Manager Accounting

James E. Burke

Elk Grove Village, IL ***** Cell: 847-***-****

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimburke5252newport *********@*****.***

Profile: Accounts Receivable Manager

Extensive expertise in managing AR operations leading to ~90% - 99%+ success in collecting all past-due accounts

More than 15 years of comprehensive experience in directing Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable functions. Solid background in all accounting functions, including financial statements and analysis, cash flow management, multi-national payroll administration, and employee benefit calculations.

Adept at team leadership, capable of implementing best practices and motivating staff to peak performance.

Direct, hire, train, motivate and manage high-performance teams of managers and production staff; establish goals and monitor progress.

Core Skills include:

Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Process Improvement Audits Financial Statements Payroll

Accounting Functions Cash Flow Management Employee Benefit Calculations Financial Analysis

Vendor Contract Negotiations Vendor Management Distribution Inventory Management Staff Management

Achievements & Experience

Colonial Brick, LLC, Chicago, IL – Accounts Receivable Manager 12/2011 - Present

A $25M brick manufacturer supplying brick to construction and masonry companies, as well as to residential customers; 120 employees.

Charged with managing AR accounts for 15 to 17 national entities with revenue from $3M to $20M per company. Direct a staff of 15 to 20 in handling all accounts. Hired and trained staff as needed.

Improved collection rate on past due accounts from 50% to 85% - 90%.

Instituted collection policies and procedures that resolved chronic collection problems.

555 International, Chicago, IL – Accounts Payable Manager 2009 - 2011

A $45M designer, manufacturer and marketer of commercial and retail interiors; more than 50 employees.

In charge of managing staff of 10 in Accounts Payable processing, policies, and procedures. Prepared bank reconciliations, 401(k) submissions, monthly and quarterly taxes, as well as month-end closings. Reported to the Controller. Analyzed records and payment history of accounts.

Processed $200K to $400K in invoices and purchase orders.

Illinois Truck Center, Elk Grove Village, IL – Accounting Manager 2007 - 2009

A parts and inventory dealer of Isuzu and Hino trucks in the Midwest; 25 employees across 2 locations.

Directed all aspects of accounting functions, including financial statement preparation, Accounts Receivable, and Accounts Payable, payroll, monthly and quarterly tax preparation, bank reconciliations, and 401(k)s. Reported to company owner.

Turned around Accounts Receivable function and streamlined operations.

Achieved close to 100% on-time collection rate for Accounts Receivable.

Wilson Pet Supply, Hanover Park, IL - Accounts Receivable Manager & Office Manager 2000 - 2007

A $120M leading Midwest pet supply and food distributor with 4 warehouse locations serving more than 3K customers in 10 states; 125 employees.

Charged with managing Accounts Receivable and collection operations for all locations. Developed policies and procedures for collection process. Oversaw financial statement preparation, bank reconciliations, and customer relations related to Accounts receivable issues. Directed staff of 15. Promoted and assumed Office Manager accountability for the 160K sq. ft. Hanover Park warehouse in 2001. Handled vendor contract negotiations. Reported to Owner and CFO.

Obtained 90% to 99%+ on-time collection rate and met AR goals for 15 consecutive quarters.

Tracked and collected ~$3M in monthly receivables.

Partnered with sales force regarding customer accounts; analyzed daily sales reports enduring synergy between contract terms and collection objectives.

Fostered and leveraged positive customer relations to directly negotiate payment of past due amounts, or under-payments and NSFs conditions.

Collaborated with state auditors in preparing and submitting required documentation.

Hired and trained 30 staff during tenure; majority were promoted into higher-level positions.

Career Note: Further details of early career success are available on request during an interview and include:

Dartnell Business Corporation, Chicago, IL - Corporate Accountant

In charge of AR, payroll, and employee benefits for this global $75M business information and training materials publisher with locations in Chicago, Boston, and England. Directed staff of 10. Reported to CFO and Corporate Controller.

Partnered with global customers in collecting outstanding balances while maintaining positive relationships.

Prepared monthly financial statements, quarterly taxes, and supervised year-end inventory counts for 2 warehouses.

Rapidly advanced through increasingly accountable positions and promoted to this role.

Technology

Peachtree, Odyssey, QuickBooks, MAAS, Procomm, BAAN, I-Trade, Clientele, Bill Trust, Tiger, Accurint,

Skip Tracing, Dunn & Bradstreet, MS Word, MS Excel

Education

Associates Degree, Business and Accounting, Oakton Community College

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