Robert A. Merikle has over 15 years of experience in finance roles at T-Mobile, Washington Mutual, and Wells Fargo providing analytical support, financial modeling and reporting. He led finance teams, created complex models to track expenses, provisions and reserves, and supported senior executives with forecasting and business decisions. Merikle also has expertise in budgeting, planning, accounting and using tools like Excel, SAP and Oracle/Hyperion.
1. Robert A. Merikle
T-MOBILE 2008 – 2010
Finance Manager, Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis [Oct 2008 – Jan 2010] Bellevue, Washington
Provided high level analytical support and lead the Corporate Finance team’s contributions for total company expenses.
• Worked with business areas throughout company to provide thought leadership in developing monthly forecast
and actuals reporting by analyzing financial forecast/results, distilling/synthesizing key trends and communicating
key messages. Supported monthly business reviews, accounting close and “Flash” reviews. Translated key
business issues into financial models and metrics allowing insight into risks, opportunities and key drivers.
• Primary finance group contact for year long total company expense initiative. Created financial model to track
performance and progress of $1B+ in initiatives. Consolidated monthly business area submissions to facilitate a
cohesive total company reporting package to ensure success of program and meet business goals.
• Finance Lead responsible for working with cost center leads for budgeting, forecasting and planning of “Team
Finance” which consisted of all finance FTE’s company wide. Coordinated with cost center leads to validate
results, create a consolidated forecast and allocate targets in support of business goals. Served as a resource to
fellow Team Members in the mechanics of uploading numbers into financial systems.
WASHINGTON MUTUAL 2005 – 2008
Senior Finance Manager, Corporate Credit [Aug 2007 – Oct 2008] Seattle, Washington
Provided high level analytical/process support for total company Provision along with Reserve and Net-Charge Off forecast
modeling.
• Worked closely with credit groups and finance groups throughout the bank to create and provide company
Provision and Reserve guidance. Validated results and developed forecasts to create/achieve long range business
goals. Played a key role in all planning/forecasting/target setting cycles.
• Redesigned reporting to help top level executives better understand and digest numbers allowing them to make
educated decisions in an unprecedented credit environment. Created a complex financial model to identify risks,
opportunities and drivers allowing insight into the details while still preserving the big picture message.
• Streamlined information workflows and optimized calendar deliverables. Partnered with associates across
business units to coordinate activities, drive consistency and improve processes.
Senior Finance Manager, Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis [April 2005 – Aug 2007] Seattle, Washington
Provided high level analytical support for providing Senior Executives (CFO, CEO, BOD) with short range earnings
estimate reporting to help facilitate business decisions and understand key drivers used in communicating external
guidance.
• Created, maintained and managed Non-Interest Income ($6B Annual) and Non-Interest Expense ($8B Annual)
financial models. Developed a template used by business areas to capture financial updates as well as risks,
opportunities and key drivers.
• Drove the Short Range Forecast process from a shallow, total company, bi-monthly reporting exercise to a daily,
dynamic, multi-leveled reporting process.
• Developed processes, initiated meetings and structured reporting to assist senior company Executives with
ongoing decisions about company wide Restructure charges that exceeded $61M in 2005 and $315M in 2006.
2. Robert A. Merikle
WELLS FARGO 2000 – 2005
Regional Finance Manager, Washington Community Banking [2004 – 2005] Seattle, Washington
Hand picked and promoted to Washington State Community Banking Region after acquisition of Pacific NW Bank.
• Oversaw team that consolidated acquired company’s budget
• Participated in valuation of potential business and property acquisitions.
• Created, then quantified interim sales plan for acquired company’s sales force. Worked closely with Sales and
Reporting group to normalize ad-hoc sales reporting for executive management.
Regional Finance Manager, Border Banking [2002 – 2004] San Diego, California
Promoted to manage regional budget consisting of all territories intersecting US/Mexican Border. Developed, tracked,
reported and communicated annual sales and financial goals for region.
• One of 40 employees company-wide on Task Force that tested and provided input on new database that enabled
reporting consistency down to the Accounting Unit level for all 28 regions ensuring financial accountability.
Sr. Financial Analyst, Private Client Services [2000 – 2002] San Francisco, California
Responsible for budgeting, planning and analysis of Southern California Region. Regional budget metrics included
$229 MM in revenue, $3.9 BB balance sheet and 534 FTE.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Excel, Word & PowerPoint
• Expert/Advanced level knowledge including advanced modeling, pivot tables, macros and model automation
• Extensive experience in creating decks and presentations to help facilitate management reporting.
Oracle/Hyperion Essbase
SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence (BI)
SAP Business Objects Planning And Consolidation
• Extensive experience generating reports/complex ad hoc requests, automating data pulls, loading/calculating data,
and Hierarchy/Account maintenance
Proprietary Company Applications
• Expert/Advanced level knowledge reviewing/entering General Ledger, A/P transactions and balance sheet reserves
EDUCATION
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 2000
Master of Business Administration, Corporate Finance
• President of MBA Finance Association
California State University Hayward, Hayward, CA 1995
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, Emphasis in Finance
• Student Body President