Stephen Jackson Veal

*** **** **., **** **** Phone: 346-***-****

Houston, TX 77002 Email: ad0c19@r.postjobfree.com

Financial Analysis & Accounting Professional

Top-performing financial and business analyst with comprehensive experience driving operational efficiency via development of financial forecasting tools, account reconciliation, and balancing of general ledger accounts. Versatile skill set comprised of financial reporting, accounting expertise, key relationship management, and information technology. Enthusiastic front-runner with documented success leading key operational enhancements focused on strategies to improve productivity while maintaining sound internal controls.

Areas of Expertise

Strategic Planning & Analysis

Financial Analysis & Reporting

Management Discussion & Analysis

Personnel & Team Management

US GAAP Principles

Account Reconciliation

Technological Proficiency

Variance Analysis

Collaboration & Teamwork

Expense Tracking & Analysis

Policy & Procedure Development

Internal Control

Key Skills Assessment

Financial & Business Acumen – Exceptional working knowledge of current industry trends and procedures relevant to growing business and optimizing financial positioning, including GAAP and IFRS principles. A history of using detailed analytic techniques to maximize profit while reducing cost and improving operational effectiveness.

Excellent Communication – The ability to articulately convey information clearly and simply both verbally and through written language to impact and engage any audience. Capable of quickly adapting to new situations and environments while recognizing the needs of others.

Technological Innovation – The ability to use technology-based resources to drive productivity and financial growth. Practiced in using a variety of standard accounting software packages. Documented success utilizing technology to enhance project management and delivery solutions.

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, University of Houston, Houston, TX

Accounting GPA: 3.3/4.0 Overall GPA: 3.4/4.0

Certified Public Accountant Exam, Becker CPA Review, Exam Dates: May 2023 – November 2023

Professional Experience

Web Search Analyst - Remote 06/2020 – Current

APPEN LIMITED Houston, TX

Provide and improve data used for the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence products including speech and natural language data, image and video data, text and alphanumeric data and relevance data to improve search and social media engines

Accountant 11/2014 – 5/2020

HOUSTON DISCOUNT MATTRESSES Houston, TX

Ensured accuracy and maintained integrity of general ledger and chart of accounts by utilizing QuickBooks

Accurately and efficiently balanced monthly general ledger accounts to record and report cost and month-end accruals

Analyzed inventory variances between distributor costs and consumer sales providing realized gains and losses

Provided recommended sales/use/VAT tax process improvements to the CFO

Performed variance analysis per general ledger account to identify and explain significant changes from prior period

Preserved optimal fiscal standing via reconciliation of company bank, credit card, and line of credit accounts

Instrumental in driving efficiency by spearheading the development and implementation of accounting policies and procedures

Raised operational efficiency and reduced processing errors by 40% with the introduction of quarterly productivity measurements and implementation of team-based methodologies

Senior Accountant 7/2011– 8/2014

CONSULTING SERVICES Houston, TX

Notable Engagements

Senior Accountant, Enerflex Energy Systems, Inc. (EESI), 3-Month Contract, 5/2014 – 8/2014

Successfully managed a three-day close, encompassing the preparation of journal entries and reconciliation of general ledger accounts in SAP and Great Plains for inventory, prepaid items, expense accruals, bad debt reserve, income tax payable, commissions, payroll, and SEC 10Q/10K reports

Improved financial performance with the development and employment of forecasting tools and dashboards to analyze revenue variance, business pipelines, and industry trends

Drove effective decision making by facilitating monthly meetings with directors to analyze spending and provide sound financial recommendations

Staff Accountant, DePelchin Children's Center, 1-Month Contract, 2/2014 – 3/2014

Reconciled general ledger accounts and booked journal entries in Sage to maintain the financial integrity of this non-profit entity; reviewed posted journal entries for completeness and accuracy, verifying documentation, cost centers, and accounts

Achieved a 25% reduction in monthly close-period due to substantial improvement in efficiency and accuracy with the creation of pivot tables, spreadsheet templates and macros

Financial Analyst II, Bank of New York Mellon, 6-Month Contract, 8/2012 – 4/2013

Optimized projected programs and objectives while ensuring compliance with established budgetary procedures via sound fiscal and operational oversight and analyses of assigned collateral debt obligations (CDOs)

Developed financial statements and reports using PeopleSoft FMS, MS Access, and in-house accounting systems

Slashed outstanding ticklers by 50% with the introduction of process improvements for researching and updating aged ticklers

Reconciliation Accountant, Cooper Industries, 6-Month Contract, 7/2011 – 3/2012

Contracted by this global electronics manufacturer to prepare internal audits while reconciling operating bank account to general ledger in SAP FICO

Effectively brought bank reconciliations from five years behind to current within a one-month period

Reconciled sales and use tax accrual account in SAP to Vertex for more than seven divisions over five-year period, providing analysis for differences

Staff Accountant 8/2008 – 4/2011

STANFORD GROUP COMPANY Houston, TX

Contracted and hired by this privately held financial services organization to spearhead daily accounting and month- and year-end close processes across several entities

Securitized mortgage loans, pooling and selling as interest-bearing investment vehicles

Expertly reconciled general ledger accounts, preparing schedules for accounts receivable aging, prepaid amortization, fixed asset cost and depreciation, and employee health and life insurance accruals and allocations

Significantly improved efficiency by implementing new procedures for the monthly employee health and life insurance accruals and allocations process, thereby reducing total time of completion by more than 50%

Designed and implemented new Excel accounting templates, yielding more organized, detailed, and accessible data

Team Accountant 7/2007 – 5/2008

HOUSTON ROCKETS Houston, TX

Executed core financial, accounting, and reporting processes encompassing game closings, cash transactions, investment trades, ticket collections, accounts payable and receivable, and ticket and sponsor revenue recognition

Enhanced monthly close processes in Great Plains, including journal entries, bank and inter-company reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable batch reviews, payroll deductions, corporate American Express credit card reconciliation, and expense reports

Credited with recovering over 90% of disputed credit card charges while significantly reducing unclaimed property liability through research and prompt resolution of aged outstanding checks

Career Notes

Previous professional experience includes work for Global Check as a General Manager (2003-2007) and

AIM Investments as a Mutual Fund Accountant II (1999-2003)

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