Controller

Karen Samhat, CPA

*** * ****** ***********@*****.***

Chicago, IL 60610 312-***-****

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Jones Lang LaSalle

Controller January 2008-Present

• Responsible for all international accounting and reporting for a real estate fund holding $2.5 billion in assets

• Review real estate assets for impairment under local GAAP, IFRS, and US historical cost GAAP

• Manage cash characterization (partner loans, equity contributions, etc.,) for joint ventures and fully owned assets in accordance with legal and tax structures

• Approve and oversee the capital contributions and distributions process

• Manage foreign currency exposure by entering into currency hedging contracts

• Manage outsourced accountants in multiple countries and implement controls and procedures to protect financial integrity and improve work product

• Manage the entire financial reporting process and sign off on month end and quarter end close

• Host quarterly financial reviews with operational managers in order to improve financial results

• Responsible for local and US GAAP audits, statutory and tax filings in multiple countries

• Manage all responsibilities of a regional controller and staff accountants including managing day-to-day activities, employee performance reviews, and promotions

International Assistant Controller January 2006-January 2008

• Review financial upload and consolidation entries performed by staff

• Prepare quarterly reports for multiple investors including a variance analysis

• Calculate various investment returns and incentive fee based on operating agreements

• Assistant with planning and execution of repatriation strategies

• Host monthly meetings with real estate property managers in order to improve deliverables

• Maintain corporate minute books and resolutions required to support stated capital

• Serve as the key financial/accounting liaison for business unit executives and other senior managers

• Design, implement, document and maintain policies and procedures that support efficient and effective processes as well as maintain strong internal controls

• Timely and accurately recognize revenue in compliance with advisory agreements and joint venture contracts

• Review, understand and ensure compliance and proper accounting for transaction deals

• Coordinate with team on the completion of quarterly audit schedules

• Manage and mentor staff and help guide their development (including preparation of goals & objectives, reviews)

Senior Accountant January 2005-January 2006

• Review financial statements for material misstatements

• Prepare investor level reports

• Upload accounting information in accounting software

• Perform foreign currency translation and post consolidation entries

• Monthly visit to property management companies

• Participate in budget preparation and investor presentations

• Process investor capital calls

AON Insurance

Senior Accountant (Latin America) January 2004-January 2005

• Review financial statements for US GAAP compliance

• Analyze revenue monthly: Recurring business, new business, loss business, and client retentions rates

• Analyze new accounting software for flaws and improvements

• Monthly and YTD detailed variance commentaries for budget and prior year

• Contribute to the creation of key performance indicators and benchmarking tools

• Review the calculation of variable incentive plans

• Take part in preparing and testing Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls

Interpublic Group of Companies

Consolidations Accountant November 2002-January 2004

• Review and analyze monthly international financials statements to ensure compliance with US GAAP rules Special regions of responsibility: Latin America, Spain, France, and Canada

• Review supporting schedules for accuracy and necessary corrections: Retained earnings, inter-company detail, AR aging, dividends, stockholder’s equity roll-forward, and fixed assets

• Review and analyze tax positions and make necessary financial statement adjustments to recognize tax assets or additional tax liabilities applicable under US GAAP rules

• Review statutory to US GAAP adjustments for accuracy

Karen Samhat, CPA

653 W. Hobbie ***********@*****.***

Chicago, IL 60610 312-***-****

• Review reported common stock, goodwill, and goodwill amortization against legal records, and true-up accounts reported incorrectly by reporting business units

• Calculate and record minority interest expenses and liabilities for business units under 50% ownership

• Special projects include: Disposition of companies, inter-company reconciliations, US GAAP journal entry pushdowns, support internal and external auditors during quarter and year-end reviews

• Participate in adhering to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act Assist business units in Latin America in the documentation of their internal control procedures

• Maintain accounting records and create monthly financial statements for two holding companies in Latin America

Northrop Grumman

Financial Analyst II June 2000-November 2002

• Document system reporting capabilities and highlight analytical tools to improve liquidity analysis

• Forecast income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for company-wide consolidation

• Train finance analyst on improving contract management and cash analysis by hosting training sessions on SAP financial applications

• Serve as an internal business area cash auditor and SAP power user

• Identify and find solutions to account receivable issues, excessive accruals, and inventory issues

• Guide the finance analysts on meeting upper management reporting requirements

• Accountable for monthly consolidated business area balance sheet and cash forecast requiring explanations of variances to upper management

• Lead the annual operating plan requiring the forecast of sales, acquisitions and margin

• Learn and apply SAP system to identify hidden cash problems and cash opportunities

• Financial management of international programs requiring scheduling for tasks, budgeting, and reporting performance to upper management

• Report cost and schedule variances to ensure financial and contract objectives are achieved

• Analyze monthly contract performance and facilitate analysis of problem areas and solutions

• Assign contract earned value criteria requiring identification of controllable and uncontrollable costs to maximize accountability

• Create and identify work break down structures that contribute to efficient monthly cost account manager status reviews

EDUCATION

University of Illinois at Chicago

• Masters of Science in Accounting with a minor in Management Information Systems, May 2002. Cumulative GPA 4.25/5.0

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting May 2000. Cumulative GPA 4.54/5.0, Major GPA 4.85/5.0

CERTIFICATION

Certified Public Accountant, May 2001

SKILLS

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, SAP, SPSS, Micro-Frame Program Management, wInsight Project & Administrator, Hyperion, PeopleSoft, Yardi, Cognos and Fluent in Spanish.

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Northrop Grumman Cash Collections/Program Operations Award-2001

Northrop Grumman Results Sharing Award-2002

Graduated with High Distinction in Accounting

Graduated with College Honors

Deans list: Fall 97, Fall 98, Fall 99, and Spring 00

Ameritech Scholarship for Scholastic Achievement, 1998 & 1999.

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