Human Resources Insurance

Denise C. Russell

P.O. Box **** • Clovis, CA ****3 • 559-***-**** • ******.*.*******@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Cash Management/Forecasting Budget Development/Management Project/Staff Leadership

Organizational Development Planning/Scheduling Payroll/Human Resources

Taxation/Auditing GAAP/GAAS For-Profit/Non-Profit

Pro-active, detail-oriented and results-driven individual with experience in for-profit and non-profit organizations, taxation, cash management, multi-department annual budget preparation and fiscal management, financial statement preparation, financial analysis, payroll and human resources.

Solid planning and organizational skills in coordinating all aspects of a project from inception through completion.

Well disciplined with proven ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and staff efficiently under pressure while meeting tight deadlines.

Effectively communicates direction, commits people to action, and conveys complex information in an easily understood format.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SMG – Save Mart Center at Fresno State, Fresno, CA

Director of Finance July 2011 – June 2017

Plan and direct all aspects of financial and accounting activities for a 16,000 seat entertainment and sports venue averaging 130 events annually with a $5M operating budget.

Responsibilities include the development and implementation of venue goals and priorities relating to financial management, budgets, cash flows, accounting, purchasing, insurance and payroll.

Prepare and issue financial statements and other financial reports to the client and SMG corporate officers, including monthly statements, monthly financial forecast, and annual budget.

Analyze financial performance and cost analyses for all departments, including food and beverage operations. Meet with department directors weekly to review and recommended appropriate actions or changes in order to meet business goals.

Prepare and participate in all event settlements with promoters and Fresno State Athletics.

Direct internal audits involving review of accounting and administrative controls.

Prepare, coordinate and review annual audit work papers and financial reporting. Implemented a 15% reduction in audit fees by training staff how to prepare and present work papers.

Direct, supervise, mentor, discipline, and evaluate five full-time staff and 15 part-time staff in the Finance and Box Office departments.

Coordinate appropriate insurance coverage and general liability claims with SMG's risk management department, insurance broker, and claims administrator.

Review all contracts for the client, events, subcontractors, food and beverage, and concessionaires.

Direct the installation and maintenance of new accounting and timekeeping software.

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Self-Employed, Fresno, California April 2010-April 2012

Acting Financial Officer to the Assignee for Benefit of Creditors and to Board of Trustees President for two insolvent Fresno non-profit corporations.

Liaison and coordinator of two national fine art auction houses consigned to liquidate the fine art collection.

Review of creditor claims to determine allowance. Assist in resolving disputed claims.

Preparation and monitoring of budget versus actual revenue and expenditures; cash flow projections.

Maintain accurate financial records, perform bank reconciliations, and prepare financial reports.

Assist the Assignee to complete the liquidation and creditor payout of the non-profit corporations.

Implementation of online QuickBooks and staff training for a specialized auto body repair facility.

Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art and Science, Fresno, California

Director of Finance & Administration March 2006-March 2010

Finance Manager February 2005-March 2006

Responsible for the organization and coordination of finance, human resources, administration, information technology, gift store, and admissions operations ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the Museum’s goals and objectives under the direction of the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.

Financial responsibilities included preparation and reconciliation of monthly and annual financial statements, granting institution reports, and endowment investment activity; supervision of accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory management, banking, and payroll functions; preparation of documents required for annual independent audit, tax returns and grant applications.

Prepared and monitored an annual operating budget of $3.5 million and Museum capital project of $28 million; reported monthly to the Fiscal Management Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Trustees on the analysis of budget versus actual revenue and expenditures, capital project, and cash flow projections.

Established and implemented new internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.

Recommended and implemented a 10% decrease in general operating expenses through cost cutting measures and solicitation of gift-in-kind services.

Reviewed all operational related contracts and insurance policies for accuracy and future fiscal commitments prior to final approval by Executive Director.

Implemented an integrated donor, financial, and point of sale system.

Assisted in leading initiatives that successfully raised attendance to the highest level in five years reaching more than 100,000 visitors, increased membership by 30%, and generated additional giving through annual fundraising campaign and grant awards.

Assisted the Executive Director and Board of Trustees in developing and implementing the museum strategic and business plans.

Efficiently trained, supervised, and mentored a staff of fourteen and five volunteers.

Human resources administrator for hiring 15 full-time and 40 part-time employees; created and revised job descriptions, managed personal files, performed annual employee reviews, and assisted with restructure of organizational chart.

Worked directly with labor relations attorney to manage employee/employer conflicts and employee handbook revisions.

Interfaced with bankruptcy attorney and general counsel to cease Museum operations, including the lay-off of all employees; organized and coordinated the fixture and furniture auction with local auctioneer; liaison and coordinator to national fine art auctioneers.

Wiebe & Associates, CPA, LLP, Fresno, California

Accounting Supervisor January 2004-February 2005

Senior Accountant January 2002-January 2004

Staff Accountant January 2001-January 2002

Delegated and reviewed the preparation of reviewed and compiled financial engagements with footnotes for real estate and farming entities.

Planned, organized and supervised the preparation of individual, corporation, partnership and trust tax returns.

Performed a full spectrum of accounting functions including proposing adjustments for closing fiscal and tax years, preparation of financial statements for numerous clients, preparation of individual, partnership, and corporation tax returns.

Worked directly with partners on numerous consulting projects, including creation of entities, division of existing entities, return on investment, section 1031 real estate exchanges, agreed upon procedures, placing assets into service, tenant improvement reporting, and review of client monthly accounting.

Developed and monitored engagement budgets and processes.

Trained and supervised up to 15 staff persons with three years of experiences or less.

Prepared and performed quarterly staff performance evaluations.

Wiebe & Associates, CPA, LLP, Fresno, California (continued)

Presented training sessions for staff accountants on the topics of depreciation, asset componentization procedures, tax return preparation, and self-review.

Participated in university staff recruiting events, interviewing and hiring of entry level staff accountants.

Conducted research on various tax and financial topics.

California’s Valued Trust, Fresno, California November 1997-January 2001

Formally, Central Valley Schools Health & Welfare Trust

Accountant I

Responsible for accounts payable and payroll, including paid time off tracking.

Preparation of daily deposit, reconciliation of money market account.

Preparation of adjusting journal entries and assistance in preparing monthly financial statements.

Processed self-paid retiree monthly statements and monthly eligibility reporting to four insurance carriers.

Assisted other accounting team members with accounts receivable, cash flow and daily short-term investing.

EDUCATION/SOFTWARE

California State University, Fresno, Fresno California December 1997

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, emphasis in Accountancy

Microsoft Office Suite ~ MAS 90 ~ Sage 50 ~ Blackbaud (Financial Edge and Raiser’s Edge) ~ QuickBooks

Asset Keeper ~ T-Value ~Lacerte Tax ~ Document Management Systems ~ Micros-Tangent ~ Adobe Acrobat

Various Timekeeping Systems ~ Ticketmaster Host ~ TM One ~ Ticketmaster Fan User

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