Mel Buchan
**.***********@*****.***
EXPERIENCE
Harris Corporation (16-week contract) Melbourne, FL
Lead Financial Auditor April, 2017 – August, 2017
Perform financial/operational audits, focusing on internal controls over financial reporting, Sarbanes-Oxley 404 (SOX)
Perform walk through to test procedures, develop audit scope, audit programs and budget estimates, for the control being tested
Perform Bank Reconciliations for seven divisions containing 32 bank accounts,
Perform U.S. Government, Foreign Government and Private Industry Billing to ensure billing is correct and complies with contractual requirements
Perform cycle count review and analysis
GC Services Houston, TX
Internal Auditor September, 2014 – June, 2016
Responsible for testing, evaluating, reporting GC Services’ compliance with Federal Consumer Financial Laws, Company or Client policies and procedures
Evaluation the adequacy of managements’ response to findings’
Track and verify findings and remediation plans are adequate
Ensure collection agents are following the Credit Card Companies collection policies
Travel to collection centers and review the adequacy of security systems
Review the collection agents’ computer to verify no unauthorized software is installed
HVAC Gas Services Simonton, TX
Manager Logistics and Accounts Payable June, 2013 – September, 2014
Responsible for analyzing and coordinating the storage, distribution and transportation of gases to customers
Ensure invoices are process accurately and timely
Verify credit worthiness of potential customers
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Houston, TX
Senior Internal Auditor July, 2012 – June, 2013
Plan and execute audits at the parishes and schools to ensure compliance with the Archdiocese policies and procedure as well as those of local and federal government
Test internal controls including, payroll, disbursements, sales tax, fund raising, raffles and bank reconciliations. Communicate audit findings and aid in formulating recommendations. Draft audit reports and conduct closing conferences
Supervise Staff Auditor and report progress to Audit Manager
Transocean (11-week contract) Houston, TX
SOX Internal Auditor October, 2011 – December, 2011
Testing of Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls including Payroll, Procurement, Drilling Contracts, Tax, Financial Close, A/P, Revenue and Stock Compensation
Parker Drilling Company Houston, TX
Senior Internal Auditor June 2008 – February 2011
Planned, organized, executed, and monitored audit field work to ensure audits were completed in the established testing time line, document deficiencies and prepare draft audit report with finding and recommendations
Review Staff Auditors work papers and communicate any required changes
Reviewed drilling contracts to ensure compliance with contract terms
Conducted extensive testing of key Sarbanes-Oxley financial reporting controls
Audited A/P, A/R, Payroll, Taxes, Procurement, Benefits, and Travel Expense
Performed domestic and international compliance audits
Performed Foreign Corruption Practice Act (FCPA) compliance audits
Performed Health Safety & Environmental (HSE) audits on land rigs, barge rigs, and shallow water rigs, both domestic and international. Identified potential hazards and provided recommendations to reduce or eliminate hazards
Identified internal control weaknesses and communicate these to Management along with findings and recommendations
Obtained feedback from process owner, obtained remediation date and verified client’s compliance
Imperial Sugar Company Sugar Land, TX
Senior Auditor March 2004 – June 2008
Staff Auditor February 1999 – March 2004
Staff Accountant at subsidiary, Spreckels Sugar December 1996 – February 1999
Participated in all phases of company-wide Sarbanes-Oxley 404 implementation
Reviewed significant accounts annually to ensure SOX compliance
Reviewed contracts to verify compliance with the terms and conditions
Identified cost saving opportunities and presented to process owner
Complete process walkthroughs, narratives/flow charts
Performed functional and compliance audits for Corporate Accounting
Audited Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Treasury, Cash Management, Trading / Hedging, Disaster Recovery and Travel Expense
Performed year-end physical inventories and inventory reconciliations
Presented recommendations for improvements to management
Processed Accounts Payable invoices
Performed month-end inventory counts
EDUCATION
California State University Fresno Fresno, CA
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration – Accounting 1994
AFFILIATIONS
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
Eagle Scout (Life-Time Member)
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access
PeopleSoft; SharePoint; Lawson (Payroll system)
TeamMate (Audit Software); Audit Leverage (Audit Software)