Brian Berry
CFO and Controller
More than 28 years of fractional CFO and Controller experience across pharmacy, distribution, municipal finance, hospitality, retail, and eCommerce. US Marine Corps veteran and hands-on business owner.
Brian is an experienced, energetic leader in business operations, accounting, and finance management. He provides the strategic planning and administration that moves an organization forward, and he adapts well to complex problems that others could not resolve.
He has more than 28 years across leadership, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, debt and treasury management, internal auditing, and process improvement. He is also an owner-operator, which changes how he reads a P&L.
Areas of expertise
Debt restructuring
Restructured and refinanced $7.6 million in debt service at Complete Pharmacy Care, reducing rates, extending terms, and freeing operating capital.
Margin and contract negotiation
Negotiated pharmaceutical contracts that increased profitability through off-invoice discounts and rebates, then drove margin further by cutting operating expense.
Government and fund accounting
Built a GASB-compliant fund accounting system and managed district treasury, municipal bonds, and investment portfolio as district treasurer.
Strategic planning and modeling
Provides strategic consultation, business planning, and financial modeling, and presents financials on clients’ behalf to banks, lenders, and investors.
Owner-operator
Owns and operates The Smoking Lamp Cigar Lounge in Allen, TX, leading a team of five and handling every line of the P&L personally.
Fraud investigation and recovery
Investigated suspected fraud and compiled evidence leading to a former employee’s federal conviction. At The Fortress Company, he uncovered roughly $500,000 in previously undetected loss within six months.
Services
Accounting and finance services
- Fractional CFO and Controller services
- Strategic consultation and business planning
- Financial modeling and forecasting
- Budgeting, trends, and forecasts
- Internal auditing and controls
- Debt and treasury management
Operations and administration
- Business restructuring and core process design
- Inventory and supply chain management
- Human resources and PEO management
- Information systems technology
- Program implementation and process improvement
Specialty experience
- Governmental and nonprofit fund accounting (GASB)
- Municipal bonds and investment portfolios
- eCommerce: Amazon Seller, Shopify, and other portals
- Fraud investigation and evidence compilation
- Bank, lender, and investor presentations
Relevant experience
- Fractional CFO and Controller, CORE CFO Consulting, Allen, TX (2016 to present)
- Owner and Operator, The Smoking Lamp Cigar Lounge, Allen, TX (2019 to present)
- Chief Financial Officer, Complete Pharmacy Care, Rowlett, TX
- General Manager of Finance and Operations, The Fortress Company, Richardson, TX
- CFO, Deputy General Manager, and District Treasurer, Murrieta County Water District, Murrieta, CA
- Controller, Vapor Extraction Technology Inc., San Clemente, CA
- Assistant Controller, Sterling Hotels Corporation, San Luis Obispo, CA
We have relationships built over the last 20 years throughout North America, so multiple members of a C-Suite can step in together when an engagement calls for it. We draw on existing relationships, employees, and other C-Suite Support team members to scale to a client’s needs. Fractional CFO work is more than a part-time CFO. It is a discipline of its own to coordinate fractional engagements well.
Education and credentials
- MBA, Business Administration and Finance, National University, San Diego, CA
- BBA, Business Administration and Accounting, National University, San Diego, CA
- Certificate, Accounting for Governmental and Nonprofit Organizations, University of California Riverside Extension
Want Brian in the room?
Book a 30-minute Clarity Call. We will tell you whether ongoing CFO leadership is the right next step, and which of our CFOs fits your business best.
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