Mary L. Van Meter, CPA

770-***-**** 770-***-****

acx6d3@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

An accounting professional with extensive auditing, internal controls, financial reporting, managerial, accounting operations, and forensic experience within the Big 4, financial services, utilities, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofit, hospitality, governmental, telecommunications and other industries. Proven strengths include establishing outstanding rapport with clients, improving processes and procedures, streamlining operations, financial operations and reporting.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Narrative and flowchart preparation and review Workpaper quality review

SOX 404 and 302 Timely and accurate financial reporting

Streamlining processes and procedures Staff mentoring and development Audit program development and review Effective interface with all management levels PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CONSULTANT, Atlanta, GA, Washington, DC and Dayton, OH 2010 –Present

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Managed the Accounting Department, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Financial Reporting for a foreign manufacturer being audited for the first time. Acted as a liaison between the client and the external auditors. This audit was successfully conducted after problematic SAP conversion and client being months behind in processing transactions. Client had a 12/31 year end and external auditor began audit in early January. Prepared and/or reviewed all prepared by client documents.

Acted as liaison between the client and the external auditors and conducted quality reviews of risk based audits for quasi-governmental agency

Reviewed 10Q and 10K filings

Versatility and superior learning skills resulted in retention on a long term compliance audit for a large bank. Engagement entailed review of foreclosed mortgage files to determine if fees were correctly calculated and if foreclosure complied with lender guidelines.

Additional engagements involved public accounting audits including writing and modifying audit programs, conducting testing and conveying results to management

SOX documentation and testing for large banks, service and manufacturing organizations including validation of processes documented in the narratives and revision of applicable audit programs to ensure that all key controls were included in testing.

General accounting for a major hospital and development of a Cost Allocation Plan for the City of Atlanta.

Served as a virtual CFO providing day to day operational financial advice to companies, reviewing and issuing financial statements.

Provided major chart of accounts revision, a comprehensive financial procedure manual, a program based budget and financial job descriptions.

SOUTHERN COMPANY, Atlanta, GA, Senior Auditor 2005 –2009

Selected as the Atlanta representative of the Quality Team performing quality reviews of all operational, financial and information systems audit workpapers recommending improvements to narratives, testing and documentation.

Supervised SOX 404 and 302 audits including documentation and testing.

Documented initial process controls and identified control risks, control objectives and provided process flowcharts of components using graphic and written documentation required under SOX Section 404.

Recommended effective remedial actions and later followed to determine if prescribed recommendations were implemented.

Conducted audits of utility and wireless telecommunications for management to assess the effectiveness of internal controls, accuracy of financial records and efficiency of operations

Conducted IT and Compliance audits, including consulting for internal control design for ORACLE implementation as the Lead for Purchasing/Supply Chain and governance responsible for Risk Management, Contracts and Project Tracking. Function was outsourced to a Big 4 firm.

Reviewed 10Q and 10K filings

GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL HONOUR SOCIETY, Atlanta, GA 2003 – 2004

Assistant Controller

Managed the maintenance of the general ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Financial Reporting and the related account analyses for international nonprofit organization

Evaluated internal controls and improved environment while streamlining processes and reducing staff 20%

Shortened monthly reporting cycle and improved the accuracy of financial statements

Identified significant opportunities for savings

ARTHUR W. GRANT, Atlanta, GA 2001 – 2003

Senior Consultant

Documented and flowcharted procedures for state of Georgia vendor recommending significant enhancements for major state agency

JEFFERSON WELLS INTERNATIONAL 1999 – 2001

Provided innovative solutions to clients in various industries while conducting accounting, finance and audit engagements; analyzed and reconciled complex accounts

Prepared or reviewed 10K and 10Q filings

Conducted detailed audits within the budgeted timeframes including documentation and testing

Participated in timely, accurate system conversions

Transitioned recordkeeping to new location with concise results

BI COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS CORPORATION, Conyers, GA 1996 – 1998

Controller

Directed and reviewed the preparation of journal entries and financial statements, treasury/banking relations, accounts payable, account analysis, business license applications, annual audit preparation/interface and payroll

Improved unit's cash flow, increased interest income and decreased the cost of money

Converted company from cash to accrual basis of accounting and significantly improved overall efficiency of the department and reduced external audit time by 75%

Conducted fraud investigation resulting in arrests and convictions of perpetrators

ASSOCIATES CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA, Irving, TX 1983 – 1995

Senior Auditor

Reported directly to the Audit Director in conducting high quality audits within budget in mortgage, consumer and commercial lending, insurance and banking lines of business

Conducted operational, compliance, vendor and financial audits

Supervised and/or conducted special projects and investigations including suspected fraud

Recommended remedial actions to executive management and the Audit Committee

Identified and documented internal controls in narrative and flowcharts and evaluated risks and related controls while managing multiple audits concurrently

Acted as a liaison between operating units and external auditors resulting in reduced audit cost and improved operating efficiency.

Performed personnel evaluations

Assistant Controller

Responsibilities included 10Q and 10K filings, internal and legal financial reporting for 800 lending branches and insurance subsidiaries

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LAIDLAW WASTE SYSTEMS, Dallas, TX, Division Controller

JOHNSON CONTROLS, Dallas, TX, Cost Accounting Manager

CELANESE CORPORATION, DALLAS, TX, Supervising Auditor

WESTERN ELECTRIC WORKS, Indianapolis, IN, Cost Accountant

ERNST AND YOUNG, Indianapolis, IN, Auditor

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

B.S., Accounting, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, CPA licensed by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

TECHNICAL SKILLS JD Edwards, Oracle, MAS 500, Peachtree Accounting, Great Plains, SAP, SAP Business One, Quick Books, Yardi, VISIO, Microsoft Office Suite Adobe, PeopleSoft, ADP Payroll, Policy IQ, Sharepoint, Auto Audit, IRM, Blackline, Concur, Accounting Seed and HEFM

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