Kathleen M. Bender

**** ** **** **.

Cape Coral, FL 33909

239-***-****

WORK EXPERIENCE

Earthmark Companies

Dec. 1999 - Present

Fort Myers, FL

Senior Accountant

Accounting Manager

Director of Internal Audit

Assistant Controller

Controller

Oversee day to day operations of accounting department for complex,

multiple entity residential real estate development group. Supervise staff

of 7-12 employees. Responsible for off-site accounting operations and

staff at various project sites. Coordinate and interface with external

auditors for annual financial statement audits. Also oversee special

purpose audits by Public Service Commission, insurance companies and CIRA

turnover audits. Prepare consolidated and combined financial statements

according to GAAP for up to 30 business entities. Review transactions for

proper accounting treatment. Prepare and/or review inter/intracompany

transactions, eliminations, allocations, payroll entries and percentage of

completion entries for all projects. Work closely with CFO in all aspects

of cash planning and management. Company also owned and managed luxury

resort condo hotels, marinas, restaurants and RV resorts. Responsible for

ensuring hotel accounting staff reported timely and accurately to corporate

for month-end and management reporting, and for collaborating with on-site

management to establish and maintain strong internal controls.

Implemented online account reconciliation software, resulting in 50%

reduction in reconciliation cycle-time, enhanced information flow and

significant year-end audit time and cost savings.

Southwest Florida Business Magazine

Oct. 1996 - Apr. 1998

Fort Myers, FL

Operations Manager.

Oversee all aspects of operations, including budgets, scheduling and

coordinating production, purchasing, ad copy coordination, and all

accounting functions. Provided training to employees in use of computer

applications and hardware.

General Electric Client Business Services

Oct 1991 - May 1996

Fort Myers, FL

Client Service Leader. Fixed Assets.

Supervise staff of 9 Fixed Asset Accounting Analysts serving 21 GE

businesses, including GE Lighting, Medical Systems and GE Capital. Drive

cost, productivity and quality initiatives within fixed assets process for

all businesses. Coordinate and deliver performance appraisals as well as

informal, day-to-day coaching for individual development. Continuously

assess resource needs within team and department to maintain high customer

service level. Act as technical resource and trainer to team members.

During my time as CSL, I was able to facilitate the GE Lighting Team in

clearing tens of millions of dollars in seriously aged reconciling items.

Accounting Specialist. Fixed Assets.

Develop and implement audit processes for existing fixed assets database,

monthly activity, and mechanical reconciliation reports. Identify

accounting issues based upon audit results and incorporate into training

and control standards. Identify improvements to account reconciliation

process to enhance quality and efficiency. Provide fixed assets and

project accounting training. Maintain and update training material as new

procedures are implemented. Act as primary fixed assets interface with

internal and external auditors. Resolve complex fixed assets accounting

issues .

Fixed Asset Analyst. GE Computer Services/GE Capital.

Analyze and classify plant and equipment expenditures to ensure proper

accounting treatment per GAAP and GE Accounting Procedures. Maintain plant

and equipment database. Responsible for reconciliation of all plant and

equipment accounts. Provide client personnel with training/materials

necessary for greater understanding of fixed assets functions and

procedures. Support multi-location physical inventory. Act as resource,

trainer, and coach for new team members. Identify and Implement

improvements to current process to enhance productivity, controllership,

and customer service. Key player in transition of work from Schenectady,

NY to Fort Myers Accounting Center.

Debit Memo/Utility Representative. NBC. Accounts Payable.

Research and collect balances due from vendors. Also researched past due

utility balances and prepared utility bills for input and timely payment.

Performed necessary system testing and process mapping to ensure smooth

transition of work from Bridgeport, CT. accounting center to Fort Myers.

Verification Representative. Accounts Payable Support.

Performed sample audits of accounts payable payments to verify accuracy and

proper coding. Also corrected errors to ensure timely payment of invoices

rejected by system.

EDUCATION

Certified Public Accountant

University of South Florida, Fort Myers, FL

B.S. Degree in Accounting - magna cum laude (3.8 GPA)

FICPA scholarship recipient

Edison State College, Fort Myers, FL

A.A. Degree in Accounting (3.9 GPA)

Full tuition Merit Scholarship recipient

Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

Elementary Teacher Certification (4.0 GPA)

Affiliations - Achievements

Member - AICPA

Member - FICPA

Jan 2009 - Team Challenge Program for Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of

America - ran and completed Miami ING Marathon to raise funds for CCFA

(National Team). "Go Getter Award"

References available upon request

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