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Kelvin, Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods: Advize Career Interview
A career journey from NYU graduate to Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods reveals a dynamic path in corporate finance.
This professional's experience encompasses accounting, real estate, and a successful climb within a billion-dollar public company.
Daily responsibilities blend cash management, forecasting, budgeting, and long-term financial projects, demanding a mix of technical accounting skills, economic understanding, and strong leadership.
Mentorship, impactful initiatives (like exploring clean energy), and navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic are highlighted as rewarding aspects.
Retail's tangible nature and customer connection are appreciated, while effective time management and owning project outcomes are cited as key challenges.
Advice for undergraduates emphasizes a business or accounting background, proactive problem-solving, and understanding a leader's intent for career success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelvin Sun
Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury
Big 5 Sporting Goods
New York University, 2008
UCLA Anderson School of Management
Business Management & Admin
Retail
Finance
None Applicable
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Career Path Of A Manager Of Financial Planning And Treasury At Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin, a Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods, graduated from NYU in 2008, "a tough year to graduate college," and began their career in accounting before transitioning to real estate. After earning their CPA and moving to the West Coast, a career progression at Big 5 Sporting Goods led to their current role, a testament to their upward mobility within the company.
Main Responsibilities of a Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin, Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods, manages "financial planning," which includes forecasting performance based on historical data and creating annual budgets for public disclosure, and "treasury," encompassing daily cash operations for funding and debt management, as well as investing surplus funds. This role directly supports the CFO in a billion-dollar public company, highlighting the significant financial responsibilities and impact of Kelvin's position.
A Day In The Life Of A Manager Of Financial Planning And Treasury At Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin's role as Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods involves a dynamic mix of daily cash management ("download the day's banking reports...decide whether we need to borrow funds"), monthly/quarterly forecasting incorporating "historicals from the accounting group and then forecasts for what we think is gonna happen in the future," and long-term finance projects such as "capital budgeting for the future" and cost savings initiatives, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their career in a challenging retail environment.
Most Important Skills for a Financial Planning and Treasury Manager at Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin's career progression in corporate finance at Big 5 Sporting Goods hinges on a blend of technical accounting skills ("my debits, my credits...directly feeding that accounting background into balance sheet accounting"), economic understanding, and strong leadership abilities, navigating team dynamics and "managing expectations" while fostering a high-trust environment. The CPA designation provides a solid foundation, complemented by experience in managing people and navigating complex economic factors.
Favorite Parts of Being a Financial Planning and Treasury Manager at Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin's favorite aspect of the Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury role at Big 5 Sporting Goods is the mentorship aspect, "being able to really guide somebody through that process, uh, where they're learning new skills." Equally rewarding is the opportunity to make a tangible impact, leading initiatives such as exploring "clean energy, energy efficient" projects and developing a conservative investment program in response to changing economic conditions.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Manager Of Financial Planning And Treasury At Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin, Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods, cites effective time management as the biggest challenge in their role, juggling competing priorities ("what's urgent, but maybe not critically important...what's critically important") and pursuing an MBA concurrently. Navigating the significant business stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic also presented a considerable, yet ultimately rewarding, career hurdle.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Retail Industry as a Financial Planning and Treasury Manager
Kelvin appreciates the tangible nature of retail, citing the strong customer connection and the ability to "see the results of what I do" by visiting stores. This connection to Big 5's history and the positive customer feedback, exemplified by stories of "dads taking them to get soccer cleats," are key aspects Kelvin enjoys in his role supporting store operations and connecting with Southern California consumers.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Retail, According To A Finance Manager At Big 5 Sporting Goods
Retail thrives on creativity and a results-oriented approach, favoring those who can "see the results of their actions," particularly in the dynamic world of e-commerce and omnichannel strategies. The industry demands a deep understanding of the core customer and innovative marketing to connect with them, moving beyond traditional methods to maintain a strong connection and drive sales.
What a Financial Planning and Treasury Manager at Big 5 Sporting Goods Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Finance Industry
Kelvin's role as Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury at Big 5 Sporting Goods requires more than just mastering "the fundamental skills" of cash management and forecasting; the biggest unexpected challenge is the responsibility for seeing projects "all the way through" and owning outcomes, even when outside of their initial scope, meaning "the buck stops with" them.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Financial Planning and Treasury Professionals
Kelvin, a Manager of Financial Planning and Treasury, highlights that while there is no direct undergraduate path into treasury, a business or accounting background is highly valued; "most people find it...from a business or accounting background," and certifications like the CTP are valuable assets for career advancement.
Career Lesson From A Financial Planning And Treasury Manager At Big 5 Sporting Goods
Kelvin's most significant career lesson involves understanding "leader's intent," moving beyond simply meeting literal instructions to anticipating a supervisor's needs and delivering a complete, self-reviewed product. This approach, he explains, evolved from focusing on "execution" as an employee to managing projects effectively as a manager, emphasizing proactive communication and collaboration with colleagues to achieve "a complete project on time and on budget."
College Experiences And How A Financial Planning Manager At Big 5 Sporting Goods Succeeded
Kelvin's undergraduate experience at NYU was not particularly conducive to career success, marked by a period of "partying all the time" before a later realization to prioritize "getting towards more." However, a subsequent career at Big 5 Sporting Goods provided opportunities for Kelvin to demonstrate responsibility and high integrity, ultimately leading to significant contributions by "redesig[ning] this whole thing" and becoming a trusted problem-solver.
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