Matthew Lewis
Vice President, Finance and Accounting
Matthew Lewis serves as Vice President of Finance and Accounting at Intelligent Waves. Matthew is an accomplished finance and accounting professional, specializing in government contracting with a strong accounting and financial management background. Over the years, Matthew has adeptly navigated the complex regulatory and compliance frameworks inherent to government contracts, ensuring fiscal responsibility and efficiency in achieving successful financial outcomes, which earned him a reputation as a trusted Finance and Accounting GovCon leader. Matthew has played pivotal roles in both streamlining processes and enhancing financial reporting accuracy.
Matthew brings over 25 years of extensive experience to his role as a Finance and Accounting Leader. His last 15 years of experience has centered around accounting for government contractors, helping companies navigate the ever-changing landscape of FAR compliance and DCAA reporting requirements.
Prior to joining Intelligent Waves, Matthew led a team of accountants at a government contracting- focused accounting firm. During his tenure with this firm, Matthew was responsible for managing the full cycle of accounting for a portfolio of government contracting clients. Having an opportunity to work with varying sizes and types of companies within the GovCon space, Matthew brings a depth of experience in GovCon accounting to IW.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Management Information System from George Mason University.
Leadership Philosophy
The simple truth: I have never thought of myself as a leader, perhaps because the word leader ignites in my mind a thought of superiority and I have always thought of myself as a humble servant. Or maybe it’s because I prefer to be in the trenches with those I hope to inspire. Some may say I am simple minded, but I treasure my view of life through the lens of simplicity. It helps to ensure that I am true to who I am, what I value most and what I will not tolerate.
I believe that effective leadership requires genuine concern, and genuine can’t be forced, imagined, or summoned at will. It can only be a product of who I truly am at heart. My leadership style is rooted in ethical principles built on the foundation of my faith, with a focus on achieving tangible results. As a leader, I hold honesty, integrity, equality, hard work driven by self-motivation, and a results-driven mindset as guiding principles. By embracing these principles, I aim to not only foster an environment where trust, inclusivity, and excellence thrive, but an environment where the intersection of my valued principles and yours forms the nucleus for greater achievement on both a personal and professional level.
At the core of my leadership philosophy lies a commitment to honesty and integrity. It both defines how I view my role as a finance and accounting leader and amplifies the enjoyment I gain from working in my chosen career. I firmly believe in transparent communication that builds trust and encourages open dialogue. At times the nature of my work and the need for secrecy may obscure the truthfulness of my belief in transparent communication, but this is the inflection point of integrity and trust. My integrity allows me to continue being the protective steward of your valuable information, and your trust in my ability to do that allows me to stand firm in my integrity. By leading with honesty, I hope to set the foundation for authentic relationships and demonstrate the value of my integrity in both personal and professional interactions.
Equality is a fundamental principle that shapes my leadership approach. If you’ve met me, you may assume you know why that is and you would be wrong. I grew up in Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America. We didn’t have much, but I never knew that, because I was never hungry, and all my needs were cared for. It wasn’t until I came to the United States at the age of 17 that I became inundated with inequality, and I struggled to understand it. It was so clear to me that there was so much more to be thankful for here than where I came from. Looking at equality from this vantage point offered me a unique perspective.
To me, equality is not so much about how others view or treat me, but how I view and treat others. Because if I choose to focus on what I can’t change, it blinds me from the change I have the ability to affect. I hold a deep respect for the unique perspectives and contributions of each person. By my example, I hope to create an environment where everyone feels valued, empowered, and respected. I believe it is my responsibility as a leader to create an atmosphere of equality that encourages collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas that will ultimately launch us in the direction of achieving shared objectives.
While I am guided by ethical principles, I also recognize the importance of achieving concrete outcomes. I firmly believe in the power of hard work and self-motivation as catalysts for success. Until recently, I didn’t realize how much of this was rooted in me by the leadership of a single mother, who seemed to silently carry the weight of the world on her back so that my siblings and I didn’t have to. Guided by my mother’s remarkable example, I choose to lead by example, demonstrating a strong work ethic and inspiring others to take ownership of their desired objectives. By setting high standards and encouraging continuous improvement, I hope to foster a culture that enable others to find success in doing the same.
A results-driven approach underpins my leadership philosophy. I emphasize the importance of setting clear goals and developing effective strategies to achieve them. By encouraging accountability and a focus on outcomes, I hope to create an environment where individuals and teams are motivated to go above and beyond. Learning from both successes and failures, I expect all to continuously strive for progress and ultimately exceed expectations.
In conclusion, my leadership philosophy revolves around ethical principles, a focus on equality, and a results-oriented mindset. By embodying honesty, integrity, and equality, I strive to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, and inclusivity. I strive to be inspirational to others through hard work, self-motivation, and a commitment to achieving tangible results. I aim to lead by example, foster excellence, and empower individuals and teams to recognize and continually grow to their full potential.