Leadership

How Ted A. Smith Brings Big-Picture Vision to Finance Leadership

January 22, 2025
6:04 pm

Ted A. Smith, the chief financial officer of ISC Refractory Group and recent Marquis Who’s Who honoree, has gained significant perspective from more than 30 years in accounting, auditing, and finance. During his long and varied career, Mr. Smith has honed a top-down perspective that sees every part of the industry, from the needs and desires of directing boards to the details of on-the-ground analysis.

In just nine months, Mr. Smith’s skills have paid off for ISC Refractory Group, where he spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of the finance department. His impact on the company’s financial stability has yielded enhanced operational efficiency.

Building a Professional Foundation

A Terry College of Business graduate at the University of Georgia, Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting. His affinity for accounting was built from a natural aptitude and the talent that comes with the earnest pursuit of excellence. This pairing of innate ability and hard work would lead Mr. Smith to a career that spanned diverse roles and gave him access to his broader perspective.

Mr. Smith began accruing his varied experience right away. He worked as a manager for KPMG US and a corporate controller for TenCate Protective Fabrics before spending time in several roles, including director of internal audit at Mauser Packaging Solutions. He would bring these many professional experiences to his work as the chief audit executive for ScanSource, where he gained further perspectives on regulatory compliance and internal audits. Later, he served as a senior consultant and eventual director of advisory services at WilliamsMarston LLC, before finally assuming his current position at ISC Refractory Group.

This incredibly diverse professional background has given Mr. Smith greater insight into the interplay of financial leadership and auditing; he has served distinguished roles in both spheres. Working extensively with boards throughout his career, he has learned to align operational details with broader strategic goals. This “big picture” view allows him to balance higher-level planning and granular analysis to help inform more effective decision-making.

Professional Networking for Better Collaboration

Valuing the professional community around him, Mr. Smith stays involved with numerous organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Institute of Internal Auditors. He also serves on the board of advisors for the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, where he does his part to support his community’s business ecosystem.

Mr. Smith believes that his success flows from his commitment to collaborative relationships, as well as the honesty and transparency it takes to make the most of them. He believes in the power of open dialogue and the need for professionals to be accountable to one another. “Don’t be afraid to challenge things that you see,” advises Mr. Smith. He emphasizes the importance of being honest and outspoken.

About Marquis Who’s Who®:

Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms worldwide. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.