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William M. Wright II, CPA, Finance Expert in Chesapeake, VA, United States
William M. Wright II, CPA

Finance Expert in Chesapeake, VA, United States

Member since May 5, 2017
William is a trusted finance and business leader for small and mid-market companies in a wide array of industries. His success as a CFO includes assisting a motorsport startup raise $50 million in seed funding, assisting $1 – $3 billion financial services, media, and technology entities grow long-term value by conducting M&A due diligence and decision support analysis as well as improving finance operations in numerous SMB organizations.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Case studies

Industry Expertise

  • Accounting Services
  • Finance
  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Media & Internet
  • Financial Modeling
  • Startups
  • Consulting

Other Expertise

Employment

  • Outsourced CFO and Controller/Owner

    2017 - PRESENT
    W.M. Wright Consulting
    • Generated $50 million in seed capital funding for regional sporting and entertainment development; created business plan, proformas and pitch deck as well as conducted investor presentations and provided CFO advisory services.
    • Accelerated financial recovery of a $22 million regional media company; assessed debt and cash flow issues; provided analysis and recapitalization strategies.
    • Contributed to improved financial management of a $9 million non-profit organization; instituted process improvements and improved financial analysis; provided CFO advisory services.
    • Expanded a $5 million technology firm by doubling the revenue base through acquisition; formulated business plan and proformas for the capital raise.
    • Introduced a redesign of accounting processes, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and investor financial reporting for a $4 million independent film production company; provided CFO advisory services.
    • Improved the profitability of a $1 million regional transportation company by 40%; developed the asset utilization study, profitability analysis, and cash flow forecast; provided CFO advisory services.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), SEC Financial Reporting, Internal Financial Reporting, Financial Reporting, Budgeting, Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Forecasting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Management, Financial Systems, Accounting Modernization, Asset Liability Management (ALM), Process Improvement, Decision Support, Strategic Planning & Execution, COO, Interim CFO

  • Vice President of Finance

    2013 - 2017
    Xenith Bankshares, Inc. (f/k/a Hampton Roads Bankshares, Inc.)
    • Eliminated inefficiencies in SEC reporting processes reducing production time by 25%; selected and implemented superior technology solution; improved overall production process and quality of SEC reports (10-K, 10-Q, 11-K, 8-K); revamped regulatory compliance processes.
    • Streamlined annual capital and operating budget process reducing time to complete by 33%; with improved reporting functionality for all levels of management and board.
    • Maximized accounting accuracy, timeliness, and audit results for a $600 million mortgage subsidiary; assessed and redesigned accounting processes and procedures.
    • Decreased tax provisioning and asset/liability valuation by 25%; resulting from redesigned internal tax planning and compliance procedures.
    • Minimized operational disruption by serving as contributor to post-merger integration team.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Asset Liability Management (ALM), Budgeting, Financial Management, Financial Modeling, Strategy, Board Reporting, Board of Directors, Financial Reporting, Regulatory Reporting, SEC Financial Reporting

  • Chief Financial Officer

    2011 - 2013
    Chartway Federal Credit Union
    • Optimized loan portfolio returns by negotiating and completing $325 million in multiple consumer and first mortgage loan participation arrangements.
    • Increased overall book yield by over 50% in a $500 million investment portfolio through realignment and diversification.
    • Delivered a controlled expansion of business loan portfolio from 3% to 6% of the total loan portfolio.
    • Added a financial analysis function, providing new insights into a line of business profitability and improved corporate decision-making.
    Focus areas: Board Reporting, Board of Directors, Price Analysis, Budgeting, Portfolio Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Reporting, Corporate Finance, Finance Strategy, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Lending, Asset Liability Management (ALM), Investment Portfolio Management

  • Owner/CFO Consultant

    2009 - 2011
    Principled Advisory Services/William M. Wright II, CPA, LLC
    • Founded and operated an independent CFO consulting business serving small and mid-market enterprises, assisting organizations in all stages of the business life cycle to work through strategic and operational challenges.
    Focus areas: Process Improvement, Financial Management, Strategy, Financial Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

  • Division President; Division VP; CFO; Controller; HR Director

    1997 - 2008
    Virginian-Pilot Media Co.'s (division of Landmark Media Enterprises, LLC)
    • Produced 20%+ IRR on capital improvement funds; increased production capacity, improved efficiency, and generated 10% revenue growth; completed project under budget and on time.
    • Orchestrated growth in market reach from 23% to 40% in less than 18 months; aggressively competed for and won 33% more government contract awards.
    • Grew division revenue and profits by 300% by negotiating and completing two acquisition after analyzing almost two dozen deals.
    • Achieved 25% growth in subsidiaries revenue and profits through acquisitions; conducted financial and operational due diligence and ROI analysis.
    • Gained double-digit productivity gains in the accounting and finance department by shortening monthly close by 33% and reducing budget process by 50% through improved technology. Streamlined procedures and hired high-performing talent.
    • Reduced employee turnover and legal costs by 20%, through heightened focus on employee relations, benefit administration, leader development, and work environment.
    Focus areas: Ratio Analysis, Debtor & Creditor Management, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Due Diligence, Market Research, Cost Efficiency, Cost Reduction & Optimization, Market Opportunity Analysis, Financial Systems, Budget Controls, Revenue & Expense Projections, Project Finance, Working Capital Management, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Profitability Analysis, Cash Flow Forecasting, P&L Forecasting, Budgeting, Finance Strategy, Corporate Finance

  • Financial Manager

    1991 - 1996
    NLC Insurance Companies
    • Served as Corporate Finance leader for a $40 million New England region property/casualty mutual insurance company. Led Accounting and Finance teams and served as a member of the company’s investment committee.
    • Maximized investment returns on a $45 million portfolio of securities.
    • Developed tax-planning procedures to minimize liability and improve cash flows.
    • Developed and maintained internal financial analysis reports to assist management with critical business decisions.
    • Developed and maintained external reporting procedures for statutory and GAAP purposes, and delivered training to non-financial managers.
    Focus areas: Business Taxation, Investment Summaries, Accounting Consolidation, Accounting Modernization, Finance Strategy, Data Analysis, Corporate Finance, Financial Systems, Portfolio Management, Portfolio Analysis

  • Tax Manager; Tax Associate; Staff Auditor

    1986 - 1991
    PricewaterhouseCoopers & Barron Gannon & Co P.C.
    • Participated in numerous independent audit assignments.
    • Provided tax planning and compliance services for corporate and individual clients.
    Focus areas: Management, Audits, Fairness Opinion Reports, Individual Tax, Business Taxation

Education

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in eCommerce
    2004 - 2007
    Regent University - Virginia
  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
    1981 - 1986
    University of New Haven - New Haven, Connecticut

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
    DECEMBER 1996 - JUNE 2021
    Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Accountancy (#21414)

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