Accountant

Michelle A. Faria

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

Middleton, MA 01949

Email: **********@*****.*** 978-***-****

SUMMARY OF

EXPERIENCE: Over 30+ years of diverse accounting & financial experience in Manufacturing &

Retail industries including financial reporting & analysis, inventory control, accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, payroll, fixed assets, budgeting & forecasting.

EXPERIENCE:

2009 to present INTERSTATE CONTAINER NEW ENGLAND, LLC Lowell, MA

Assistant Controller

Manage the Accounting & Financial Reporting area. Oversee all transactions to ensure the accurate and timely recording of financial activities of a manufacturing facility.

Manage the Accounts Receivable area including billings, cash applications and credit functions. Work closely with Sales Representatives, Brokers, Shipping and Customer Service area. Provide assistance in resolving customer disputes. Manage the reduction of accounts receivable balances over 90 days old.

Manage the Accounts Payable area. Interact with the Purchasing Agent and Receiver to research and resolve vendor relation issues. Manage the payment of approximately $1 million of promotional allowances and rebates.

Reconcile all intercompany transactions between affiliates.

Manage the Fixed Asset system to track and record acquisitions, disposals, transfers and depreciation of property, plant and equipment.

Manage the Payroll processing function for 4 pay groups in 2 facilities. Reconcile the electronic timecard system to the payroll application to insure accuracy.

Assist the Controller in the quarterly Physical Inventory process and reconciliation.

Serve as the liaison to independent auditors for interim and year-end financial audits. Work closely with union auditors for Teamster & USW pension audits.

2005 – 2008 HANS KISSLE COMPANY, LLC Haverhill, MA

Controller / Accounting Manager

Oversee the day-to day functions of A/R, A/P and General Accounting areas. Manage the preparation of financial reporting results including profit/loss statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement of operations. Provide commentary to explain material variances to budget and forecast.

Monitor the daily cash position of the company.

Oversee the monthly Physical Inventory process. Responsible for Inventory Management of Materials, Work in Process, Finished Goods, Packaging & Labeling.

Collaborate with the Human Resources area regarding Payroll and Benefits including 401K management, Profit Sharing, Health & Dental benefits and Life Insurance.

Work closely with independent auditors at fiscal year-end.

Serve as a key contributor in the design, development and testing of a new computer application for a manufacturing facility. Test all aspects of the application across departments to ensure financial accuracy and credibility.

1991 to 2005 STAPLES, INC. Framingham, MA

1998 to 2005 Manager of Promotional Accounting

Manage, train and develop a staff of 7 professionals. Implement process improvements to maximize departmental productivity.

Manage the month end close process including the review of journal entries, schedules and analyses for senior management and auditors.

Manage the promotional rebates and allowances budget and forecast process. Manage the Allowance Tracking System and the Accounts Receivable module including the design, testing and implementation of various system initiatives and enhancements.

Manage the collection, control and reporting of approximately $1 billion of promotional allowances and rebates.

Manage the tracking, control and resolution of vendor relation issues. Interact with the Merchandising area, Accounts Payable and the vendor community to resolve claims and disputes in a timely manner. Negotiate with vendors to mitigate the financial impact to the company. Monitor financial cushions and risks associated with potential paybacks, write-offs and uncollectible A/R balances.

1996 to 1998 Supervisor of Promotional Accounting

Worked closely with the I/T area to automate the tracking, recording, reporting and collecting of promotional allowances and rebates.

Reviewed over 350 contracts negotiated by the Merchandising area and the vendor community. Monitored contract revisions to insure proper establishment of accruals. Identified potential opportunities and risks.

Supervised the production of a monthly promotional package including various schedules and comparative analyses for senior management.

1994 to 1996 Senior Margin Analyst

Developed various gross margin budget and forecast models. Prepared volume, mix and rate analyses by department by cost center. Prepared various analyses of actual results to budget, prior forecasts and prior year.

Developed margin additives forecasts for other cost of sales components including freight, cash discounts, allowances, shrink and obsolescence.

Developed comparable sales model to measure sales growth by region, by market, by department and by product category.

Prepared a quarterly gross margin financial package to aid upper management in their discussions with outside analysts following quarterly earnings release to Wall Street.

1991 to 1994 Inventory Analyst / Stock Ledger Accountant

Worked closely with the I/T area to design, develop, test and implement an automated inventory interface whereby all perpetual inventory transactions were properly captured and posted to the General Ledger.

Reconciled accounting activity of various programs and initiatives such as import purchases, intercompany inventory transfers, consignment inventory and in-transit inventory. Prepared various financial analyses of specific balance sheet and P&L accounts to serve as an effective aid in critical decision-making by management.

Reported, reviewed and analyzed physical inventory results at various locations.

1987 - 1991 PURITY SUPREME, INC. Billerica, MA

Staff Accountant / Financial Reporting:

Prepared various account reconciliations, monthly operating packages, variance analyses, quarterly schedules and year-end work papers. Monitored the integrity of the financial reporting system by reconciling various subsidiary system feeds to the general ledger.

Staff Accountant / Distribution Center Accounting:

Key responsibilities included reconciling the perpetual inventory to the general ledger. Worked closely with the I/T area to automate the tracking and recording of various inventory transactions.

EDUCATION: Rivier College, Nashua, NH

Masters in Business Administration, May 1994

GPA: 3.7/4.0

University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, May 1987

Major: Accounting, GPA: 3.7/4.0, graduated Magna Cum Laude

Lowell High School, graduated Salutatorian, June 1983

Special Skills: Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Access, Powerpoint;

PowerBuilder, Oracle, Lotus 1-2-3, ADP, Quickbooks, Epicor

REFERENCES: Furnished upon request

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