Manager Accounting

DONNA M. MICHAELSEN

**** ****** ****** ( Downers Grove, Illinois 60516

630-***-**** ( ***************@*******.***

CORPORATE CONTROLLER / DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING

Reputable finance executive, with more than 20 years of experience managing

and streamlining financial operations for firms ranging from a family-owned

business to a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company. Consistently

reduce costs and eliminate discrepancies, with exceptional record of

improving processes and ensuring compliance. Expertly manage full cycle

accounting functions for a wide array of both service and manufacturing

companies with both U.S. and foreign subsidiaries. Versatile experience

spans retail, events production, hospitality, audiovisual, vision care,

printing, energy, and pharmaceutical industries. Key strengths include:

Financial Operations Management ( Full Cycle Accounting Operations

Management ( Budgeting & Forecasting

Cross Functional Team Leadership ( Financial Reporting & Analysis (

Financial Planning ( Acquisitions

Policy Development ( Regulatory Compliance ( Process Improvements ( Chapter

11 Filings

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

M&M SPECIAL EVENTS, Carol Stream, Illinois & Dallas, Texas ( 2006-2008

Full service event production company with locations in Carol Stream and

Dallas.

THE HOWARD ELLIOTT COLLECTION, Carol Stream, Illinois ( 2006-2008

Premier designer and manufacturer of home accessories with retail sales in

the U.S. and overseas.

Chief Financial Officer

Managed all facets of financial operations for two family-owned, sister

companies with $20M in total revenues. Determined financial impact of

decisions, policies, and actions taken or being considered. Developed and

implemented company policies and ensured compliance. Handled and / or

resolved issues as required. Oversaw Finance, Sales, and Operations

departments.

. Reconciled a $700K book to physical discrepancy following installation of

a new software package.

. Caught up a 3-month lag in financial statements and developed a

"dashboard" for President for purposes of monitoring daily key

indicators.

. Designed and launched both a performance bonus plan and a commission

plan.

ARLINGTON HOSPITALITY INC., Arlington Heights, Illinois ( 2005-2006

Hotel development and management company with $50M in revenues; filed for

protection under Chapter 11 and initiated an auction for sale of assets in

2005.

Vice President of Finance

Oversaw all accounting functions including monthly reporting for 30

individual hotel properties. Utilized expertise in areas of joint venture,

equity method accounting, and limited construction accounting. Played key

role in Chapter 11 process, including initial and monthly filing for 21

separate cases filed; interfaced with creditors and attorneys.

. Facilitated smooth Chapter 11 process and ensured compliance with

applicable bankruptcy laws.

AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES CORPORATION, Schaumburg, Illinois ( 2002-2004

Provides audio and visual equipment and technical expertise to hospitality

industry with operations in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, and

Mexico, with $400M in revenues.

Director of Financial Analysis & Reporting

Oversaw translation, consolidation and reporting of global results to

Senior Management, Board of Directors and Bank Group; included extensive

commentary on variances to budget and prior year. Held dotted-line

responsibility for profitability of foreign subsidiaries. Provided

financial support to Domestic Field Management, including analysis and

reporting of key financial drivers, capital request evaluations, and

development / support of hotel benchmarking process.

. Coordinated successful transfer of corporate accounting functions from

Long Beach, California to Schaumburg, Illinois.

DONNA M. MICHAELSEN ( Page 2 ( ***************@*******.***

AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES CORPORATION, continued. . .

. Eliminated 4 days of close process by creating an Excel-based translation

and consolidations system including reports with comparisons to budget

and prior year.

WESLEY JESSEN VISIONCARE, INC., Des Plaines, Illinois ( 1997-2001

Global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of contact lenses with $400M

in revenues; acquired by CibaVision in 2000.

Director, Financial Reporting & SEC Compliance (2000-2001) ( Manager,

Accounting & Reporting (1997-2000)

Managed the consolidation and foreign currency translation function.

Prepared monthly internal and external financial statements including loan

covenant compliance with accompanying analysis. Oversaw all aspects of SEC

compliance reporting including research and interpretation of new rules and

regulations relevant to business, authored footnotes and MD&A.

. Served as Team Lead for financial modules of PeopleSoft implemented;

resulted in successful on time and on budget go-live.

. Successfully eliminated 2 reportable conditions documented by

PricewaterhouseCoopers.

. Retained as a "key finance employee" for transition team during

acquisition by CibaVision; worked in Atlanta to integrate entire finance

functions of both companies, including PeopleSoft system.

EARLY CAREER NOTES (full details on request)

AM INTERNATIONAL INC., Mt. Prospect, Illinois / Manager of Financial

Reporting

. Effectively researched post-retirement benefits offering by company,

concluding liability was overstated $1.5M on books according to rules of

FAS 106.

COSTAIN HOLDINGS INC., Chicago, Illinois / Manager of Accounting

. Reduced costs $500K annually and increased coverage five-fold by

consolidating commercial insurance program.

G.D. SEARLE & COMPANY, Skokie, Illinois / Consolidations Accountant /

Senior Financial Analyst

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Accounting

North Central College, Naperville, Illinois

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Illinois

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

Microsoft Excel & Word ( Great Plains ( PeopleSoft ( SAP

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