Finance, Exit Strategy, Financial Ratios, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Project Management, Deal Structuring, Equity Valuation, Board of Directors, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Annual Budgets, Education, K-12 Education, Office 365, Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), Financial Reporting, SEC Disclosure, Market Structures, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Investment Research, Financial Markets, Fintech, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Business Strategy, Valuation Modeling, Liquidation Valuation, Private Company Valuation, United States, Consumer Lending, Equity Research, Reports, Financial Services, NASDAQ, Investor Reporting, Buy-side, National Futures Association (NFA), Swaps, Copywriting, Markets, Analysis, FX, Capital Markets, Research, Content Creation, Alternative Investments, Finance Blog, Content Writing, Investments
Head, Capital Markets Policy—Americas
2002 - 2020
CFA Institute
- Wrote and edited technical analyses and responses to 200+ global and domestic regulatory proposals balancing investors, issuers, and intermediaries; conveyed advocacy positions to federal and state regulators, legislators, and CFA members.
- Managed a team of motivated and experienced cap-markets policy professionals; hired and trained new staff in three offices on two continents; helped direct and develop divisional and regional advocacy strategies.
- Collaborated with global investment professionals to produce global investment market regulatory policy positions; organized agendas for in-person volunteer meetings with regulatory and in-market speakers.
- Testified to Congress on corporate governance; presented to SEC forum on automated-adviser regulations; presented to SEC Investor Advisory Committee on Regulation Best Interest; testified to the U.S. Dept. of Labor on retirement investing rules.
- Had nine op-eds on financial market regulation and legislation published in national publications; was quoted regularly in national and industry publications on financial regulatory issues.
- Wrote and/or managed 21 thought-leadership reports on positions related to topics including corporate governance, executive compensation, equity and bond market structures, investment research access, fintech, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies.
- Presented to congressional offices on risks and operational advantages of fintech issues such as automated investment advisors, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, and corporate reporting information data tagging.
- Prepared global and regional advocacy teams' business plans, strategic objectives, and budgets for 10+ years.
- Researched the IPO market after the 2000 market bubble: delistings were mostly the result of buyers using high-pricing multiples to launch takeovers. Bankruptcy was the 2nd biggest reason. Few opted to go private or sell to private equity.
Focus areas: Financial Regulations, Investments, Investment Funds, Investment Banking, Market Risk, Stock Market, Money Market, Ethics, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Securities Regulation, Regulation Crowdfunding, Reg A+ Public, Risk Management, Regulatory Affairs, Regulatory Analysis, Professionalism, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Fund Governance, Fintech, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Accounting, Asset-backed Securities (ABS), Business Strategy, Business Planning, Financial Reporting, Financial Writer, SNL Financial, Investor Relations, Project Management, SEC Disclosure, Strategy, Technical Writing, US GAAP, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Financial Forecasting, Board Presentations, Writing & Editing, Boards, Financial Markets, Market Structures, Remuneration, Mortgages, Derivatives, Equity, Fixed Income, Finance, SEC Financial Reporting, Technical Research, Initial Public Offerings, Mortgage-backed Securities, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Analysis, Corporate Planning, Competitive Strategy, Commodity Markets, Equity Research Analysis, Fixed Income Analysis, Communication Strategy, Communication, Administration, Macroeconomics, Apple Keynote, Microsoft PowerPoint, PDF to PPT, Zoom, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Word, Microsoft 365, Board of Directors, Forecasting, Annual Budgets, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Pitch Decks, Due Diligence, Due Diligence Consultant, Excel 365, Google Sheets, Distressed Assets, Non-performing Loans (NPL), Education, Business Development, Storytelling, Investment Policy Statements (IPS), Presentations, Financial Presentations, Executive Presentations, Presentation Design, Journalism, Business Models, Strategic Planning, New Business Development, Market Research, Market Sizing, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Case Studies, Business Cases, Modeling Cases, Ownership, Minority Investments, Research Analysis, Fundraising, Distressed/Special Situations, Debt, Structured Finance, Exit Strategy, Financial Modeling, Credit Default Swap (CDS), Private Equity Valuation, Revenue & Expense Projections, Office 365, Investment Thesis, Equity Markets, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Investment Research, United States, Consumer Lending, Equity Research, Reports, Financial Services, ISDA, National Futures Association (NFA), Futures & Options, Futures, Fixed-income Derivatives, Swaps, Interest Rate Swaps, Copywriting, Markets, Analysis, Capital Markets, Research, Content Creation, Alternative Investments, Finance Blog, Content Writing
CCS Advisory Board President
2014 - 2015
Charlottesville Catholic School
- Appointed Chair of CCS Advisory Board for the school year 2014 after one year onboard and five years as a member of the CCS Finance Committee, including as Finance Committee chair from 2012-2013.
- Made contributions during FY14, when the board considered, reviewed, and ultimately approved hiring a construction firm to build the school's new STEM wing, which opened in August 2016.
- Recommended to school administration that one-year terms were insufficient for board chairs to gain and benefit from institutional knowledge. The administration changed the chair terms beginning in FY15.
- Aided in preparation and provided approval for annual budget; performed a monthly analysis of actual performance against projections.
Focus areas: Boards, Board Work, Board of Directors, Board Presentations, Finance, Corporate Planning, Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, Macroeconomics, Apple Numbers, Education, K-12 Education, Investment Policy Statements (IPS), Presentations, Executive Presentations, Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Annual Budgets, Investment Cases, Investment Thesis, Financial Reporting, United States, Business Strategy, Financial Analysis, Business Modeling, Business Cases, Debt, Research
Editor
1996 - 2000
SNL Financial
- Reported, wrote, edited, and published content for "Specialty Lender," a monthly for industry executives, bankers, and investors. Covered business/funding strategies, corporate governance, M&A & IPO markets, valuation multiples, and ABS/MBS markets.
- Managed a cadre of freelance reporters to supplement editorial content.
- Oversaw staff preparing monthly newsletter with content focused on SBA-lending programs.
- Reported on dynamics of credit card, mortgage, commercial, and auto loan markets, including subprime consumer mortgages, years before the global market meltdown. Also covered OTC derivatives markets for investors'/firms' risk management.
- Interviewed scores of specialty finance CEOs, high-profile investment bankers, and institutional investors.
- Researched and created graphics for "Specialty Lender" articles using the charting and presentation capabilities of MS Excel. Organized photos for publication and provided final edits into publishing software before publication.
- Organized and launched two monthly newsletters, designed editorial strategy, worked with the data content team, designed newsletters, and developed an operational calendar for publication.
- Analyzed competitive dynamics of lending markets, including analysis of firms' loan underwriting, financial reporting, securitization performance, corporate governance, and share-price performance.
- Reviewed and analyzed the performance of specialty lenders' initial public offerings and investment banks' offerings, giving investors useful information about how each firm's deals performed in the public markets post-IPO.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Merger Benefits, Funding Strategy, Mortgage-backed Securities, Asset-backed Securities (ABS), Consumer Lending, Asset-based Lending, Home Lending, Commercial Lending, Subscriptions, Strategy, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Stock Market, Money Market, Market Risk, Initial Public Offerings, Valuation, Writing & Editing, Technical Writing, Technical Research, SNL Financial, Financial Analysis, SEC Financial Reporting, Financial Writer, Financial Ratios, Derivatives, Credit Default Swap (CDS), Deal Analysis, Liability Valuations, Liquidation Valuation, Project Management, US GAAP, Valuation Analysis, Valuation Modeling, Valuation Multiples, Equity Valuation, Real Estate, Business Modeling, Business Analysis, Deal Structuring, M&A Modeling, Business Strategy, Investment Research, Equity Markets, SEC Disclosure, Remuneration, Financial Reporting, Mortgages, Equity, Fixed Income, Finance, Intangible Asset Valuation, Asset Valuation, Investment Banking, Investments, Competitive Strategy, Economics, Commodity Markets, Hedging, Derivative Pricing, Equity Research Analysis, Fixed Income Analysis, Accounting, Communication Strategy, Communication, Macroeconomics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Forecasting, Pro Forma Analysis, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Due Diligence, Due Diligence Consultant, Revenue Modeling, Distressed Assets, Non-performing Loans (NPL), Business Development, Storytelling, Investment Thesis, Investment Presentations, Financial Presentations, Journalism, M&A (Sell-side), Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Business Models, Strategic Planning, New Business Development, Market Research, Market Sizing, Case Studies, Business Cases, Modeling Cases, Ownership, Minority Investments, Research Analysis, Fundraising, Distressed/Special Situations, Debt, Structured Finance, Exit Strategy, Financial Modeling, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Business Planning, Board of Directors, Annual Budgets, 409A Valuation, Investment Cases, Presentations, Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), Investor Relations, Market Structures, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Financial Markets, Fintech, DCF Valuation, Private Company Valuation, United States, Corporate Planning, Interest Rate Swaps, Swaps, Fixed-income Derivatives, Futures, Futures & Options, National Futures Association (NFA), ISDA, Equity Research, Reports, Financial Services, NASDAQ, Investor Reporting, Insurance, Copywriting, Markets, Analysis, FX, Capital Markets, Research, Content Creation, Alternative Investments, Finance Blog, Content Writing
Vice President—Corporate Finance Investment Banking
1983 - 1990
First Southwest Company
- Provided M&A modeling and private company equity valuation for financial institutions, manufacturers, utilities, oil well servicers, and commercial real estate, using discounted cash flows, market valuation multiples, and capitalization rates.
- Conducted financial analysis and financial ratio analysis of corporate issuers benefiting from tax-exempt bond indentures supporting utilities, airport, and industrial development bond offerings.
- Completed due diligence reviews for the sales of public and private companies.
- Participated in team due diligence in support of fairness opinions for the merger of two large, publicly traded bank holding companies; the sale of a public media company; and the securitization of automobile-backed loans.
- Conducted financial modeling for revenue bond defeasance for a municipal client.
- Modeled bond structures to assist a corporate client in defending against a hostile takeover.
- Carried out research, valuation, and corporate finance activities dealt with small and public firms in the energy, utilities, commercial real estate, banking, airlines, flight simulation; performed valuations for lenders, IRS, ESOPs, minority-interest ownership, exit strategies.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Tax-advantaged Bonding, Financial Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Valuation, Asset Valuation, Intangible Asset Valuation, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, Private Company Valuation, Valuation Modeling, DCF Valuation, Deal Structuring, Asset-backed Securities (ABS), Portfolio Analysis, Securities Regulation, Financial Ratios, Financial Modeling, Funding Strategy, US GAAP, Private Equity Valuation, M&A Modeling, Equity Valuation, Real Estate, P&L Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Financial Forecasting, Business Analysis, Deal Analysis, Valuation Multiples, Valuation Analysis, Business Strategy, Investment Research, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Equity Markets, Equity, Fixed Income, Finance, Technical Writing, Private Equity, Market Risk, Investment Banking, Competitive Strategy, Economics, Equity Research Analysis, Fixed Income Analysis, Accounting, Administration, Macroeconomics, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Asset-based Lending, Commercial Lending, M&A (Buy-side), Three-statement Modeling, 409A Valuation, Forecasting, Revenue & Expense Projections, Pro Forma Analysis, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Due Diligence, Due Diligence Consultant, Revenue Modeling, Non-performing Loans (NPL), Investment Thesis, Investment Presentations, Financial Presentations, Metals & Mining, Consulting, Management Consultant on Demand, M&A (Sell-side), Pitch Deck Consultant, Business Models, Market Research, Market Sizing, Ownership, Minority Investments, Research Analysis, Fundraising, Distressed/Special Situations, Debt, Structured Finance, Distressed Assets, Exit Strategy, Project Management, Board of Directors, Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), Financial Reporting, Liability Valuations, Liquidation Valuation, United States, Business Modeling, Business Cases, Corporate Planning, Equity Research, Reports, Financial Services, NASDAQ, Investor Reporting, Insurance, Futures, Markets, Analysis, FX, Capital Markets, Research, Alternative Investments, Investments
Education
1991 - 1993
Master of Arts Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications
University of Wisconsin - Madison - Madison, Wisconsin, USA
1984 - 1987
Chartered Financial Analyst in Accounting, Investment Analyses, Portfolio Management, Economics
CFA Institute - Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
1978 - 1982
Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (BBA) in Finance
University of Texas at Austin - Austin, Texas, USA
Certifications
SEPTEMBER 1987 - PRESENT
CFA Charter
CFA institute
Skills
Finance
Fixed Income Analysis, Equity Research Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Regulations, Money Market, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Valuation, Asset Valuation, Funding Strategy, Asset-backed Securities (ABS), Consumer Lending, Financial Reporting, Remuneration, DCF Valuation, Valuation Modeling, Valuation Analysis, Liability Valuations, Valuation Multiples, Private Company Valuation, M&A Modeling, Financial Modeling, Deal Analysis, Private Equity Valuation, Equity Valuation, P&L Forecasting, Cash Flow Forecasting, Three-statement Modeling, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Revenue & Expense Projections, 409A Valuation, Forecasting, Due Diligence, M&A (Sell-side), Market Research, Minority Investments, Debt, Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), Equity Research, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Portfolio Analysis, Hedging, Regulation Crowdfunding, Corporate Finance, Fund Governance, Intangible Asset Valuation, M&A (Buy-side), Revenue Modeling, Investment Thesis, Fundraising, Accounting, Derivative Pricing, Private Equity, Tax-advantaged Bonding, Asset-based Lending, Home Lending, Blockchain, Interest Rate Swaps, Fixed-income Derivatives
Output Software
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Office 365, Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Pages, Apple Numbers, Apple Keynote
Industry Expertise
Financial Markets, Real Estate, Financial Services, Capital Markets, Macroeconomics, Non-performing Loans (NPL), Insurance
Geographic Expertise
United States
Data & Analysis Software
QuickBooks Online
Other
Writing & Editing, Investments, Market Risk, Stock Market, Ethics, Securities Regulation, Risk Management, Regulatory Analysis, Corporate Governance, Financial Analysis, Mortgage-backed Securities, Technical Writing, Technical Research, SNL Financial, SEC Financial Reporting, Finance, Mortgages, SEC Disclosure, Market Structures, Equity Markets, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Investment Research, Fintech, Business Strategy, Liquidation Valuation, Financial Writer, Financial Ratios, Business Analysis, Boards, Board Work, Board of Directors, Business Modeling, Financial Forecasting, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Annual Budgets, Pro Forma Analysis, Case Studies, Business Cases, Modeling Cases, Due Diligence Consultant, Excel 365, Distressed Assets, Storytelling, Presentations, Financial Presentations, Executive Presentations, Journalism, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Market Sizing, Business Models, Strategic Planning, Ownership, Research Analysis, Exit Strategy, Reports, Investor Reporting, NASDAQ, Copywriting, Markets, Analysis, Research, Content Creation, Alternative Investments, Finance Blog, Content Writing, Microsoft Teams, PDF to PPT, Behavioral Economics, Communication, Communication Strategy, Investment Funds, Investment Banking, Regulatory Affairs, Professionalism, Merger Benefits, Subscriptions, Strategy, Initial Public Offerings, Fixed Income, Equity, Derivatives, US GAAP, Investor Relations, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Cryptocurrency, Project Management, Business Planning, Deal Structuring, Credit Default Swap (CDS), Board Presentations, Pitch Decks, Investment Cases, Business Development, Investment Presentations, Investment Policy Statements (IPS), Metals & Mining, Consulting, Presentation Design, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI), Pitch Deck Consultant, New Business Development, Distressed/Special Situations, Structured Finance, Buy-side, FX, Microsoft 365, Zoom, Administration, Commodity Markets, Economics, Competitive Strategy, Hedge Funds, Reg A+ Public, Corporate Planning, Commercial Lending, SaaS, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Education, K-12 Education, Management Consultant on Demand, Swaps, Futures, Futures & Options, National Futures Association (NFA), ISDA, Investment Capital Raising
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