RONALDO C. EDWARDS, CPA, CIA
SUMMARY
Senior Finance professional with extensive experience in internal audit,
business finance, and banking at varying sized companies. Successfully managed
increasing responsibilities over various financial functions utilizing:
* Business analysis skills to understand business/department needs, evaluate
alternative solutions, and develop plans to address needs.
* Financial skills to analyze and detect risks. Also developed innovative tools
to assist in analysis.
* Leadership skills to take initiative, coach direct reports and being an
effective team player.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BLACK & DECKER, Towson, MD 2007 – 2008
Senior Audit Manager
Reports to the Director of Audit, and responsible for managing audits of various
business functions in US and Asia. Position oversees three or more auditors on
each engagement.
* Improved operational and accounting controls in business processes reviewed by
identifying high risk processes, researching to gain understanding, planning
audit strategy, providing guidance to auditors, getting buy-in from management
and proposing actionable solutions.
* Managed Sarbanes Oxley testing for multiple business segments and worked with
management to correct deficient controls. Conducted annual auditor S404
training.
* Improved senior auditor job performance expectations by contributing to the
development of a job description that closely mirrors project responsibilities.
Auditors were able to focus efforts on executing and meeting audit objectives.
* Performed, for Audit Committee, an analysis of audit fess and impact of
Sarbanes Oxley on rising fees. Analysis was done by researching and analyzing
trends in cost changes since implementation of Sarbanes Oxley (S404).
KELLOGG COMPANY, Battle Creek, MI 2002 – 2007
Senior Finance Manager
Reports to the Director of Finance, and responsible for budget, forecasts, month-end close, and internal controls for business unit with $3
billion in sales and $700 million in operating income. Frequently interacted
with VP Finance and General Manager and managed two full-time staff and one
intern.
* Improved monthly forecasting accuracy to >80% by working with team members to
better define financial assumptions, and developing templates to capture data
and analyze results.
RONALDO C. EDWARDS, CPA, CIA Page 2
* Identified $10 million risk to business financial results through analysis of
multiple financial data sources. Provided management with early insight and
enabled realignment of resources to reduce impact to business.
* Adjusted method of accounting for media spends to more accurately reflect
incurred costs. Presented proposal to internal and external parties to acquire
consensus on proposal.
* Identified >$1 million in market spend cost savings by working across
functional departments and coaching direct reports on ways to better analyze transactions and financial trends.
* As part of a cross-functional team, assisted in the successful completion and
implementation of a $20 million multi-tiered pricing strategy by providing
financial analysis and assumptions, and maintaining the pricing model used to
generate optimal solutions.
* Achieved zero reportable deficiencies as a result of Sarbanes Oxley (S404)
testing through focusing on high risks, coaching direct reports to maintain
control standards, and proactively addressing control issues when detected.
Group/Audit Manager 2002 – 2005
* Managed audits in the US, Asia Pacific and Africa, including distribution
centers, international operations, marketing, and sales. Position was highly
involved in developing an audit approach, annual risk assessment, issue
tracking, and continuous improvement.
* Discovered a $10 million cash flow opportunity for the company as a result of
a media spend audit review. Coached senior auditors and developed audit
strategy to review and understand the flow of funds process. Results were analyzed and cash flow improvement opportunity
found. New procedures were instituted with the media company.
* Increased number of distribution center audits by 300% and enabled
implementation of a 3 year cycle review of all distribution centers. Developed
a streamlined audit program that focused on key risks while still providing
insight into full operations. Audit time in field was reduced from two to one
week.
* Reduced time needed to implement Sarbanes Oxley (S404) requirements by
developing process flowcharts, outlining control activities, and test strategy
for all sales and marketing processes.
* Participated in annual risk assessment that resulted in better management of
audit resources and better focus on high risks. Risk assessment was conducted
through interviews with senior management and completion of risk assessment
template. Template included risk ratings on business trends, prior audit
results, business complexity, etc.
Senior Auditor 2002
* Streamlined audit process to improve and enable consistency in audit execution and
facilitate easier training of new auditors. Audit methodology and associated
tools was developed through research and knowledge gained from prior audit
experiences. Worked with peers, external auditors and Audit VP to finalize,
integrate with new audit software, and implement.
RONALDO C. EDWARDS, CPA, CIA Page 3
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, Detroit, MI 1999 – 2002
Lead/Corporate Auditor
* Recommended solutions to audit observations, including deficiencies in GAAP.
Participated in audits in manufacturing (plants), corporate functions
(marketing, purchasing) and GMAC (insurance, mortgage, loans).
* Helped to identify over $2.5 million in questionable transactions while
working with special Investigations unit.
OCEAN BANK, Miami, FL 1998 – 1999
Assistant/Staff Auditor
* Supervised, directed, reviewed work, counseled, and coordinated the activities
of staff auditors.
* Developed audit plans and performed cursory reviews of new departments. Reported results of reviews to department senior
managers.
FIRST UNION BANK, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 1989 – 1998
Financial Services Specialist 1995 – 1998
* Increased loan portfolio (consumer, mortgage) by over 50% by implementing a
strategy that focused on teamwork, providing incentives, and through networking
with small business and customers.
* Increased investment product sales at banking center by first attaining
investment and insurance licenses and then working with in-branch customers and
calling on customers.
EDUCATION
Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL
* MA in Accounting
* BA in Accounting
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / MEMBERSHIPS
* Certified Public account (CPA) – American Institute of Certified Public
accountants (AICPA)
* Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – Institute of Internal Auditors ( IIA)
AWARDS
* Certificate of Merit from the Florida Institute of CPAs and the Florida Board
of Accountancy – 10th highest score in Florida on the May 1999 CPA exam.
* Certificate of Achievement from FIU for Distinguished Achievement t in Public
Speaking.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
* Proficient in various IT applications (SAP, Hyperion Planning, ACL, and 2007
Microsoft Office).