Gia C. Kastelic, CPA

**** ***** *******, *******, ** 60649

(w) 773-***-**** (h)773-***-****

kud8te@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

Senior financial executive that excels in operations, designing systems, innovative problem solving and creative strategies to streamline processes, reduce costs & leverage technology. Member of senior management committees that established and implemented strategic direction and goals. Effectively managed employee teams in audit, accounts receivables and payables. Managed implementation of business operation improvement strategies. Designed workflows and led initiatives to increase productivity, reduce costs, and implement web based systems to increase efficiency and reduce paper.

Controllership:

CPA and Associate Comptroller of Operations. Directed all disbursements and payroll for the University of Chicago. Consulted to executives and management staff on payments, policies, regulations, audit findings. Resolved operational and audit issues.

Leadership & Management:

Facilitative and team oriented management style that empowers and motivates employees to solve problems and improve departmental performance. Designed staff training initiatives to increase productivity, reduce costs, and encourage staff development.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY Chicago, Illinois 2010 – current

Financial Analyst/Project Manager

Collaborated with the CFO and NLU President in the ongoing development of metrics for enrollment, student population, student revenue and other critical data necessary to see trends, develop forecasts and set registration goals. Member of the Enrollment Operations Taskforce, consisting of all VPs and other stakeholders, who utilizes these reports for critical decisions concerning program type, marketing mix and process improvements.

• Appointed to the Strategic Plan project team by the President; assisted in formulating and generating strategic initiatives and milestones for the University's five year strategic plan.

• Appointed by the President as Co-chair of the Operations Taskforce with the CIO, to audit, analyze and map all operational processes relating to student services in line with the strategic goal of “Enhancing student services" and make recommendations for process improvements. Automated on-line forms and related workflow processes.

• Developed a detailed program model for the NLU daytime student initiative.

• Designed and implemented a cohesive strategy for management of the 5 year Strategic Plan, using MS Project and SharePoint.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO Chicago, Illinois 1995 – 2009

Associate Comptroller, University Comptroller Office (2007 – 2009)

Responsible for three major operational areas within the University; Non-Salary Disbursements, Data Entry, and Payroll; 65+ exempt and non-exempt employees. Duties included directing all services and operations related to the disbursement of University funds to insure accurate and timely payroll data, record retention, vendor payments, adherence to University policies, Federal and State requirements, and IRS regulations. Business Lead for the first successful NSIT implementation within the Comptroller's Office in over 30 years. Responded to formal audit reports and recommendations, established long term goals, prepared reports for the Comptroller and CFO, monitored budgets, and supported managers in team training. Assisted in the development and administration of University-wide accounting policies and procedures in compliance with GAAP, Federal, state, and local regulations and sponsored project contract agreements.

• Business functional lead for the implementation of a web-based expense management system, utilizing a procurement card to streamline processing and eliminate paper.

• Collaborated with Human Resource management to develop and implement a Time and Attendance system, a web-based application used to replace paper time cards and track accruals for over 8,000 employees.

• Revised the direct deposit process to allow for the use multiple bank account numbers and directed the reprogramming of the Payroll system to accommodate the change.

• Appointed as a member of the University Portal Project committee to assist in developing a new University of Chicago web interface.

• Revised and developed University-wide accounting policies and procedures that met GAAP, Federal, state, and local regulations and sponsored project contract agreements.

• Appointed to the University of Chicago Benefits Committee by the President's Office, 2006-2010.

Manager, Non-Salary Disbursements (Accounts Payable) (1998 – 2007)

Reported to the Comptroller and managed 20 exempt and non-exempt staff. Responsible for the payment of all University non-salary expenses. Managed auditing, data entry and post processing for direct payment vouchers, travel expense vouchers, electronic payments, manual checks, foreign currency and other specialty payments. Processed 200,000 checks and 375,000+ transactions annually. Developed departmental policies, procedures and goals. Collaborated with vendors, administrators and managers on payments, policies, and compliance. Conducted training on financial policies. Worked in partnership with union stewards to resolve union issues and disputes. Responsible for the retention of all University disbursement records. Trained staff on all aspects of departmental procedures and processes.

• Developed training initiatives and implemented a policy for departmental cross training. Encouraged and supported continual professional development and promotion of staff.

• Established internal control systems to ensure security over University check stock, integrity of AP data and confidentiality of payment information.

• Developed relational databases using FileMaker Pro software to streamline operations and reduce processing time, resulting in no overtime costs for 10 years.

Internal Auditor (1995 – 1998)

Planned and conducted operational audits of University departments. Evaluated internal control systems, and analyzed departmental procedures regarding cash, payroll, personnel, disbursements and computer systems. Performed year-end financial audits of the University's cash, accounts payable, procurement, student loans, and fixed assets operations. Researched, documented, and presented audit recommendations. Assisted in the development of future audit plans. Assessed risk in departments based on applicable internal control guidelines. Team lead on major audit initiatives.

• Created and implemented a streamlined format for audit work papers that increased the efficiency of the Audit department and reduced paper.

• Mapped business processes of functional areas and diagrammed flow charts of major software systems within the University including the Alumni Development System and Student Information System.

MAVIN ENTERPRISES Skokie, Illinois 1992 – 1995

A nursing home management corporation that owns and operates over 20 residences.

Accounts Receivable Manager

Reorganized, expanded and managed the accounts receivable department. Daily management of billings, collections, and reconciliations. Coordinated billing, supervised data entry and rectification to generate A/R ledgers. Managed detail aging schedules and interfaced with third party vendor software to provide timely reports. Addressed and resolve issues requiring immediate attention relating to nursing home collections, patient census and billing. Liaison with nursing homes and State of Illinois Department of Public Aid. Improved collection processes by enhancing reports, automating processes and creating workflows.

BETHUNE PLAZA NURSING HOME Chicago, Illinois 1988 – 1992

Controller

Managed the financial, accounting, and payroll processing functions for 150+ employees. Developed and implemented standard A/R and A/P systems. Prepared financial statements, bank reconciliations and budgets. Reconciled monthly census for 250+ long term care residents. Established billing procedures, implemented internal controls and increased operating efficiency of the accounts receivable department. Retrieved over $1million in funds due from prior years by re-establishing credibility with the State of Illinois Controller’s office through accurate and thorough reconstruction of payment histories and audit of state payment records.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

U of C: 60+ hours in HR training & staff development skills 40+ hours of Computer Systems

PC & Mac Environments: MS Office Suite, FMPro, Visio, Banner, SharePoint, MS Project

Presenting Data & Information Conference, taught by Edward Tufte, May 2011

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

AICPA, International Accounts Payable Professionals (IAPP)

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant, 1995

Conflict Management Certificate, University of Chicago Graham School, 2006

EDUCATION

ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois

B.S. Business Administration, 1987

NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois

M.B.A. Expected Graduation Date Spring 2012

PERSONAL INTERESTS & ACTIVITES

ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer, 2007, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 2000-2004,

Member of Chicago Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Brookfield Zoo & National Public Radio

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