PROFILE:

• A highly motivated CPA and MBA professional who offers proven results in Finance and Accounting. Possesses leadership experience, strong financial acumen, strong financial systems proficiency to leverage in generating value, strong analytical, quantitative and communication skills as well as the ability to learn and adapt quickly to changing business needs.
• Enthusiastic team leader with the ability to teach/motivate direct reports to increase productivity.
• Managerial/Leadership skills
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple projects/deadlines
• Ability to build strong relationships throughout the organization
• ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle and PeopleSoft)
• Essbase/HFM/OBIEE/GL Wand
• Business Objects
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Reconciliation Managers (Oracle and Blackline)
• GEAC (Mainframe)
• Financial Reporting & Planning
• Process Improvements
• System Implementation
• Internal Audit
• GAAP/SOX/IFRS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Confidential, Deerfield, Illinois

Accounting Manager

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and direct the team in accounting areas for monthly/quarterly/annual close and reporting requirements:
• Direct accounting questions/judgements for the business unit and +8K retail stores
• Direct control the accounts for the business units’ balance sheet by ensuring timely and accurate account reconciliations in accordance with GAAP and company policy
• Leads the month end close process to ensure accuracy of the business units’ financial statements as well as for +8K retail stores
• Prepare variance commentary and management reports to senior management
• Support internal and external audit teams with reporting and testing requirements
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and company policy in the business unit and implements new policies and changes
• Support the development and implementation of accounting systems and controls due to Oracle Financial system implementation which went live October 2014:
• Directed the documentation of current and future accounting procedures including journal entry mapping, chart of account changes, SOX requirements and shortened close procedures
• Ensured implementation of requisite system changes to support business unit needs
• Trainer, Super User and UAT tester for Oracle EBS, Oracle Business Intelligence and Excel4apps/GL Wand to ensure accounting and finance employees corporate wide were prepared for go live and post implementation
• Created month end reporting packages for department as well as assisted other departments throughout the organization with their reporting requirements utilizing new reporting tools
• Initiated process improvements including creating month end checklists to ensure efficient close process; eliminated/streamlined manual journal entries prepared by multiple departments and created automatic journal entries where appropriate; presented best practices for preparing balance sheet reconciliations, appropriate journal entry support and intermediate/advanced Excel functions (v/hlookups, if statements, pivot tables, conditional formatting to highlight exceptions)

Confidential

Finance Reporting & Planning Manager

Responsibilities:

• Financial Systems Implementation/Integration Lead—designated a key retention employee for successful integration. Acted as functional lead in implementation of financial systems (SAP) and processes between Nestle USA and Confidential for general ledger, purchasing, accounts payable, payroll and fixed assets streams; Served as liaison between Nestle USA, Pizza Division and Confidential finance functions; Designed/mapped chart of accounts; Developed/executed test scripts; Designed financial reports using new system reporting tools; Identified and implemented "quick hit" process improvements; Performed post - implementation troubleshooting; Managed two ledgers/systems throughout TSA period prior to go-live in January 2011.

Confidential, Northfield, Illinois

Finance Reporting & Planning Manager

Responsibilities:

• Pizza division became a stand-alone business unit in 2008; leveraged corporate experience to develop new processes and procedures to ensure compliance/readiness
• Developed sales reporting for division utilizing new system tools for both Nestle USA and Confidential ; designated as the division lead for both companies’ sales reporting tools, led classes and developed queries for users
• Developed Operating Income, Net Revenue Margin and Investor Relation reports and analysis
• Created intranet team rooms for actuals and planning activities/reports
• Developed new internal controls for division including guarantees, management representation reporting, balance sheet reviews as well as lead for overseeing division’s Sarbanes Oxley testing procedures (Kraft) and IFRS procedures (Nestle).

Confidential

Finance Manager

Responsibilities:

• Promoted to Finance Manager and hired as first employee for new department
• Consolidated monthly reporting packages for divisions including volume, P&L results, EVA’s and Overheads
• Oracle Financial Analyzer and Essbase/HFM system implementation project lead including data verification, user acceptance, parallel testing and report writing
• Standardized/documented close process/procedures for all Confidential divisions
• Created intranet team rooms for segments/division financial reporting
• Supervised staff, delegated responsibilities, set goals, conducted periodic evaluations

Confidential

Finance Supervisor

Responsibilities:

• Key partner with Confidential divisions by ensuring financial records were maintained in accordance with GAAP, Confidential policies/procedures, internal controls and tax schedules
• Recommended and implemented division and systems process improvements
• Integration team member for Nabisco acquisition including mapping chart of accounts, report development, communicating new policies/procedures and

Confidential, Chicago, Illinois

Corporate-PeopleSoft Implementation Team

Responsibilities:

• Defined software requirements; managed software selection process; acted as functional lead for general ledger/reporting streams; designed and mapped chart of accounts; developed and executed test scripts; designed financial reports using system reporting tools; lead classes and performed post-implementation troubleshooting

Confidential

Finance Manager

Responsibilities:

• Promoted to Finance Manager
• Consolidated monthly reporting activities/packages and coordinated annual operating/capital plan reporting
• Responsible for all financial reporting activities and employees including general ledger, fixed assets, accounts payable/receivable, payroll and tax functions
• Reviewed, documented and implemented changes to accounting policies/procedures designed to increase efficiency and reporting deadlines to Confidential

Confidential

Finance Supervisor

Responsibilities:

• Promoted to Finance Supervisor
• Prepared monthly consolidation of financial statements and related financial information packages including commentary/variance analysis to assist management in the decision making process
• Prepared schedules for the annual operating/capital plan and responsible for managing overhead costs of Editorial and Advertising departments
• Developed financial reporting/planning for new acquisitions and products/businesses including CareerBuilder.com, Values Magazine and the establishment of new Tribune Interactive division
• Project team member on the following task forces: Single Copy Buyer profiles, Automotive Classified Market, Employee Performance Appraisals and PeopleSoft financial reporting software selection
• Maintained the fixed asset subsystem and developed Capital Spending reports for project managers

Confidential, Chicago, Illinois

Sr. Financial Analyst

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for month-end close activities including journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations and reporting.
• Ensured accounting procedures and processes were in compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements
• Identified and implemented opportunities for improvement within the fixed asset/capital function with system implementation of mainframe GEAC fixed asset module

Confidential

Commercial Finance-Auditor

Responsibilities:

• Performed financial examinations of manufacturing/service company clients and potential clients to ensure credit worthiness for the Commercial Finance Division. Examinations consisted of analyzing financial statements, collateral (receivables/inventory) and supporting documentation
• Performed other necessary review procedures, compiling results in report format to assist management in making credit decisions