Thomas Smith
Strategic Finance Executive / CFO
Thomas Smith
Strategic Finance Executive / CFO
Chicago, Illinois
Overview
Work Experience
Strategic Finance Executive / CFO
2023 - Current
I am a strategic CFO / Private-Equity professional based in Chicago. I have worked extensively with private-equity and venture backed portfolio companies, with focus on due diligence, M&A, strategy development & strategic financial reporting, data analytics, value creation initiatives, and exit preparedness. I spend time working alongside executives and Boards of PE-backed companies to accomplish key strategic priorities. My previous roles included 11 years at Baird Capital, a private equity and venture capital firm, and 6 and a half years at KPMG in the Transaction Services / Mergers and Acquisitions group. I received a dual-degree (Bachelors’ of Science in Finance and Accounting) from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
Principal, US Head of Portfolio Operations
2012 - 2023
Baird Capital is a Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital firm, specializing in investments in the lower middle-market within Technology, Services, Healthcare and Industrial sectors. As US head of Portfolio Operations, worked with both investment teams on new platform deals and executive management teams (CEO/CFO) on value creation initiatives When working on new investment platforms, primary responsibilities included supporting development and execution of due diligence program. Significant focus on financial reporting / assessment, Quality of Earnings / Financial Due Diligence, Financial modeling and underwriting, tax diligence, digital / IT systems diligence, legal diligence, legal documentation, lender and equity selection and documentation, and Purchase Agreement negotiation During ownership period for portfolio companies, worked directly with executive management teams (primarily CEO / CFO) and board of directors on strategy / strategic planning, financial reporting and KPI development, foundational infrastructure building, PE board governance, value creation initiatives, add-on acquisitions, and exit preparedness and execution.
Director Transaction Services
2005 - 2012
Director in Transaction Services (M&A) group. Primarily responsible for financial due diligence (Quality of Earnings, Sales/Margin analysis, working capital and net debt assessment) for both Private Equity and Strategic clients. Worked on both buy-side and sell side engagement across numerous industries, including oil & gas, healthcare, industrial products, aviation, consulting and tech services. Acquisition and divestiture sizes ranged from $10 million to $6 billion in enterprise value. Worked directly with clients (PE sponsors and corporate development teams) and target company management teams (CEO, CFO)
KPMG Advisory provides audit, tax, assurance, and financial advisory services to companies and people.