Caroline Zakariasen

CAREER SUMMARY

Highly analytical and accomplished Senior Financial Controller with experience within the Staffing & Recruitment, Oil & Gas and Accounting industries in North America. Looking to continue my career in a progressive organization where I can utilize my skills and experience to add value to business objectives.

SKILLS SUMMARY

Collaborative Team Leader with experience in managing and motivating teams of up to 8 accounting professionals across multiple regions

Excellent analytical, research and organizational skills with sound decision making abilities

Strong abilities in developing accounting procedures, policies and internal controls

Delivery focused with good problem solving skills utilizing both innovative and conventional methods

Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate effectively across diverse teams

Proficient in programs such as Microsoft Business Central; Microsoft Dynamics and AX; Xero, Caseware; Profile; Simply Accounting; Quickbooks; AgExpert; and Microsoft Office

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Wynden Stark/GQR February 2018 – Present

Global Finance Director - Marina Del Rey, California/Houston, Texas

Managed a team of 20 including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General and Senior Accountants in various locations

Maintaining general ledgers and manage all financial reporting for offices:

oLos Angeles (USA)

oNew York (USA)

oAustin (USA)

oLondon (UK)

oSydney (Australia)

Generating and implement of contingent labor administration processes

Managing cash to effectively support a rapidly growing business

Developing and implementing accounting procedures and policies for including but not limited to payroll, invoicing, cash receipting, prepaids, accruals, revenue recognition, bad debts, asset capitalization, etc.

Constructing and implementing templates for monthly reporting packages and budgets

Liaised with external auditors and sign off on financial statements

Key achievements:

Process implementation – the accounting function was in the process of moving in-house when starting with Wynden Stark. There were very few process in place which resulted in many corrections, re-work, and loss of time. Developed and implemented process across every facet of the accounting and finance function.

Monthly reporting – there was no internal reporting function when joining the company. Financial statements were reviewed annually when prepared by external accountants. Developed a reporting package that included an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow for each entity along with consolidated figures for the group. The reporting package also includes KPI’s for the business such as internal and contractor headcount, average days in receivables, average fee per placement, average gross profit per contractor, and average revenue per consultant.

Cash management – cash is critical to a business growing as quickly as Wynden Stark. Funds were not always available to invest in key projects. By establishing timelines, a comprehensive calendar, and detailed projections, we were able to increase the investment in the company as well as decrease fees, interest and other similar costs associated with late payments.

ERP Implementation – the Company was using Xero which did properly support the business. It made financial reporting very difficult. Designed and implementing new Microsoft Business Central with external business partner. Updated procedures for AR, AP, and accounting that increased efficiency and allowed for departmental reporting.

NES Global Talent July 2013 – January 2018

Regional Financial Controller – Americas – Houston, Texas Nov ’15 – Jan ‘18

Managed 8 direct reports (including Accounts Payables, Receivables, Accountants & Senior Accountants) in varying geographical locations

Maintained general ledgers for all offices in the Americas region which include:

oCalgary and Bonnyville (Canada)

oHouston, Orlando, Denver, California (USA)

oMexico City (Mexico)

oPort of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago)

oRio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Coordinated preparation of monthly financial statements including variance analysis and comparison to budgets for all offices:

oPreparing statements under local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in each country

oConsolidating statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Developed, implemented and ensured proper application of accounting policies, controls and procedures

Coordinated amalgamation of new entities in Canada

Lead an acquisition integration team of 5 in Canada

Managed annual, semi-annual and monthly forecasts and budgets

Key achievements:

Integration of the acquisition - This involved extensive ERP training, quality control of data, and implementation of current processes

Process improvements – When I arrived in the US they were not completing several key monthly reconciliations and were struggling to report on time. We can now complete the reconciliations without issue and have been able to reduce reporting by 1 day

Budgeting – re-modeled several portions of the budgets, increasing accuracy

Regional Financial Controller – North America - Houston, Texas Nov ’14 – Oct ‘15

Maintained general ledgers for all offices in the Americas region which included:

oCalgary (Canada)

oHouston, Orlando, Denver, New Orleans (USA)

Reviewed and maintained all balance sheet reconciliations

Managed accounting, payroll and invoicing teams (5 accounting staff) in Calgary, Houston, and Rio

Managed client requests such as Purchase Order (PO) reporting, vendor set up, etc.

Managed credit control process and cash collection

Reviewed new client pricing and established credit limits

Reviewed client contracts for invoicing terms and potential tax liabilities

Reviewed weekly cash flows projections and monitored cash on a daily basis

Prepared annual and semi-annual budgets

Coordinated year end audit and liaised with external auditors

Managed additional third party audits from customers and vendors

Reviewed and signed off corporate tax returns

Completed R105 waiver to reduce Canadian withholding tax in US entity

Communicated with contractors regarding methodology of Canadian withholding taxes and general guidelines on personal tax filings

Ensured rotation work schedules, payroll and payslips were compliant with labour code

Reviewed transfer pricing policies and withholding taxes for foreign operations

Assisted with openings of new offices including incorporation, bank accounts, etc.

Assisted on new business proposals and bids

Key Achievements:

CEO Award (2015) - Recognized for the acquisition integration, process improvement in the region, increasing quality, speed, and efficiency of reporting, and for a strong level of commitment to the business

Cash Management Award (2015)

High Fliers Award (2014/2015)

Financial Controller – Canada - Calgary, Alberta Jul ’13 – Oct ‘14

Prepared monthly financial statements with variance analysis to budgets

Prepared Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns and ensured filing deadlines were met

Prepared all balance sheet reconciliations

Liaised with external auditors and sign off on financial statements

Communicated with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regarding all corporate filings for payroll, GST and corporate tax

Reviewed client contracts for invoicing terms and potential tax liabilities

Niska Gas Storage - Calgary, Alberta February 2013 – July 2013

Accountant - on an initial three-month contract (extended due to high performance)

Prepared monthly and annual financial statements

Reviewed 10k and provided feedback on grammar, footing, and information content

Prepared assigned sections of 10k, including risk analysis

Completed monthly closing procedures for payroll and accounts receivable in compliance with Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) regulations

Prepared schedules and reconciliations for various accounts for year-end audit

Assisted on CRA audits regarding functional currency filings and GST

Hopewell Residential Communities - Calgary, Alberta May 2011 – December 2012

Accountant

Monthly reconciliations for all balance sheet, revenue and expense accounts

Maintaining inter-company loan reconciliations

Reasonability tests relating to interest expense incurred on loans

Interest calculations for inter-company loans

Supervised and assist accounts payable

Liaised with consultants to fix, upgrade and customize software

Prepared annual and monthly budgets for three management companies

Cash forecasting of budgets and loan repayments

Meyers Norris Penny LLP - Drumheller, Alberta May 2007 – May 2011

Accountant

Provided technical support as the office Caseware Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Planned and prepared compilations, reviews and audit engagements

Prepared Form-T audits for lawyers to ensure compliance with the Alberta Law Society

Covenant calculations and compliance testing for bank loans

Prepared corporate tax, personal tax and estate returns and assisted with tax planning

Prepared consolidated financial statements including foreign subsidiaries requiring foreign exchange calculations using the temporal method

Prepared and filed T4/T5 slips and GST returns in accordance with CRA deadlines

Corresponded with CRA to verify and makes changes to client account information, application of business numbers, GST and payroll accounts, and personal tax inquiries

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Chartered Accountant Designation

Oct ‘08 – Sept ‘12 Chartered Accounts School of Business, Alberta, Canada

Bachelor of Management

Sept ‘03 – Dec ’07 University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada

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