Amber Haston Email & Phone Number

Miami, Florida, United States

Brea, California, United States

I joined LSL CPAs to have the opportunity to continue the work that I am passionate about, but instead of serving one organization at a time, I am able to help many. In addition to implementation of GASB 87 and 96, I have broad experience working with and in municipal finance departments, which gave me a fundamental understanding of finance management and diverse skillset that I can leverage for my clients. This includes helping agencies enhance their financial management, everything from… Show more I joined LSL CPAs to have the opportunity to continue the work that I am passionate about, but instead of serving one organization at a time, I am able to help many. In addition to implementation of GASB 87 and 96, I have broad experience working with and in municipal finance departments, which gave me a fundamental understanding of finance management and diverse skillset that I can leverage for my clients. This includes helping agencies enhance their financial management, everything from development and improvement of policies and procedures to development impact fee reconciliations. As a trusted partner of our clients, I serve as an extension of their team and share what I’ve learned working in municipal finance departments. Show less

- Prepared the annual General Fund long range fiscal forecast.- Led the annual fee study and cost allocation plan- Developed rate methodology and monitored internal service funds charges, funding levels, and reserves- Annually updated the Facilities Financial Plan and Harbor and Beaches Master Plan.-Implemented internal control audit recommendations.- Coordinated financial system enhancements and administration of role-based security and electronic workflow and approvals… Show more - Prepared the annual General Fund long range fiscal forecast.- Led the annual fee study and cost allocation plan- Developed rate methodology and monitored internal service funds charges, funding levels, and reserves- Annually updated the Facilities Financial Plan and Harbor and Beaches Master Plan.-Implemented internal control audit recommendations.- Coordinated financial system enhancements and administration of role-based security and electronic workflow and approvals with IT. - Development of financial polices and procedures.Key Special Projects:- In FY 2022-23, led the City of Newport Beach’s Tyler Munis ERP Optimization Project to evaluate the City’s use of the system and coordinate the implementation of process, policy, and technical improvements in response to evaluation findings.- In FY 2021-22, implemented rate setting methodology changes to the City of Newport Beach’s Insurance Reserve Internal Service Fund to include a mix of allocation factors to better reflect the likelihood of future claims and result in less variability in the internal charges to individual departments due to claims variances. Show less

Yorba Linda, California, United States

Key Special Projects: - In FY 2019-20, led the financial analysis and coordinated with the Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee to reduce the City of Costa Mesa’s Marijuana business tax from 6% to 1%.- In FY 2019-20, led the revision to the City of Costa Mesa’s Capital Asset Needs (CAN) Ordinance with the Departments of Information Technology, Public Services and Finance to adjust the allocation of General Fund revenues for capital related projects to maximize use of existing resources to cover a… Show more Key Special Projects: - In FY 2019-20, led the financial analysis and coordinated with the Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee to reduce the City of Costa Mesa’s Marijuana business tax from 6% to 1%.- In FY 2019-20, led the revision to the City of Costa Mesa’s Capital Asset Needs (CAN) Ordinance with the Departments of Information Technology, Public Services and Finance to adjust the allocation of General Fund revenues for capital related projects to maximize use of existing resources to cover a broader range of assets and City Council priorities, such as information technology related capital projects.- Developed the FY 2018-19 and FY 2019-20 Capital Improvement Program Budgets, including the FY 2019-20 redesign; and the FY 2019-20 Budget in Brief, which was the City of Costa Mesa’s first standalone document in nearly ten years depicting an “at-a-glance” view in lieu of excerpts of the budget document.- In FY 2018-19, assisted with a cash analysis and audit of each capital fund and corresponding projects, leading to the identification of a deficient cash balance in the City of Costa Mesa’s Capital Improvements Fund. Show less

Lake Forest, Ca

-Administered 18 Public Works Maintenance Contracts; forecast, track and analyze expenditures-Developed, monitored, and analyzed Landscape/Building Maintenance and Lake Forest Sports Park Divisions budgets, collectively $5.9 million-Prepared RFP's and RFB's for Capital Improvement Projects and contracted Maintenance services-Developed two-year Capital Improvement Projects for Maintenance Division-Member of internal City Ad-Hoc Public Relations Committee-Managed Expand the… Show more -Administered 18 Public Works Maintenance Contracts; forecast, track and analyze expenditures-Developed, monitored, and analyzed Landscape/Building Maintenance and Lake Forest Sports Park Divisions budgets, collectively $5.9 million-Prepared RFP's and RFB's for Capital Improvement Projects and contracted Maintenance services-Developed two-year Capital Improvement Projects for Maintenance Division-Member of internal City Ad-Hoc Public Relations Committee-Managed Expand the Forest, Eagle Scout, and Graffiti Abatement Programs-Member of internal City Sunshine Club Committee; manage employee contributed funds and plan employee engagement events-Prepared staff reports, memorandum, and standard operating proceduresKey Special Projects:-Improved the transparency of the Landscape/Building Maintenance and Lake Forest Sports Park divisions’ budgets by improving the justification for each line item-Implemented a coordinated approach to graffiti abatement with private property owners and external agencies-For FY 15-16, reduced the graffiti abatement expenditures by 42%, collectively saving $37,000. Utilized graffiti abatement program savings for anti-graffiti abatement projects. -Improved City’s ongoing monitoring and graffiti abatement contractor’s use of T.A.G.R.S.-Shifted the City’s response to graffiti from reactive to proactive through effective internal coordination-For FY 16-17, automated the City’s graffiti abatement program tracking through the implementation of Survey 123 for ArcGIS. Implemented program among internal City inspectors and contractors. -Developed and Implemented graffiti abatement program performance analytics for Public Works department annual performance measurement. -Created the City’s Victim Impact Statement, explaining the extent vandalism affects the City and its residents.-Presented reports and prepared agendas and minutes for the Citizen Traffic Advisory Ad-Hoc Committee monthly from August 2015 to May 2016. Show less

Laguna Beach, Ca

-Provided administrative, analytical, technical and programmatic support to the General Manager and District departments-Prepared, compiled, and disseminated qualitative and quantitative documentation including correspondence, newsletters, flyers, reports, manuals, procedures, forms, inventories, presentations, logs and minutes-Coordinated, prepared, and distributed Administration and Finance Committee meeting agendas and minutes-Created public information event and program… Show more -Provided administrative, analytical, technical and programmatic support to the General Manager and District departments-Prepared, compiled, and disseminated qualitative and quantitative documentation including correspondence, newsletters, flyers, reports, manuals, procedures, forms, inventories, presentations, logs and minutes-Coordinated, prepared, and distributed Administration and Finance Committee meeting agendas and minutes-Created public information event and program materials-Assisted in administering internal website content-Administered the District Scholarship Program-Administered the Fat, Oils and Grease Program Inspections and Permits-Facilitated and tracked the Root Intrusion Program-Assisted in tracking Integrated Regional Water Management Grant (Proposition 84 Grant) Plan of Actions & Milestones-Facilitated District's participation at community events, including Dana Point's Festival of Whale's Parade 2015, Earth Day in Dana Point 2015, and the Laguna Beach Kelpfest 2015-Participated in Emergency Operations Center exercises as Resource Unit Leader-Responded to public records requestsMajor Accomplishments:-Improved number of Scholarship Program applicants from 2 (2014) to 18 (2015)-Established Scholarship Program applicant evaluation criteria and established and participated as a member of the Internal Scholarship review panel-Created fillable online forms for the Scholarship and Fats, Oils and Grease Programs-Improved percentage of restaurants in compliance with the Fats, Oils and Grease Program Show less

Laguna Beach, Ca

-Call center administration for Customer Service department-Responded to customer inquiries and complaints via email, in-person, and over the phone while documenting correspondence in enQuesta 4-Drafted correspondence, reports, and forms in accordance with District policies-Assisted in the coordination of new water and sewer services; managed department permitting projects-Managed computer billing systems; edited and prepared customer biling statements through EnQuesta 4… Show more -Call center administration for Customer Service department-Responded to customer inquiries and complaints via email, in-person, and over the phone while documenting correspondence in enQuesta 4-Drafted correspondence, reports, and forms in accordance with District policies-Assisted in the coordination of new water and sewer services; managed department permitting projects-Managed computer billing systems; edited and prepared customer biling statements through EnQuesta 4, Win-SCP, and Infosend-Processed work orders, customer collections, delinquent and hut-off processes and payments, and the input of new services, construction accounts, and upgrades-Administered and analyzed edit list reports of customer consumption, tracked abnormal water usage-Balanced cash receipts; reconciled payments-Coordinated work order with field service personnel and external customers-Assisted in performing research and report preparation related to customer service water conservation initiatives Show less

Foothill Ranch, California