Accountant (Xxxxxx Area)

Qualifications Profile

    Results-driven solutions thinker in the fields of corporate accounting and financial management support with over 38 years in the media and outsourced accounting service/consulting sectors.

    Proven dedication to process efficiencies and client satisfaction, providing end-to-end accounting solutions in asset management, payroll administration, intercompany clearing and reconciliations, cash management, systems administration, compliance management, & transition accounting for mergers and joint ventures.

    Detail-oriented & analytical with critical thinking to resolve complex accounting and reconciliation issues.

    Well-organized with multitasking and prioritization skills that maximize resources to achieve outstanding results.

    Excellent interpersonal communication skills that foster internal and external customer confidence.

Professional Experience

Ÿ Collaborate with new clients in setting up their accounts in the company s financial/accounting system to ensure smooth transition to the production team.

Ÿ Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheets, Bank Reconciliations, Sales & Use Tax returns) to address client needs, and interacting with them to review financials.

Ÿ Assisted in transitioning JMG assets to Gannett Media and in transferring cash concentration accounts, downloading fixed asset files to MS Excel and converting them to the Gannet Chart of accounts, while training the Gannet team in Indiana in period close procedures, intercompany accounting practices, and cash account management.

Ÿ Managed transition of Journal Media Group as a spin off from a JV deal between Journal Communications and EW Scripps, interpreting MS Excel files received from Scripps involving fixed assets worth over $600M and converting/reformatting the data to a newly created chart of accounts in the Sage Fixed Asset software.

Ÿ Oversaw Capital Budget tracking, CIP, additions, disposals and asset transfers of all companies.

Ÿ Cleared all intercompany accounts and assisted in transitioning all companies to the new cash concentration accounts.

Ÿ Managed enterprise-wide Fixed Asset Accounting, Sales and Use Tax returns, Commercial Billing, bank and credit card reconciliations, Month end expense review, re-class, adjusting and accrual entries for several company affiliates such as Journal Communications, Journal Sentinel, Journal Community Publishing Group, Community Newspapers, and Lake Country Newspapers for both internal and tax books.

Ÿ Directed journalizing of asset additions, disposals, CIP tracking and reconciliation, depreciation, & inventory reviews

Ÿ Administered the Sage Fixed Asset system and all updates/upgrades; managed capital and expense budgeting, period-end reconciliations, and G/L journal entries, while assisting in real property valuation for insurance purposes.

Ÿ Oversaw the PPE portion of the Cash Flow Statement, as well as personal property, manufacturing & real estate tax, internal SOX testing of all Paper and Ink consumption, quarterly reporting of all PPE, accounts receivable, bad debt, allowance and reserve accounts, as well as clearing and reconciliation of all intercompany accounts.

Ÿ Managed reconciliation of all Circulation Accounts Receivable, Bank and Credit Card Statements and journal entries, including reconciliation of Accounts Payable distribution account, while clearing all intercompany accounts.

Ÿ Processed weekly/biweekly payroll taxes and generated FTE payroll reports for production areas.

Ÿ Produced quarterly financial reports; conducted monthly expense reviews period end adjusting entries, accruals and variance analysis with assigned department heads; and provided Circulation Average rate report for management use.

Ÿ Oversaw accounting of Sales and Use tax returns; conducted Purchase Card reviews and journal entries; managed retention schedules and archival of all accounting files; and SOX testing of all Paper and Ink consumption.

Education & Credentials

B.S. in Accounting, Lakeland University Ÿ Plymouth, WI (In-progress)

Technical Skills

Advance MS Excel, PeopleSoft, Blackline, Coupa, Sage, & MS Office 365

Affiliation/Community Involvement

Member: Journal Sentinel Volunteer Committee for fund raising events (2000 2010)