Accounting Manager

James Jones

***** *. ***** **. *********, Illinois 60410 815-***-**** ***********@*******.*** www.linkedin.com/in/jim- jones-34644231

Controller, Public Accounting & Audit Professional Regional Accounting Firm Veteran - Regulatory Expertise - Trusted Business Advisor - Project Manager

Offering experience from a decade with Legacy Professionals LLP in progressively more responsible roles, including management for ten years, as well as diverse audit firm oversight roles. Valued for leadership competencies, including the ability to develop professional and productive relationships with clients, managers within firm’s niche industry. Readily displays competence reinforced with research and continual learning in the accounting and auditing field. Able to effectively engage executives up to the C-Suite while demonstrating poise, confidence, and professionalism. Extensive work with employee benefit plans, labor organizations and not-for-profit clients. Professional Leadership Statement: I bring a hands-on approach and technical expertise, executive presence, relationship development, and team building skills to every engagement while providing personal leadership to deliver the highest-quality accounting, audit, and strategic thinking performance to my work. Accounting & Tax Skills

Not-For-Profit Audits

Employee Benefit Plan Audits

Internal Controls Evaluation

QuickBooks Expert

US GAAP

Process improvement

Client Interviews

Professional Skills & Characteristics

Leadership

Project Management

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving

Communication

Reporting & Presentations

Adaptability & Resilience

Stress Tolerance

Certification / Licensure / Education

Bachelor of Science, Accounting Lewis University Experience & Accomplishments

Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Chicago, IL 2017 – 2019 Controller

Brought extensive, valuable controller management experience to this role to aid Executive Secretary-Treasurer (CFO) and Council Trustees in the financial analysis and operation of the organization. Managed daily activities of accounting staff and subsequentially entire 9th floor administrative staff. Lead efforts to develop a new HR orientation program for new council agents. Worked in conjunction with Director of IT to identify and eliminate wasteful technology spending. Completed a broad range of inspections and evaluation of Councils service providers to ensure compliance with applicable laws, professional standards and contractual obligations. Core Controller Activities: Managed day-to-day accounting operations and supervised department of 4 staff. Responsible for month end / fiscal year close. Monitored daily cash treasury position and performed bank transfers as necessary. Prepared monthly reconciliations and recorded the organization’s investment activities. Prepared monthly financial statements and executive summary variance report and discussed same with CFO. Prepared monthly financial reports and reviewed financial activities with Council Trustees. Coordinated and attended quarterly Trustee financial review process with Trustees and external auditor. Reviewed expense reimbursement requests from all employees to ensure documentation requirements of the Department of Labor. Review and approved all payroll report filing requirements with various governmental agencies. Attended monthly council delegate meetings and made presentations to attendees at annual council seminar. Responsible for ad-hoc reporting requests from CFO. Responsible for the development and implementation of accounting department policies and procedures for overall department function. Preformed duties of Human Resources Manager as part of the duties of the Controller. Coordinated documents and workpapers needed for external auditors. Worked directly with external auditors for the various financial, insurance and benefit fund compliance audits.

Notable Accomplishments

Developed and implemented a new accounting software package that improved the Councils financial reporting process which resulted in an estimated $100,000 reduction in annual audit fees.

Implemented an annual budget and reporting process for the Executive Secretary-Treasurer.

Received frequent positive performance recognition from Executive Secretary-Treasurer concerning quality and thoroughness of preparation and professionalism throughout process.

Performed an operational review of the accounting department and implemented findings to eliminate inefficiencies in accounting department.

Designed and implemented a monthly financial reporting package to assist Trustees in their certification of the financial activities as required by the council’s by-laws and International Union requirements.

Developed and implemented record retention policy for compliance with Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service and International Union requirements.

Developed a new Business Agent orientation program for the onboarding of new agents.

Managed the accounting and reporting requirements for the merger of 18 subordinate organizations into the Council.

Conducted new vendor selection for Council’s automobile fleet and related operating costs.

Presented internal training classes on technical accounting topics, and accounting software to accounting staff.

Established accounting “open door” policy to assist all Council employees in obtaining information and answers to questions.

Legacy Professionals LLP Chicago, IL 2004 – 2017 Principal / Firm Administrator (2014 – 2017); Senior Manager, Audit (2008 – 2014); and earlier junior roles (2004 – 2008)

Advanced through the organization of this recognized leader in the employee benefit audit industry offering audit, tax, and advisory services. Managed day to day operational activities for firm including IT technology department. Worked in conjunction with Firm’s Office Manager / Executive Secretary to review daily cash collections and accounts receivable processing. Led orientation efforts of all new hire professional staff. Led efforts of 10 or more professionals, with direct supervision of Managers and Associates to complete months-long audit engagements. Managed and developed talent of direct-report team members.

Core Audit Activities: Managed day to day firm operation for regional firm’s three midwestern offices. Managed firm’s IT department performance and technology spend. Responsible for review and approval of firm’s operational expenses. Reviewed and approved weekly timesheets of 40 support staff to ensure compliance with firm time keeping and billing requirements. Evaluated the firm’s service vendors for contractual compliance and made change recommendations to Managing Partner and Executive Committee as warranted. Ensured compliance with firm’s document record keeping policy. Reported overall client billing and realization to Partners and Principals at firm’s annual meeting. Trustee for firm’s 401(k) Pension Plan. Oversaw and assisted in organization’s new hire orientation process for all new professional staff. Assisted Partners in the evaluation of the profitability of clients. Developed client profitability reports utilized by Partners in the evaluation of client services. Developed audit plans, estimated budgets; scheduled team activities in coordination with clients and their other professional services providers; continually monitored time and expenses and project completion estimates; researched unique transactions; reviewed drafts of client financial statements and tax filings to ensure compliance; presented audit findings to management and Audit Committees. Notable Accomplishments

Working with other Senior members of Firm management, developed and implemented new hire orientation process to aid new audit staff in the transition of public accounting.

Designated “Champion” / Project leader in the development and implementation of the firm’s paperless auditing software.

Oversaw the selection and implementation process for the firm’s new time keeping / billing software program.

Identified and eliminated $50,000 in redundant wasteful operational expenses in 1st year and firm administrator.

Received frequent performance evaluation from former Managing Partner regarding the quality and thoroughness of preparation of firms’ operations at monthly Executive Committee meetings.

Frequently consulted by firms Partners in the improvement of the audit process and methods to improve job profitability.

Chosen as lead manager on one of client’s largest clients in Chicago office. Selection for this new premier account was considered an honor and recognition for excellence.

Recognized as firm expert for developing industry specific labor reporting module for labor union clients for use with QuickBooks accounting software.

Consultant to numerous clients for evaluation and implementation of new accounting software packages including training of client staff.

Repeatedly chosen as presenter for new and advanced staff training programs and provided mentoring to subordinate staff. Ultimately designated as permanent presenter for new professional staff orientation program.

Generated consistent positive feedback from clients concerning professionalism and approach to audit that was well- received by senior management of firm.

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