Jeff Gardiner, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Professional Overview

Jeff Gardiner is an accomplished finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading strategic financial operations for multinational organizations. As the Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Merchant Systems, LLC, he oversees all aspects of the company's financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance. Gardiner's deep expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and business process optimization has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth and profitability for the organization.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As Chief Financial Officer at U.S. Merchant Systems, LLC, Gardiner is responsible for managing the company's financial strategies, reporting, and controls. His key achievements include:

Spearheaded the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, resulting in a 20% improvement in financial reporting accuracy and a 15% reduction in operational costs.

Played a pivotal role in the successful acquisition of two regional merchant processing firms, integrating their financial operations seamlessly and generating $12 million in annualized synergies.

Instituted rigorous cash management and liquidity planning processes, enabling the company to maintain a strong financial position through periods of market volatility.

Career Progression

Prior to his current role, Gardiner served as the Managing Director of Corporate Finance at Capitol Bay Securities, where he directed all aspects of the firm's capital markets activities, including public offerings, debt financing, and mergers and acquisitions. Earlier in his career, he held the position of President, CEO, and Director at Burlingame Bank & Trust, where he led the transformation of the regional bank into a thriving financial institution.

Academic Background

Gardiner holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He has been recognized for his academic achievements, including being named to the Dean's List and receiving the Outstanding Student in Accounting award.

Areas of Expertise

Corporate finance and strategic planning

Mergers and acquisitions

Financial reporting and controls

Cash management and liquidity optimization

Business process improvement and automation

Regulatory compliance and risk management

Professional Impact

Gardiner's expertise and strategic leadership have been instrumental in driving the financial success of his employers. His contributions have been recognized through numerous industry awards, including the CFO of the Year award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal and the Excellence in Financial Management award from the California Chamber of Commerce.

Conclusion

With his exceptional track record of financial stewardship, process optimization, and strategic decision-making, Jeff Gardiner is well-positioned to continue driving sustainable growth and value creation for U.S. Merchant Systems, LLC and its stakeholders.