DIANA M. DARBY

ad3bls@r.postjobfree.com 817-***-****

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Highly detailed compliance and audit knowledge for federal/state income, sales & use, indirect, home rule, property, fuel – HUT, IFTA, B&O, CAT, excise, commerce taxes. Experience foreign GST, HST for Canada and Europe. Worked with public and private companies. Pro-Active in compliance, reconciliation, SOX, audit defense. Performed nexus studies. Researched new rules regarding computer transferred data/applications. Heavy emphasis on savings while reducing liability. Conduct thorough research of situation through statutes, private letter rulings, and court hearings for reliable operating procedures. Well-developed skills in managing tax and property tax audits/hearings. Implement, test and maintain Vertex and OneSource products. Utilizing out-of-the-box thinking has produced refunds, audit reversals, lower financial impact during audits.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Innerworkings, Inc/HH Associates US. Inc. – Chicago, IL – Remote Contractor (Pure) 06/21-09/23

Interim Indirect Tax Manager

Managed/prepared state and local sales/use, B&O, CAT, state, city tax functions for North American transactions, consisting of multiple legal entities with activities in 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Nexus research to determine company/client liabilities. Responsibilities included tax compliance, audit defense, gathering/analyzing supporting data, researching taxability and other issues, documenting customer and supplier exemptions, and identifying process improvements. Company reported over 15,000 transactions, 40,000 jurisdictions, 2 million plus on a monthly basis. Led implementation, testing, taxability matrix of OneSource for new SAP system. Moved sales tax reporting inhouse from outside firm. Maintained and provided guidance on tax matrix for purchases and sales. Verified and approved customer exemption certificates. Reconciled sales tax accounts in G/L, prepared and maintained sales tax policies for company. Reported to Vice-President of Tax.

Achievements:

Sales Tax: Located/recovered over 250k for non-profit customer in California.

Sales Tax: Worked with auditor on State sales tax audit, bringing liability down over 2 million.

Animal Supply Company, LLC – Las Colinas, Texas 3/18 –3/20

Tax Manager – Federal, State, Sales, B&O, CAT, Property, Fuel, Payroll, Franchise

Prepared all tax returns and reports. Calculated tax provision, apportionment on distribution centers for state income, B&O, license and sales tax purposes. Reconciled balance sheet accounts. Developed/maintained tax calendar. Set up online sales tax guidelines for sales for marketplace and 3rd party drop ship sales – Wayfair decision. Implemented Vertex Series O for sales. Review AP/AR transactions for potential tax liability. Reviewed payroll transactions for accurate set up in jurisdictions, calculated Workman’s Comp, entered all garnishments. Reconciled payroll tax accounts and notices from states. Applied for applicable refunds. Calculate Freeport exemptions on inventory and rolling stock. Maintain rolling stock mileage and fuel usage by state for HUT and IFTA returns, DOT registrations, work with leasing companies on compliance. Registered, licensed and maintained all private label products with each State Department of Agriculture, reviewed labels for compliance, reported tonnage sold to state departments. Company has approx. 1 billion annual sales.

Achievements:

Business Personal Property Tax: Obtained property tax refund from Los Angeles County during audit. Reviewed and scrubbed fixed assets to reflect items actually owned and that property tax values. Brought distribution centers property taxes in compliance.

B&O Tax: Identified over 1 million in refunds utilizing Washington Supreme Court decision, additional savings of 20K per month.

Interstate Restoration, LLC., Fort Worth, Texas 3/17 – 2/18

Tax Manager

Corporate Sales/Property Tax Analysis: Analyzed billing, to verify if work performed was on TPP or real property; service or repair; special hearings; state/federal emergency declarations and advise on tax exposure.

Audits/Hearings: Manage information given to taxing authorities. Provided due diligence and supporting evidence regarding amount of liability. Work with accessors/auditors to resolve issues.

Tax Compliance: Responsible for resolving all state & local tax returns, business licenses, state income tax issues, oversaw and reviewed Federal/State income tax from outside firm, including acquisitions.

Achievements:

Business Personal Property Tax – Reduced property taxes by 44%, 27%, 64% in hearings.

Sales Tax: Reduced taxes paid by over $150k using state emergency declarations during Hurricane Harvey.

AZZ INC., Fort Worth, Texas 5/14 – 8/16

Sales & Use Tax Accountant

Corporate Sales/Property Tax Analysis: Responsible for preparation and submission of sales and use tax returns of more than 50+ subsidiaries located across US/Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Europe, Brazil, and Mexico. Reviewed, established, and monitored the Tax Calendar to ensure taxes for property, sales, indirect, and capital projects were paid in a timely and accurate manner. Ensured tax monitoring/payment systems complied with industry standards of GAAP and SOX regulations. Total gross revenues averaged $1billion annually. Reported to Tax Director.

General Audits: Managed 15 individual audits for sales tax compliance conducted by the States of Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, California, Colorado, and Arizona. Conducted extensive research with records maintained by the company and various state tax laws using each state’s website, RIA, and CCH. Identified calculation errors and documented source of errors based on each state’s individual sales and use tax laws. Recovered for the company $2.5 million in overpaid taxes.

Accounts Payable/General Ledger: Wrote up, posted, and reconciled general ledger for property, sales and use, local business tax for 43 galvanizing and 9 power-generation manufacturing sites. Accrual of any use tax or allocation adjustments on purchases. Each location was set up as a separate legal entity.

Supervision: Supervised, trained, scheduled, and evaluated performance of 2 temporary clerical personnel. Continually reviewed and approved tax documentation of staff to ensure achievement of company goals in all areas of compliance. Periodically, recruited and supervised 2-3 internal employees for temporary assistance on major projects.

Achievements:

Tax Recovery via General State Audits: Recovered $2.5 million in overpaid state sales/use taxes by identifying calculation errors during 15 general state audits.

Reduction of Annual Sales/Use Tax Liability: Reduced annual tax liability by $1.8 million ($1,500 monthly) by correcting accruals, filing exemption certificates, and utilizing tax laws accurately.

Cost Reduction: Reduced operating costs more than $50,000 annually by terminating the consulting contract (retainer and % of fees paid) to an external property tax consulting company.

SOUTHERN PACKAGING LLP, Mansfield, Texas 6/13 – 5/14

Senior Accountant/Accounts Receivable

Financial Operations: Planned and managed daily financial operations, cash flow, operating budget, and sales projections for a company which marketed, sold, and distributed industrial packaging to such customers as Dow Chemical, Gerdau Ameristeel, and other large manufacturers. Total sales were $20 million annually.

Accounting Operations:

Accounts Receivable: Reviewed, verified products shipped, calculated pricing/profit margins, and prepared 250 invoices monthly for 125 customers to ensure accurate billing and inventory control. Investigated and resolved shipping and billing discrepancies promptly. Recorded cash receipts daily.

International Sales/Shipping: Coordinated production and shipping with primary supplier in China and US customs brokers to ensure timely delivery to customers in the US, Thailand, Taiwan, and Spain. Processed international and domestic wire transfers.

General Ledger: Prepared and reconciled general ledger, balance sheet, fixed assets, and accruals for month end. Reconciled bank, loan and G/Ls for 6 different entities. Submitted loan documentation to bank. Assisted with maintaining line of credit. Maintained fixed assets, depreciation, and disposal. Maintained insurance policies for Southern Packaging and the owner’s other interests.

Payroll/Sales Commissions: Recorded and calculated commissions for 20-24 salespeople. Provided each one with bi-monthly statements.

Taxes – Federal/State/Payroll/Sales: Calculated, accrued, and paid 940, 941, State sales and use, and estimated Federal income taxes. Maintained costs for Texas Margin Tax regarding freight.

Audit: Coordinated annual audit and income tax filings with the corporate CPA firm.

Achievements:

Inventory Reconciliation: Designed, setup, and implemented a comprehensive inventory reconciliation to ensure accurate inventory records. System improved timely delivery of orders, accurate billing, and guaranteed the corporate line of credit at the bank.

Collections: During the first 90 days, reduced past due Accounts Receivable to $0/zero balance from $750,000.

Cost Control: Reduced freight costs 20% by implementing MS Access databases to track freight, shipping costs, and maintain transportation logs.

DARBY & ASSOCIATES, INC., Arlington, Texas 1/92 – 10/11

Senior Financial Analyst/Sales and Use Tax Analyst

Financial Management: Consulted with senior executives, corporate managers, and business owners regarding financial operations of business enterprises grossing $20 million to $4 billion annually. Researched, designed, and implemented financial and accounting policies and procedures to improve profitability and reduce operating costs. Specialized in calculation and payment of sales and use taxes in 30 states and Canada. Clients included such Fortune 500 and high-volume manufacturing companies as Coca Cola, Halliburton, and PPG. Franchises included I-Hop, Taco Bell, and McDonald's.

Accounting Operations: Reviewed, audited, and reconciled accounts receivables, accounts payables, fixed assets, accruals, and prepayments to successfully identify and redesign clients' accounting procedures to ensure accurate financial statements.

Redesign of Accounting Operations: Researched, designed, wrote, and recommended policies and procedures to improve all facets of clients' daily accounting operations. Planned and managed short-term and long-term projects to implement and write up documentation to support changes. Developed procedures on Property Tax, accruals, disposals and value of assets.

Capital Expenditures: Developed strategies to purchase, sell, refurbish, upgrade, and expand capital equipment and facilities to minimize tax liabilities for clients.

Training/Staff Development: Recruited, hired, trained, supervised, developed, and evaluated performance of six operations personnel, including two accountants, two salespeople, and two administrative employees. Continuously trained staff to ensure consistent achievement of company goals for high-quality professional services, personal productivity, and operational efficiency.

Achievements:

Cost Analysis: Managed projects to increase the following net profits through sales and use tax laws:

$500,000 for a major check printing company by redesigning procedures for the development of marketing tools which became tax-exempt.

$300,000 for a corporation which owned 30 full-service restaurants. Restructured corporate assets which allowed the company to recover overpayments of income taxes. Also reduced the corporation's exposure for liability claims.

$100,000 for a major homebuilder by identifying and recovering overpayments of sales taxes due to miscalculation of negotiated discounts with vendors.

$100,000 for the flagship newspaper of a communications company by auditing departmental coding for vendors' invoices. Recovered overpayments of sales taxes.

$50,000 for a major beverage manufacturer by identifying and recovering overpayments of state sales tax.

PRICE WATERHOUSE COOPERS, Dallas, Texas 1/89 - 12/91

Senior Auditor, Certified Public Accountant

Accounting Management: Planned and managed the delivery of accounting and auditing services to a variety of clients in manufacturing, distribution, real estate, and retail industries. Ensured staff performed year end analysis, due diligence, and writeup in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Training/Staff Development: Directed the activities of 20 Certified Public Accountants to maximize productivity and efficiency of accounting operations. Managed the timely completion of 30-45 projects simultaneously.

Achievements:

Resolution Trust Corporation: Coordinated the review and due diligence process required to value 200+ commercial properties nationwide prior to sale by a governmental agency. Reviewed and secured current environmental impact studies, real estate appraisals, and debt analysis.

EDUCATION

The University of Texas at Arlington

Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting

SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES

Microsoft: Windows, Word, Excel, Access, Project, and Internet Explorer.

Accounting: Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains, Lawson, SAP, PeopleSoft, QuickBooks, and MAS 90.

Database: Crystal Reports, SQL, Access.

Tax: Vertex O Series, RIA, CCH, OneSource, Bloomberg

Fixed Assets: Bloomberg BNA, Asset Keeper

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