Data Analytics Financial Reporting
Resume:
Michele Richards
SUMMARY
Finance professional with experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets, directing audits & optimizing financial operations to drive organizational efficiency
& compliance. Adept at leveraging data analytics to inform strategic decision- making, enhance performance& implement process improvements across diverse industries. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and delivering actionable insights to support organizational objectives in complex environments. Ready to thrive in new position within remote/hybrid settings. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Finance Division Manager, 11/2012 – 08/2024 State of New Jersey Judiciary – Essex County – Newark, NJ
• Oversaw financial management for court-held funds across divisions, ensuring compliance with regulations and directing audits to safeguard assets; resolved 10+ year backlog of over 4,000 financial transactions and reduced unreconciled probation fees from $350K to under $30K.
• Managed $2.8M in state and federal budgets, optimizing resource allocation and reducing expenditures; developed financial reporting templates and performed routine audits for data quality and reporting accuracy.
• Directed team of 50+ staff, including 7 direct reports, in budgeting, purchasing, performance evaluations, training, and adherence to judiciary policies; led cross-functional collaborations with judges, executives, and statewide committees to establish and implement policies.
• Created and updated business continuity plans, implemented new procedural directives, and managed federal child support audits to align with safeguarding and compliance requirements.
• Spearheaded process improvements, leveraging data analysis and insights to increase operational productivity, streamline workflows, and enhance financial controls; developed databases for transaction tracking and implemented new judiciary-wide systems.
• Chaired statewide committees and partnerships to improve judiciary policies; participated in pilot programs, showcasing adaptability & leadership in cross- functional projects, including Judiciary Financial Management System. Financial Analyst, 04/2010 – 08/2012
Dow Jones / NewsCorp – Monmouth Junction, NJ
• Prepared weekly financial narratives, executive messages & forecasts for News Corporation; adjusted estimates based on analysis of budgets, prior results, and ongoing business reviews. Conducted weekly performance discussions with CFO and VP of Accounting.
• Developed and maintained 30+ year historical database, tracking acquisitions, divestitures, and revenue trends; created KPI monitoring modules and tailored financial reports for senior management.
• Managed monthly and quarterly P&L reporting, variance analyses, and Board Book preparations using PeopleSoft; prepared quarterly Commitments and Guarantees to ensure compliance with accounting regulations.
• Enhanced operational performance through process mapping with MS Visio, creating process flowcharts and walkthroughs; prepared monthly tax reports and supported Finance Manager with ad hoc analyses and special projects.
• Designed financial reporting templates, including monthly, quarterly, and annual formats, ensuring actionable insights for strategic decision-making. Additional two years as Auditor at Ernst & Young, focusing on US GAAP compliance, SEC reporting, and Sarbanes-Oxley controls. Conducted audits, prepared SEC filing schedules, and analyzed financial documents to ensure accuracy and compliance. Plainsboro, NJ
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CORE COMPETENCIES
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Audit & Compliance Management
• Policy & Procedure Development
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation
• Process Optimization
• KPI Development
• Performance Monitoring
• Data Management & Analytics
• Risk Management
• Internal Controls
• Strategic Decision Support
• C-Level Communication
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Team Leadership
• Emerging Technologies
• Client Relations
• Negotiation & Contracting
• Influencing Skills
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science, Dual Major:
Accounting and Management
Information Systems
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
Google Cybersecurity Analyst
Certificate, Coursera 2024
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
Professional Certificate, Coursera
On going
Certified Court Manager and
Certified Court Executive, National
Center for State Courts – Institute for
Court Management (ICM) 2023
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Microsoft Office Suite Python SQL
JD Edwards SAP QuickBooks Linux
NJ eCourts NJKiDS PeopleSoft
Business Objects NJ Court Case
Management Systems New Jersey
Comprehensive Financial System
(NJCFS) NJSTART Tableau
Microsoft Power BI Data
Visualization Schema Design
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