Jeffrey Mazer

Finance Expert

Location

Portland, OR, United States

Toptal Member Since

January 17, 2017

Jeff is a high-level financial expert and lawyer with proven skills in financial and investment analysis. He has specialized expertise in situations requiring a multidisciplinary view. He likes working on different types of projects and with companies in various industries, and freelancing allows him to do that. Jeff’s experience encompasses valuation and financial modeling, investment management and analysis, and corporate transactions.

Investment Analysis Financial Reporting Valuation Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Financial Systems Blockchain Project Management Financial Modeling

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Career Highlights

CFO

Wyld

Director and Western Region Manager, Institutional Fixed Income Sales

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Portfolio Manager | Head of Bankruptcy and Restructuring | Portfolio Manager | Counsel

Allstate Insurance Company

Education

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA Institute

Juris Doctor Degree

Boston University

Bachelor's Degree

Oberlin College

Select Certifications

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA Institute

Attorney

New York State

Case Studies

Post-bankruptcy Stock Valuation

Bankruptcy & InsolvencyBanking & FinanceModelingLawValuation

Analysis of Valuation Report

ValuationBanking & FinanceFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Discounted Cash Flow AnalysisBusiness ModelsValuation Multiples

Management Financial Report

Financial ReportingManagementFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Education Program Project Assessment and Development

Project ManagementPhilanthropyProject EvaluationPrivate Educational Projects

Industry Expertise

FinanceBankingInsuranceLaw Firms & Legal ServicesFood & BeverageRetailTransportationFinancial Modeling

Other Expertise

Financial ReportingForecastingInvestment Analysis Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Work Experience

2019 - PRESENT

CFO

Wyld

Updated the financial and cash flow forecasting process.
Built a high-functioning financial management team.
Modeled and advised the CEO/owner on capital structure.
Negotiated a favorable payment program with a major customer.
Created a national expansion strategy and forecast.

Focus areas: Investment Research, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

2019 - PRESENT

Principal

Mazer, LLC

Worked as a CFO for a growth-stage company in a new industry.
Coached and evaluated the current controller to determine their long-term potential as CFO.
Improved the information flows and decision-making processes to transition the finance team from a control function to a full business partner.
Created dashboards and improved the usefulness of financial information.
Vetted potential business partners.

Focus areas: Financial Controls & Processes, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Legal Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy, Finance Strategy, Finance

2017 - 2019

Chief Financial Officer

moovel North America (REACH NOW NA)

Led the finance and control function.
Developed financial strategies, including capital requests and budgeting processes.
Coached the VP of finance on skill sets and strategies needed to become a future CFO.
Partnered with HR and other department heads on personnel resource planning.
Supervised SOC-1 audits and participated in crucial other compliance and audit focused activities, including steps to completing a SOC-2 audit.
Led financial due diligence in a multinational joint venture.

Focus areas: Leadership, Reporting, Finance

2016 - 2018

Partner

Social Venture Partners

Led a team in the creation of a program for culturally-specific preschool for an immigrant services organization.
Led a team creating a program for parent educational and vocational training at early childhood education organization (Head Start).
Reviewed proposals from potential grantee organizations for a nonprofit funding partnership.

Focus areas: Project Estimation, Project Management

2016 - 2017

Principal

Acme Financial, LLC

Created a valuation model for LLC units as an expert witness in a US bankruptcy proceeding.
Built a management budgeting and forecasting model for a consumer product company.
Created a valuation model for a business owner seeking to sell the business.
Analyzed and prepared a report challenging the valuation for a co-owner in the dissolution of a business.
Assessed claims and monetary damages; built a financial model for a lawsuit alleging investment fraud.

Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling

2010 - 2015

Director and Western Region Manager, Institutional Fixed Income Sales

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Led a seven-person team of investment professionals covering the Western US with responsibility for profit, loss, and production.
Advised 250+ corporations and institutions on investment and liquidity options—leveraging expertise to provide guidance on best practices for investment and treasury management.
Built fixed income portfolios for corporate and other institutional investors.
Acted as the key member of an integrated investment-and-treasury-management service offering global solutions to corporate clients.
Was recognized as a subject matter expert on short-term fixed income securities and on cash management.
Counseled growth-stage and middle market technology companies on investment and treasury management issues; in many cases developing their first investment program.

Focus areas: Valuation

2008 - 2010

Investment Consultant

Silicon Valley Bank

Delivered, as a member of an integrated investment and treasury management sales team during the US financial crisis, client-focused solutions to SVB’s growth-stage and middle market technology company client base.
Guided SVB’s client base through cash management problems caused by their investments in auction-rate securities (ARS), working to provide alternative liquidity solutions and market updates. Technology companies were significant investors in ARS.
Generated over $2 billion in new assets under management in two years, highest among investment consultants, during a period of unprecedented market disruption.
Retained investment clients during a financial crisis beginning in 2008; communicated with approximately 150 clients in three weeks, providing proactive advice on impact of investment issues that maintained client confidence.
Advised venture capital and private equity firms on investment and treasury management issues as part of a firm-wide program to provide superior client service to those organizations and generate additional banking opportunities.

Focus areas: Financial Modeling

2003 - 2008

Principal

Acme Capital Advisors

Created operating and financial strategies for clients undergoing fundamental corporate changes, including acquisitions, raising startup and growth capital, management buyouts, and project finance.
Served as the interim US subsidiary CFO, reporting to group CFO in Stockholm, Sweden. Structured, negotiated, and closed the first US acquisition, and led the financial analysis and due diligence efforts.
Developed valuation and working capital analyses. Analyzed and evaluated accounting, IT, and HR functions, and developed post-acquisition forecasts and budgets.
Developed an acquisition strategy that enabled a client to achieve financial and strategic objectives while limiting downside risk.
Advised the management team of a successful subsidiary of a struggling company on a spin-off strategy designed to accelerate growth as an independent company.
Created and implemented a strategic plan for an energy bar contract manufacturer.
Modeled the capital structure options and developed capital raising plans.
Built a network of investors in venture capital, private equity, and project finance.

Focus areas: Finance Shared Services Management

1989 - 2003

Portfolio Manager | Head of Bankruptcy and Restructuring | Portfolio Manager | Counsel

Allstate Insurance Company

Closed over 50 deals, with approximately $20 million committed in each transaction. Portfolio companies included television networks, magazine and newspaper publishers, professional sports teams and leagues, outdoor recreation equipment and apparel manufacturers and retailers, food producers, and supermarket chains.
Developed specialized expertise in the branded consumer products and outdoor recreation industries.
Led noteholder committees in bankruptcy and restructuring of major public and privately-held companies; including analyzing financial and strategic information, setting noteholder committee direction, and coordinating the activities of lawyers and other professionals. Cases included transportation companies, department store chains, luxury apparel & jewelry retailers, and newspaper publishers.
Led teams in mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture transactions.
Led an acquisition team for Allstate’s acquisition of a non-standard auto insurer in Canada; including coordinating, reviewing and analyzing financial and operational due diligence, document negotiation, and transaction execution.
Reported to the senior management on the financial impact of investments in new acquisitions and joint ventures.
Acted as a key player on a team that developed Allstate’s acquisition process—resulting in a program that was thorough and comprehensive and aligned with corporate goals.
Managed complex transactions including acquisitions of major insurance companies to sales of non-core insurance lines and money managers; including deal structuring, financial analysis, due diligence, and contract negotiation.
Spearheaded Allstate’s acquisition program in Europe.
Negotiated and closed sales of corporate subsidiaries and assets.
Managed the portfolio of corporate venture capital investments, including the Asian infrastructure fund.
Acted as a board observer for companies in the portfolio.
Advised investment department on private placement transactions, distressed asset situations, and venture capital transactions.

Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling