Mr. Sullivan brings extensive financial expertise to his clients. For nearly twenty years as a professional in both public accounting and private industry, John has mastered a specialized knowledge of key areas in accounting including financial reporting (audits, reviews, and compilations in conformity with GAAP), internal controls, modeling financial projections, strategic business & tax planning, business valuation, and mergers & acquisitions. As a credentialed valuation analyst, he has the skills and experience necessary to properly value businesses for numerous purposes including mergers and acquisitions, estate and gift tax planning, business succession plans, and matrimonial or shareholder disputes. John has spoken and written on tax, valuation and business consulting topics.
Mr. Sullivan founded Sullivan Strategic to specifically focus on the needs of entrepreneurs. Mr. Sullivan worked at a regional CPA firm since 2002 where he most recently served as Director of its Assurance & Consulting department. Mr. Sullivan’s management advisory services experience includes working alongside private equity entrepreneurs and a publicly traded finance company, CapitalSource (NYSE: CXE) to provide due diligence and valuation services in the acquisition of a 20-year-old direct-response marketing and precious metals/jewelry reclamation dealer, subsequently serve as its Chief Financial Officer, and ultimately handle the sale and wind-down of the Company.
Mr. Sullivan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has earned the designations of Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) and Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credentialed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA), respectively. These credentials require passing a rigorous exam, demonstrating considerable professional experience and continuing education in the areas of accounting, tax, business valuation and financial forensics, and adhering to professional standards established by both organizations. Mr. Sullivan is also a member of the New Jersey (NJSCPA) and Pennsylvania (PICPA) state societies, whereby he has contributed articles to the PICPA practice management section.
Mr. Sullivan began his career as a senior auditor at Ernst & Young, one of the Big Four international accounting firms. His Fortune 500 corporate experience includes working as a senior financial analyst at Campbell Soup Company. John graduated Magna Cum Laude in the top six percent of his class from Villanova University, whose undergraduate business program was ranked #1 in the nation according to Bloomberg (2016). John serves as the Treasurer of the South Jersey Society of Financial Service Professionals and volunteers as an active member of the Paw Pal Professionals to fundraise for non-profit organizations such as the Voorhees Animal Orphanage and bring awareness for animal rights. John lives in Cherry Hill, New Jersey with his wife and two children.