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Kurt McFarland
Verified Expert in Management Consulting
Management Consulting Expert
San Francisco, CA, United States
Toptal member since April 7, 2021
Bio
Kurt is a former investment banker who provides strategic CFO services to high-growth companies. As a consultant, he brings a pragmatic approach to problem-solving tailored to the unique requirements of each client. He is equally comfortable partnering with C-suite execs and boards as diving into the weeds with junior staff. Kurt has held numerous finance and strategy leadership roles within VC and PE-backed companies operating in the healthcare, food, technology, retail, and mobility sectors.
Career Highlights
Interim CFO
NationBuilder
CFO
Kinela
Head of Finance
Expert360
Education Highlights
MBA
IE Business School
Bachelor's Degree
University of Sydney
Certification Highlights
CFA
CFA institute
Case Studies
Deal Execution for IPO of Ingham's (AUD$1.2 Billion Valuation)
Initial Public OfferingsTurnaroundPrivate Equity
M&A Transaction and Capital Raise for Healthcare Company
M&A (Buy-side)Capital RaisingDue DiligenceProject ManagementValuation
Capital Raise for Early-stage HR Technology Startup
Capital RaisingStartups
Expertise
- Budgeting
- Capital Raising
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Corporate Finance
- Forecasting
- M&A (Buy-side)
- M&A (Sell-side)
- Strategy
Work Experience
Interim CFO
2022 - PRESENT
FLINTpro Corp
- Rebuilt a financial model, including detailed revenue drivers, scenario analysis, and 3-way financial statements.
- Developed supporting materials for a successful $4.5M capital raise during difficult market conditions in 2022.
- Restructured finance function and reporting capabilities by implementing new software, bookkeeping support, R&D expertise, and tax advisors from my professional network.
Focus areas: Capital Raising, CFO, Budgeting, Board Reporting, Accounting, Analytics
Interim CFO
2021 - 2022
NationBuilder
- Rebuilt NationBuilder's financial model and led the 2022 budgeting process. Worked closely with the CEO, President, and leadership team to identify key business drivers and improve forecasting accuracy.
- NationBuilder acquired Speakable in early 2021, and I managed the integration process, including migrating accounting systems, setting up new systems and processes, and creating consolidated reports.
- Managed the 2021 audit process for NationBuilder and its subsidiaries, including Speakable and international entities.
Focus areas: Accounting, Budgeting, Board Reporting, CFO, M&A (Buy-side), Financial Modeling, US GAAP, Corporate Finance, Strategy, Forecasting, Analytics, Project Management, Pricing, Operational Finance, Reporting, Intuit QuickBooks, Stripe, Microsoft Excel, Expensify, Financial Reporting, QuickBooks Online, Startups, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), NetSuite, Revenue & Expense Projections
CFO
2020 - 2021
Kinela
- Led the successful acquisition of a clinical services business and the associated equity capital raise.
- Rebuilt and streamlined modeling, budgeting, reporting, and analytics processes across the business.
- Assumed responsibility for the food operations division; led the COVID-19 supply chain project; and implemented processes that improved data, performance tracking, supplier management, and new product development.
- Led a project to improve receivables collection, reducing the average receivables days by 40% (from 24 to 14) within six months.
Focus areas: M&A (Buy-side), Finance Strategy, Corporate Finance, Operational Finance, Accounting, Reporting, Analytics, Budgeting, Capital Raising, Strategy, Forecasting, Project Management, Pricing, Xero, Stripe, Microsoft Excel, Expensify, CFO, Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Startups, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
Director
2019 - 2021
KPM Capital
- Identified an underserved market segment in the high-growth startup space and developed specialized systems, tools, and methodologies to serve the unique needs of these types of clients.
- Built a loyal and recurring client base of high-growth companies entirely from personal networks and referrals.
- Transitioned to providing fully remote CFO services during COVID-19 without compromising client requirements or outcomes.
Focus areas: CFO, Virtual CFO, Strategy, Corporate Finance, Budgeting, Forecasting, Analytics, Project Management, Accounting, Pricing, Operational Finance, Reporting, Xero, Stripe, Microsoft Excel, Expensify, Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Startups, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
Head of Finance
2017 - 2019
Expert360
- Led successful capital raising, sales target setting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, statutory and management reporting, business analytics, tax, and compliance.
- Rebuilt and streamlined modeling, reporting, forecasting tools, and analytics processes across the business.
- Provided real-time data and dashboards to drive improvements in the sales team, resulting in net revenue growth of 125% in less than two years and seven consecutive quarters of QoQ growth.
- Participated as an observer (non-voting member) in all quarterly board meetings and managed investor relations.
Focus areas: Finance, Corporate Finance, Strategy, Capital Raising, Operational Finance, Forecasting, Budgeting, Analytics, Project Management, Accounting, Pricing, Reporting, Xero, Stripe, Microsoft Excel, Expensify, CFO, Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Startups, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
Transformation Associate
2016 - 2017
Ingham's Chicken
- Executed projects initiated under private equity ownership as part of "Project Accelerate," resulting in $200 million of annual earnings improvements.
- Developed and implemented a turnaround strategy for the Turkey division, which went from breakeven in FY16 to EBITDA of AUD 8 million in FY17 (from a combination of cost-out, operational improvements, and launch of new products).
- Played a key role in a successful AUD 1.2 billion IPO deal team in 2016. Responsible for drafting the prospectus and marketing materials, financial analysis, and managing the IPO verification process.
Focus areas: Strategy, Corporate Finance, Budgeting, Forecasting, Analytics, Project Management, Pricing, Operational Finance, Microsoft Excel, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections
Associate
2010 - 2013
Qatar First Bank
- Managed investments across the entire lifecycle for a $430 million fund, including originating, screening, due diligence, executing deals, improving operational performance, and exiting.
- Served as an investor and advisor for a $4 billion stadium redevelopment and real estate project consortium for the 2022 World Cup.
- Executed the successful sale of a Qatar-based construction company for $77 million that generated a two-time return in less than two years.
- Served as an investor and advisor for a $300 million capital raise for a Qatar hotel development project.
- Invested successfully in Memorial Healthcare Group (Turkey's second-largest healthcare provider) and Al Rifai (a Lebanon-based manufacturer and retailer of nuts, kernels, and snacks).
Focus areas: Private Equity, Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), M&A (Buy-side), Forecasting, Valuation, Project Management, Microsoft Excel, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Revenue & Expense Projections
Assistant Manager
2009 - 2009
Seera Investment Bank
- Managed private equity investments for a $300 million fund across origination, execution, and exit.
- Implemented performance improvement initiatives and managed the sale process of BWA Water Additives (a UK-based global provider of water treatment chemicals), leading to a successful sale that generated an IRR of 20%.
- Served as a board observer (non-voting member) at Kosan Crisplant, a Denmark-based provider of LPG cylinder systems and solutions.
Focus areas: Private Equity, Investment Analysis, Corporate Finance, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), M&A (Buy-side), Forecasting, Valuation, Project Management, Microsoft Excel, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Revenue & Expense Projections
Analyst
2007 - 2009
Macquarie
- Executed principal investments and advised clients on M&A transactions. Created financial models, business plans, IMs, pitch books, teasers, and industry research, and managed the transaction project.
- Advised Macquarie Media Group on the AUD $1.3 billion listed takeover of Southern Cross Broadcasting.
- Executed principal investments in Zhaopin ($105 million) and Ambow ($54 million), using Macquarie's balance sheet.
- Advised European Directories on the €290 million acquisition of Gouden Gids (directories) in the Netherlands.
- Led Fujitsu Australia on the AUD$250 million acquisition of KAZ Group (IT services).
- Advised Pacific Equity Partners on the AUD$440 million acquisition of Hoyts Group (cinema chain).
Focus areas: M&A (Buy-side), M&A (Sell-side), Cross-border M&A, Valuation, Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Investment Analysis, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Forecasting, Project Management, Microsoft Excel, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Revenue & Expense Projections
Education
2013 - 2014
MBA in Business Administration
IE Business School - Madrid, Spain
2003 - 2006
Bachelor's Degree in Commerce
University of Sydney - Sydney, Australia
Certifications
SEPTEMBER 2012 - PRESENT
CFA
CFA institute
Skills
Finance
M&A (Buy-side), Corporate Finance, Capital Raising, Forecasting, M&A (Sell-side), Valuation, CFO, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Revenue & Expense Projections, Accounting, Finance Strategy, Operational Finance, Budgeting, Pricing, Cross-border M&A, Private Equity, Due Diligence
Output Software
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Expensify
Data & Analysis Software
Intuit QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online, NetSuite
Other
Xero, Strategy, Project Management, Startups, Investment Analysis, Stripe, Think-cell, Receipt Bank, Entrepreneurship, Growth, Finance, Statistics, Economics, Reporting, Analytics, Market Entry, Board Reporting, US GAAP, Initial Public Offerings, Turnaround, Virtual CFO
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