Tara L. Lovely
Atlanta, GA ***** 770-***-**** ****.******@*****.***
Controller Senior Accountant Accounting Manager
Highly skilled and accomplished Controller with 15+ years of demonstrated experience in managing broad spectrum of financial reporting, general ledger, P&L, and reconciliation initiatives. Skilled at streamlining business processes for increased productivity and efficiency. Fostering business relationships to resolve financial concerns and drive growth.
Key Qualifications
Candidate for Uniform CPA Exam Accounting Standards Audits & Compliance Account Reconciliation Budget Development & Management P&L Management Strategic Financial Planning Manufacturing Healthcare Education Retail Entertainment
Professional Experience
Sports & Imports Auto Sales of Gwinnett, Gwinnett GA (October 2013 August 2015)
Controller Three Locations: Gwinnett, Buford, Gainesville, GA
Brought in to speed privately held company's expansion and provide financial and tax expertise to position company for revenue growth. Establish and manage financial and operational infrastructure to support 3 locations and report directly to CEO. Prepare financial statements, account receivables/payables and 15 bank reconciliations. Manage payroll for 40+ employees including commissions. Conduct daily cash reconciliations, ACH transactions, funds transfers, and money wires. Analyze balance sheet accounts and monthly physical inventory to advise management on short- and long-term financial objectives. Coordinate activities for financial planning, invoicing, business licenses, and taxes.
Selected Highlights:
Improved morale and employee satisfaction; implemented 401K plan and health insurance program. As trustee, increased employee participation 100% and access to funds without jeopardizing financial stability plan.
Provided financial and strategic guidance to CEO that led to 90% increase revenue; key advisor with financial reports, sales reports, operation policies and procedures, and new dealership start-up.
Reduced costs by 90% on cost of goods: acquisition mechanical costs and automation: software and reports.
Redesigned accounting systems and established internal controls to eliminate variances. Perform depreciation/fixed assets maintenance, month end closing procedures, analyze P&L, and conduct audits.
Established in-house credit department that led to increase in sales due to fast financing and improved service.
Mitigated risk by establishing Human Resource policies and procedures; set up employee files, new employee hire procedures, drug testing, and benefits: 401K and health insurance.
Redefined credit policy to reduce exposure, created chart of accounts for all three entities, corrected balance sheet deficiencies, and implemented fiscal policies to enable corporation to operate more efficiently.
6 Degrees Group Randstad, Alpharetta, GA (December 2010 October 2013)
Accountant Contract Accounting Manager
Improved revenue, profits, ROI, EBITDA, and other financial measurements while diversifying accounting portfolio and contracting for long-term assignments with various companies. Analyzed reports and explained financial options to support management to make informed decisions. Coordinated cross-functional meetings and built collaborative relationships with management, staff, customers, and contractors.
Selected Highlights:
Led monthly meetings with marketing and management teams to ensure accurate P&L; prepared month end general ledger (GL) accounting for 150 retail and kiosks accounts for Honey Baked Ham, Atlanta, GA.
Performed full cycle month end procedures, balance sheet reconciliation, payroll and severance, processed sales, intercompany invoicing, and prepared all financial reports for store, district, and corporate management.
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Tara L. Lovely
Page 2. 770-***-**** ****.******@*****.***
Professional Experience Continued
Accountant Contract Accounting Manager 6 Degrees Group Randstad, Alpharetta, GA (Continued)
Selected Highlights
Served in lead role at Cig Wireless to develop, manage, and implement Diamant German accounting to MS Dynamic SL for general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash, fixed assets, and financial reporting through crystal reports. Partnered and worked with team of SL to test and audit all reports between two systems.
Prepared month end close, 3 days, for GL accounting; compiled and analyzed financial information to prepare journal entries and accruals. Analyzed and prepared financial statement fluctuations and compared costs to estimates, budgets, and forecasts. Reconciled accounts and approved AP invoices for Cox Communications.
Oldcastle APG Retail Inc. Division of Oldcastle, Inc., Atlanta,GA (November 2006 October 2010)
Senior Accountant North American Headquarters
Worked directly with VP of Finance, Regional CFOs, and General Managers at each manufacturing facility/plant to research and resolve any financial concerns. Completed monthly intercompany financial reporting including coordination of subsidiary financial data, and assisted with ERP, GAAP, and SOX compliance. Managed and centralized inter-company cash and reconciliations for all Home Centers from various companies throughout the US.
Selected Highlights
Increased revenue 92%; worked with Home Centers on resolving EDI invoicing issues and account reconciliations.
Managed collections from nationwide accounts: Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware, True Value, Orgill, Do it Best, US Navy, John Deere, Kmart, and Home Depot, Canada.
Developed accounting policies and monitored for compliance, analyzed reports on product lines, compiled cost data and annual budgets, prepared monthly closings, performed cost analysis, and forecasted financial activities.
Improved efficiencies and worked closely with Home Centers by researching short pays, chargeback's, discounts, and rebates.
Examined changes in product design, raw materials, and manufacturing methods to determine effects on costs.
CPA License Preparation
Candidate for Uniform CPA Exam January 2016
CPA Review Course Becker Professional Education, Downers Grove, IL
Graduate Accounting Courses, CPA Exam Preparation Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Education
GA Qualification Met for Uniform CPA Exam with 150 Accounting Hours Per Georgia Board of Accountancy & NASBA
Bachelor of Arts in Economics & 150 Semester Hours in Accounting Florida International University, Miami, FL
Technical Skills
Advanced Microsoft Office Package: XP/2007/2010/2013 Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook. Operating Systems: Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains 10.0/Smart List, BlackLine, Salesforce, Worldox GX4, QuickBooks online Plus, Oracle 12, 11i, Oracle Smartview & Essbase, Oracle Hyperion Planning Fusion edition, TM1, MRI, Nexus, ReqLogic 8.0, AS 400, Microsoft Dynamics SL, Management Reporting, Lawson Office Production, Axapta, LBI Reporting, PeopleSoft, FRX Report Writer, MAS90/200, Navision, Peachtree, ADP Payroll for Windows Certificate, ADP Report Smith Certificate. Pivot tables, pivot charts, v-lookups, and macros, advanced courses in Microsoft Excel.