STEVEN A. STRIEN, CPA

acr28h@r.postjobfree.com **** Kane Avenue, Hodgkins, IL 60525 708-***-****

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL 2004 – 2015

Financial Analysis And Projects Manager 2013 – 2015

Promoted to concentrate on assisting upper management with Financial Reporting, Budgeting, Analysis, and Special Projects.

Compiled and produced the Combined Parish Financials for almost 400 Parishes and Independent Schools.

Created the Accounts Receivable Roll Forward process.

Created a process for Fundraising Campaign Revenue and Expense accruals.

Assistant Controller 2004 - 2013

Supervised a staff of 10 with 4 direct reports. Was responsible for Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and Payroll for over 70 agencies. Hired and trained staff. Reconciled the trial balance with various sub-ledgers, concentrating on grants, utility supplier programs, and billing. Provided support for upper management needs such as budget forecasts and financial analysis. Modified and recorded procedures and internal controls. Assisted and supported agencies and parishes.

Designed and implemented a procurement card program with over 150 cardholders. (Corporate Credit Card program)

Rectified and created new procedures for revenue recognition.

Exceled in cost reduction. Efficient in managing a department with limited resources.

Negotiated with utility companies and saved $100,000 in disputed charges.

Near North Insurance Brokerage, Chicago, IL 2000 – 2003

Deputy Controller

Initially managed 5 associates in the Financial Reporting Group as a Managing Senior Accountant. Promoted in September 2001. Responsibilities included account reconciliations, bank account reconciliations, fixed assets, and special projects.

Reduced the Premium Fund Trust Account reconciliation process from 10 days to 3. Also recovered $500,000 in duplicate payments to insurers.

Designed and implemented an Accounts Receivable reconciliation procedure.

Successful implementation of JD Edwards ERP system.

Romano Bros. Beverage Co., Chicago, IL 1997 – 2000 Financial Accounting Manager

Supervised a staff of 8 in this hands-on position. Group functions were financial statement preparation and analysis, budgets, payroll with union reporting, supplier account analysis and reconciliation, liquor tax returns, and affiliate accounting. Also worked with external auditors to complete audits.

Reduced staff to 5 employees by stimulating higher productivity and efficiency.

Reconciled over 30 months of historical data on an affiliate’s bank account and traced a $260,000 unfavorable variance to understated Cost of Sales.

Automated liquor tax returns.

Loop Recycling, Inc., Chicago, IL 1994 – 1997 Controller

Managed all daily accounting tasks; assisted and trained staff of 5 staff accountants and accounting clerks. Analyzed and reconciled the General Ledger to major control accounts. Worked closely with the Plant Manager and Sales Manager for daily and weekly reporting needs. Produced monthly and quarterly financial statements. Promoted from Assistant Controller in 1996.

Independently created several Crystal Report Writer reports from the fixed asset software and resolved major variances from the General Ledger.

Created a Work in Progress worksheet for capital projects of 5 companies and organized a recycling baler inventory program.

Key participant in the migration from Great Plains to SBT accounting software.

M. Gutterman & Associates, Chicago, IL 1993 – 1994 Accounting Manager

Duties for this household products wholesaler encompassed all accounting and office functions. Managed 3 accounting clerks, the computer network and cash investments. Responsible for payroll, benefits and insurance administration, and all human resource needs. Prepared financial statements for 3 companies and interacted frequently with a CPA firm and other consultants.

Key person in the implementation of ACCPAC software.

Consistently beat deadlines despite high turnover in clerical staff.

Developed inventory cost worksheet in Excel.

Amtex Steel, Inc., Chicago, IL 1986 – 1993 Senior Accountant

Input financial data for steel distributor, prepared monthly and year-end financial statements and managed cash flow. Promoted to leadership role within 2 years. After automation, supervised 2 clerks, reviewed and analyzed financial reports and managed hardware and software requirements. Assisted auditors and completed special projects.

Implemented the conversion from manual to computerized accounting for the sales and accounting staff.

Trained and assisted all accounting, sales, and office personnel with industry software.

Helped develop improvements in the software by identifying accounting deficiencies and eliminating bugs.

EDUCATION

University of Illinois, Champaign, IL

B.S., Accounting 1984

Passed the CPA examination in May, 1995.

OTHER SKILLS

Lawson, JD Edwards, Great Plains, ADP, Excel, Word, ACCPAC, Quickbooks, Real World, SBT, MAS90 & 200, Best FAS2000, Metasys, Metalware, Sagitta, and other software.

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