accountant

Ellen Anderson

Evanston, IL ***** 712-***-**** ad5r2n@r.postjobfree.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Experience in construction, healthcare, and higher education. Team Lead experienced in directing activities of workgroups and coaching/mentoring team members. Reliable detail-oriented accountant experienced in project/grant/fund accounting, process improvement, reporting, and financial analysis, managing budgets, reconciliations, accounts payable, and general accounting and finance functions. Superior customer service with internal and external partners. Instrumental in keeping business operations fully compliant with state and federal requirements and working within budgetary guidelines.

SKILLS Experienced grant and project accountant - pre-award to project closeout

Proficient in Microsoft Office, Workday Finance and wide array of software systems

Ability to grasp new ideas quickly and work efficiently under pressure and in stressful

situations

Experience working with internal and external auditors

• Effective mentor, coach, and Team Lead

Life-long learner, eager to assist organization in meeting goals

• Energized by change and opportunity

Critical thinker and collaborative problem-solver with strong attention to detail

• Experience navigating complex projects and working effectively with diverse stakeholders

WORK HISTORY

ACCOUNTANT 3 TEAM LEAD 11/2020 to 11/2023

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (IDOT) Ames, Iowa

Program Administrator Lead for Contractor Payment System (CPS), responsible for accurately processing progress payments to contractors - $48 million weekly average.

Training and customer support for multiple technology systems including, CPS, DocExpress, AASHTOWare, APPIA, OpFin, Sharepoint, TSO/Mainframe, I-3, ERMS, Workday Finance, Microsoft Office, and FMIS software systems. Provided critical support and subject matter expertise, working closely with IT for changes, replacement, and improvements to software systems - Mainframe replacement, SCPS (CPS replacement), Insurance validation software, and Workday Finance. Developed and implemented process improvement activities-including workflow, time management, document retention, distribution of workload, etc. Leveraged finance knowledge to strengthen controls and improve transparency, improve data collection and financial analysis to optimize outcomes.

Supplier, Contractor and Project maintenance in multiple systems, maintaining profiles for 2,000+ projects.

GAAP package contributor – generating and analyzing reports for accurate reporting of Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable - Construction Obligation and Retainage.

Reviewed, approved, and prepared variety of statistical reports covering fund balances, expenditures, obligations, change orders, retainage, and work in progress for project managers and senior leadership in accordance with funding agreements/contracts.

Compiled monthly letting split calculations for Cash Flow By Fund for senior leadership.

Developed desk manuals and PPMs for CPS activities and Workday AP activities, including new procedures, instructions, policies, and system utilization, functionality, and operations.

Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings and responded to internal and external auditors timely and accurately.

Reviewed and approved accounting adjustments, supplier invoices, supplier contracts, amendments, and other activities daily. Processed cost share, negative final reconciliation/billing, and calculated interest on retainage for closed projects - 16 projects weekly, on average. Managed 573 Claims (liens) process for subcontractor claims against prime contractors.

• Federal Aid Team Lead responsible for approximately 1200 federally funded projects.

• Monitor inactive project statistics and report monthly to upper management and other stakeholders. Ensure IDOT maintained less than 2% Inactive as required by FHWA.

Left position to relocate to Evanston near family.

BUSINESS MANAGER (HYBRID) 06/2017 to 11/2020

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY (ISU) Ames, Iowa

Cost Center Manager and Finance Accountant for Department of Public Safety, Dispatch, Parking Operations, Office of Risk Management, StoryComm Emergency Radio System, and Ames Intermodal Facility. Developed and maintained budgets for each division, conducted financial analysis and long-term planning, reconciled accounts, and approved financial transactions in newly implemented Workday Finance software with minimal training.

Prepared and presented Infrastructure and Operating budgets to StoryComm Board of Directors and DPS Chief, monthly. Mantained employee compensation changes database and analyzed how changes affected department budgets.

Managed Accounts Receivable for variety of activities – radio subscriber fees, equipment rent, Memorandums of Understanding, security services, and fee-for-service activities.

Grant management – pre-award budget preparation, budget justification, and proposal submissions; post-award expense management; reviews/audits; assisted with preparation and submission of progress reports; collaborated with Primary Investigator regarding all aspects of grant activities; ensured applicable policies and procedures were followed according to grant and university guidelines; prepared documentation for auditors; coordinated grant closeout activities.

Administrative Specialist III for Department of Economics, reconciling all department operational accounts, foundation accounts, and grant accounts. Developed financial statements and reviewed expenditures for university and funding source requirements.

Monitored expenditures and balanced 200+ Department accounts, 98 Foundation accounts and approximately 50 grant accounts. Approved requisitions, employee and non-employee reimbursements, and p-card expenditures.

Grant management – Budget preparation, budget justification and document submission (pre-award); expense management, budget amendments, cost share tracking, progress report submissions, and PI collaboration/support (post-award), and grant close-out activities. Merit staff supervision, evaluation, coaching, mentoring; student employee supervision, hiring, training, assignments.

Faculty, P&S and Merit staff recruiting – position description, primary function assessment, job posting, recruitment planning, search committee support and guidance, manage offer letters and startup package, ISSO H1B and permanent residency coordination; assist in employee on-boarding and off-boarding.

Compensation management – Employee Pay Adjustments (faculty), Letters Of Intent, appointment terminations and renewals, salary adjustments (staff), administrative and interim appointments, special assignment pay, summer salary management.

Long-term planning and budget projections for equipment and furniture purchases and building remodel.

Visiting and International scholar coordination – risk management, VISA requirements, university and department rules/procedures. Left University for advancement opportunity.

OFFICE ASSISTANT 08/2014 to 06/2017

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION AND OUTREACH (ISU-EO) Performed accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fiscal management, budget analysis, and resource management duties. Monitored and tracked budgets and expenses; prepared financial statements for Council presentation.

Compiled Extension Council reports – budget and spending recommendations, long-term and short-term programmatic and budget planning, monthly financial analysis, meeting agendas, minutes, and document retention coordination, programmatic review and reporting, statistics analysis, and research.

Facilitated Program and event Coordination, program delivery, needs analysis, and impact assessment.

Supervised 16 volunteers, 2 part-time staff, and several temporary workers.

Provided excellent Customer Service – external and internal. Marketing - Newsletters, press releases, print and radio advertising, social media, county website and calendar updates and all event attendance reconciliations.

Facilitated outreach activities to build relationships with community organizations to reach underserved audiences.

Created and updated Desk Manual documents for training and reference. Relocated to Ames for further opportunity.

DIRECTOR OF REHABILITATION SERVICES 09/2007 to 08/2013

BUENA VISTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (BVRMC) Storm Lake, Iowa

Coordinated financial operations, including budgeting and account analysis, long-term planning, and staffing projections. Analyzed and prepared budget requests, modifications, and justifications with accuracy and completeness.

Closely monitored expenditures and analyzed impact on department budget.

Identified and developed new service lines to meet rehab needs of community, remain a leader in highly competitive environment, and leverage new sources of revenue.

Established and implemented department goals, objectives, policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal regulations, as well as organizational goals, including financial.

Recruited, hired, trained, mentored, coached, and evaluated clinical and support staff of 20+.

Conducted monthly medical record audits; designed staff education based on audit analysis.

Collaborated in organization-wide central scheduling system - establishing tables and parameters, protocols, training manual, and guidance for users. Prepared Customer Service and Employee Satisfaction analysis and strategic planning utilizing Press Ganey survey tools; resulting communication, goal setting, and evaluation utilizing Studer principles. Mentored and developed high-performing team of therapists and support staff, fostering professional growth and clinical excellence. Quality, Safety and Performance Improvement projects oversight related to supplies, documentation, patient safety, and employee injury prevention. Lead process improvement, LEAN implementation and project oversight, including 5S, A3, Kanban, Kaisen, Value Stream Mapping, and other LEAN methodologies.

Position was downsized by new administration.

CLINIC ADMINISTRATOR 07/2004 to 08/2007

TRIMARK FAMILY HEALTH CENTER (now Unity Point) Storm Lake, Iowa

Analyzed monthly budget; prepared month end financial reconciliations; provided financial statement review and performance data analysis. Coordinated capital purchases for strategic planning - analyzing funding sources and conducting product research.

Recruited, hired, trained, mentored, coached, and evaluated clinical and support staff of 20+.

Instrumental in physician recruitment and onboarding. Ensured billing and documentation activities were followed according to policies, were accurate and completed timely. Ensured compliance with Medicare, CLIA, OSHA, and Safety and Risk Management guidelines. Consulted and collaborated with medical, business, and community groups to discuss service problems, responded to community needs, enhanced public relations, and promoted community health programs; attended regular meetings with hospital administrators to discuss clinic operations and policies.

Enhanced patient satisfaction with timely communication and proactive problem-solving strategies; patient satisfaction analysis and staff education utilizing Press Ganey tools.

Assisted in development of financial forecasts based on historical trends and current market conditions, supporting strategic planning initiatives within organization. Partnered with corporate accounting to create operating budgets and manage financial planning.

Conducted thorough internal audits to identify discrepancies, recommend corrective actions, and ensure adherence to established policies and procedures.

Left employment when recruited to hospital.

ACCOUNTANT

WINKLER TAX AND ACCOUNTING Laurens, Iowa

Performed general accounting services including account and bank reconciliations, payroll processing, sales tax and employment tax return preparation, retirement account reconciliations, and customer service to approximately 75 grocery stores in 5 states.

Prepared and processed journal entries to record in general ledger and maintained consistent documentation.

Reviewed, accurately coded, and promptly entered all monthly expenditures for 75 grocery stores in electronic software. Left position to leverage MBA and promote to management position to grow my experience.

EDUCATION

Master's Degree in Business Administration

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS, Sioux Falls, SD

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting

BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY, Storm Lake, IA

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Food At First volunteer; Pleasantview Nursing Home and Countryside Living Board of Directors member; Iowa Lakes Community College Advisory Board; Sunday School Teacher and Girl Scout Leader; Certified Master Gardener Coordinator and volunteer; One Heart Equine Therapy volunteer

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