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Senior Financial Analyst – West Houston – 70 to 75K – dcd@fittsroberts.com November 2010

Pictures January 2010
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About Me April 2009

My Resume February 2010

Current Job Openings!!!!! Accounting & Finance – Houston, Texas February 2010

The VP will be a key member of management and will act as a liaison between management,

the investors, and other financial constituents. The responsibilities will primarily include the

following:

Developing and executing plan to professionalize accounting, finance, and reporting to the

Board, Investors and Management

The VP will be responsible for professionalizing the Company’s accounting and finance

operations and assisting in implementing strategic opportunities. The VP will be expected to

assume the mindset of an owner and an operator in suggesting innovative, value‐creating

initiatives. Examples of duties could include managing growth and the resulting capital

requirements, minimizing taxes, evaluating strategic M&A and divestitures, minimizing working

capital, and continually optimizing the company’s capital structure. The VP will also create and

manage best‐in‐class financial controls and reporting mechanisms to empower the company’s

decision making capabilities, with an immediate focus on inventory management and medical

billing systems.

Ideal candidates are those who thrive in demanding, analytical, and meritocratic work

environments where hard work is rewarded.

Qualifications

 CPA with audit or tax experience required

 Operations experience in an entrepreneurial or start‐up company a plus

 Six to ten years of work experience

 Strong analytical and quantitative skills desired

BASIC FUNCTION: Performs as reviewer for routine tax work and as preparer for complex tax work. Reviews/prepares federal income tax returns, return workpapers and consolidating workpapers, net operating loss carryover computations and current year allocation to subsidiaries, tax basis depreciation schedules, asset disposition analysis, foreign tax credit, and earnings and profit analysis. Reviews/prepares state income tax returns, annual reports, franchise tax returns, and other miscellaneous tax returns. Supports federal and state tax return audits as necessary. Performs tax research and planning as needed.

DUTIES: AUTHORITY
1. Develops, implements and maintains internal processes and controls around domestic tax compliance. II
2. Reviews/prepares federal and state income tax returns. II
3. Assists the IRS Audit group with federal and state income tax return audits, as necessary. II
4. Reviews/prepares various miscellaneous domestic tax return filings such as property, sales and use and excise tax returns. II
5. Works with Treasury group on annual bank account filings.
6. Assists Tax Reporting group with quarterly book to tax adjustments, as necessary.
7. Assists Legal group with required filings for changes in the organizational structure.
8. Works on various tax research projects impacting tax filings.

Diane Delgado LeMaire |　Senior Managing Director, Accounting & Finance Recruiting | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 800 | Houston, TX 77057 | 713-260-5238 | dcd@fittsroberts.com| Blog| Twitter| LinkedIn

BASIC FUNCTION: The Senior Analyst is responsible for assisting with the documentation, coordination, and assessment of all key business processes, inherent risks, and mitigating controls throughout the organization. The Senior Analyst is responsible for the operation and administration of software applications to operate the control framework and for training and education. The Senior Analyst will assist the Internal Audit department and external auditors.

MISSION: Our mission is to support and monitor the company¡¦s internal control environment to promote (1) reliability of financial statements, (2) efficiency and effectiveness in business processes, (3) compliance with laws and regulations, and (4) safeguarding of assets.

DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES:
The Internal Controls Group is primarily responsible for the maintenance of an internal control framework according to the COSO ¡§Internal Control ¡V Integrated Framework¡¨ model of internal control, coordination of management¡¦s quarterly certifications for its disclosure controls and annual assessment of its internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) as required by the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. The group has the following departmental objectives:

1. Maintaining documentation of key processes, the risk assessments, and mitigating controls.
2. Supporting the design and effectiveness of the company¡¦s control structure.
3. Monitoring risk and advising process owners of mitigation alternatives.
4. Recommending improvements to and promoting standardization of processes.
5. Supporting quarterly management certifications and management¡¦s assessment of effective internal control for its annual report on ICFR.
6. Interfacing with internal and external auditors to achieve internal control goals.
7. Maintaining Finance policy and procedures for the worldwide organization.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities Authority
Meet with process owners to develop accurate representations of significant business processes, using flow charts and narratives. II
Conduct 404 formal and informal walkthroughs (test of one) for significant business processes to confirm the documentation. II
Identify, classify, and detail internal controls for significant business processes. II
Establish and implement internal controls policies and procedures, as well as financial and operational policies and procedures. III
Administer the framework tools to support assessments and testing. II
Support self assessments of the user community and report results. II
Conduct on-site visits to company locations to provide guidance on internal controls compliance and assist with process documentation efforts. III
Coordinate testing requirements with Internal Audit and external auditors. III
Serve as a liaison between Internal Auditors and the business units to develop remediation plans for control exceptions. II
Identify and develop best practices for performing internal controls. II
Perform assessment of service provider reviews (SAS 70) annually. II
Assist the process owners and control owners with the design and implementation of changes to the control structure when necessary. II
Keep abreast of the evolution of regulatory requirements and business trends. The Analyst is responsible for maintaining a knowledge base and continued education of changes and trends with regard to the regulations and to best practice approaches to comply with requirements

Internal Auditor

Position Description:

The Internal Auditor may be involved in all phases of an audit, including planning, project execution and communication, as directed by the associated project supervisor. The Internal Auditor will work with the audit team and business personnel to understand both financial and operational controls, determine and assess risks within processes, identify controls and deficiencies and provide recommendations to improve processes under review. Finally, the Internal Auditor may be involved in special projects and/or company initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Interacts with process owners and control owners in areas under review, conveying the department’s guiding principles of integrity, objectivity, innovation, excellence and teamwork
• Develops audit programs designed to evaluate reliability of financial information, effectiveness of internal controls, efficiency of operations and compliance with established policies and procedures
• Documents business processes, identifying key controls and identifying process improvement opportunities
• Performs audit fieldwork
• Monitors compliance with established policies, procedures and sound business practices
• Promotes implementation of best practices to strengthen internal controls
• Prepares, assembles and organizes work papers documenting audit procedures performed
• Communicates status and findings to supervisor throughout course of audit
• Drafts audit reports, detailing audit procedures performed and findings (including strengths and weaknesses)
• Assists with preparation of control reports, status reports, scorecards and presentations
• Finalizes audit reports, incorporating management responses
• Complies with departmental policies and procedures
• Assists with special projects, as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree, preferred in Business-related field
• Professional Certification, such as CIA, CPA or CISA or certification candidate preferred
• 3 – 5 years experience in auditing and risk management positions OR 4 -7 years experience in drilling or manufacturing industries with progressing levels of responsibility
• General understanding of business and accounting principles

Interested candidates should demonstrate:

• Broad understanding of internal control principles, design, evaluation and remediation and general computing controls
• Strong analytical, organizational and time management skills, including ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently
• Professionalism
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Service-oriented approach
• Solid work ethic
• Team-player attitude
• Proficiency with PC-based tools, including the Microsoft Office Suite, SAP and computer assisted auditing tools

This position reports to the Corporate Financial Shared Services Director. The individual in this position will have the responsibility for managing and overseeing all activities and associate responsibilities related to fixed asset accounting in compliance with internal controls and USGAAP on a global basis, including the maintenance and reconciliation of the Fixed Assets accounting system in SAP, capital spending tracking and related reporting.

• Oversee reconciliation of fixed asset subsidiary ledgers to the GL monthly; resolve any resulting discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Design, implement and monitor process to ensure all asset additions, transfers and disposals are appropriately accounted.
• Coordinate efforts to identify and resolve systems or operational issues that affect the company’s fixed asset balances.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining strong working relationships with the locations served under the shared function organization. To this end, train and educate their customers on data relationships, policies/procedures and potential areas of concern.
• Oversee monthly fluctuation analyses on changes in the FA and accumulated depreciation accounts and communicate findings and recommendations to locations that own the assets.
• Prepare tax and reporting schedules and resolve audit issues identified by auditors, prepare depreciation and other fixed asset-related entry adjustments.
• Ensure strict compliance with SOX.
• Prepare supporting tax schedules for income and property tax returns and tracking the company’s capital expenditure against capital requests.
• Coordinate all communication and work with Finance counterparts and Controllers at multiple locations.
• Prepare ad hoc reports for Sr. Management and Corporate as necessary.
• Maintain accurate and current documentation and files. Job Requirements/ Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting preferred and 5+ years work experience in a financial accounting environment. 4+ years management experience.

Analytical Ability – This role requires significant attention to details. Therefore, the candidate should be able to collect, analyze and interpret data to produce accurate reporting. Ability to work with detail to identify errors and root causes of errors, develop workable solutions or alternatives. Ability to continuously improve reporting processes and tools.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Proven ability to thrive in a team environment and go the ‘extra mile’ if necessary. The candidate should be willing to assist other team members to achieve team goals and objectives, and share learning with other team members.

Communication Skills – Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills. Must be comfortable in interacting with others.
Planning and Organization Skills –Must be a meticulous self-starter and have the ability to multi-task to meet tight timelines.

Independent and self driven. Demonstrates assertiveness in pursuing open issues to closure.

Systems Experience – Advanced MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word are a must. SAP, Hyperion Financial Management (HFM), Business Warehouse are desirable.

Description:

Candidate will work within a growing Portfolio Company with operations

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Supervise credit and collection activities at Corporate and in the field.

• Conducts credit investigations and collecting delinquent accounts of customers.

• Investigating and verifying financial status and reputation of prospective customers applying for credit, preparing documents to substantiate findings, and recommending rejection or approval of applications.

• Establishes credit limitations on customer accounts and handles special credit arrangements and deviations from standard terms of payment.

• Establishes and updates customers’ credit activities.

• Assists in determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts

• Reviews collection reports to ascertain status of collections and balances outstanding and to evaluate effectiveness of current collection policies and procedures.

• Audits delinquent accounts considered to be uncollectible to ensure maximum efforts have been taken before assigning bad debt status to account.

• Reviews accounts receivable detail on a daily basis and takes prompt action to investigate and clear past due invoices, deductions, unidentified and unapplied cash.

• Supplies information to and works with the field controller and project administrators to accelerate the payment schedule of slow paying customers.

• Gathers analyzes customer credit and financial information as defined by corporate credit policy to safeguard company assets and minimize risk associated with extending open credit terms.  Utilizes Dunn & Bradstreet and /or other sources to analyze credit terms and risk.

• Reviews new orders and blocked order, conducts credit investigations as required and takes appropriate action based on customers’ credit status.

• Prepares monthly reversal package or accounts receivable trends and metrics.

• Apply cash received from lockbox or ACH payments to (lower tier) customer accounts in Oracle,  including customer inquiries for deductions and unidentified cash as well as retrieval and distribution of support documentation (i.e. check copies, remittance details, etc.).

• Resolve customer deductions and payment discrepancies.

• Apply wire transfer payments received.

• Contact customers to investigate deductions or undocumented payments.

• Provide customers with correct wire transfer payment instructions.

• Special projects and customer visits as assigned by management.

• Submit delinquent accounts to in-house legal or outside agency for collection and/or initiates contractor liens.

• Assist management in the formulation of credit policies.

Supervisory Responsibilities                                                     

 Credit and collection analyst at corporate and in the field 

Education and/or Experience                                                     

Business degree with a minimum of five years of experience serving as manager or supervisor of credit and collections department for a major corporation with multiple field offices.   Experience with percentage of completion contracts desirable, but not required

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Accounting & Finance Recruiting | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 800 | Houston, TX 77057 | 713-260-5238 | dcd@fittsroberts.com| Blog| Twitter| LinkedIn

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage effective administrative/financial systems including financial, accounting, legal,  human resources and facilities
• Participate in developing new business ventures/structures leading to job creation opportunities for  clients including researching best business structures to accommodate said ventures
• Develop plans for maximization of company assets, i.e. property, cash and resources
• Conduct on-going fiscal monitoring of  contractors/sub recipients including the development of monitoring tools as per contract guidelines.
• Build relationships and participate in high level meetings with funding agencies and potential funders/donors
• Prepare annual budget and implements administrative controls, including the preparation of the cost allocation plan for the agency.
• Manage HR, payroll and benefits functions including continuous development of cost savings initiatives
• Attend meeting with Board of Directors and prepare financial reports for presentation to Board
• Direct procurement efforts as per internal regulations and ensure all practices in line with federal and state guidelines
• Develop and execute accounting fiscal procedures to ensure accurate and effective handling of all the organization’s accounting and finances
• Manage accounting department with supervision of accountants and support staff
• Possess excellent contract compliance with financially prudent and responsible revenue utilization
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports, prepare budgets, including modifications
• Coordinate with outside auditors in preparation of schedules and analysis necessary for the smooth completion of the independent audits.  Ensure all audits result in no material findings
• Maintain accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, DOL and TWC Financial Management Manual, and the Uniform Grants and Contract Management Standards.
• Manage multiple funding streams and cost reimbursement contracts for both federal and state grants
• Prepare monthly and annual financial reporting materials and metrics
• Oversee budgeting, financial forecasting and cash flow
• Prepare monthly financial status reports as required by grants and contracts.
• Prepare sub recipient contracts align with contractual and legal requirements
• Ensure compliance and submit applicable reports to the Internal Revenue Service, Texas Workers Compensation, Texas Workforce Commission, and other regulatory entities.
• Monitor the internal fiscal, purchasing, and personnel administration in compliance with federal, state, and local law, regulations, and interpretations, and ensures that agency policies and actions remain in compliance.
• Prepare comparative analysis of operating programs by analyzing costs in relation to services performed and submits reports to management team with recommendations for budget revisions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, or Business Administration with a minor in Accounting.  CPA preferred with a Master’s Degree in Finance or Business Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in governmental and/or fund accounting and extensive knowledge of grant accounting requirements including managing the finance and administration of a $3 – $5 million non-profit organization.
• Experience should include legal, audit, compliance, budget and resource development.
• Proven management experience totaling three years or more.
• Committed to the mission of the company with high personal integrity

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Accounting & Finance Recruiting | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 800 | Houston, TX 77057 | 713-260-5238 | dcd@fittsroberts.com| Blog| Twitter| LinkedIn

Top 10 myths about job interviews.

DUTIES: AUTHORITY

Capital Structure and Financings
1. Ensures accurate and efficient management of the Company’s existing debt portfolio, including analysis, recommendations, covenant compliance and reporting of bank borrowings, convertible notes and public bonds. I
2. Evaluates corporate finance and capital structure issues, including the drafting of white papers and presentations for senior management and Board of Directors. I
3. Creates complex financial models (e.g., IRR, discounted cash flow, etc.) for analysis and evaluation of financing proposals. I
4. Recommends and executes capital structure strategies (e.g., debt issuance and repurchase, return of excess cash to shareholders, etc.) which result in multi-million dollar savings. III
5. Negotiates and executes financing agreements, capital and operating lease transactions, money market loan borrowings, and 10b5-1 debt retirement and shareholder return programs as may be approved by senior management and the Board of Directors. III
6. Proactively monitors credit markets, and alerts management to potential issues impacting our debt ratings and ability to meet financial covenants. I
7. Collaborates with Accounting, Tax and Legal to ensure the proper execution, documentation and accounting of all financings and derivatives activity. I
8. Researches and responds to questions and information requests from internal and external constituents (e.g., bankers, investors, holders of stock warrants, et. al.), providing required analysis and commentary. I

Financial Risk Management
9. Evaluates counterparty credit risk, including review of drilling contracts for relevant credit terms, assessment of clients and financial institutions, and approval of any necessary credit or collateral requirements (e.g., escrow agreements, letters of credit, cash deposits, etc.). I
10. Analyzes the Company’s overall interest rate risk and foreign exchange exposure. I
11. Reviews and monitors relevant market conditions and recommends risk mitigation strategies. I
12. Executes and manages hedging strategies, including documentation for FAS 133 hedge accounting treatment, relationships with outside providers for effectiveness testing, valuation, etc. III

Bank and Rating Agency Relations
13. Fosters excellent relationships with commercial and investment banks and lenders, in furtherance of the Company’s overall goals to provide for liquidity and flexibility for strategic opportunities (e.g., M&A, asset acquisitions, etc.). I
14. Obtains information on bank and capital market conditions, and products and services that may be beneficial to the Company. I
15. Interfaces with rating agency analysts, providing updates on the Company and maintaining periodic dialogue as appropriate, with the goal of enhancing the Company’s ratings. III

Investor Relations
16. Responds directly to investors’ questions relating to debt instruments and corporate finance transactions of the Company, being careful not to disclose non-public information. II
17. Handles communications with investors with great sensitivity and urgency, referring matters to senior management as necessary and appropriate. I

Debt Accounting and Reporting
18. Interfaces with Financial Reporting and Corporate Accounting departments with regard to SEC filings (e.g., drafting and commenting on disclosures, etc.) and internal reporting efforts. I

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Accounting & Finance Recruiting | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 800 | Houston, TX 77057 | 713-260-5238 | dcd@fittsroberts.com  | http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/| www.dianedelgadolemaire.wordpress.com| www.twitter.com/CPARecruiterHOU| www.linkedin.com/in/dianedelgadolemaire

Crude price’s revival bringing pain to pump

$100 a barrel could be within reach as industry bounces back

By BRETT CLANTON
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Nov. 12, 2010, 5:25AM

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Crude oil prices are creeping higher again, with some experts predicting a return to $100 a barrel soon, in a trend that could be a boon to Houston’s vast energy economy but a pain for consumers stuck with the bills. Prices continued their ascent Thursday, briefly hitting their highest point in two years — and almost touching $90 a barrel — before closing unchanged from Wednesday. The recent run-up comes as a Federal Reserve stimulus program weakens the value of the dollar, spurring investors to shift money to commodities, and global energy demand resumes growth. The spike, which arrives after many months of relative calm in crude markets, already is pushing pump prices higher for Americans.Analysts differ on whether crude prices have peaked for now or will continue to rise. “I think we could see a break of $90 and a possible test of $100 over the next month or two,” said Matt Smith, analyst with Summit Energy in Louisville, Ky., who sees further momentum from the weak dollar and strengthening economy. But Alfred Luaces, vice president of Purvin & Gertz in Houston, believes the dollar’s value has likely bottomed-out and that crude prices will soften from current levels.”We think for the moment, it’s probably gone high enough, and there’s going to be some sell-off,” he said. On Thursday, crude oil for December delivery settled unchanged at $87.81 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Futures at one point reached $88.63, the highest midday price since Oct. 9, 2008.Because two-thirds of the cost for a gallon of gasoline comes from crude oil, pump prices have also been rising along with oil.

Price at the pump up

The national average for regular gasoline jumped in a week from $2.81 to $2.86 a gallon, AAA said Thursday. In Houston, the average price rose to $2.66, up from $2.61 last week, the motor club said.Until recently, crude prices had been steady for more than a year, hovering between $70 and $80 a barrel. Prices remained stable and high by historical standards even as the economy limped and natural gas prices stalled at low levels. On Thursday natural gas closed down 11.9 cents at $3.93 per million British thermal units.Crude’s pattern, however, followed a period of wild swings, in which oil shot to a record close of $145.29 a barrel in July 2008 then plummeted several months later to roughly $30 amid the global financial crisis. The recent uptick in prices has revived concerns about triple-digit oil and the negative ripple effects it could have on the still-nascent economic recovery. But Smith doubts a replay of the last big run-up: “We’ve sort of learned our lesson from a couple of years ago.” The Federal Reserve said this month it will try to stimulate the economy by purchasing $600 billion in bonds under a program called quantitative easing. The surge of money is designed to reduce interest rates and jump-start the economy by spurring lending, but it has weakened the value of the dollar against other currencies. This makes crude, priced in dollars, a more attractive investment for holders of foreign currencies.

$3.25 a gallon in spring?

Analysts said the program has been a bigger driver of recent oil price gains than stronger-than-expected growth in energy demand this year around the globe, particularly in China and other parts of the developing world. Generally, every $1 increase in the price of oil adds about 2.5 cents per gallon to the retail cost of gasoline, Luaces said. Pump prices could match or top this year’s peak of $2.92 a gallon, set Memorial Day weekend, before the end of the year, said Tom Kloza, senior oil analyst with the Oil Price Information Service in Wall, N.J. In the spring, when fuel demand is higher, prices could hit $3.25 nationwide.Forecasters with the U.S. Energy Information Administration expect retail gasoline to average $2.84 a gallon this winter, 19 cents higher than a year ago. “Longer term, I don’t believe there is any question that sometime this decade — and I believe it will be later, rather than sooner — we will be paying $4 to $5 a gallon for U.S. gasoline and diesel,” Kloza said.

brett.clanton@chron.com

Diane Delgado LeMaire | Senior Managing Director, Accounting & Finance Recruiting | Creative Financial Staffing, a division of Fitts, Roberts CPA Firm | 5718 Westheimer Suite 800 | Houston, TX 77057 | 713-260-5238 | dcd@fittsroberts.com  | http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/| www.dianedelgadolemaire.wordpress.com| www.twitter.com/CPARecruiterHOU| www.linkedin.com/in/dianedelgadolemaire