Brian Reardon
Founder, Principal consultant of Wider Path Advisors
I'm Brian Reardon, founder and principal consultant of Wider Path Advisors. I believe every growing business deserves a clear path to financial success, and I'm here to help you chart it.
My Story / The "Why" Behind Wider Path Advisors
After two decades managing the intricate financial worlds of investment banking and large multinational corporations, where I gained deep insights into sophisticated financial strategies and planning, I realized my true passion lay in making a more direct impact on the engines of our economy: growing businesses. I observed that many ambitious companies lacked access to the high-caliber financial guidance that larger enterprises often take for granted – not through any fault of their own, but simply due to a gap in the marketplace for tailored, accessible expertise.
Wider Path Advisors was founded to bridge this very gap. I'm driven by the opportunity to partner with business owners, demystifying complex financial concepts and translating them into actionable strategies. It's about leveraging comprehensive experience to help you build resilience, optimize your financial performance, and confidently chart a course for long-term stability and success. My goal is to ensure that expert financial partnership is not a distant ideal, but a tangible asset for your business.
Our Expertise
Two Decades of Financial Leadership Applied to Your Business
Having gained comprehensive experience managing complex financial landscapes across diverse and demanding corporate environments, I bring a seasoned, strategic perspective to the unique challenges and ambitious goals of growing businesses. My background is rooted in collaborating cross-departmentally to enhance financial and operational strategies, a skill I now leverage directly to benefit your company.
At Wider Path Advisors, this extensive experience translates into targeted expertise across several key areas critical for your success.
Excellence in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Understanding your past performance and accuratelyplanning for the future is paramount.
My experience includes leading comprehensive budgeting and forecasting processes for major organizations, and developing detailed monthly forecasts and annual plans for significant P&Ls.
For your business, this means we can implement comprehensive financial planning, utilizing advanced financial modeling and insightful variance analyses to drive performance improvements and develop clear financial reporting that supports effective decision-making. I also bring strong expertise in the buildout, maintenance, and effective use of various cloud-based financial planning solutions, ensuring we can find or optimize systems that fit your needs.
Strategic Finance & Corporate Development
Effectively guiding a growing business requires a forward-looking perspective and the ability to navigate significant strategic decisions. My background includes extensive experience in managing comprehensive long-range planning (LRP) processes, integrating thorough data analysis of macroeconomic trends and market share to chart a clear course for the future. I have analyzed numerous mergers and acquisitions (M&A) opportunities using detailed valuation modeling, calculated fair value assessments, and applied keen problem-solving skills to inform strategic choices. For your business, this means I can provide critical support in evaluating growth opportunities, preparing for major transactions, and developing robust long-term strategies that align with your vision.
Capital Markets & Treasury Acumen
Strong capital management and treasury operations are the bedrock of a resilient and thriving business. My experience in capital markets includes administering large-scale credit facilities and substantial commercial paper programs, structuring comprehensive capital plans, and strategically managing extensive debt portfolios with a keen focus on risk management. I've also driven tangible cost efficiencies, including achieving significant bank fee savings through renegotiations with major banking partners. For your growing business, this translates into expert guidance on optimizing your capital structure, ensuring robust liquidity, and enhancing your banking relationships to support your operational needs and strategic goals.
Process Improvement & Financial Systems Implementation:
Beyond insightful strategy, efficient financial operations and well-utilized systems are key to scalable success. My background includes hands-on project management experience in designing and implementing sophisticated cloud-based financial planning solutions like SAP Analytics Cloud (SAC) and Anaplan, alongside tools such as NetSuite ERP and Oracle Cloud EPM Planning (PBCS). This work has involved streamlining internal financial reporting packages for greater clarity and driving process improvement. For your growing business, this means I can help you enhance your financial processes, advise on the effective use of technology, and ensure your systems truly support your operational needs and strategic decision-making.
Concluding Statement for "Our Expertise":
Having navigated the complexities of large-scale corporate finance, I am passionate about bringing that caliber of strategic insight and operational excellence to the SMB sector. Wider Path Advisors is committed to delivering this unique value, helping your growing business build a resilient and prosperous future.
Our core values
We apply our extensive financial knowledge and practical understanding to address your unique business challenges and opportunities.
Our approach
Our partnership begins with a commitment to deeply understand your business from the inside out. We take the time to listen intently, learning about your specific challenges, operational nuances, unique market position, and your most important long-term aspirations. This thorough discovery phase is the cornerstone of our approach, ensuring that all subsequent guidance is truly aligned with your vision.
Because no two businesses are exactly alike, our solutions are never one-size-fits-all. Drawing from the insights gained through our initial understanding, we develop customized and practical strategies designed specifically for your situation. Our focus is on providing actionable plans and clear recommendations that you can implement effectively to achieve your distinct objectives and drive tangible results.
We generally approach engagements through a structured yet flexible process that includes initial discovery and in-depth analysis, collaborative strategy development, support during implementation where needed, and ongoing review to ensure we are consistently moving towards your goals. This methodology is designed not just for immediate problem-solving, but to foster lasting relationships. At Wider Path Advisors, we aim to be your trusted financial partner for the long haul, supporting your journey towards sustainable success and continued stability.
