Laron Washington

adubw2@r.postjobfree.com • LinkedIn

Justice, IL 60458 • 312-***-****

Summary

Forward-thinking leader with substantial experience leading a full spectrum of financial operations and business development.

Instrumental at devising financial management strategy, analyzing company's financial strengths and weaknesses, and recommending corrective actions accordingly. Skilled at improving efficiency and productivity through evaluation of financial management systems and implementation of process improvements. Recognized for slashing costs, driving business and revenue growth, resolving issues, streamlining operations, and ensuring accurate reporting as well as strong internal control systems. Leverage excellent interpersonal communication skills to establish professional relationships with stakeholders and clients. Areas of Expertise

• Risk Assessment & Mitigation

• Accounting & Treasury

Management

• Capital Structure & Due Diligence

• Variance Analysis & Reporting

• Performance Evaluation

• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)

• Mergers & Acquisitions

• Budget Development

• Staff Development

• Contract Negotiation

• Financial Reporting &

Analysis

• Information System

Implementation

• Crisis Management

• Corporate & Business Strategy

• Investment & Cash Management

• Business Administration

Career Experience

Director of Finance and Administration, Community Health, Chicago, IL 2019 – Present Oversee all financial reporting, including positing of all necessary journal entries and cash receipts and disbursement entries in Fund-EZ accounting software for monthly financial statements. Manage weekly accounts payable check runs and assist with issues and questions regarding weekly check runs from Finance and HR Specialist. Track and monitor all revenues and expenses ensuring items’ coding and appropriate allocation. Generate and distribute all relevant documentation and reports for Finance Committee. Maintain and update depreciation schedule and related backup information and ensure current business-related insurance policies. Execute journal entries and monthly bank deposits and scan checks per protocols.

• Reconciled four bank accounts as well as monitored organizational and program expenses.

• Created and managed the organization’s 9M budget to improve operational efficiency.

• Maintained financial reporting to external funders as well as board of directors for decision-making purposes.

• Developed procedure manual for invoice processing & contract review per management policies

• Tracked all grants, pledges, and donations meeting all funds and accounts reconciled on monthly basis by working in conjunction with development staff.

Interim Chief Financial Officer, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Chicago, IL 2018 – 2019 Administered end-to-end budgeting operations, including preparing capital requests and program budgets. Headed financial management operations, encompassing preparation of month-end close reconciliations by reviewing all accounts payable and receivable transactions, payroll-related journal entries, quarterly cash forecasting, and reconciling investment accounts. Developed and maintained banking relationships, created and implement internal control documentation, and coordinated annual audits. Reviewed grant proposals, prepared grant narratives, and headed staff in absence of the Executive Director.

• Led strategic planning of the finance department by reviewing and preparing budgets for funders.

• Administered Payroll using Paychex for 10 staff and 75 contractors in set time constraints.

• Spearheaded the tasks of financial reporting, including the preparation of financial statements for a board of directors, funders, and proposal requests. Interim Director of Finance, Chicago Run, Chicago, IL 2016 – 2017 Directed financial planning and strategy and analyzed and reported on financial performance. Oversaw audit and tax functions and developed/implemented accounting policies. Prepared forecasts and comprehensive budgets. Trained and mentored accounting staff and reviewed departmental budgets. Assessed, managed, and minimized risk by analyzing complex financial data. Managing internal controls and using financial statements to properly budget and track program expenses. Facilitated month-end close by 10th business day of the following month. Prepared numerous schedules for financial reporting to current and potential funders as well as board of directors.

• Administered payroll for 50 staff members using Paylocity.

• Reconciled bank and G/L accounts to produce financial statements for internal and external use

• Created a 1.5-million-dollar budget for internal use to properly track expenses and make management decisions.

Manager of Finance & Administration, Woodlawn Children’s Promise Community, Chicago, IL 2011 – 2016 Reconciled six bank accounts and maintained a general ledger creating various management reports. Created and maintained a 2 million budget to facilitate organizational efficiency. Facilitated month-end close by 10th business day of the following month. Prepared grant expense tracking to ensure grant compliance and secured additional funding for the organization and financial statements for potential funders. Tracked federal expenses between organizations and US department of education and supervised two direct reports.

• Prepared all schedules on the auditors' PBC and oversaw three consecutive audits.

• Managed 15 private and public grants and prepared grant financial reports for funders.

• Headed the HR department and introduced cost-effective benefit plans for the organization. Education

Doctorate in Educational & Organizational Leadership, Argosy University, Chicago Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) National Louis University, Chicago Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting National Louis University, Chicago Additional

Experience

Finance Manager, Beacon Therapeutic School, Chicago, Illinois Project Controller, Health Research Education & Trust, Chicago, Illinois Senior Accountant, Ralph Land & Associates, Chicago, Illinois Director of Finance, Redmoon Theatre, Chicago, Illinois Accountant, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, Chicago, Illinois Accounting Coordinator, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, Illinois Finance Specialist, United States Army

Technical Proficiencies

Great Plains/ QuickBooks/ SAGE MIP/ Fund ware/ Raisers EDGE/ MS Office Suite

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