SUMMARY:

• A financial expert and business leader offers a proven track record of success in driving accounting and finance operations for business in diverse industries and stages of development.
• Demonstrates a strong ability to recruit and build teams while managing strategic planning, financial reporting, auditing, internal controls, and general operations.
• Accesses and identifies ways to minimize risk, maximize profit, and drive long - term sustainability.
• Led key efforts toward the migration of 40 publishers to a Confidential -compliant credit card processing system; facilitated additional revenue and business development efforts as a result.
• Directly responsible for identifying and implementing cost saving initiatives, This included renegotiating a 10% reduction in the building lease while ageing to many building improvements, renegotiating many vendor contracts and improving internal processes resulting in annual savings of $300K - 500k for 5 straight years.
• Implemented QuickBooks for a family-owned startup company, advanced the establishment of a human resource information system ( Confidential ), and established an account with ADP for payroll. Developed processes and procedures for start-up accounting department.
• Pioneered the Confidential as a for-profit subsidiary of a not-for-profit organization by working with outside accounting firm and attorneys.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

• Budgeting & Forecasting Contract Negotiations financial reporting Fund Raising
• Accounts Payable / Receivable Revenue Optimization Cost Control Team Leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Facilities Management sox compliance Customer Service
• Human Resources Management treasury management Internal Controls Start-Up Operations

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint), QuickBooks, MAS 90 Software, ACCPAC Software Peachtree, SAP - ERP Software, XERO Software, Open Systems and TurboTaxCommunity Activities

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Controller

Confidential, San Antonio, TX

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and post journal entries for month end close.
• Analyze the month-end financial reports and prepare detailed variance analyses for the functional heads of the organization.
• Prepare and/or review reconciliations of key general ledger accounts.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and policies.
• Prepare recurring and ad-hoc reports to satisfy the data needs of the organization.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly forecasts and the annual budget.
• Assist in the preparation for internal control and financial audits.
• Research, analyze, and resolve questions from department managers relating to financial transactions including revenues, expenses, and capital expenditures
• Maintain systems and controls which verify the integrity of all systems, processes, and data, and enhance the Company's value
• Supervise Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable staff.

Controller

Confidential, Skokie, IL

Responsibilities:

• Provided leadership to a data management company with 140 employees generating $14M annual revenue while providing services to the B2B publishing industry; managed 50 direct reports in accounting, human resources, customer service, and office services departments.
• Managed accounts payable/receivable (AP/AR), fixed assets, general ledger ( Confidential ), account reconciliation, and payroll and cash management while ensuring accurate and reliable budgeting and forecasting as well as loan covenant reporting, cash flow projections, and variance analysis.
• Drove new hire recruitment, open enrollment, and termination while overseeing benefits contract negotiations, retirement plan administration, government reporting, risk management, and corporate insurance.
• Managed the Call Center and Customer Order Entry departments, overseeing processing of credit card transactions, POS maintenance, and Confidential compliance.
• Administered facilities maintenance, vendor contracts, lease negotiations, office build-­outs, renovations, supply management, and mailing and shipping services.
• Served as an integral part of the Due Diligence Team accountable for the sale of the company in 2004, 2008, and 2015.
• Teamed with management to closely monitor and reduce cost to offset shortages in revenue; achieved a $2M annual savings through better utilization of existing resources.
• Transitioned the accounting system from ACCPAC to SAP and developed new billing/AR system in Xero.
• Handled the initial build-out of the HDS office space in 2004, along with its complete renovation in 2014; planned staff movement and removal of walls, secured new carpet, paint, and implemented data wiring of offices and furniture in open areas.

Controller

Confidential, Burr Ridge, IL

Responsibilities:

• Managed financials for a homebuilder with 35 employees, and generated $11M annual revenue, providing services on custom single and multi-­family homes; oversaw 7 direct reports in accounting, human resources, customer service, and office service departments.
• Hired and trained accounting and admin staff to build initial accounting, office services, and human resources teams; created a professional accounting team by driving adoption of efficient processes and procedures.
• Directed loan and insurance reporting, along with banking and contract negotiations.
• Developed and maintained a comprehensive employee handbook for the operation.

Controller

Confidential, Chicago, IL

Responsibilities:

• Directed all financial functions for the American Bar, collaborating with all senior leadership and department heads to develop a yearly consolidated agency budget.
• Prepared and presented monthly and quarterly reports to agency Board of Directors.
• Collaborated with Executive Director and Senior Managers to develop fiscal plans for projects/departments.
• Observed strict compliance with funding guidelines through fiscal reports, contract reviews, and agreement renewals with government agencies, private foundations, and corporations.
• Functioned as liaison among external auditing firm, government agencies, board of directors, and financial institutions for grant management, fiscal audit, IRS 990 tax preparations, and business development.
• Proved vital to redesign/upgrade of agency accounting system to streamline fiscal policies and procedures.
• Managed the conversion of the accounting system from Open Systems to Peachtree.
• Improved the accuracy and timeliness of budgets and forecasts.
• Earned commendation for generating accurate audit work papers for Ernst & Young audit engagement.