CONSTANCE ISHAM

605-***-**** act3tx@r.postjobfree.com

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT / ANALYST

Accounting professional with 14+ years’ experience in multiple facets of accounting and proven track record of consistently driving cost reductions / revenue increases through expert financial analysis skills. Exceptional communication skills combined with leadership ability results in increased team morale, strategic partnerships, and successful implementation of process improvement projects. High-level strategist with ability to cite risks, develop solutions that influences executive decisions and maximize business performance. Demonstrate management skills that enhance productivity. Autonomously coach team members in areas of expertise to include, but not limited to, treasury management, credit, collections, cash application, billing, month-end accounting close, general ledger analysis, and month-end financial reporting. Easily adapt to software and systems upgrades. Dedication to career includes ongoing professional development through internal opportunities that includes Government Accounting and Deloitte Sales & Use Tax Training.

TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENCY

Microsoft Word, Excel, Hyperion, Oracle, Discoverer, Share Point, SAP, ADP Payroll, Sage, Access, QuickBooks, Banner system, Power-Advocate, CorpTax ETS, Mas90, Lotus123, and other ERP/accounting software systems

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Trend Analysis/Forecasting ● Cash Management ● Data Analysis● Accounting Close ● Variance Analysis ● Business Development

Budgets/Fixed Assets/Depreciation ● Executive Reporting ● Corporate Document Retention ● Operations Management

Sales & Use Tax – Multiple States ● Audit Assist & Financial Statements ● Process Improvements ● Staff Supervision

Fund Accounting (Government Fund Acct.) ● Investment Income and Debt Reduction ● Reconciliations ● Federal Authority and Appropriation Regulations OMB Circulars ● General Ledger Analysis ● Human Resources ● AP / AR

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Services, Parkersburg, WV, ACCOUNTANT 2015- 2016

Development of expertise involves the ability to plan and carry out assignments, work with customers - customer staff, attorneys, contractors and/or representatives of professional organizations - to resolve issues, and provide answers to their questions. In addition, the responsibilities necessitate defining compliance guidelines, and meeting predetermined timeliness.

Monthly Financial reporting and analysis – Subledger to GL; USSGL; and SF-133 reconciliations. Prepare and submit a financial statement to the customer. Once the financial reports are prepared, and then I review them, they are uploaded into a shared port (MAX). This allows the customer to view the reports, without having access to our server.

Journal Vouchers – In-depth research and analysis of fund differences, extensive research required to determine the appropriate balance, and then validate the correct adjusting entry.

Key Accomplishments:

Template testing and analysis

Team and individual projects.

Financial reports and adjusting entries.

STARS ALLIANCE, LLC Goodyear, AZ, ACCOUNTING MANAGER & FINANCIAL ANALYST 2012-2015

Serve as accountant with a full range of financial and office administration responsibilities, and coordination with the member energy stations to include financial reporting; determine spending limits for company credit cards, based on assessed executive needs; and hire / supervise office staff.

Perform logistical planning for document retention and coordinate meetings to distribute data for contractor and bid evaluations.

Key contact for annual internal and external audits.

Prepare and file franchise tax documents according to state regulations of each plant site: California, Texas, Arizona, Missouri, and Kansas.

Make responsible recommendations to senior leadership regarding short & long-term financial objectives, policies and actions.

Develop amicable and lasting relationships with banking, insurance, and non-organizational accounting personnel to facilitate financial activities.

Oversee general operations, perform competition analysis, research trends and consistently determine which areas require improvement to ensure longevity of business.

Key Accomplishments:

Create standard and adhoc reports, analyze data results; ensure data integrity; and proven ability to work effectively in an individual or team setting.

Work cross-functionally, making executive-level decisions for organizational development as well as fulfilling other operational support tasks such as human resources, professional development, risk analysis and change management.

Streamline spending analysis to a more accurate, efficient, and automated process.

Developed internal control policies, budget administration, and restructured chart of accounts.

During contract bid process, maintain a high retention rate with clientele and utilized SharePoint system to perform ongoing review of contracts throughout the bid operation.

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, Brookings, SD, ACCOUNTING ANALYST 2008-2011

Oversaw various aspects of the university financial system, which included financial activities between the University and State finance offices.

Demonstrated ability to provided prompt solutions when addressing complex accounting issues and making recommendations to department clerical/accounting staff for best practices in account management.

Served as subject matter expert and sole processor of Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) for identification of non-education based expenditures and Form 990-T preparation for annual tax filing.

Trained and supervised two accountants to assist with general accounting activities which included reallocation of funds within the university, budget development, year-end close, investment income, cash reconciliation, and other occurrences.

Key Accomplishments:

Successful annual research, calculation, and filing of Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT).

Within one year, expert level financial analysis and auditing skills led to detection and remedy of errors which provided substantial cost reductions for the university – one instance alone was over $20K.

Solely responsible for the research and development of Federally required DS-2, for the Grants Administration Department, with the use of OMB Circulars. This allowed the continued receipt of Federal Grant monies.

Instrumental member of software testing and integration team for new Banner System.

Completed training seminar in Chicago for “Government Accounting” to further contributions to university.

Collaborated with three budget and accounting colleagues to create a debt reduction schedule and implemented procedure to pay down the University debt. Reviewed fund accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance with legal criterions.

Key team member in assistance to Budget Lead and Accounting Lead to create and implement ARRA [American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009] funds by developing chart of accounts, perform detailed entry in the Banner system, match entries to the State CAS, and ensuring both successful and timely project completion.

VENUWORKS OF BROOKINGS, LLC/SWIFTEL CENTER, Brookings, SD, BUSINESS MANAGER 2006-2008

Spearheaded completion of Human Resource duties, to include but not limited to, interviewing, hiring decisions, scheduling random drug testing, new hire paperwork, and processing garnishments.

Key Accomplishments:

External Audit Recognition - Within one year, successfully fulfilled charge of helping company to reach compliance with city and IRS auditing regulations, by fully restructuring accounting system and developing internal control measures.

Developed a cash management plan, implement cash tracking system, and train staff on new standard operating procedures to reduce profit loss during events.

Collaborate with Executive Director to develop budget and generate reports for presentation to City Manager Financial Manager for approval.

THE SCHWAN FOOD COMPANY, Marshall, MN, FEDERAL TAX ACCOUNTANT 2005-2006

Charged with the tasks of Federal Tax quarterly provisions and annual tax filings, resolving tax issues, assisting with internal audit, and responding to tax data inquiries for the forty-two sub companies, located throughout the U.S.

Key Accomplishments:

Successfully completed cross-departmental training to include State Revenue, Sales & Use Tax filing, and problem resolutions.

Developed strong communications documentation program, and entered all relevant data into SAP system for later use during tax auditing and preparation processes.

PRAIRIES EDGE CASINO RESORT, Granite Falls, MN, FINANCE COORDINATOR 2001-2005

Key Accomplishments:

Ensured compliance with Federal Gaming Regulations through development of stronger processes across five years.

EDUCATION

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, Marshall, MN

MBA, Master of Business Administration (2012)

Bachelor of Science, Accounting (2003)

COMMUNITY/501C3 INVOLVEMENT

Brookings Leadership Development Appalachian Service Project trend analysis VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Association

Blue Star Mothers Veteran Services Volunteer

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