BENJAMIN SMERUD

**** * ****** **

Janesville, WI 53546

Cell 608-***-****

actsek@r.postjobfree.com

Objective:

To obtain a position as an Accountant where I can apply my master level education, 10+ years of analyzing tax returns, financial statements and industry trends. I am constantly looking for ways to improve myself and gain more knowledge.

EXPERIENCE

Credit Manager – Stoughton Trailers May 2014- Present

Credit Analysis: 40% of my time

Reviewed 446 applications per year for both the leasing and rental divisions. Performed credit reviews by reviewing commercial credit reports, personal credit reports, balance sheets, income statements, and any existing internal payment history. Used current ratio, debt to equity, EBIT, Net profit + depreciation + interest expense, and average receivable days, Counseled dealers and customers on approvals or denials. Worked to offer each lease the flexibility to fit the customer or Stoughton Trailer’s needs by changing the term, interest rate or payment.

-Helped achieve a 72 million loan portfolio balance when budgeted for 66 million

-Created a new credit policy from scratch to streamline the decision process by setting specific requirements to be met before approving.

-Worked in a fast paced environment which improved my time management skills and improved my attention to detail.

Collector: 10% of my time

Reviewed the collection reports, took action through email, phone calls and through contacting the collection agency. Negotiated the price of a repossessed trailer based on what was still owed on the lease. Conducted a cost/benefit analysis to approve the sale and realized a profit or loss.

-As a result of my actions, the write offs or bad debt for the leasing company were below 2% which was the lowest level in 30 years.

Accountant: 50% of my time

Reconciled the cash receipts against the general ledger by comparing bank statements to the internal system, reconciled trial balance in both the US and Canadian divisions.

Reconciled accounts receivable for both US and Canada for the month end and updated the general ledger.

-Examples of entries would be outstanding insurance checks, double postings of payments, or prepayments of leases. The internal system would only allow one payment per month. Everything else had to be tracked through Excel.

Adjust Accounts Payable for both US and Canada for the month against new leases that were started verses the invoices that were billed from manufacturing.

Filed Canadian Taxes for sales that were recognized in the specific provinces on a monthly basis and also year-end.

-Introduced and updated a more efficient way to report to the Canadian Revenue Agency, through signing up online and registering a checking account for electronic payment. This action decreased the time that the payments were received from 3 weeks to two days.

Performed audits on lease files, insurance and short term rental contracts on a monthly basis. Some of the audits performed were:

-All new leases that were started in the month and verified that they are on the computer system correctly with the proper payment and interest rate and legal name.

-Reviewed the UCC filing to make sure customer was properly named.

-Reviewed all termed leases for the month and verify that the titles were sent out and the last payments had cleared.

-Also verified that the UCC filing had been updated.

-Performed audits on lease files, insurance and short term rental contracts monthly to see if there were any documents missing, followed up with any corrections that needed to be made.

-Aided in the annual audit that McGladery did on all aspects of the leasing company.

March 2008- May 2014

Credit Analyst- John Deere Credit

Started as Credit Trainee, then Credit Analyst I, then Credit Analyst II Power Plan Analyst

Reviewed on average 100 customer accounts and applications daily. Evaluated Agricultural balance sheets, income statements, tax returns, consumer credit reports, commercial credit reports, to assess risk factors to approve or deny both consumer and commercial revolving finance products and installment loans.

- Routinely approved lines of credit for $120,000.00 or higher

- Achieved Company recognition for taking 368 calls in one day delivering excellent customer service.

Gained knowledge with Agricultural products, services and the various types of operations that are in the Agricultural market.

Reviewed Power Plan applications and approved construction and commercial lines of credit.

Received applications through the internet, over the phone and fax and worked with customers and dealers over the phone in a high volume, fast paced environment.

October 2005-March 2008

Personal Banker/Loan Officer- Associated Bank

Started as loan processor, then loans by phone officer, then personal banker.

Worked faced to face with customers on loan application and approval, deposit relationships, investment guidance, and dispute resolutions. Waived late fees on checking accounts. Set up safe deposit box accounts, aided in an ad campaign to promote business.

-Achieved 10 new checking accounts, 5 deposit accounts and one first or second mortgage per week.

Systems and languages that I have worked with: Advanced Excel, Microsoft, Service Desktop, Abtools, Mars, Decision Engine, Tandem, SAS, Lease Complete, Power Term Lite, ERP, Salesforce, Crystal reporting, and TValue 5

EDUCATION

Masters of Business Administration in Accounting

Herzing University

Milwaukee, WI

Bachelor of Science in Finance

University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse

Lacrosse Wisconsin

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