Jill Livesay

About Jill Livesay

Translating complexity into clarity – and turning strategy into results.I operate at the intersection of accounting and finance, people leadership, and digital transformation. With more than 30 years of experience leading high-performing teams in Fortune 500 companies, I bring a steady hand and a strategic lens to every challenge – whether I’m navigating M&A, standing up new systems, or reshaping the role of finance across the enterprise. I’ve spent my career moving accounting from a back-office function to a true business partner by aligning talent, technology, and strategy to drive competitive advantage. With a reputation for being a financial expert who understands the full business ecosystem, I drive initiatives from digital innovation and regulatory compliance to cultural change and board-level governance. My leadership style is focused on transparency, curiosity, and care for people. I take pride in building empowered teams that consistently deliver results and elevate the organizations we serve.My core competencies and areas of expertise include: Enterprise Financial Strategy and Transformation Mergers, Acquisitions, and Post-Merger Integration SEC Reporting and SOX Compliance Board Engagement and Audit Committee Leadership Digital Modernization and ERP Implementation Talent Development and Succession Planning Risk Oversight and Regulatory Governance Omnichannel Retail Finance Operations Cross-Functional Collaboration and Business Alignment Culture-Building and Executive Team LeadershipI believe in the power of purposeful leadership, and I’ve seen the evidence that finance is a catalyst for change. I’d love to connect with other people curious about how best practices in accounting and finance contribute to strong company performance.

Experience

1. Chief Accounting Officer & Controller

   CarMax

   Nov 2016 — Present · Richmond, VA, US

   I lead a team of more than 350 staff to manage all aspects of corporate accounting, tax, external reporting, and financial systems for a $26 billion omnichannel retailer. I have focused over the years on elevating accounting into a strategic business function – shifting the perception from back-office support to proactive partner in growth, risk management, and innovation. My direct reports are empowered leaders who drive transformation across the organization.Digital modernization has been one of my key initiatives, most notably through an enterprise-wide ERP implementation to replace legacy systems and replatformed key technologies in inventory and sales. I have introduced AI and robotic process automation as well as new document processing tools that saved millions and set a new standard for finance operations across the company. This successful rollout has since been used as a case study by our integration partner, Deloitte.I’m especially proud of how we\'ve developed and retained top talent while fostering a high-engagement culture. My team has become known internally as a leadership incubator, and several team members have advanced into higher level enterprise roles. I also serve as the executive liaison to the Audit Committee and play an active role on governance committees related to risk, compliance, and cybersecurity.

Education

• James Madison University

  Bachelor of Business Administration - BBA, Accounting and Economics