Process Improvement Six Sigma

Karen B. Elder

***** ******** **., **** ******, CA 714-***-**** ********@*****.***

www.linkedin.com/in/karen-elder

Financial Controller

Motivated and results-focused with more than 25 years of experience spearheading complex and effective projects for a broad range of organizations, including manufacturers, franchises, and professional services firms. Possess a combination of project management, team leadership, and financial management skills. Demonstrated ability to catalyze results while complying with budget and time constraints. Seek to benefit a top performing organization by improving efficiency, return on investment, and quality through effective management.

Areas of Expertise

Six Sigma

ERP

Profit & Loss Statements

Lean Processes

Financial Statements

GAAP

ISO 9000, 9001, 13485, 14001

SOX

Balance Sheet

Professional Experience

Kerry, Commerce, CA January 2022 – January 2024

PLANT CONTROLLER

As the Plant Controller I had full exposure to plant profitability and worked closely with the EUM leadership team to enhance profit & loss performance; partnered with site-leaders on financial operations, such as: employee performance, material and labor expenses, the overall planning process, setting prices for labor and material, and determining inventory valuation.

Made recommendations based on trends, business opportunities and potential improvements in efficiency or cost savings, costing up capital investments with the appropriate support and delivering day to day operations as required challenging other functions as required.

Lead with ethical integrity and a direct source of knowledge to department staff: coaching, counseling, disciplining, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results. As the plant controller it is expected that I understand the manufacturing processes sufficiently to support the operation and be responsible for day-to-day completion, I was the site gatekeeper to ensure compliance.

Presented plant financial analysis and scorecard to plant and business unit management, with strong emphasis on Operational performance linked to Productivity and Loss Management.

Worked with senior leadership teams to help improve communication skills or enhance teamwork abilities.

Prepared all daily, weekly, period end operational performance reports with comments and recommendation for corrective actions.

Responsible for Month-End period closing and associated balance sheet management, accruals, and purchase order reconciliation.

Accountable for strong process adherence across the plant for all relevant metrics including, but not limited to Inventory Control and Risk Management, Cycle Counting Accuracy, Inventory Obsolescence, Vendor Payment Management and Customer Billing. Capital projects submission, ROI calculation and performance reporting, Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Planning.

D’Andrea Visual Communications LLC, Cypress, CA July 2021 – October 2021

CONTROLLER

Worked closely with operations to assist with the overall management of the business from a financial standpoint. Managed a small accounting support staff of five. Prepared and analyzed daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and presented them to the executive team and department managers.

Prepared and maintained operating budgets. Created and maintained work papers used for interest, loan, insurance, inventory, and other closing entries. Reconciled balance sheets to work papers.

Analyzed cost of goods sold including materials, outsourcing, labor, and overhead and report results to operations management.

Created cash forecasts and updated them on a weekly basis.

Developed key performance indicators for evaluating profitability objectives. Established proper accounting controls and safeguarding of assets.

Evaluated and implemented solutions for shortening month-end closing. Worked closely with purchasing and operations to count and value raw material inventory, and to reduce inventory levels.

Continuously worked to improve the financial accuracy and efficiency of our MIS system. Coordinated preparation of tax returns with outside CPA. Complied with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.

Participated in executive level financial review and strategy sessions. Created, evaluated, and implemented accounting department policies and procedures.

Quest International Monitor Services Inc., Irvine, CA May 2020 – May 2021

CONTROLLER

Monitor the company’s financial status, review quarterly and annual budgets. Managed accounting transactions for 4 US companies and 1 German company. Managed and controlled finance and accounting operations. Monitored and made sure the company complied with accounting and GAAP regulations. Maximized profits and mitigated risk. Published monthly and annual Financials, communicated the financial information to non-finance employees and Management. Daily Cash flow management. Review bi-weekly payroll. Handle Sales tax reporting for multiple states. Internal auditor for ISO 9001:2015, 13485:2016 & 14001:2015. GAAP Regulations.

Reduced collections 50%

Improved AR processing by assisting in the automation of large accounts

Restructured the Financial Reporting

Created Accounting Process Documentation

Implemented a new sales tax process to comply with state, city, and jurisdictional regulations.

CONSULTING: 2018 - 2020

Design Catapult, Inc, Fountain Valley, CA

Recorded monthly revenues, expenses and activity for the company, Performed monthly reconciliations, Recorded daily cash activity, Prepared, reviewed and analyzed monthly financial statements, Month end, quarter-end and year-end closing processes, Ensured that transactions were in accordance to internal policies and procedures, followed and communicate exceptions to management, Reconciled multiple bank accounts on a monthly basis, Was responsible for input of all general ledger journal entries such as bank transfers, interest, income, expenses, Managed AP and AR and created invoices, Managed deadlines by adhering to financial calendar to ensure all deadlines were met.

Williams Comfort Products, Colton, CA

Hand-picked by senior management to restructure two accounting and finance departments for client in HVAC product manufacturing. Developed new processes for customer service, order receiving, and obtaining and posting payments. Partnered with satellite offices to create standardized procedures that eliminated redundancy and enhanced efficiency across locations.

Leveraged six sigma knowledge to analyze quote-to-cash process; identified and removed redundancies and devised a more efficient approach.

Recommended system enhancements within JD Edwards for automation and duplication within SOX compliance.

Joe Wells Enterprises, Inc., dba Max Muscle, Orange, CA May 2005 – December 2017

CONTROLLER

Balanced shifting priorities within a fast paced $20 Million dollar sports nutrition product manufacturer and franchise business. Monitored daily operations and cash flow for all departments, handling all financial reporting, monthly/annual closes, and general ledger. Analyzed financial results for both internal and external use. Acted as partner to the leadership team to drive cost & productivity initiatives. Primary duties included approval of purchase orders and invoices, addressing franchisee inquiries, and managing royalty collections. Provided additional support for human resources, with oversight of workers’ compensation, benefits administration, payroll execution, and employee relations.

Coordination of facility move during company expansion. Procured computer and warehouse equipment, servers, and furniture, interacting with vendors and contractors to ensure smooth transition.

Established international shipping policies and procedures for Asia and Europe clients. Prepared Bills of Lading with overseas freight forwarders, including all proper support documents

Prevented significant price increase by renegotiating raw materials purchases and expanding business to include new vendors.

Accountable for inventory & cost management, ensuring the warehouse inventory controls were adequate, and reconciling monthly inventory balances.

Assessed and upgraded finance organization as needed to meet the changing needs of the business. Exercised strong leadership skills including communications and teamwork between finance, operating groups, and corporate staff.

Transitioned payroll services from Wells Fargo to local vendor, resulting in 50% cost savings while maintaining expected service levels.

Ensured compliance with all federal and state regulations.

Conducted preparations for partial sale of company, performing all due diligence documentation. Assisted with the successful sale of 51% of the company.

Served as primary point of contact for 130 U.S. franchises on credit approval and management, monthly royalties and advice on accounting and finance. Partnered with CPA’s, attorneys, and the Operation Manager to obtain annual updates for franchise agreements.

Relsys International, Inc, Irvine, CA 2002 - 2005

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

Coordinated accounting, finance and operational functions at this company that developed software for medical devices, pharmaceutical testing, and data migration for clients in the medical industry. Responsible for the GL, financial statements, balance sheet schedules, bank reconciliations, A/P, A/R, cash receipts, POs, and fixed assets. Assisted with audits.

Authored Business Continuity Plan, developed procedures for disaster events, including office data storage and back-up scheduling and documentation.

Additional Experience

Upon Request

Software Experience

JD Edwards

Pace/Control

SAP

Salesforce

FRx Reporting

Mas90

EPM/BPM

Coupa

Power BI

Peoplesoft

QuickBooks

MS Office (Excel, Word & PowerPoint)

Great Plains Dynamics

Semaphore

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting,

University of Phoenix, Costa Mesa, CA

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