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Surya Krishnan, Management Consulting Expert in Glendale, United States
Surya Krishnan

Management Consulting Expert in Glendale, United States

Member since March 13, 2017
With 15 years of finance, strategy, and deal experience, Surya most recently spearheaded the finance function for the US digital businesses at Asia TV. He led corporate development, executing M&A transactions, and drove strategic planning—at the Fortune 100 firm Ingram Micro and MGA Entertainment. He performed $25+ billion of valuation advisory work at PwC. Freelancing allows him to provide critical analysis and guidance to corporate executives.
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Career Highlights

Education

Case studies

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Expertise

Employment

  • Chief Financial Officer | Corporate Strategy Consultant

    2017 - PRESENT
    Cinemaloop
    • Developed the three-statement financial model at an early-stage entertainment startup that connects movie lovers.
    • Supervised the investor relations functions; also designed, prepared, and circulated marketing materials and fundraising documents to potential investors.
    • Devised the preliminary revenue forecast for the various revenues streams outlined by the founder.
    Focus areas: Three-statement Modeling, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Finance Strategy, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Modeling, Fractional CFO, CFO

  • Director of Corporate Development & Ventures

    2020 - 2022
    83 Tech Harbor
    • Directed the corporate development, ventures, and transaction process within the for-profit and innovation arm of a large mid-west healthcare company focused on wellness and consumer health and guided the corporate leadership.
    • Oversaw the sourcing, valuation, deal structuring, due diligence, and execution of $500 million in deal activity, including two acquisitions, a Series B minority investment, a Series C minority investment, and other venture transactions.
    • Built the unit's M&A and transaction playbook, best practices, and due diligence processes.
    • Hired, trained, and led a team of three other Toptal finance experts and consultants whose efforts led to sourcing hundreds of potential target companies for M&A, investment, and strategic partnerships.
    • Performed so highly, built goodwill with the company and team members, and exceeded expectations that the client decided to turn the role from a Toptal consultancy project into a full-time, fully employed opportunity.
    Focus areas: Business Strategy, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Market Research, Health IT, M&A Modeling, M&A Strategy, Due Diligence, Valuation

  • FP&A and Strategy Director

    2018 - 2019
    Asia TV USA, Ltd. (Zee Entertainment)
    • Built single handedly the first pitch deck and business strategy presentation for the 5 senses content interaction media and entertainment ecosystem initiative and presented to the CEO.
    • Streamlined the operational finance process by implementing a thorough and rigorous billing, invoicing and financial approval process for vendor proposals and payments, equipment and services purchases and new investment opportunities.
    • Developed the fiscal year 2019-2020 P&L budgets for the Digital and Innovations business units and presented the detailed components of the budgets including revenue build and operating expenses to the CEO and international CFOs.
    • Oversaw and co-directed a team of accountants and performed monthly, quarterly, and annual close for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 fiscal year financial results. Actively recommended and implemented cost cutting initiatives.
    • Initiated a new discussion and analysis financial reporting review process for the Digital business that was conducted with the US executives and developed and submitted over 30 financial reporting packages to the India executive leadership team.
    • Assessed and built the financial models for 5 new business venture and investment opportunities for the Digital business and prepared investment evaluation, analysis and recommendation memos for executive leadership.
    Focus areas: Executive Presentations, Strategy, Corporate, Market Research, Business Planning, Startups, Financial Modeling, Financial Reporting, Digital, Technology, New Business Ventures, Valuation Analysis, Operational Finance, Finance Strategy, Budgeting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Planning & Analysis, Revenue & Expense Projections, CFO

  • Chief Financial Officer | Corporate Strategy Consultant

    2017 - 2018
    ComicBlitz (Acquired by Cinedigm in November 2018)
    • Created a detailed business plan, rebuilt the three statement financial model, and prepared financial reporting packages for investors at a digital comics provider.
    • Managed and coordinated a successful $87,000 crowdfunding campaign by creating investor materials, preparing forms for the SEC, determining the fundraising terms, and preparing the GAAP financial statements.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Three-statement Modeling, Financial Modeling, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Fractional CFO, CFO

  • Manager, Corporate Development and Strategy

    2015 - 2016
    MGA Entertainment
    • Built and maintained comprehensive three statement operating models and led the due diligence for two buy-side M&A transactions totaling $155 million. Performed valuations for seven potential acquisitions and presented analyses, the strategic rationale, financial impact, and key risks to the CFO. Earned recognition from the president and CFO for technical M&A expertise.
    • Established best practices guide to enhance the M&A process, including identifying and evaluating potential targets, performing detailed valuation analysis, and conducting in-depth due diligence.
    • Collaborated with geographic business leaders and sales teams to develop and help execute strategic business plans for the United States, Mexico, and Australia. The strategic business plans included a detailed P&L, brand analyses, market entry strategies, competitor due diligence, and success roadmaps. Presented recommendations to the president, CFO, and the vice president of finance.
    • Oversaw the pricing approval process for the company, handling 600 requests representing $45 million of revenue, by conducting an in-depth analysis of each product, including costs and discounts by brand, category, and the customer as well as by utilizing a sophisticated financial model. Advised the president and CFO on the optimal selling prices to achieve the highest margins.
    • Led financial planning and analysis for the entertainment division—creating multimillion-dollar budgets for toy brand productions including television and internet shows. Evaluated scenarios for productions, including the popular MC2 television show on Netflix, by calculating the net present value of cash flows and impact to P&L.
    • Led reviews and performed detailed financial and strategic analyses for ten business venture opportunities, including licensing and partnerships.
    • Created and co-implemented the company’s three statement financial model and five-year forecast for budgeting and forecasting purposes.
    • Implemented a quarterly and annual competitor benchmarking review process which required developing detailed presentations for the executive committee.
    • Created the company’s corporate overview and investor relations presentation.
    Focus areas: Toys & Children's Products, Investment Return Scenario Analysis, Precedent Transaction Analysis, Comparable Company Analysis, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Private Company Valuation, Valuation Modeling, M&A Modeling, Post-merger Integration, M&A (Buy-side), Integrated Financial Statements, Financial Statements, Financial Modeling, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, New Business Ventures, Entertainment & Leisure, Pricing, Strategic Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Pricing Models, Financial Planning & Analysis, Revenue & Expense Projections

  • Senior Manager, Corporate Development and Strategy

    2014 - 2015
    Ingram Micro
    • Spearheaded a $50 million acquisition in Europe and a $10 million acquisition opportunity in the Middle East within the technology solutions business unit as well as a $35 million acquisition opportunity and a $10 million Series E investment opportunity within the cloud business unit.
    • Played an instrumental role in the $45 million Armada acquisition in Turkey by performing financial due diligence, including analyzing revenue, gross margin, and vendor concentration, and then benchmarking against the company’s Aptec business.
    • Developed an approved business plan for a $75 million strategic initiative within the smart building and connected office space. Evaluated the market and created the financial model, and presented recommendations to senior executives.
    • Built and introduced an internal comparable company and precedent M&A transactions Excel database for the corporate development team—providing business unit leaders with current valuation metrics and market intelligence.
    • Supervised the initial stages of a divestiture—creating the teaser and management presentation and identifying and liaising with ten potential private equity buyers.
    Focus areas: Accretion/Dilution Analysis, Comparable Company Analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), Logistics, Distribution, Investment Return Scenario Analysis, Valuation Modeling, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Precedent Transaction Analysis, M&A Earn-out Agreements, M&A Modeling, Cross-border M&A, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), Post-merger Integration, Finance Strategy, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Financial Statements, Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Deal Advisory, Valuation, Strategy, Venture Capital, Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

  • Vice President of Finance and Strategy

    2012 - 2013
    Glocal Studios
    • Developed the business plan and financial forecast for an early stage media and entertainment startup that was focused on content aggregation and distribution for the emerging markets. Reported directly to the CEO and CFO.
    • Researched the international content landscape with an emphasis on films and TV series programming, and identified market trends and critical drivers.
    • Helped identify and evaluate five strategic partnership opportunities by devising detailed financial models and scenario analyses to determine the revenue and profitability potential.
    Focus areas: Partnerships, P&L Forecasting, Content, Film & Television, Market Research, Pitch Decks, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Planning & Analysis, Revenue & Expense Projections

  • Senior Associate, Transaction Services — Valuations Group

    2007 - 2012
    PricewaterhouseCoopers
    • Built the business valuation and purchase price allocation models, led the internal technical committee calls and served as project captain for Access Industries' $3.4 billion acquisition of Warner Music Group and Caesars Interactive Entertainment’s $86 million acquisition of Playtika.
    • Provided portfolio valuation services to 14 private equity and venture capital clients. Prepared analyses and deliverables, coached the junior staff, ran technical committee calls, and delivered effective client service.
    • Generated new revenue streams by helping acquire a new audit client and three new private equity clients.
    • Performed a business and film library valuation and fair value of debt analysis by building comprehensive financial models for RHI Entertainment’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
    • Co-authored a thought leadership paper for a PwC newsletter that addressed fair value measurement issues surrounding the allocation of the value of private equity firms’ holdings in portfolio companies. This paper was circulated to private equity clients and instructed them on the framework to adhere to when performing financial reporting valuations.
    • Developed discounted cash flow (DCF), comparable company and precedent transaction analyses as well as patent valuation models as part of the purchase price allocation engagement for Google’s $12.4 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility.
    • Promoted within one year of hire to senior associate level.
    Focus areas: Precedent Transaction Analysis, Valuation Modeling, Private Company Valuation, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Comparable Company Analysis, Transaction Modeling, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Intangible Asset Valuation, M&A Modeling, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Pro Forma Financial Statements, Financial Statements, Thought Leadership, Venture Capital, Private Equity Valuation, Financial Reporting, Financial Modeling, Healthcare, Entertainment & Leisure, Media, ASC 350, ASC 820, ASC 805, Financial Advisory, Valuation

  • Investment Banking Analyst

    2006 - 2007
    Legacy Partners Group
    • Completed three $20-to-$40 million M&A and private placement transactions in the industrial and healthcare sectors.
    • Produced valuation analyses utilizing public comparables, precedent transactions, leveraged buyout (LBO), discounted cash flow (DCF), and accretion dilution models for 11 M&A transactions.
    • Performed comprehensive valuation analysis of NWH, an owner of a healthcare payer services organization, as part of a fairness opinion for the company’s sale to UnitedHealth Group, and assisted in drafting the presentation to NWH’s board of directors.
    • Maintained precedent transaction and public company comparable models for the aerospace and defense as well as business services verticals.
    Focus areas: Precedent Transaction Analysis, Comparable Company Analysis, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Valuation Modeling, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, M&A Modeling, Industrials, Aerospace & Defense, Fairness Opinion Reports, Healthcare, M&A (Sell-side), Deal Advisory, Due Diligence, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Integrated Financial Statements, Financial Statements, Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

  • Statistics Group Analyst, Investment Banking Division

    2004 - 2005
    Lazard Freres & Co.
    • Utilized financial models to calculate precedent transaction multiples for hundreds of M&A deals for all industry groups and several international offices.
    • Conducted due diligence on public and private companies in all industries using SEC filings, research reports, online services, and external databases.
    • Provided analysts and associates with current M&A information for Lazard presentations by compiling league and volume value tables.
    Focus areas: M&A Modeling, Cross-border M&A, Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Financial Modeling, M&A (Sell-side), M&A (Buy-side), Valuation Multiples, Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Other Experience

  • Digital Companies and the Valuation of Intangible Assets (Publication)
    https://www.toptal.com/finance/valuation/valuation-of-intangible-assets
    The move to a digital economy has coincided with a higher proportion of enterprise value - 84% of the S&P 500 - being derived from intangible assets, such as patents and software. Yet, accounting rules have not caught up with this shift and current disclosure practices can paint an incomplete picture for investors.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance
    2013 - 2015
    University of California, Irvine | The Paul Merage School of Business - Irvine, CA, USA
  • Master's Degree in Economics
    2003 - 2005
    New York University - New York, NY, USA
  • Bachelor's Degree in Economics
    1999 - 2003
    Cornell University - Ithaca, NY, USA

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