Chris Dodson Email & Phone Number

Oswego, Illinois, United States

Aurora, Illinois, United States

Aurora, Il

Supervise staff of 16 including, AR, AP, and Staff Accountants. Effectively reduced Open Debit Notes and open AR while reducing head count. Project Manager for successful SAP implementation from Quickbooks for Canada location. Key Notes:• Project Manager for successful SAP implementation over tight time schedule.• Reduction of Debit Notes from 1094 to 452, with a 53% reduction in outstanding Debit Note value.• Reduced 30 days past due and greater AR by 68% totaling $1.9… Show more Supervise staff of 16 including, AR, AP, and Staff Accountants. Effectively reduced Open Debit Notes and open AR while reducing head count. Project Manager for successful SAP implementation from Quickbooks for Canada location. Key Notes:• Project Manager for successful SAP implementation over tight time schedule.• Reduction of Debit Notes from 1094 to 452, with a 53% reduction in outstanding Debit Note value.• Reduced 30 days past due and greater AR by 68% totaling $1.9 million in additional collections.• Reduction of DSO from a high of 91.1 down to current levels of 60.5.• Month end close reduced from 6 days to 3 days while taking on additional locations.• Took over Canadian AR and reduced the greater than 30 days past due by 78% totaling $2.0 million in additional collections over a 4 month period of time.• Implemented new processes and procedures that effectively reduced headcount by 4 full FTE’s.• Successful Change Management through a period of turmoil caused by job relocation. • Creation of detailed Monthly Management Reporting that is presented to the Executive Committee.• Effectively managed AP and reduced the GRNB by 90%. Show less

Ottawa, Illinois

Accounting Manager 10/2011 to 12/2013Supervise staff of four including Payroll, A/R, A/P, and Staff Accountant. Consistently researching ways to reduce costs and increase margin. Manage quarterly tax payments for multiple states, as well as assist in annual tax returns. Research and application for Accounting Period change with the IRS (pending). Key Results:• Reduced costs by $228k annually by renegotiating contracts, elimination of overtime, elimination of premium… Show more Accounting Manager 10/2011 to 12/2013Supervise staff of four including Payroll, A/R, A/P, and Staff Accountant. Consistently researching ways to reduce costs and increase margin. Manage quarterly tax payments for multiple states, as well as assist in annual tax returns. Research and application for Accounting Period change with the IRS (pending). Key Results:• Reduced costs by $228k annually by renegotiating contracts, elimination of overtime, elimination of premium freight.• Reduced closing period by two days for month end close and by four days for quarter end close.• ISO TS 16949:2009 and ISO 14001:2004 certified. Show less

Westmont Illinois

Accounting Manager/Tax Manager, 2006 to 8/2011Sr. Financial Accountant, 7/2004 to 2006Manage quarterly estimates, annual extensions, and annual federal and multiple state returns for four separate entities, plus the consolidated holding company. Previously promoted to Accounting Manager position to direct accounting functions for a growing paper company. Supervised four accountants and oversaw financial analysis, financial audits, G/L, and fixed-asset accounting. Developed and managed… Show more Accounting Manager/Tax Manager, 2006 to 8/2011Sr. Financial Accountant, 7/2004 to 2006Manage quarterly estimates, annual extensions, and annual federal and multiple state returns for four separate entities, plus the consolidated holding company. Previously promoted to Accounting Manager position to direct accounting functions for a growing paper company. Supervised four accountants and oversaw financial analysis, financial audits, G/L, and fixed-asset accounting. Developed and managed external financial relationships (tax consultants, auditors) and constantly looked for ways to strengthen overall financial performance. Key results:Accounting Manager• I reduced external consultant costs by 50% in first year and 80% in second year, amounting to an annual savings of $175-200K.• Extensive training in CCH Tax Products.• Completion of numerous transfer pricing courses and updates.• Completion of FAS109/FIN48 training courses.• Significantly reduced cost and time to complete transfer pricing analysis.• Full State NEXUS review completed to ensure proper filing in all necessary states. Filed Voluntary Disclosure returns where necessary.• Built a finely tuned accounting department, fostering a collaborative environment that improved productivity, individual accountability and team morale.• Significant understanding of GAAP and IFRS Standards.• Developed closing procedures that allowed three days to be cut off of month end close, and four days to be cut off of quarter end close.• Uncovered $125K in accounting overpayments during a six-month period and delivered a 20% expense reduction through analytical studies of business performance.• Improved processes and reporting during SAP SD implementation.• Global SOX Audit Manager in charge of multiple personnel and processes for annual SOX audits.• Cash Management, including cash forecasting, reviewing and approving payment runs, and maintaining banking relationships. • Foreign currency experience. Show less

Aurora Illinois

Accounting Manager, 5/2002 to 6/2004Managed seven full time employees, including A/P, A/R, Sr. Staff Accountants, Inventory Control, Order Management, and Collections. Complete financial statement review, including creating a monthly management workbook made up of charts and graphs mapping trending analysis that was presented to the executive committee.Key results:• Analyzed departmental needs, reorganized as needed, and developed segregation of duties.• Introduced business… Show more Accounting Manager, 5/2002 to 6/2004Managed seven full time employees, including A/P, A/R, Sr. Staff Accountants, Inventory Control, Order Management, and Collections. Complete financial statement review, including creating a monthly management workbook made up of charts and graphs mapping trending analysis that was presented to the executive committee.Key results:• Analyzed departmental needs, reorganized as needed, and developed segregation of duties.• Introduced business process improvements that enhanced A/P functions, established common vendor files, eliminated duplication and reduced monthly processing time by 20%.• Reduced the number of Audit findings.• Annual budgeting as well as budget vs. actual variance analysis. • Successfully negotiated building lease that increased our space by 120% but our rent expense by only 33% Show less

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Senior Staff Accountant, 12/1999 to 5/2002Conducted month end close processes for two locations. Complete financial statement review for 25 operation locations. Reconciliation preparation for multiple entities. Preparation of annual budget as well as monthly forecasting.Key results:• Reduced period end closing by 3 days.• Created monthly reconciliations that helped uncover $50,000 in duplicate payments.• Internal Auditor of 25 operating locations.

Lombard, Illinois

Field Accountant, 12/1997 to 12/1999Interim Controller for Hub City Terminals, Inc., the largest operation of the company. Direct Supervision of nine employees with another 11 indirect supervised employees. Conducted Month End Close processes for two locations as well as assisted in month end close for nine additional locations.Key results:• Successfully implemented FAS for windows fixed asset software and later transitioned to Infinium fixed asset software.• Preparation of… Show more Field Accountant, 12/1997 to 12/1999Interim Controller for Hub City Terminals, Inc., the largest operation of the company. Direct Supervision of nine employees with another 11 indirect supervised employees. Conducted Month End Close processes for two locations as well as assisted in month end close for nine additional locations.Key results:• Successfully implemented FAS for windows fixed asset software and later transitioned to Infinium fixed asset software.• Preparation of quarterly and annual audit packages.• Conducted operational and financial audits to assist in reducing costs and increasing efficiencies.• Preparation and maintenance of annual operating budget for multiple departments and locations. Show less

Addison, Illionos

Financial Analyst, 06/1994 to 01/1997Completed cash and deposit reconciliations for multiple accounts. Conducted month end close procedures including the preparation of a detailed sales and financial books that were presented to the President of the company. Fixed asset manager. Assisted in the preparation of the annual budget extending over several departments.Key results:• Successful implementation of the Debit Card program that immediately increased the profitability and cash… Show more Financial Analyst, 06/1994 to 01/1997Completed cash and deposit reconciliations for multiple accounts. Conducted month end close procedures including the preparation of a detailed sales and financial books that were presented to the President of the company. Fixed asset manager. Assisted in the preparation of the annual budget extending over several departments.Key results:• Successful implementation of the Debit Card program that immediately increased the profitability and cash flow of the company.• Supervised two staff employee Show less