It Audit Information Systems

Brianna Booze Merrick MSAIS

Baltimore, MD 410-***-**** ************@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Accomplished and detail-oriented professional with a robust background in accounting, IT audit, and software implementation. Demonstrates a strong capability in driving operational efficiency through process optimization and advanced fiscal management. Known for a collaborative approach and adeptness at solving complex problems, coupled with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Passionate about continuous learning and professional development, actively pursuing CISSP and Azure Fundamentals certifications.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•Operational Efficiency: Implemented Adobe Acrobat and SharePoint at UMBC, reducing paper usage by 80% in Accounts Payable processing. (This not only saved resources but also streamlined our workflow, making our team more productive.)

•Process Improvement: Developed efficient Accounts Payable tracking spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel, enhancing vendor reconciliation. (This tool became a favorite among my colleagues for its ease of use and accuracy.)

•Team Leadership: Successfully supervised a team of 5 staff members at USPS Finance Branch for over 5 months. (I found great satisfaction in mentoring my team and watching them grow in their roles.)

•Professional Development: Completed CISSP boot camp and Azure Fundamentals training, actively pursuing both certifications. (I enjoy the challenge of learning modern technologies and staying ahead in the field.)

CORE COMPETENCIES

I pride myself on a diverse skill set that spans accounting, IT audit, and software implementation, enabling me to bring a holistic approach to my work. Key competencies include:

oAccounting & Finance- Oracle, PeopleSoft, R*STARS, Jaggaer SAAS, GAAP, GAAS

oAudit & Compliance- IT Audit, Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, SOX Compliance

oData Analytics & Business Automation- Power BI, Tableau, UIPath

oProcess Optimization- Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, LEAP

oIT & Software Implementation- ServiceNow GRC, Microsoft Access, Information Systems Integration

oTechnical Support & Assistance- Software Troubleshooting, Technical Documentation

oProject Management- Cross-Functional Team Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Project Planning and Execution

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IT Audit Associate II

Grant Thornton LLP November 2023 – May 2024

• Led Fieldwork and Risk Assessment: Spearheaded IT audit fieldwork across multiple client engagement teams, performing comprehensive assessments of information systems to identify and mitigate business risks. Utilized a risk-based audit approach to ensure key controls were effectively designed and running as intended.

• Enhanced Internal Controls: Collaborated with client teams to analyze and enhance information systems, supporting the improvement of internal control processes. This resulted in a 20% reduction in audit findings related to system vulnerabilities.

•Data Analytics Integration: Used advanced analytics tools such as Power BI and Tableau to evaluate large datasets, uncovering patterns and anomalies that informed the audit process. Integrated these findings into the overall audit strategy, leading to more precise and targeted audit procedures.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepared and presented detailed audit reports to senior management and stakeholders, clearly articulating audit results, risks, and recommendations. Built strong relationships with clients by offering actionable insights that improved their control environments.

Technology Risk Advisory Associate

KPMG LLP August 2022 – August 2023

• IT Strategy and Governance: Planned and executed client engagements focused on IT strategy, governance, and cybersecurity. Conducted in-depth reviews of IT processes and control frameworks, finding areas for improvement, and providing tailored recommendations to enhance governance and risk management.

• Cybersecurity Assessments: Performed comprehensive cybersecurity assessments, evaluating clients’ security posture against industry standards such as NIST and ISO 27001. Found critical vulnerabilities and worked with clients to develop remediation plans that significantly reduced their exposure to cyber threats.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Led initiatives to streamline IT audit and risk assessment processes, reducing audit cycle times by 15%. Implemented automation tools, such as UIPath, to enhance efficiency in audit procedures and reporting.

• Client Advisory and Reporting: Acted as a key advisor to clients, delivering clear and concise reports on audit findings and risk assessments. Provided guidance on implementing best practices in IT governance and cybersecurity, resulting in improved client satisfaction and compliance.

Accountant

University of Maryland Baltimore County December 2019 – July 2022

• Accounts Payable Management: Managed and processed over $5 million in accounts payable transactions annually, ensuring accuracy and compliance with university policies and state regulations. Implemented automated tracking systems that improved invoice processing times by 25%.

• Financial Process Optimization: Streamlined financial processes by developing customized Excel spreadsheets for tracking vendor payments and reconciling accounts, which reduced discrepancies by 30% and improved accuracy in financial reporting.

• Remote Work Integration: Led the transition to remote work by designing and implementing procedures for remote invoice and contract processing. Utilized SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat to facilitate seamless collaboration and document management, ensuring continuity of operations during the pandemic.

• Compliance and Audit Support: Conducted compliance audits related to state and tax regulations, finding and rectifying non-compliance issues. Collaborated on ERP implementation projects, contributing to system enhancements that improved financial reporting and compliance.

Sales Services and Distribution Associate

United States Postal Service January 2013 – November 2019

• Operational Management: Oversaw daily postal operations, managing cash drawers, customer inquiries, and sales records. Maintained an elevated level of accuracy in financial transactions and inventory management, resulting in a 98% accuracy rate in cash handling and inventory audits.

• Team Leadership and Branch Management: Took on leadership responsibilities by supervising a team of clerks and managing the USPS Finance Branch during the absence of the Lead Clerk. Ensured the branch ran efficiently, meeting all financial and operational targets.

• Fraud Detection and Prevention: Processed passport applications while meticulously reviewing documents for authenticity. Detected and prevented fraudulent activities, contributing to the security and integrity of USPS services.

• Customer Service Excellence: Consistently received positive feedback from customers and supervisors for providing exceptional service. Developed strong relationships with regular customers, enhancing the overall customer experience.

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Accounting and Information Systems

University of Maryland Global Campus, December 2019 – September 2022

• Relevant coursework: Advanced Auditing, Information Systems Management, Data Analytics

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Minor in Business Administration

University of Maryland University College, 2015 – 2019

• Relevant projects: Led a capstone project on financial risk management, which was well-received by faculty and peers.

References

Kira Greenlee, Experienced Manager, IT Assurance, Grant Thornton LLP

215-***-**** ************@**.**.***

Brandon Carrera, Director, Technology Risk, KPMG LLP

443-***-**** ********@****.***

Linda Rothfus, Business Service Manager, UMBC

********@****.***

Gloria Honeycutt, Business Services Assistant Manager, UMBC

410-***-**** *********@****.***

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