Project Manager/ Pastor

Erika L Beckstrom

***** ******** **, ******* *****, CA 92691 949-***-****

zsrsom@r.postjobfree.com

Summary:

Combining several years of experience in cross cultural missions service, corporate and nonprofit organizations, I offer creative and practical insight to a variety of settings and environments. With a passion for teaching, mentoring and cross cultural ministry, I have found fulfillment using my gifts as a pastor, administrator, leader and financial consultant to support individuals and organizations in their work and ministry. I seek a position with a Christian organization providing religious, health, education, relief or development services where I can use my gifts, passion and experience to teach and empower others and help build the ministry.

Experience:

3/11 – 6/11 Evangelical Covenant Church Chicago, IL

Finance Department

• Special projects including bank reconciliations, monthly entries, running monthly reports, reconciling general ledger balances, entering/ reconciling daily deposits, and other tasks as requested by Director of Finance.

11/09 – 3/11 Paul Carlson Partnership Democratic Republic of Congo & Chicago, IL

Financial Consultant for a $658,000 USAID grant to PCP/CEUM

• Led the Director of Finance (DF) of the Congolese Church (CEUM) in implementing QuickBooks to capture all CEUM, PCP, and USAID activity

• Mentor the DF to develop QuickBooks structure, enter transactions, develop an audit trail, prepare financial reports and answer accounting questions

• Conduct training sessions in French for key CEUM finance staff

• Collaborate and implement financial reporting for all field offices to insure timely and accurate reporting with USAID requirements

• Prepare USAID 425 quarterly report & NICRA proposal

• Develop policies and procedures for USAID grant

• Assist PCP Executive Director with oversight & analysis for USAID grant

• Participate in meetings & calls with USAID personnel & IMA consultants

• Liaison between CEUM, PCP and Evangelical Covenant Church for reporting

• Perform a detailed review of cash, financial and budgetary procedures, processes and controls of the CEUM and present report to CEUM President

• Assist the DF with preparation of the 2011 CEUM Budget for CEUM Council

• Develop and mentor the DF in the transition to a new file management system

9/09 – 12/10 Evangelical Covenant Church Chicago, IL

Department of World Mission, Missionary Personnel Assistant

• Provide administrative support for the Short-Term and Project Missionary application process.

• Assist with revision of Missionary handbook and application process

• Assist missionaries with ECC licensing and credentialing process

8/07 – 7/08 Sunset Covenant Church Portland, OR

Pastoral Intern

• Preach monthly, teach adult Sunday School, plan and lead worship, assist with confirmation and other general duties as necessary

• Visitation & counseling as needed

• Attend council meetings, ECC local and regional meetings, and regional nonprofit, school and community meetings

6/06 – 8/06 Our Lady of the Resurrection Hospital Chicago, IL

Student Chaplain

2003 – 2005 The Resource Center, NYSARC chapter Jamestown, NY

Finance Manager & Fiscal Services Administrator

• Responsible for implementing and managing established fiscal systems, and policies and procedures of The Resource Center and related HUD entities

• Supervise assigned Finance Department staff (3 supervisors & 17 staff)

• Assist in monthly monitoring of the Agency’s expenditures, operating results and key performance indicators. Participate in fiscal oversight meetings.

• Visit program sites to build relationships with Program Managers and Direct Care staff, conduct budget review sessions and answer financial questions.

• Act on behalf of Agency as liaison with independent and regulatory auditors

• Attend disability awareness training sessions

2001 – 2002 Evangelical Covenant Church Burkina Faso and Thailand

Short-Term Missionary/Financial Consultant

Burkina Faso, West Africa

• Financial Consultant for the development of and transition to common accounting system for two village health centers run by SIM & government

• Assist the country treasurer with budgeting, auditing and accounting questions

• Participate in local and regional worship, prayer and missionary services

Roi Et, Thailand

• Team leader for the transition from a manual accounting system to QuickBooks for the economic development & regional church activities

Bangkok, Thailand

• Led the initial setup of financial reporting, policies, procedures and cash controls for the Abundant Life Center’s new economic development program

1998 – 2001 Arthur Andersen, LLP, Chicago, IL

Corporate Restructuring Practice, Manager & Senior Consultant

• Provide consulting services to companies in financial distress, including financial restructuring, reorganizing, turnaround and workouts both within and outside formal insolvency proceedings

• Develop and present 1, 3 and 5 year business plans to executive management, legal counsel, current or potential lenders and outside financial advisors

• Forecast short and long term cash flow needs

• Write reports assessing current financial status of company and management’s capability to successfully implement a turnaround plan and operate profitably

• Participate in strategy meetings with attorneys, creditors & sr. management

• Supervise Andersen staff and company staff while acting as liaison to advisors

1996 – 1998 Audit and Business Advisory Services, Staff Auditor Chicago, IL

Education:

North Park Theological Seminary Chicago, IL

Master of Divinity, High Honors, May 2009

Purdue University West Lafayette, IN

B.S. Accounting, with Distinction, May 1996

Community Involvement/Certification/Training:

• Certified Public Accountant, Illinois, May 1997

• Volunteer Chaplain/Pastor, Covenant Home of Chicago and Methodist Home

• Small Group Leader, University Ministries, North Park University

• Adult Mentor, Project Visions (Big Brothers & Big Sisters Program)

• Sr. High Youth Group Leader, First Covenant Church

• Finance Committee Member, First Covenant Church

• Domestic Violence Awareness Training

• Disability Awareness Training

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