Controller & HR Payroll Specialist

Patricia A. Donald

Chief Accounting Officer / Controller

323-***-**** • *********@*****.***

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing with enthusiastic interest in the Controller position. As Chief Accounting Officer and Controller in my most recent role at Highwood Properties, I have progressive accounting and finance experience managing in industries such as construction, restaurant, and real estate. I possess a proven track record in financial leadership, making me an ideal candidate to contribute to your organization's continued success and financial stability.

I managed the financial reporting and accounting operations for a diverse portfolio of over 60 entities, ensuring strict adherence to GAAP, SOX, Federal and State employment laws, and relevant real estate regulations. A key achievement was implementing a new forecasting process that reduced prediction errors significantly and improved decision-making for remodels and asset purchases to ensure fiscal responsibility and strategic allocation of resources. I am highly proficient in adapting quickly to any accounting software and using those tools to streamline accounting processes and enhance reporting accuracy across all properties.

Prepared timely 7-day month end closing or issuance of financial statements and weekly cash flow statements. Developing and implementing budgets, forecast and creating internal controls. Partnered with cross-functional teams to drive financial performance, and presenting financial narratives to senior management and boards to provide proactive financial guidance and support. Liaison to outside accountants for year-end tax preparation as well as bankers, insurance, and other outside agencies. I managed all aspects of the IT, HR and Payroll departments with over 1000 employees. Ensured timely processing of bi-weekly payroll, workers’ compensation filings, payroll audits, system updates and integrations.

I am fast-paced and work autonomously to seek out areas that need improvement and make the needed suggestions to leadership to help move the needle. I developed a knack for translating complex financial data into actionable insights that could be easily understood by non-finance stakeholders. I am relentlessly proactive in getting data, asking the right questions, and creating clarity in complexity. Please review my attached resume for more details on my qualifications. I am confident that my expertise in accounting and financial management would make me an asset to your team. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my suitability for this role and how I can contribute to your ongoing success. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,

Patricia Donald

Patricia A. Donald

323-***-**** Cell • *********@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Highwood Properties, Inc., Santa Monica, CA

Business management firm overseeing all aspects of accounting, tax, and financing functions of a $75M multi-national organization for 60+ entities with 1000+ employees in the restaurant, real estate, and construction industry. Chief Accounting Officer / Corporate Controller Nov 2004 – May 2025 Accounting and Financial Reporting

Prepared GAAP compliant financial statements to owners, bankers, and outside investors within 7 day closing period.

Provide partners and private investors with distribution reports, quarterly earning schedules and annual K-1 statements.

Oversee the management of accounting departments including A/R, A/P, P/R, HR, General Ledger, and Cost Accounting.

Supervised Human Resource and Payroll teams using ADP Workforce Now for 1000+ employees in multi-states. Processed all workers’ compensation filings, payroll audits, ensured prompt PR Tax filings with appropriate government authorities and stayed current on regulatory changes.

File Multi-State Sales Tax, Business Licenses, Health Permits, Business and Personal Property Tax returns.

Analyze and evaluate contracts for vendor service proposals and contract negotiations.

Ensure GAAP compliance and liaison with external auditors to facilitate the audit process and ensure timely resolution of audit findings for tax return filings. Presented Year End Tax Workpapers to external accountants.

Led implementation of ERP Systems (R365 Advantage and Compeat) and conversions for Rosnet and QuickBooks. Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecast Analysis

Perform cost analysis to identify fraud, waste, and set standards for best practices to improve efficiency of operations.

Developed and maintained a rolling annual look-ahead cash projection and forecast to actual report.

Create metrics and analysis dashboard with recommendations to help improve profits based on assessment of the data.

Create budgets, rolling forecast and scenario modeling for construction, improvements, and all future capital expenditures.

Analyze revenue, COGS, margins, and expenses to identify opportunities and risks. Partner with leadership to set financial KPIs and track performance against goals.

Mentor operations on analyzing and reviewing budget proposals and preparing supporting documentation for justification. Audit & Internal Controls

Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the organization's business policies and accounting practices.

Ensure adherence to legal and regulatory compliance for employees, accounting systems and financial reporting functions.

Prepare and conduct various audit testing, risk assessments, working paper reviews, documentation of results/deficiencies, investigations, and projects required by regulatory agencies such as Board of Equalization, County Tax Assessor, etc.

Consult with external auditors and tax advisors on complex accounting and tax issues to ensure tax regulation compliance.

Direct the IT Support Teams administration of all systems, updates, maintenance, user hardware, software, and servers. Treasury & Finance

Manage cash flow forecast, debt management, bank covenants and prepare lender reporting packages for property acquisitions and refinancing’s. Monitor cash flow daily, manage payables/receivables cycles, and optimize working capital.

Provide analytical support on a portfolio of $50M in asset-based loans by analyzing collateral and financial details supporting the loan and interpreting information.

Communicate effectively with lenders and third parties regarding ongoing diligence, reporting, and borrowing needs.

Develop and implement cash management procedures to monitor liabilities, including secured and unsecured financings.

Primary contact with the external stakeholders, lending banks, external auditors, attorneys, insurance companies, etc. Real Estate Property Management

Direct property management and leasing department. Review leases, manage A/R process, monitor cash receipts, security deposits, tenant billing adjustments, maintenance of tenant information and perform tenant ledger reconciliations.

Update schedules for lease data; including but not limited to rent rolls, expirations, terminations, occupancy, etc.

Prepare annual year-end CAM reconciliation, calculate percentage rent, obtain insurance, and real estate taxes. Education

California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA - Bachelor of Science in Accounting

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