John Griffin is strategic-minded professional with over 20 years of experience providing both financial and operational leadership in support of company objectives. He is a leader with demonstrated ability to improve the finance, accounting, operations, human resources, and business development functions of the organization. Although Mr. Griffin works with a variety of organizations, his focus is on startup and emerging companies. He develops business plans, creates financial models for forecasting cash flows, oversees financial operations, designs supporting processes, and manages audit, tax, insurance, commercial leasing, and banking relationships. John currently serves as part-time CFO for CBRE Group, a large, local commercial real estate services provider; Ribogenics, a local life sciences company; and Unite Advisors, LLC, a team of coaches to help you grow your business. Read the praises his clients speak of him here: Client Testimonials.
As an experienced Controller/CFO, Mr. Griffin has been responsible for clients’ overall financial management, including accounting operations, financial reporting, cash management, budgeting, and forecasting. He has spent the majority of this career focusing on the life sciences and services industries. He was recently a key contributor to the successful IPO of an emerging biotechnology company.
Prior to joining Rankin McKenzie, Mr. Griffin spent 15 years with Scynexis, Inc., a publicly-traded drug development and pharmaceutical services company. As Director of Finance, he led the successful marketing of the company’s major division for acquisition, producing financial forecasts and performing critical business analysis, and was the key team member during both the due diligence and transaction closing process. As Controller, he established and implemented financial and accounting procedures and controls, built a first-class accounting team, and designed and led the annual budget process.
A native of North Carolina, Mr. Griffin attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business and Masters in Accounting. He holds his CPA certificate in North Carolina and is also a member of the North Carolina Association of CPAs.
Career Timeline:
- In 2018, joined Rankin McKenzie as Partner
- From 2016 to 2018, Mr. Griffin served as Controller for Cato Research, a local Clinical Research Organization with global operations, and worked closely with project managers to optimize project performance, financial accuracy, and profitability.
- From 2000 to 2016, Mr. Griffin worked at Scynexis, Inc., beginning during its startup phase as Accounting Manager and was subsequently promoted several times. He created all accounting policies and procedures, hired and developed accounting staff, oversaw back-office functions, developed financial and analytical reports, and maintained banking, audit, tax, risk management, benefits, and supply chain relationships. At the time of his departure in 2015, he had attained the position of Director of Finance.
- From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Griffin worked as an auditor at Deloitte & Touche, providing auditing and review services for both public and private clients in a wide variety of industries.
