Lori Anne Ward

Global Senior Accounts Payable Manager

Morristown, NJ 07960 973-***-**** ad4r9m@r.postjobfree.com linkedin.com/in/lori-ward-13537414a

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Accomplished Global Senior Accounts Payable Manager with a proven track record of effectively overseeing and optimizing accounts payable operations for both domestic and international subsidiaries. Adept at streamlining processes, ensuring compliance with internal and regulatory requirements, and resolving complex invoice discrepancies. Known for meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage cross-functional teams to meet organizational objectives. Experienced in implementing innovative solutions such as Amex at Work and SAP Concur Travel and Expense to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Committed to maintaining robust internal controls and supporting the accounting close process to facilitate seamless financial operations. Expert in spearheading continuous improvement initiatives within the field.

Skills:

JD Edwards 7.3

D&B Millennium

SAP Ariba

SAP/Hana

PeopleSoft

Bill.com

SAP Concur

ReadSoft

Oracle

Microsoft Office Suite

WORK EXPERIENCE

PARAMOUNT GLOBAL, New York, NY 2023-Present

Global Senior Manager Credit Card Administration/Travel & Expense

Daily administration, auditing, reconciliation and management of the Paramount Global Corporate Credit Card, BTA and P-Card accounts.

Open and close credit cards for employees worldwide

Monitor program limits with bank (Bank of America/GRAM-Global Reporting Administration Management tool)

Proactively ensure credit card statements are paid on a timely basis

Work with cardholders to resolve credit card issues

Escalate credit card program issues to bank management on a timely basis

Ensure timely reconciliation within global expense management system (SAP Concur)

Oversee auditing of expense reports based on Business Expense Policy

Lead the Card and Travel & Expense Administrators to assist with inquiries regarding Concur

Assist with company audits

Craft and apply process issues, policies and assist with future system implementations (Upgrade to SAP/HANA)

CENTESSA PHARMACEUTICALS, Boston, MA 2021 – 2023

Global Senior Accounts Payable Manager

Managed daily accounts payable (AP) operations for both US and international subsidiaries.

Played a pivotal role in creating new vendors and ensuring strict compliance with documentation requirements, encompassing internal forms and banking procedures as well as regulatory obligations such as W8 and W9.

Meticulously recorded vendor invoices, guaranteeing proper coding and authorization in alignment with company policies. Coordinated with business partners to facilitate timely invoice review and approval.

Maintained a strong focus on compliance with internal controls governing AP processes.

Proactively identified and resolved invoice discrepancies with vendors and suppliers.

Demonstrated efficiency in preparing and processing payments promptly.

Effectively reviewed and managed the aging of AP accounts.

Managed ad hoc projects as needed to support organizational objectives.

Provided valuable support for the accounting close process, particularly in relation to AP invoices, accruals, and payments.

Successfully implemented Amex at Work and SAP Concur Travel and Expense systems to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy.

TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS, Parsippany, NJ 2020 – 2021

Senior Accounting Manager

Served as liaison between the US business and offshore FSSC teams located in Croatia and India.

Conducted analysis and distributed weekly reports and metrics to the US business.

Collaborated closely with the IT team to address and resolve issues related to ReadSoft and SAP/Hana.

Held weekly meetings with the offshore team to address and resolve ad hoc issues.

Regularly met with both the general ledger team and offshore team to resolve payment and check-related issues.

Maintained a strong focus on providing excellent service to both internal and external customers.

Actively participated as a member of the Global SAP/Concur implementation team.

SK LIFE SCIENCE, Paramus, NJ 2018 – 2020

Accounts Payable Manager

Established the Accounts Payable Department for a startup pharmaceutical company. Hired staff, implemented procedures, and documented SOPs.

Played a key role in the SAP implementation project, including designing the system for procure-to-pay using SAP Hana and SAP Ariba.

Oversaw and enhanced the SAP Concur T&E system. (Upgrade from Standard to Professional)

Led management and implementation of a new credit card program for the expanding commercial team, specifically American Express at Work.

Managed a team of three full-time A/P coordinators.

SKG CONSULTING, Florham Park, NJ 2017 – 2018

Concur Reimbursement Specialist, Eisai Inc.

Served as project manager for the Concur upgrade project.

Collaborated with individuals at all organizational levels to gather feedback and conduct testing for system modifications.

Administered the Concur expense system.

Assisted in development of a new Travel and Expense policy, provided suggestions for improvement, and conducted training sessions for new employees on process enhancements and changes.

SHIONOGI, INC. Florham Park, NJ 2010 – 2017

Accounts Payable Manager

Oversaw successful transition of the Accounts Payable department from Atlanta operations to Florham Park, NJ.

Recruited and assembled a team of three coordinators for the NJ AP department.

Functioned as program administrator for the American Express corporate card program.

Acted as program administrator for the Concur T&E system.

Played a key role in assisting with the transition of the Victory Pharma acquisition.

Contributed to the smooth transition of Shionogi Ireland to Shionogi USA books.

Assisted in the preparation of month-end and quarter-end close reports.

Collaborated closely with the IT department to implement a new 1099 process, shifting from external software to JD Edwards.

GAF MATERIALS CORPORATION, Wayne, NJ 2008 – 2010

Accounts Payable Manager

CEGEDIM DENDRITE (formerly Dendrite International), Bedminster, NJ 2007 – 2008

Accounts Payable Manager

COTY INC. (formerly Unilever Cosmetics International) Mount Olive, NJ 2001 – 2007

Accounts Payable Supervisor

EDUCATION

Communications, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

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