Meet Brian Mattingly, MBA, Senior Director of Finance at The Edge Fitness Clubs 👏 With over 36 years of experience across five publicly traded companies before joining The Edge, Brian brings extensive expertise to his role. Holding an MBA from Sacred Heart University and a deep understanding of accounting, he has successfully enhanced process and system efficiencies at The Edge over the past 7+ years.
As the Senior Director of Finance, Brian's responsibilities include managing accounting, accounts payable, tax, risk management and purchasing. His expertise and commitment have been instrumental in streamlining our financial processes and ensuring our gym's continued success. Brian- we truly appreciate your hard work and are grateful for everything you do! 🌟👏
What Makes a Great Finance Team? Ok - proud dad moment using my sons football team as a fine example! Success in both football and finance hinges on strong leadership, strategic placement of skills, effective communication, and a shared belief in the team’s potential. Below is me as manager with some of the the finest lads I have had the pleasure of coaching in demonstrating what you can achieve in only one season playing as a new team! Great things can be achieved with the right strategic direction, stewardship and talent. Just like how a good finance team can thrive on a similar principal.
Leadership/mentorship go a long way in calving out a great finance teams, like winning football teams. It is not just a good manager, or single player but how you give direction, get the best out of individuals to contribute as a team player fostering an environment of support and motivation. Getting the right skills in the right areas, where players and individual can truly excel. Similarly, in finance, assigning roles based on individual strengths ensures efficient and precise impact in how those individuals contributing as a wider team.
Constant communication on the field keeps players synchronised and holding the fabric of the team together. In finance, open dialogue ensures everyone works towards common goals, preventing misalignments. Tracking towards achieving budged, challenging the gaps, forecasting, strategizing could not all be done without reliable numbers coming through the business.
Belief without arrogance tipping in, confidence in the team’s abilities, tempered with humility and a willingness to learn, fosters a culture of continuous improvement and resilience. Carrying and harvesting a culture of having each other’s back. Success in football and finance requires team members to support each other, sharing knowledge and celebrating collective achievements. A great team leverages the combined strengths of all members and has strength in unity. Victory comes from everyone bringing their best, creating a powerhouse of expertise.
Just as my sons' team celebrated their victory, a finance team that embodies these principles can achieve remarkable success. Below is me and the team picking up the silverware at Elland Road Stadium for winning the seasons league!
On a side note, if you know any U13 boys who fancy training / joining a League Winning team of amazing lads, please message me privately. We train (North Leeds) and play in the Garforth League Division 4. Please message me privately as our team go from 9 to 11 a-side next season!
We all expect business to be a straight path to success, but let's be real – it's more of a curly wurley, upside-down roller coaster ride. 🎢
At Naked Accounting, we embrace the twists and turns and help you navigate every loop. Because when business gets wild, we've got your back. 💼
#NakedAccounting#BusinessJourney#EmbraceTheRide#accountant#businessadvisor
Reflecting on a pivotal moment in my career this year. 🌟 20 years ago, at 38 years of age and comfortable in practice as an accountant, a client asked me if I wanted to buy their trafffic management business as they were retiring, and I was their accountant. They saw that I knew their financials and team inside out, and believed in my potential to drive the business forward. 💼 It got me thinking, and I took a leap of faith into the world of business ownership of #AmberRTM. Little did I know the roller coaster ride 🎢 that awaited me.
Knowing the numbers and team of a business was just the beginning. We soared from a 7 figure to an 8 figure turnover business in just 4 years, navigating acquisitions and growth along the way. 📈 But then the 2008 financial crisis hit, testing our resilience and adaptability. We restructured, persevered, and emerged stronger thanks to the incredible core team we had built. 💪🏼
As the owner, I didn't merely oversee operations from a distance. Instead, I immersed myself in every aspect of the business, rolling up my sleeves and getting hands-on with the inner workings. This hands-on approach not only allowed me to understand the nuances of the industry but also fostered a deeper connection with my team and the challenges they faced. 💼👷♂️
I embarked on a journey of continuous learning and professional development, starting with undertaking the CPC training required for our operators' license to operate Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). Building on this foundation, I pursued further training in traffic management, equipping myself with the skills needed to install intricate multi-phase traffic light systems complete with pedestrian crossings. But I didn't stop there. I delved deeper into the intricacies of the field, mastering the installation of signs and cones for road closure and diversions, tapers, narrow lane running and honing my expertise in traffic management for events. 🚦🚧
Reflecting on this journey, I realize that every obstacle and every success has been a stepping stone in my growth as a business leader. I wouldn't trade the lessons learned along the way for anything. They have shaped my understanding of business dynamics and leadership principles, making me a more effective and empathetic leader. Each chapter has been a chapter of growth, and I am eager to continue this journey of learning and evolution. 📚📈
As I celebrate almost two decades in this journey, I can confidently say I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Remember, don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Trust yourself, take risks, and it will all work out in the end. 🚀 Have a Happy Easter Weekend! #businessownership#resilience#leadership#reflectionAmber-RTM
Do you celebrate your clients' wins? We do! 🎉
2023 was a really big year for many of our clients, and we have a lot of success stories. Here is a list of just a few:
• Hit budgeted $10M in revenue!
• Hired first employee AND had a second year of record sales.
• Created new product lines.
• Achieved 59% growth.
• Sold their first franchise.
• Surpassed $2M in revenue and had a record year.
• Implemented a Project Management software and found direction for the future.
• Celebrated 20 years in business!
• Worked ON the business instead of just IN the business.
• Working on a budget/cash flow for 2024, and this is the first time they will have that!
As you pause to celebrate all the things your team has done, don’t forget to acknowledge the incredible wins your clients have achieved too! 🎉
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I’m Rusty Fulling, Founder & CEO of Fulling Management & Accounting. We’re passionate about helping business owners gain clarity, grow their profits and gain peace of mind while supporting your growth as a leader. Click “follow” to connect!
#clientwins#bookkeeping#outsource#leadership#cfo#cfooutsourcing#accounting#accountant#businesscoaching
Yes. Here are the three roles within which any entity should have to smoothly run the activities to prosperous goals.
The #CEO
Main leader of the company.
The #CFO
The mastermind of finance management
The #COO
The Prime Minister of the Company.
But remember, you can not just start from the top. Many bigger companies you see now were merely Start Ups.
Being a start-up, many do not afford to have the three sections you see above there.
As a matter of fact, you could find all those three positions are managed by one person, the founder.
What am I trying to tell here is that sometimes you need to grow some extra muscles, performing extra functions just to pave the way forward to take things upon you back from the bottom to the top.
If you can't afford to pay a barber to shave your kids, you need to act the position until you become able to do so.
I wish nothing but all the best to people who are out there trying to build an entity from the humble beginning to the Mult-branches Company.
Here we go 💪.
Credits 📸 Nicolas Boucher
Providing Accounting Leadership for Entrepreneurs | Fractional CFO Expert | Author of 'How Much Does It Cost to Make a Donut?' | Helping Businesses Thrive with Strategic Financial Insights
Cassmer Ward has specialized in accounting, business management, and entrepreneurship for two decades; bringing the ability to provide new possibilities and an entirely new perspective to your organization. His vast expertise makes him an invaluable asset who can offer insight and guidance on a variety of topics. If you are interested in learning more, click the link below today:
#outsourcedfinancialplanning#CFO
Helping SMEs Get Financial Insight To Grow Profitability and Thrive. Flexible, Cost-Effective Solution. Portfolio Finance Director | Part-Time CFO | Consultant | Group Courses for Aspiring Portfolio FDs
What last week as a Portfolio FD / Fractional CFO REALLY looked like for me:
📆 Monday:
6am PT session (don't expect to see many of these! 🤣).
Submitted 'proper' year end accounts to the external accountants for a £10m turnover business that was still cash accounting when we started to work with them 😱
First ever accounts prepped in-house by the team I recruited.
Balance sheet reviewed, all surprises sorted, and processes for deferred income / WIP all installed.
Management accounts now available to the Leadership Team each month.
We build from here 👊🏼
📆 Tuesday:
Hubby away (day 1 of 2) - hectic early morning with kids and dog 🐶
Writing Board paper to move client's excess funds to savings where they'll earn optimal interest and be in secure £85k 'chunks'.
Started populating the data room for a client ensuring the management accounts and KPIs are being prepared accurately (they weren't initially but now the in-house team has all the controls in place to get this spot on).
PE contact referred potential client to us - meeting next week.
📆 Wednesday:
Hubby away (day 2 of 2) more morning fun!
On-site for Board meeting of a SAAS client with some excellent opportunities to potentially expand into the US and increase sales on home ground.
Reviewed performance together, understood areas to improve, noted actions and owners - their business will be better next month.
Although I'm FD, I put forward ideas I've seen work elsewhere for sales and marketing and the MD called me later excitedly to say he was busy putting them into action (love this part!).
Big 4 contact thinks we could help a business they're helping gear up for sale.
📆 Thursday:
Networking day at The Business Catalyst Club - awesome event where relationships are built.
Took a guest and enjoyed introducing her to my network.
Met two people who would get mutual benefit from intros to my clients - I'm always looking for opportunities for them too.
Spoke with a fellow Portfolio FD who'd love to work with us.
Early stage planning on a little business idea I'm working on with a friend and former colleague.
📆 Friday:
Potential Portfolio FD who'd scheduled a call with me didn't show and didn't even send a message. Hope she's ok, but poor form :(
Straight into me fortnightly Hypnosis session which really helps me keep a strong and positive mindset (almost all the time!)
Recorded week 7 of my course for aspiring Portfolio FDs.
Prepping for a coaching session I had late afternoon, set up through the Good Growth programme.
Out to another networking event at an Italian restaurant - lovely atmosphere and welcome and great to meet a new crowd.
😅Quite a busy one, not helped by a broken hob and dishwasher! (do they set a timer so everything breaks after 10 years?!), but full of challenge, rewarding client work, and strengthening networks. I love it :)
How was your week?
#portfoliofd#fractionalcfo#icaew#dowhatyoulove#womeninfinance#entrepreneurship#yorkshirebusiness
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#WeAreEliteFI
I am overwhelmed by the response to this post. Thank you colleagues near and far for your kind words and congratulations. Since I wrapped up at BPX, I have had a chance to start to recharge.... rode on bike rides over 100 miles, golfed (if you could call it that), camped out 2 nights (Cicadas are still very much a thing in SW Michigan), saw Zack in his Tri race in Indy, made travel arrangements to see a Springsteen show on a beach in Asbury Park in September, planning 2 other long distance bike rides and a few concerts.
Today, the music to my ears was Dayna Levy, unprompted, asking if we could go on a ride when she gets home from work (someone's got to pay bills). I'll clear the calendar for that request. Two other endurance rides are on the calendar. If you're in the Midwest and want a challenging ride, the Hilly Hundred in Bloomington, IN is 10/4-6. We already have a group of 5... the more the merrier. Send me a note... booking the AirBnB soon.
Regardless, I can't just shut down helping folks in their careers. In that same time, I received and shared 7 CFO job leads (and two super appreciative responses), attended the FEI career management group breakfast - where I met and helped two other financial execs in transition. I helped an IU Kelley recent graduate re-prioritize his job search and spoke with a IU Kelley sophomore about career choices with Finance and Economics majors. I am not trying to gloat - just to outline that I am able to help folks through all stages of the career time horizon.
Re-upping my original post.... if you're a CXO or a senior level Finance professional in transition, send me a note - glad to include you on my leads list, chat about your strategy, make introductions whatever I can do to help.
That is a wrap. Another successful Interim CFO engagement ends with the sale of my client, BPX Logistics, to a strategic buyer.
I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic leadership team of Rob Richardson, Tom Murray and Paul Gigis and was partnered with a great team of Finance, HR and IT professionals Taylor Huntington (Helvie), CPA, Jackson Cunningham, STACY NAHLEN, Amanda Dickinson, Zachary Nelson,Josh baker and many others. This was all made possible by a great board from Tecum Capital (Matt Harnett & Paul Oris, CFA, CPA), C3 Capital / CPC (Pat Healy & Jared Poland), Jay Smith and our Chair Colby Collier.
Wishing everyone much success in the next part of the journey.
As for me, I thought I was going to have some time off before I started at BPX. Matt and Rob had other ideas. I am looking forward to driving to Indy tomorrow to cheer ZACHARY LEVY🟦 in his first ever triathlon event. Then to the camping, cycling & golf outing my soon to be IU freshman Harrison Levy is planning for us, some more cycling with Dayna Levy, a few concerts and a possible road trip the the Jersey shore to catch the last Spingsteen concert of this tour.
At some point near the end of the summer, I will be in search of another Interim CFO situation in my wheelhouse space of mid-market PE backed logistics and manufacturing companies... so if we have not connected in a bit, now you know why. I look forward to catching with my network.
PSA to my fellow CFOs / VPs of finance, etc. If you are thinking - now might be a great time to consider a company pivot - reach out. When I start my Go-to-market process, I am going to generate a ton of leads. Glad to share freely.
Cheers
p.s. This pic is my outlook email screen. No unread messages. I use the "unread' feature as a to-do reminder. The last time it was like this was the day I started.
Before Managing A Company's financials, their internal controls, their management and so on.....you have to manage your own lifestyle.
If you will not able to manage things in your own life, how you can do it for others.
Here, you are the CEO of your life. Some people needs to be hired and some peoples needs to be fired.....😀
So it's upto you how you manage your life and their circumstances.....before doing it for someone else. 🌟
PS: How's your views on this?
Follow Jatin Kosta for more....✓✓
#CA#CALife#LifeStyle#Hired#Fired#Thought
Retired CEO - former Edge,Cabela’s,Lowe’s Executive
1moConsistent and very reliable! Brian is a very valuable asset to the company!!!