Kerry Buchar

Kerry is a Managing Director in Chicago with experience in accounting and finance transformation. She advises clients across industries on financial planning and analysis, strategic reporting, target operating model design, process optimization and shared services. 

Kerry is skilled in building and developing a new Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) practice, leading global Record to Report (RTR) and Finance transformation projects and varied experience in large transactions. She has deep operational and financial accounting knowledge and extensive management experience working in collaborative and cross-functional environments. She is an analytical business partner known for her ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks. She is a hands-on transformational leader experienced in using centralization, consolidation, change management and process improvements to reduce costs while providing exceptional deliverables.

Major Projects:

• Created the strategy, offerings, team and culture of a mid-tier public consulting firm’s EPM Practice to drive transformation for multi-billion-dollar clients in this area
• Led EPM pursuits, sales and projects for multinational companies up to and exceeding $500 billion in revenue.  This involved designing the future state target operating model, including many offshore models, while delivering the desired results within budget and time constraints
• Led the implementation of Integrated Business Planning (IBP) for a $3 billion business
• Key leader in the development of a global RTR Transformation Program for a $50 billion public company.  Designed efficient, automated, harmonized accounting processes, the global target operating model and the related implementation plans
• Directed the accounting for numerous acquisitions and divestitures for a public company including an $8 billion acquisition which included leading workshops to educate our international counterparts on US GAAP.  Responsible for the acquisition balance sheet, hiring of the valuation firm and coordination of the valuation testing of over 100 additional trademarks
• As a Senior Manager in Assurance Services with a Big Four Firm managed relationships with senior executives of publicly traded and private companies in the retail, manufacturing and distribution industries with revenues ranging from $10 million to $3 billion, including assisting clients with their IPO’s, mergers & acquisitions, preparation of financial statements and SEC filings  

Areas of Expertise:

• Financial Planning and Analysis
• Accounting Transactions and Transformation
• Business Process Transformation
• Project Management

Industry Expertise:

• Consumer Goods
• Manufacturing/Distribution
• Retail

Education:

• B.B.A. University of Iowa

Professional Memberships and Certifications:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)