Dawn M. Kerr

** ****** ****

Norwalk, Connecticut 06851

H 203-***-****

C 917-***-****

abmb7t@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

A reliable and detail-oriented financial professional with an

extensive understanding of accounting principles and analysis,

accounts payable and receivable, Sarbanes-Oxley, general ledger and

public reporting. Employs outstanding research and analytical skills,

recognizing opportunities to streamline processes, resolve

organizational issues and implement cost-saving solutions. A

resourceful and proactive performer, who produces results in diverse

groups and fast-paced environments. Works effectively with key

personnel to minimize waste, increase business performance and ensure

client and customer satisfaction.

EXPERIENCE

Pepsi, Norwalk, Connecticut

Sarbanes-Oxley Coordinator, 2009-2010

Ensured organization operated within compliance of 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Maintained and tested key and supporting manual controls. Worked with

corporate Sarbanes-Oxley Team to monitor key and supporting automated

controls. Collaborated with individual control owners to ensure

understanding of how controls work and ensure controls worked efficiently.

Scheduled quarterly Sarbanes-Oxley walkthroughs and ensured controls were

performed as assigned. Updated Sarbanes-Oxley narratives and flow charts

to reflect changes in processes, as appropriate.

. Collaborated with managers and process owners to review and sign off

on quarterly Sarbanes-Oxley certifications and test scripts.

. Identified risk in new and existing processes and developed controls

to mitigate risks.

. Performed testing and maintenance of supporting document for controls

over balance sheet reconciliations for auto-post inventory accounts,

journal entry approval review, purchase price variance review and

reporting, planning materials review, negative inventory review,

physical inventory counting review and FIN 46 analysis review.

. Provided supporting documentation and detailed walkthroughs of

processes to corporate Sarbanes-Oxley team during quarterly,

independent Sarbanes-Oxley controls testing.

. Worked with external auditors to coordinate and provide items

requested by client listing within prescribed deadlines.

. Teamed up with corporate internal auditors during annual internal

audit to complete departmental risk assessment, identify risks,

initiate controls to mitigate risks and schedule team meetings to

communicate updates.

. Achieved 100% passing rate on Sarbanes-Oxley controls compared to

previous 25% passing rate.

. Wrote two internal controls and test script to mitigate risk of

unauthorized production payments and incorrect revenue reporting.

Oversight Accountant/Accounting Analyst, 2008-2009

Conducted general accounting for 11 third-party Pepsi Co-packer beverage

manufacturing and distribution sites. Reconciled inventory balances

through periodic true-ups, researched, investigated and resolved variances

between Co-packer books and Pepsi books. Settled acceptable variances

relating to actual versus standard prices and material usage during monthly

closing.

. Ensured properly executed and updated contracts existed for each third-

party Co-packer as well as execution of transactions in accordance

with terms of contract.

. Built relationships with Co-packer personnel and business planners to

ensure alignment with forecast and actual production.

. Researched and resolved blocked billings, which resulted from

incorrect purchase order setup, discrepancies with vendor invoices and

price variances, to third-party vendors.

. Prepared credit memo requests relating to customer bill-backs for

damaged products.

. Organized journal entries and process deposits for miscellaneous

reimbursement checks received from third-party vendors.

. Follow up with accounts payable and accounts receivable departments,

ensuring completion of transactions and correct general ledger account

allocation.

. Reduced periodic inventory variances between book and actual from

$254,000 to $3,000 by scheduling daily calls to train key personnel on

best practices for inventory accounting, identifying issues and

providing resolutions and preparation of daily reconciliations.

Commended by Co-packer management team for bringing about change

through leadership initiative.

. Wrote reimbursement check policy, which resulted in standardized

process to handle checks received in local division.

KPMG, LLP, New York, New York

Senior Auditor, 2006-2008

Worked with financial services, investment management and funds group.

Performed financial statement audit of balance sheet as well as profit and

loss accounts for public companies nationwide. Audited pension plans and

performed testing of internal controls design and operating effectiveness

in accordance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Researched and applied U.S.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Public Company

Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) standards, as well as Financial

Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Securities and Exchange Commission

(SEC) rulings relating to individual companies. Performed budget

management.

. Prepared audit plan and coordinated audit engagement kick-off

meetings.

. Delegated duties and monitored staff associates and interns, providing

mentoring for audit associates.

. Headed up pensions and benefits audit project after staffing and other

issues resulted in severe delay. Completed audit and issued financial

statements within deadline. Recognized for outstanding performance

while working under pressure.

. Provided input into audit engagement decisions, including work plan

and timeline, budget management, resource allocation and career

development of associates.

State Farm Insurance Company, Lake Success, New York

Claim Representative, 1999-2005

Investigated, evaluated, processed and negotiated auto insurance claims.

Worked closely with hospitals, chiropractors, acupuncturists and policy

holders to settle claims. Negotiated with attorneys in defense of lawsuits

on claim files brought into litigation. Pursued subrogation opportunities.

Verified damages to persons and property, which required direct contact

with public. Held responsibility for verification of coverage and legal

liability. Investigated fictitious and fraudulent insurance claims,

verifying insurance coverage and legal liabilities.

. Monitored and supervised four claim processors in processing of

personal injury claim payments and medical bills.

. Led team with primary responsibilities of detecting and preventing

fraudulent medical and property damage claims.

. Recorded 36% reduction in fraudulent insurance claims payout for fraud

unit over one-year period.

. Recognized for excellent investigative skills.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Astoria Federal Savings, Astoria, New York, Customer Service

Representative, 1997-1998. Processed all bank transactions, including

deposits, withdrawals, mortgage and credit card payments and issued

certified bank checks. Provided cash management and advice for customers.

Assisted customers needing advice on financial assets.

Auditor General Department, Kingston, Jamaica, Audit Associate, 1985-1994.

Performed government program audits. Ensured government departments

remained in compliance with established government policies and procedures.

Worked on an audit team, detecting fraudulent activities in government

foreign farmworkers' program, which resulted in arrest and conviction of

parties involved.

EDUCATION

Queens College, Flushing, New York, B.S., Accounting, 2002

CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE

Certified Public Accountant, 2007-2010 Certified Public Accountant

License for New York State, 2007-2010

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits - Certified Public

Accountant Continuing Education Credits, 2010

COMPUTER SKILLS

MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, SAP

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