Accomplished professional with extensive finance/accounting, auditing, IT and project management experience in diverse industries including hospitality, restaurant, retail, publishing, technology, entertainment, insurance and public accounting. Proven ability to improve operations and maximize profits through achievements in finance management, cost reductions, internal controls and productivity/efficiency improvements. Strong qualifications in general management, business planning, structured project management, business process analysis and staff development/leadership.

Professional Experience

Independent Consultant February 2011 to Present
Significant engagements included two separate contracts with my previous employer, Loews Hotels. I was the acting Director of Finance for Loews' Don CeSar Hotel, and Transition Project Manager to centralize accounting and procurement activities to a facility out of state.

Confidential June 2006 to January 2011
SOX/Audit Compliance Manager
Develop, document, implement and evaluate the internal control environment in partnership with senior-level leadership, corporate leaders and Risk and Assurance Services.

• Perform continuous testing of internal controls to ensure successful audit results and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance
• Serve as a business partner by leveraging internal relationships to identify tactics and process improvements that increase accountability and meet predetermined business objectives
• Design and create managerial reports to strengthen departmental financial accountability and achieve cost savings
• Streamline accounting processes to increase performance and productivity improvements
• Perform business process analysis and other special projects requested by Leadership Committee members
• Educate Leaders and STARS regarding internal control awareness

Confidential July 2004 to June 2006
Sr. Manager, Financial Information Systems
Led a team of functional resources to liaise among the operational, financial and technical communities for all financial information systems (PeopleSoft, Order Management, Cost and Royalty Systems).

• Document business requirements, establish test plans and develop user acceptance processes
• Contributed to the development and implementation of SOX Section 404 requirements.
• Exceeded Global Controller's expectations with the design and delivery of a corporate contracts database
• Initiated strategy to successfully outsource 1099 processing
• Developed a governance framework for project review and prioritization
• Highly involved with the business process and control documentation and remediation efforts for Sarbanes-Oxley
• Mentored and coached staff

Confidential October 2002 to July 2004
Controller
Controller of the Shared Services Facility in support of a 2,400 room resort complex.

• Prepared annual budget and monthly forecasts
• Reviewed, analyzed and reported on performance results
• Prepared financial statements and footnote disclosures for entire resort
• Successfully converted banking operations
• Facilitated business process reengineering efforts
• Partnered with Universal Orlando to improve cross-billing functions, collections and business relationship
• Participated in hotel financial reviews, Executive Committee and credit meetings
• Strategically responded to employee and customer satisfaction surveys
• Mentored and coached staff

Independent Consultant April 2001 to October 2002

Confidential May 2000 to February 2001
Financial Systems/ERP Implementation Manager
Project manager of a "fast-forward" Oracle 11i implementation for an internet start-up company.

• Successfully led the analysis, selection and negotiation of an $800k ERP solution
• Delivered financial and manufacturing modules under budget by $300k
• Led selection and implementation of web-based billing system to facilitate E-commerce initiatives
• Analyzed, designed and implemented business processes for this start-up company
• Procure to pay with two-way matching
• Automated check writing process
• Inventory tracking and control using barcode technology
• Automated inventory to asset accounting

Confidential December 1994 to May 2000
Financial Systems Manager
Project Manager and system owner/administrator for an international, JD Edwards enterprise software implementation. Responsible for a $4.5 million budget and eighteen-member project team, including six consultants.

• Instrumental in the evaluation, selection and negotiation of an ERP solution
• Developed long-range plan for multi-phased international implementation
• Delivered Phase 1 financial, purchasing and job cost functionality under budget by $400k
• Facilitated business process improvements and change management that resulted in a reduction of staffing costs by $2.0 million
• Proficient with DreamWriter, World Writer and SQL reporting tools
• Successfully coordinated company-wide Y2K efforts

Business Systems Analyst

• Analyzed, designed and implemented financial process functionality for a JDA Merchandise Management system initiative
• Designed and implemented test plans for inventory costing functionality
• Proficient in use of inventory control, purchase order processing, receiving, warehousing and distribution modules
• Implemented JDA functionality for international business units
• Developed custom training materials and conducted in-house training

Assistant Corporate Controller

• Designed and automated accounting processes and established internal accounting controls
• Streamlined month-end close cycle from 15 to 7 business days
• Mentored and coached staff

Confidential September 1991 to December 1994
Accountant-Financial Reporting

Confidential July 1986 to September 1991
Corporate Financial Analyst

Confidential July 1984 to July 1986
Auditor

Education

Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and accounting major. Vice President of Beta Alpha Psi. CSU Alumni Award recipient.

Continuing Professional Education:
KPMG SOX 404
Development Dimensions Rapid Decision Making, Leadership: Facilitating Change, Critical Thinking and Decision Making
IBM Project Management
Tom Peters The Circle of Innovation
Luminary Series Leading to Greatness
Fred Pryor Seminars How to Manage Projects, How To Supervise and Manage, Conflict Management, Evelyn
Woods Reading Dynamics
Franklin Covey Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Platforms
Oracle 11i, PeopleSoft 8.4, IBM AS/400, JD Edwards World Vision, JDA Merchandise Management System, Stratton Warren Materials Management System, LMS Property Management System, InfoGenesis Point of Sale system, SpaSoft, Monarch, ADP (Payroll and timesaver labor management), Microsoft Project, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and Visio.