Financial Analyst Senior

Gerald R. Skaw, MBA, U.S. Army (Ret.)

**** ******* ***, *********, ** 21222; 443-***-****; **********@*****.***

Honorably retired U.S. Army Field Grade Officer with over 22 years of Public Service and Combat

Veteran, with accentuation on Leadership, Administration, Finance (Budget Planning, Execution & Performance), Accounting, Payroll Management, Operations, and Resource Management.

Senior Financial Analyst

An accomplished, experienced, mission-oriented, and versatile Senior Financial Analyst with 30+ years’ experience in successful leadership; administration; financial performance/reporting; financial analysis, planning & modeling (Annual & long-term strategic budget plans); Budget develop and execution management for General and Restricted Funds; Federal, State, & Non-Profit Budget Development; Forecasting & Financial analysis; GAAP/GASB Compliance; Grants, Gifts, & Contract Administration; Finance/IT Integration; Government Contracts Administration; with practiced senior management & executive skills. Experienced and successful in the IT integration of numerous complex financial systems, personnel systems, and operation systems. Fully dedicated finance professional, who is committed to fully leveraging an organization’s valuable resources to consistently seek quality customer service, sustainability, and compliance.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

● Leadership ● Administration, ● Federal, State, and Non-profit (Baltimore County) Budget Planning, Development, and Execution ● Management of Accounting responsibilities which include Journal Entry Review & Approval, Reconciliations, and Accounts Payable Oversight & Reconciliation ● Payroll Management and Administration ● Financial Systems Development and Integration ● Gov’t Contracts/Grants/MOUs ● Financial Forecasting & Projections ● Financial Management ● Financial Process Efficiency and Effectiveness ● Budget and Financial Analysis – Variance Analysis ● Cost Estimates & Pricing ● External Audit Coordination ● Accounting ● Internal Controls ● Competitive Analysis ● Procurement Compliance ● Strategic Financial & Operational Planning and Analysis ● Business/Financial Alignment ● IT Management & Leadership ● GAAP/GAAS/GASB Experience ● Project Management-PMBOK ● Operations ● Numerous ERP/SAP Platforms

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD

Senior Financial Analyst & Supervisor

November 8, 2021 - April 2025

1. Responsible for the comprehensive leadership and administration of the accounting, financial analysis, financial budgeting, forecasting/modeling, payroll, and projections of a $42+ million operating budgeting. Assist the Director of Fiscal Services in the leadership and administration of the annual budget development and execution processes. In the absence of the Director of Fiscal Services, serves as the department's lead finance officer to the BCPL CEO and Board of Trustees. Closely coordinated with the Director of Finance in the leadership and execution of BCPL's capital programs. Administered and provided advanced analytical analysis for both General and Restricted funds.

2. Additional financial responsibilities include the leadership and administrative of the day-to-day management/supervision of BCPL general ledger responsibilities, including journal entry review and approval, Accounts Payable reconciliations, bank statement (both Collections & Disbursements) reconciliation, contract review and approval, detailed reports generation. Review and manage year-end close processes and coordination with independent auditors. Prepare monthly Board of Directors budget variance (budget execution management).

3. Lead, managed, and trained (developed) the BCPL Payroll Specialist, who is responsible for all aspects of payroll administration for over 500 staff members. Additionally, lead, manages and administered the Accounts Payable team.

4. Manage current and future grant analysis including all direct and indirect cost variables.

Supervise the integration of complex different payroll (time and attendance) and Human Resources software applications and databases.

5. Responsible for the leadership, development, and implementation of key financial reports and software generated dashboards for Library Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Chief Experience Officer, three Regional Directors, and 19 Branch Managers and which includes supporting numerous financial ad hoc reporting requirements utilizing MIP software, Excel Pivot Tables, and complex Excel workbooks.

6. Conduct and report complex variance analysis and integrate into yearly forecasting/projection models.

7. Additionally, conduct unrecognized revenue analysis via complex credit card revenue from various revenue sources as well as aggressively leverage "Sweep" account interest revenue and integrate results into all revenue forecasts and projections. Leading and supervising five Fiscal Services staff members via open communication and the establishment of realistic performance expectations/metrics.

8. Responsible for the functional design and implementation of a new timekeeping software impacting 500+ employees. Led the documentation, design, and integration of an interface supporting ADP software and SAGE Human Resources Management System (HRMS). Led and coordinated implementation meetings. Acting as the finance team liaison (i.e. Senior Finance Project Manager), successfully coordinated requirements with the ADP Implementation Team Chief, coordinated the Statement of Work (SOW) requirements, and developed/presented numerous staff briefings and led training across the Baltimore County Library System, totaling 500+ employees in 19 diverse Branches and 14 Administrative Offices.

9. Responsibilities include detailed cost analysis and/or contract administration of all direct and indirect cost variables, coordinating with immediate and ancillary software vendors, and the integration of new software systems into numerous legacy systems.

10. Lastly, exhibited expert oral and written communication skills in communicating with executive leadership, 500+ staff members, and supervising four (4) Fiscal Services staff members.

CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield, Owings Mills, MD

Manager and Senior Financial Analyst for Technical and Operational Support (TOS) Division.

May 2014 - Nov. 1, 2015

1. Responsible for the leadership, administration, management, and training development of four (4) Budget and Financial analysts.

2. Responsible for the budget coordination, complex financial forecasting/projections, planning, and analysis in support of nine Senior Vice Presidents at CareFirst of Maryland. Routinely provided advanced financial analysis via advanced analytical skills.

3. Led as an administrator/manager and senior budget/financial analysts, responsible for the successful coordination and effective communication with the CareFirst accounting/financial executives and the Database management team.

4. Led and administered the team in conducting complex variance analysis, monthly TOS budget reporting to the CareFirst President and Board of Directors, monitoring the complex execution of the $35 million TOS IT budget, and led the team through the annual complex budget process.

5. Routinely provided and coordinated cost estimates and pricing for review with CareFirst Executives and Senior Vice Presidents.

6. Led the team and nine CareFirst Senior Vice Presidents through a complex budget cycle resulting in a less than 1% variance in total budget execution. This series of accomplishments led to a significant end of-year bonus for the team and the Division.

Developmental Disabilities Administration, Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (DHMH), State of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

Assistant Director for Administrative and Fiscal Services,

March 2012 – August 2013

1. Responsible for the leadership and administration of the operations, policies, and financial reporting with financial responsibility for over $983 million dollars in State of Maryland General Funds and Federal Medicaid matching revenue.

2. Delivered sustainable financial/accounting leadership guidance to over 160 Non-Profit service providers and local Health Departments, supporting over 22,000 individuals with Developmental Disabilities across the state.

3. Financially lead and provided administration to two Intermediate Care Facilities, the Rosewood Hospital complex, the Secure Evaluation and Therapeutic Treatment Unit, and the Headquarters Executive Direction program.

4. Provided financial leadership, mentorship, administration, and training to four Regional Fiscal Directors and their staff.

5. Fully responsible for and directed procurement oversight/contract management for 145 exempt contracts, grants, as well as supervising/administering/managing over ten (10) multi-million-dollar competitive contracts.

6. Led, developed, and implemented a highly successful action plan to recoup over $1.9 million dollars, within seven months, for initially denied Medicaid claims while maintaining compliance with CMS/HHS regulations.

7. Successfully integrated the new Resource Coordination model forecasts (Cost estimates for Executive Director & Maryland Legislative Committees) and rate setting strategy into the FY14 budget forecast, which resulted in an additional $9.5 million dollars dedicated to Resource Coordination services across the State of Maryland.

Developmental Disabilities Administration, Department of Mental Health and Hygiene (ALTEK

Information Technology, Inc.) Baltimore, MD

Acting Assistant Director for Administrative and Fiscal Services/Senior Financial Analyst, 2011-2012

1. Managed the overall day-to-day financial operations of the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s fiscal unit.

2. Financially responsible for $800M budget planning and performance, including the supervision of fiscal and procurement staff, compliance, as well as processing payments (AP) to community providers and vendors.

3. Commenced team-building efforts with 12 fiscal and procurement staff by identifying strengths in implementing successful strategies to rebuild the Fiscal Management system and processes.

4. Developed and implemented a multi-million-dollar procurement strategy where the DDA sought the best

business processes and an IT solution to replace the current legacy information/financial management system

in accordance with CMS Regulations and Guidelines.

Straughan Environmental Services, Columbia, MD

Acting (Temp.) Controller/Business Manager, 2009

Played a key leadership role in providing expert administrative, supervision, management, and support. Senior Management lead for all financial (accounting) matters involving Revenue Generation, Cost Estimates and Pricing, Capital Forecasting, Profit and Loss Statements, Company Financial GAAP Reporting, Financial Management, Budget Development/Support, Cash Flow Management, Payroll, Bank Reconciliations, Lines of Credit, AR/AP, Month-end Closing, Human Resources, and Operational Performance Management and improvement.

Trained, mentored, and supervised a cross-functional team of with strong focus on budget planning and forecasting, boosting productivity accountability, financial performance, and profitability. Successfully provided contract management, compliance, and oversight for over 30 federal and state contracts.

Key Accomplishments:

Reduced Unbilled Accounts Receivable by over 75%, collecting over $400,000 within 60 days,

Reduced Days Sales Outstanding by 60% - led the effort to invoice over $250,000 in previously un-invoiced contractual claims within 45 days.

Optimized financial performance by diligently completing month-end closing with accurate and concise financial reporting utilizing both DELTEK GCS Premier and Timekeeping software including DFAR and FAR requirements.

Tech Team Government Solutions, Inc., Chantilly, VA

Senior Analyst/Senior Budget Analyst (Consultant), 2007-2008

Led and provided comprehensive financial management support, financial analysis, budget development/support, and administrative support to corporate clients in both the private and public sectors. Proactively identified issues and implemented targeted solutions to maximize profitability.

Key Accomplishments:

Analyzed over 25 Defense & Federal Agency RFP, RFQ, and Solicitation requirements, successfully producing and presenting numerous Ad Hoc Financial Analysis as well as Cost Estimates/Pricing in support of prospective contractual opportunities.

Recognized throughout the company as the subject matter expert in budget planning and programming project analysis, program management, and project leadership.

Installation Management Command, Arlington, VA

Budget Director & Senior Financial Analyst/Senior Budget Analyst, 2003-2007

Led and controlled all facets of budget planning, formulation, execution, and management in support of a $2 billion annual worldwide operating budget, federal contracts, and including overseeing regional controllers for over 100 small to large cities controllers–infrastructure focused. Successfully built and steered multiple teams to maximize performance in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment requiring significant strategic infrastructure planning, financial & budget planning, organization, procurement (contracting), and leadership skills. Supervised and led a complex financial management and accounting team consisting of 50 budget analysts, accounting specialists, internal auditors, and Federal/DoD government contractors.

Key Accomplishments:

Improved performance, accuracy, and output by integrating GAAP principles into budget execution management for both internal and external financial reports and day-to-day financial operations.

Proficiently developed detailed financial reports, provided dynamic forecasting, trending and result analysis tools vital to company's short- and long-term strategic business planning.

Developed and managed a complex Global War on Terrorism budgets (including budget execution accounting) consisting of $2 Billion throughout the world (Europe to Southeast Asia).

EDUCATION

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, Master of Business Administration, Comptrollership

Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, Bachelor of Science, Business Finance

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Analysis & Decision-Making Professional Certificate - Learning Tree International, Reston, VA

MS Excel & Word (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables & Adv. Calculations/Formulas), PowerPoint, Access, & Outlook, QuickBooks Pro, ADP Payroll, People Soft Financial Management, MIP Accounting Software for Non-Profit and Government activities, and SAGE Human Resources Management System (HRMS), DELTEK GCS, and various ERP/SAP platforms (Federal Government – DOD, State Government, Non-Profit and Commercial (For-Profit) platforms.

Current & active member of the MD Government Finance Officers Association & Volunteer Planning Committee Co-chair as part of the MD Government Finance Officers Association Board of Directors.

Volunteer Board of Directors for the Baltimore Blast Fan Club and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Habitat Council (Volunteer Board of Directors).

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