James R.

Whitney
Millstone Township, NJ 08535 ejwhitne@optonline.net (917) 647-3933
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OVERVIEW:
Finance Executive with comprehensive experience and strong management skills in financial planning and
analysis, long and short term strategic planning, compliance and risk management, business process optimization
and project management.
Key areas of responsibility:
Financial Reporting, Planning & Analysis

Mergers & Acquisitions

Budgeting, Forecasting & Long Range Planning

Strategic Thinking

Comp & Bonus Plan Administration

SOX Compliance

Finance & Accounting Systems Implementation

Project Management

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EXPERIENCE:
American Express Publishing/Time Inc. Affluent Media Group, New York, NY
2000 July 2015
Finance Director | Sale of American Express Publishing to Time Inc (July 2013 July 2015)
Consulted with American Express and Time Inc M&A departments to compile American Express Publishings
financial data including a 5 year long range plan
Converted all financial data using the Time Inc ledger components which required rewriting all of American Express
Publishings financial statements to ensure the business could be managed once the sale occurred
Implemented new financial reporting close and budget/forecast process to align with Time Inc processes
Transitioned Finance processes and functions amongst Time Inc Finance departments to align with Time Inc business
office procedures
Accomplishments
Converted AP, T&E, Temp Payroll and Purchasing processes from Amex to Time Inc - Zero impact to payments
Transferred 300 Amex Publishing Corp Card accounts without impeding daily business operations - Amex used same
process for Global Business Travel divestiture
Finance Director (March 2002 October 2013)
Led Finance team of 4 employees responsible for all financial processes and systems including budgeting, planning,
analysis and the monthly close
Managed consolidated forecast and annual budget process utilizing TM1 reporting tool for multi-media business
spanning 7 brands including Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Departures and 25 products
Supervised consolidated variance analysis comparing actuals to forecast, budget and prior year financial statements
Accomplishments
Converted $225MM payment process to online solution - decreased processing time by 75%
Converted G/L from mainframe to Oracle platform - reduced account volume by 80%
Business Manager (January 2000 February 2002)
Prepared budgets and reforecasts for several business units within the $255MM organization
Partnered with production to handle all Custom Publishing and Executive Travel new business pricing
Reviewed monthly budget/forecast variances with Senior Management
Promoted to Director of Finance
Accomplishments
Implemented financial reporting and forecasting database - reduced file maintenance by 70%
Partnered with Amex Global Real Estate to pursue early lease renewal - recognized over $6.5MM in savings
Implemented technology solutions to better manage spending - recognized over $2MM in savings in 1 year

James R. Whitney
Millstone Township, NJ 08535 ejwhitne@optonline.net (917) 647-3933
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McGraw Hill, Hightstown, NJ

General Ledger Controls and Procedures Manager (1999 2000)
Cash Accounting Manager (1998 1999)

1998 - 2000

American Express Publishing, New York, NY

Accounting Supervisor (1996 1998)
Senior Accountant (1995 1996)

1995 - 1998

Osborne & Little, Stamford, CT

Accounting Manager/MIS Manager

1994 - 1995

World Wrestling Entertainment, Stamford, CT

Publishing Accountant (1993 1994)
Accountant (1992 1993)

1992 - 1994

EDUCATION:
Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business, Online
Master Certificate in Business Management
The University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Bachelor of Science, Accounting
ASSOCIATIONS:
Cheshire Home, Florham Park, NJ
Treasurer, Board Member
Millstone United Travel Soccer, Millstone Twp., NJ
Treasurer, Board Member

April 2005
May 1992

2005 - Present
2008 June 2014

AWARDS/SKILLS:
2011 American Express Chairmans Award
Six Sigma Green Belt Certified
Excellence Award Recognition: 2004-2012
Tough Mudder Finisher: 2014-2015
IBM and Mac computers: Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Visio), Oracle Ledger
Multi-dimensional database: Hyperion Essbase, IBM Cognos TM1
EMPLOYEE RATINGS:
2013 - G1/L1
2012 - G2/L1
2011 - G2/L1
2010 - G1/L1
2009 - G1/L2
(G - Goal Rating, L - Leadership Rating: 1 Outstanding Performance, 2 Achieved Expectations, 3 Improvement Needed)