Accounting Manager/Controller

Breneada Y. Frame, CPA

**** ****** **** *** ****: 678-***-****

Lithia Springs, GA 30122 ********@*********.*** Cell: 404-***-****

FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Accounting Operations • Budgeting/Forecasting • Audit/Risk Assessment • Financial Reporting

SOX Compliance • Tax Compliance • Process Improvement

Results-oriented accounting manager with proven track record in developing strong accounting organizations with emphasis in being a financial business partner supporting the entire organization. Extensive experience managing a broad range of accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting activities resulting in process improvement/cost reduction initiatives; enhanced compliance with external and internal audit requirements; and increased technical and business knowledge of direct reports.

► Enhanced tax compliance and reduced sales and use tax audit assessments ranging from $70,000 to $100,000 by establishing internal control procedures.

► Worked in cooperation with management teams to set-up new shared services department which positioned the company to generate millions in annual savings.

► Reduced unapplied cash by 10% through the coordination of efforts with accounting, sales, and customer service.

► Set-up accounting department at plant level including training and development of new accounting staff.

► Supported strategic initiatives for mill operations through financial analysis which led to downsizing of operations, and 20% reduction in manufacturing costs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

UHY ADVISORS INC., Atlanta, GA 2007 –2010

A professional service firm providing professional financial, tax and business consulting services to mid to larger sized companies.

Financial and Accounting Consultant

Delivered substantial improvements in tax compliance and reporting for income, sales and use, and personal property taxes. Established policies and procedures for increased efficiency and reduced audit risks.

● Assisted the North America Controller in maintaining financial security by establishing and ensuring compliance with internal controls.

● Resolved complex balance sheet account reconciliations and prepared correcting journal entries as needed.

● Conducted monthly account analysis meetings with Controller to inform of potential opportunities or risks to the business.

● Supported the coordination of year-end audits.

● Served as Client’s tax manager, for which responsibilities included managing the relationship between the Client and external tax advisors; resolving issues with state and local tax authorities; performing team lead function for sales and personal property tax audits; analysis of pending, proposed, and recently enacted laws and regulations.

● Completed 156 sales and use tax returns annually meeting all filing requirements and eliminating potential assessments for late filing penalties and interest.

● Worked with outside CPA firm to ensure tax compliance and the timely filing of federal and state income tax returns reducing prior years’ late filing fees by $80,000.

● Supported Client’s internal control initiatives through collaboration with Accounts Payable and Purchasing by establishing policies and procedures that increased sales and use tax compliance and reduced audit assessments ranging from $70,000 to $100,000.

● Identified $5,000 of potential sales and use tax savings resulting from recent changes in Georgia sales and use tax laws.

● Enhanced the integrity of financial information reported for tax liabilities through monthly/quarterly calculations of tax accruals and reconciliation of tax liability accounts.

● Maintained all tax records and provided necessary work papers for external audit minimizing billable hours.

CARAUSTAR INDUSTRIES, INC., Austell, GA 2005 – 2007

$800M North American manufacturer of 100% recycled paperboard and converted paperboard products with operations in the United States and Canada.

Interim Manager, Financial & Accounting Services (May 2007 - Sept 2007)

Reported to the Director of Accounting & Financial Services. Worked in cooperation with management teams to set-up new shared services department which positioned the company to generate millions in annual savings.

● Managed a staff of 23 AP and AR processors, including daily processing activities and month-end close.

● Increased sales and use tax compliance through review and analysis of invoices processed by accounts payable.

● Reduced customer credit exposure by working with business groups of the company concerning the aging and collection of accounts receivable.

● Monitored transaction processing to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.

Division Business Analyst – Recovered Fiber Group (Feb 2005 – May 2007)

Partnered with other departments including sales, customer service, and credit to establish procedures which reduced unapplied cash by 10% within a year. Singled out by Division Controller to manage the division’s tax compliance function including sales and use and property taxes.

● Served as Division Subject Matter Expert for JD Edwards system implementation designed to streamline AP processes, reducing document requirements.

● Contributed substantially to improving internal controls and Sarbanes compliance by suggesting peer review process which was implemented and reduced audit findings.

● Managed the month end and year end close process for four operating facilities, providing financial reporting, variance analysis, and trend information to assist operational managers.

● Performed profitability analysis of customers by product group mainly to identify low margin customers and products.

● Participated in weekly meetings addressing credit and collection issues including revisions to credit policy, identification of high risk customers, accounting for bad debts, and reducing unapplied cash.

● Ensured the division’s tax compliance through timely preparation and filing of 72 sales and use tax returns for multiple states reducing the potential for audit assessments and fees.

● Led the division through a Georgia sales and use tax audit covering a three-year period which ended with a tax assessment of $2,600 for unpaid taxes and interest. Penalties were waived for timely filing of returns.

● Conducted sales tax research related to manufacturer’s exemptions for production equipment resulting in tax savings ranging from $4,800 to $8,000.

INTERNATIONAL PAPER, INC. 1989-2005

$23.4B paper and packaging company with operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and north Africa based in Memphis, TN.

Plant Controller, Forest Park, GA (May 2002 – Feb 2005)

Set-up accounting department including training and development of new accounting staff.

● Worked with business leadership team to drive strategic initiatives including cost reduction and new product development.

● Supervised month-end and year-end close using SAP Financial System.

● Built accounting team of three reports having no prior accounting experience that was essential to meeting both the financial and business needs of the plant.

● Monitored revenue recognition practices to ensure 100% compliance with accounting principles.

● Prepared and managed the plant’s operating budget, forecasting costs and revenues.

● Tracked all costs related to capital projects and compared with capital budget. Closed out CIP projects to fixed assets.

● Served as plant contact for all sales and use and property tax audits.

● Provided training on the division’s billing system to new plant controllers.

Business Analyst – Trade Receivables, Cantonment, FL (Jan 2001 – May 2002)

Business Analyst – Mill Operations, Cantonment, FL (Apr 1996 – Jan 2001)

Subject Matter Expert in the area of trade receivables as part of SAP implementation. Worked with mill management to determine financial impact of discontinuance of the market pulp business. Final recommendation to eliminate high cost/low margin product line resulted in reducing manufacturing costs by 20%.

● Played key role as subject matter expert for trade receivables including training of subordinates responsible for transaction processing.

● Supervised month-end close of sales and trade receivables including general ledger review and account analysis.

● Worked with cross-functional business team providing profitability analysis of customers by product group to identify low margin customers.

● Participated in continual improvement of the budgeting process through education of mill managers on financial issues impacting their budgets.

● Improved inventory accuracy with development of monthly cycle counts for onsite inventory and tracking form for offsite inventory sent to converting facilities.

● Conducted monthly business reviews that included analysis of financial results and trends in order to support mill management with their strategic initiatives.

Financial Reporting Analyst, Stamford, CT (Jan 1993 – Apr 1996)

● Prepared Cash Flow Statement, financial footnotes, and other financial reports including the Management Discussion and Analysis to be included in the Annual Report to Shareholders and SEC Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

● Worked closely with division controllers and legal counsel to obtain information needed for quarterly and annual analysis.

● Provided supporting documents for external audits and reviews.

● Performed special projects, including those involving foreign subsidiaries.

General Accounting Supervisor, Courtland, AL (Dec 1989 – Dec 1992)

● Recruited, trained, and supervised staff of four in relation to general accounting functions which included hourly payroll, AP, AR, fixed assets, sales and use tax, and bank account reconciliations.

● Supervised month-end and year-end close including the preparation of financial reports and account analysis.

● Built strong accounting team through the development of performance goals and provided training, and coaching to successfully meet those goals.

● Served as primary contact for internal audits regarding those areas under general accounting.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Tennessee

SKILLS

Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, JD Edwards, Infinium, Kronos Time Entry System, Sarbanes Compliance, Sales and Use Tax

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