Samone Watts
Los Angeles
Summary
Accounting and finance leader with 13+ years of progressive experience driving accounting operations, financial reporting, audit management, ERP implementations, and finance transformation initiatives for high-growth consumer packaged goods (CPG), beauty, retail, lifestyle, and e-commerce organizations. Proven success building accounting functions, strengthening internal controls, leading high-performing teams, and partnering with executive leadership to support strategic growth.
Recognized for delivering scalable financial processes, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP while supporting founder-led, private equity-backed, and global consumer brands.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Fractional Controller & Finance Consultant
OpenCorePath
08.2024 - Current
- Provide outsourced Controller and finance leadership for high-growth consumer brands, partnering directly with founders and executive leadership to build scalable accounting operations and financial infrastructure.
- Serve as Fractional Controller for a portfolio of 4–5 consumer brands across beauty, apparel, and lifestyle industries.
- Led accounting teams of up to seven professionals to develop scalable accounting organizations and finance processes.
- Build accounting departments from the ground up, establishing policies, procedures, internal controls, and reporting frameworks.
- Reduced month-end close to a five-day close through process improvements, automation, and ERP optimization.
- Prepared executive, board, and investor reporting packages, financial statements, and KPI reporting to support business performance analyses.
- Lead ERP implementations and accounting system enhancements that improve operational efficiency and reporting accuracy.
- Oversee corporate accounting, including general ledger, reconciliations, accruals, fixed assets, prepaid expenses, inventory, treasury, and financial reporting.
- Partnered with founders, CEOs, and cross-functional teams in Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, and FP&A to drive strategic growth initiatives and informed financial decision-making.
- Client in portfolio: Princess Polly, ILIA Beauty, Redone, YoungLA
Controller
goop
07.2022 - 08.2024
- Directed corporate accounting operations for Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle and wellness brand, overseeing financial reporting, audit management, technical accounting, and accounting operations supporting domestic and international business activities.
- Directed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close while ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
- Managed general ledger accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, and cash management, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards.
- Led implementation and ongoing compliance with ASC 606 Revenue Recognition and ASC 842 Lease Accounting standards.
- Coordinated annual external audits as primary liaison, facilitating audit activities to ensure timely and successful completion.
- Led and developed a team of seven accounting professionals, providing coaching, performance management, and leadership development.
- Partnered with FP&A, Operations, Supply Chain, and executive leadership on budgeting, forecasting, inventory management, and financial planning.
- Strengthened internal controls and enhanced financial reporting processes through ERP optimization and continuous process improvement, leading to greater accuracy and reliability.
- Supported omnichannel operations across Shopify, Amazon, wholesale, and international markets.
Accounting Manager
Beach House Group
02.2019 - 06.2022
- Managed accounting operations for a portfolio of high-growth, private equity-backed beauty and consumer brands, including Pattern Beauty, Florence by Mills, Moon Oral Care, and BÉIS.
- Led month-end close, financial reporting, and general ledger accounting across multiple brands and legal entities.
- Prepared executive reporting packages, board presentations, and monthly business reviews for executive leadership, enabling informed decision-making.
- Partnered with FP&A on budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and variance analysis.
- Supervised and developed accounting staff, enhancing operational excellence and standardizing processes.
- Oversaw inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, cost of goods sold, and international supply chain accounting.
- Managed relationships with domestic and international vendors while supporting manufacturing and inventory operations.
- Led annual external audits and coordinated audit requests and supporting documentation.
- Contributed to NetSuite implementation and finance transformation initiatives, enhancing reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
Senior Accountant
Geffen Playhouse
01.2016 - 02.2019
- Partnered with executive leadership to deliver financial reporting and conduct operational analysis for informed decision-making.
- Assisted with annual audits, developed budgets, and prepared financial statements to support organizational financial health.
- Prepared journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and monthly financial reports.
- Managed accounts payable, vendor administration, royalty accounting, and weekly payment processing.
- Managed payroll, employee benefits, workers' compensation, and HR accounting processes to ensure accurate financial reporting.
Audit Associate
KPMG
09.2015 - 12.2016
- Executed financial statement audits in accordance with PCAOB and AICPA auditing standards.
- Performed financial statement audits for public and private clients across consumer products, retail, healthcare, biotechnology, nonprofit, higher education, real estate, and asset management industries.
- Evaluated internal controls and performed risk assessments, enhancing compliance and identifying areas for improvement in key business processes.
- Tested revenue recognition, inventory, cost of goods sold (COGS), accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, accrued liabilities, and operating expenses.
- Prepared audit workpapers and analyzed financial information, identifying risks that informed audit conclusions and strengthened financial reporting.
- Collaborated with client finance teams on complex audit engagements, including healthcare merger-related audits, ensuring thorough examination and adherence to regulatory standards.
Accountant
NYX Professional Makeup
03.2013 - 08.2015
- Coordinated accounting operations for global cosmetics manufacturer, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and journal entries.
- Supported month-end close, financial reporting, and general ledger accounting.
- Processed wire transfers, vendor payments, employee expense reports, and cash transactions.
- Assisted with inventory accounting and financial reporting, contributing to ongoing process improvements.
Accountant
ENK International
06.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed financial records, reconciliations, and accounting databases to uphold data integrity.
- Compiled financial reports and contributed to accounting operations for national trade events, enhancing financial oversight.
- Facilitated accounting operations for leading fashion trade show organization, ensuring accurate financial tracking.
- Ensured data accuracy and integrity across financial systems.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
California State University, Northridge
Northridge, CASkills
- Corporate Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- ERP & Financial Systems (NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, QuickBooks)
- US GAAP & Technical Accounting (ASC 606, ASC 842)
- Audit, Internal Controls & Process Improvement
- Microsoft Excel
Timeline
Fractional Controller & Finance Consultant
OpenCorePath
08.2024 - Current
Controller
goop
07.2022 - 08.2024
Accounting Manager
Beach House Group
02.2019 - 06.2022
Senior Accountant
Geffen Playhouse
01.2016 - 02.2019
Audit Associate
KPMG
09.2015 - 12.2016
Accountant
NYX Professional Makeup
03.2013 - 08.2015
Accountant
ENK International
06.2011 - 01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Accountancy
California State University, Northridge
CORE EXPERTISE
- Corporate Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- U.S. GAAP
- Month-End & Year-End Close
- General Ledger Management
- Technical Accounting
- Internal Controls
- Audit Management
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Cash Flow Management
- Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)
- Lease Accounting (ASC 842)
- Inventory & Cost Accounting
- Financial Analysis
- Multi-Entity Accounting
- ERP Implementations
- NetSuite
- Microsoft Dynamics NAV
- Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
- Retail
- E-Commerce
- Team Leadership
- Process Improvement
SELECTED CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Built and scaled accounting departments for high-growth consumer brands.
- Led accounting teams of up to seven professionals across multiple organizations.
- Reduced month-end close timelines to five business days through process optimization and ERP enhancements.
- Directed external audits and served as the primary liaison with independent auditors.
- Led ERP implementations and accounting system improvements supporting organizational growth.
- Supported executive leadership, boards, and investors with financial reporting and strategic analysis.
- Managed accounting operations across beauty, retail, apparel, and lifestyle brands operating through wholesale, e-commerce, Amazon, Shopify, and international channels.