Edgardo Vargas, CPA

1205 Falls Boulevard

Weston, FL 33327
954-592-5707
ev5e4b1c@westpost.net
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
* Strategic Leadership
* International Finance Management
* Cost Control
Award winning global finance and accounting executive with well
rounded experience in several industries, including retail sales,
telecommunications, banking, and food and beverage. Seven years
of experience in public accounting, including external auditing
and business consulting, supported by over twelve years of
industry experience. Management experience includes direct
responsibility over accounting functions, strategic investments
review and business mergers and acquisitions. Strong business
strategic thinker has created growth opportunities through his
roles as Business Consultant and Finance Executive. An
experienced leader that commands respect and trust from peers
and employees. Always focused on results and maximizing
revenues through market pricing strategies and streamlined
business processes.
Key strengths include:
* Corporate Tax, GAAP, FCC and SEC reporting
* Operational restructuring
* Latin America and US Domestic expertise
* Sales reporting and collections
* Development and implementation of accounting procedures and
controls
* Trilingual - English, Spanish & Portuguese
* Budgeting (start up and ongoing operations)
* Cash flow analysis
* Financial analysis and forecasting
* Evaluation of financial options and fund raising
* Leadership to build strong teams

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Western Union, Sunrise, FL
2008 - 2010
Leader in cross border money transfer and a $5 billion Fortune
500 company with 400,000 locations worldwide.
Finance Director
In charge of financial reporting and planning for a WU brand
region representing $200 million in annual revenues, and 2 sister
brands representing another $180 million in annual revenues.
* Led a multi functional team on day to day responsibility for
consumer pricing and currency FX management for a business of
over $4.5 billion in annual currency transfers, including cash
position forecasting, payer management and profitability
alignment among a corridor portfolio.
* Co-led with the GM the Vigo brand turn-around and expansion in
Europe in 2009 (Spain) by designing sales and business
development programs targeted to acquire and retain volumes in a
strong competitive landscape resulting in double digit growth in
2010 after significant revenue drop in 2008 and 1st part of 2009.
* Implemented organizational and operational changes that led to
over US$4 million in annual savings in 2009. Additional changes
in 2010 added another US$4 million in annual savings.
* Developed and rolled out to the field organization, a new
pricing policy and procedure that provided the company with
better control while remaining adaptable to market changes.
* Awarded with one Annual Excellence Award for the turnaround
of a major Caribbean market and 3 Quarterly Excellence Awards
for an initiative that allowed the field to better control price
alignments to market and to react timely to a new statutory law
resulting in a >5% revenue increase.
YUM! Restaurants International, Deerfield, FL
2004 - 2008
Fortune 500 company and parent company for KFC, Pizza Hut and
Taco Bell restaurants with over $10 billion in annual sales and
49,000 employees worldwide.
Controller
In charge of planning and corporate reporting for a region
covering more than 40 countries, 1200+ company brand stores,
and over $120 million in royalty and sales revenue.
Responsibility included sales analysis and royalty collection for
over 65 franchisees throughout the region.
* Designed and rolled out a new in-house developed WEB based tool
to facilitate data collection from franchisees that was later
adopted globally by the Company as the best practice solution to
speed up collections, and reduce labor costs while minimizing
human error in data entry.
* Managed a team of outsource accountants in satellite offices
in Brazil and Chile that supported local operations while
ensuring compliance with statutory laws and regulations.
* Responsible for planning, budgeting and control of a $20
million expense budget, consistently ensuring the company met or
exceeded its targets and corporate guidelines.
* Developed operational budgets and cash forecasts for the region
that allowed for payment of commitments while minimizing currency
and tax exposure for the Company.
* Recognized each year with the Gold Standard Award for timely
and accuracy in reporting.
U.S. RealTel,Inc. / Cypress Communications, Inc, Atlanta, GA
2001 - 2004
Leading provider of hosted and managed communications providing
services to customers in 38 U.S. states and over $120 million in
revenues.
SVP & Corporate Controller
Co-led the development and execution of a business plan that
resulted in 3 major business acquisitions and subsequent
consolidation under a single corporation. M&A activities included
fund raising, negotiations, pre-and post-merger coordination, and
the integration of operational, financial and accounting
functions. Liaisoned with external auditors in the U.S., Brazil
and Argentina, wiht responsibility for corporate accounting and
tax, FCC and SEC reporting.
* Led over 36 employees within accounting and other finance
support functions responsible for the monthly billing and
collections for over 8,000 customers in 38 US markets.
* Implemented new accounting system, procedures and controls
resulting in accurate and timely reporting for decision making
while saving over $120 thousand a year in software licenses.
* Managed bank relations that lead to $17 million in bridge
financing and a $10 million operational financing facility;
ensured compliance with loan covenants.
* Developed bank relationships to manage over $10 million in
funding in the U.S. and Latin America.
* Coordinated collection efforts that reduced outstanding AR by
50%.
FirstMark Communications Latin America, LLC., Fort Lauderdale, FL
2000 - 2001
$1.5 billion dollar telecommunications company with operations in
Europe.
Director of Finance & Corporate Controller
Developed operational budgets and cash forecasts and implemented
accounting procedures controls, as well as reporting structure, for
all subsidiaries during expansion into Latin-America. After
almost two years, the Company decided to close its operations in
LA and focus in Europe.
* Secured vendor and bank financing facilities for US$50 million.
* Managed cash requirements for start up operations in Brazil,
Chile and Colombia accurately planning the business needs and
managing banking relationships throughout the region.
* Provided finance support to the General Manager in fund raising
activities including road shows and presentations which led to
proposals for over US$40 million in capital.
Panam Wireless, Inc., Guaynabo, PR
1997 - 2000
A $50 million dollar telecommunications company (paging, cellular
and Internet).
Resource Director & Controller
Responsible for accounting controls over a retail network of over
200 points of sale including company owned stores, dealers and
resellers. Responsible for the development and control of the
operational budget; presented results to top management and the
board of directors. Also responsible for the Human Resources
function for this 250 employee company.
* Implemented organizational and operational changes that led to
over US$8 million in annual savings company wide including the
relocation of a call center overseas.
* Integrated a workforce, post merger, to create a unified
finance department from 2 different and distinct cultures by
applying change integration techniques resulting in a strong and
committed team.
* Managed a syndicated financing facility of US$47 million
ensuring covenant compliance.
* Led start up operations in Brazil including securing of a
telecom operator license, building a support call center,
negotiating terms with local vendors and setting up a back
office. Subsequently supported the corporate decision to sell
the operations to the local partner.
PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Hato Rey, PR
1994 - 1997
Multinational accounting and consulting firm.
Manager
Manager-in-Charge of the Change Integration practice.
* Led improvement teams in multiple organizations including
government and private corporations resulting in savings, added
controls and efficiencies for the clients.
* Provided litigation support services, as researcher, in
multi-million dollar cases involving calculation of damages and
loss of profit in a breach of contract and distribution rights.
* Evaluated and successfully implemented several accounting
packages for mid-size retail, distribution and manufacturing
companies.
* First employee granted with two Local and one National
Excellence Award in the local office, for excellence in customer
service and efficient project management.
Diego Chevere & Co., Guaynabo, PR
1990 - 1993
Consultant
Joined this local CPA firm as an auditor, and in two years
advanced to the consulting division.
* Performed operational and financial reviews for companies in
a variety of industries.
* In charge of audits for medium size retail, manufacturing and
distribution companies.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Certified Public Accountant
B.A., Business Administration, Major in Accounting
Sacred Heart University, Santurce, Puerto Rico
Training workshops and seminars on process improvement,
information technologies, telecom, people and project management,
business analysis, and human resources.
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Florida and PR CPA Chapters