DEBRA “DEBBIE” KALATA

***** ** ***** *******, *****, FL 33186 305-***-**** actdqw@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Accounting/Finance Professional combining cross-functional competencies in accounting, finance, information systems, and staff management. Ability to contribute as a team player and interface with professionals at all levels of the organization. Core competencies include:

Billing, Receivables, and Payables Management

Financial Analysis and Management Reporting

Budget Preparation and Management

Policies/Procedures Development and Establishment

Productivity Improvements for cost savings and efficiencies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

University of Miami, Department of Neurological Surgery, Coral Gables, FL

ACCOUNTANT 2014-2015

Implemented monthly expense and revenue accruals along with timely physician service agreement billing.

Effected credit card capture process for department new revenue stream for an electronic brain tumor consultation service.

Reduced the volume of reclass journals for purchasing card expenses through timely financial data updates within the credit card software.

Performed general ledger analysis resulting in numerous credits for incorrect charges.

Worked with the Advancement Department to implement a thank you letter process to ensure donors received timely acknowledgements for their gifts.

Supported department printer and telecom issues, including conversion to a new vendor.

Offered the opportunity to work with the Medical Campus 2015 United Way Campaign Co-Chairman. Spearheaded implementation of first-time ever university-wide campaign signage.

Capitalized on periods of unemployment to pursue writing interest 2010-present

Won Honorable Mention in the 84th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Contest for a feature/magazine article essay in September 2015.

Authored two essays selected and published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog did What? which appeared in stores August 2014.

Published essay in on-line Dog Living magazine June 2013.

Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Jacksonville, FL

FINANCE MANAGER 2008-2010

Contracted for a 90-day project, extended to 18-months, which encompassed responsibilities at two Florida facilities.

Challenged to hire and train an Accounts Receivable Client Specialist Team responsible for collecting dated receivables, resolving customer billing issues, and correcting misapplied cash (Jacksonville, FL).

Paved the way for an industry-leading relationship with the FDIC on failed bank matters (Jacksonville, FL).

Led by example to restore credibility to the 26 member Maitland Billing Team by collaborating with business unit leaders and establishing stronger policies and procedures (Maitland, FL).

Lennar Corporation, Miami, FL

VICE PRESIDENT, SYSTEMS & PLANNING for Lennar Ventures 2007-2007

VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER for Lennar Ventures 2004-2006

SENIOR ANALYST, ACCOUNTING CONTROLS for the Lennar Financial Services Division 2004-2004

ASSISTANT TREASURER for Universal American Mortgage Company 2003-2004

Managed the design and development of an in-house application to track, allocate, and bill telecommunication provider contracts.

Successful clean-up of balance sheet, enhancement of monthly reporting package, timeliness of month-end close, and development of Actual to Forecast Analysis.

Led seven-member team with responsibility for financial reporting, G/L, A/R, A/P, billing, budgeting, and forecasting.

Trail-blazed the SOX compliance process for Lennar’s Financial Services Division.

Implemented a daily journal entry process to record activity, daily reconciliation of funded mortgages, and month-end reconciliation of short-term debt facilities.

Enhanced the in-house Cash Management System to improve flow, provide additional reporting, and handle a new short-term debt facility.

Ryder System, Inc., Miami, FL

MANAGER, FIELD FINANCE MARGIN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 2002-2002

MANAGER, LEASE ACCOUNTING 2001-2002

MANAGER, FINANCIAL REPORTING 2000-2001

CASH MANAGER, TREASURY 2000-2000

MANAGER, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 1997-2000

MANAGER, A/R RE-ENGINEERING PROJECT 1995-1997

MANAGER, FIELD SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT 1993-1995

TEAM LEADER, FIELD SYSTEMS IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT 1989-1993

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT, INSURANCE DEPARTMENT 1988-1989

MANAGER, CREDIT 1983-1988

SUPERVISOR, CREDIT 1982-1983

Enhanced and automated the reporting and reconciliation process for better monitoring of over $30M in general and impaired operating lease loss reserves.

Advanced the financial reporting of Ryder’s top performing logistics customers.

Hands-on responsibility for creating an Accounts Payable to General Ledger reconciliation process.

Implemented an automatic, overnight investment agreement with Ryder’s concentration bank.

Successful turnaround of poor performing A/P Department through enhancement of structure, systems, processes, and people.

Key member of the divestiture team for the $960M sale of Ryder’s Student & Public Transportation Division and directly responsible for the A/P payments for the spin-off company and reimbursement to Ryder.

Integral member of the Walker Financials Receivables Module implementation with focus on the cash application functional detail design, system testing, training materials, and hands-on training.

Managed the hardware installation, software testing, and regional training program for Ryder’s Invoice Redesign and On-Demand Fuel Billing projects.

On-site evaluation and integration of $9M in receivables for the Lend Lease acquisition in Bloomington, MN at CFO request.

Led on-site cross-functional conversion team of four to eight for a company-wide rollout of AS/400 computer system with custom financial and operational software throughout the United States and Canada.

Enhanced Worker’s Compensation Reporting System and developed senior management status reporting.

On-site credit and collections support and training for a logistics acquisition in Nashville, TN.

On-site credit and collections support, evaluation, and training for the Student Transportation acquisition in St. Louis, MO.

Oversaw the division-wide monitoring of $300M in receivables and $9M in reserves.

Flagship National Bank of Miami, Miami, FL

CASH MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE 1981-1982

MANAGEMENT TRAINEE 1980-1981

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration – Finance / 1986

Florida International University, Miami, FL

Bachelor of Business Administration – Finance & International Management / 1980

Florida International University, Miami, FL

Junior Year – Finance / 1979

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Associate of Business Administration – Business Administration / 1978

Palm Beach Junior College, Lake Worth, FL

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Experienced with various financial/accounting software programs including Walker, JDEdwards, Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, MAS90, along with numerous in-house packages.

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