Cathleen Merkel Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Northbrook, Illinois, United States

Greater Denver Area

• Implemented governance process for Finance master data objects by creating forms, implementing request process and training the business.• Documented overall governance structure including creation of a data dictionary, job aids, approval matrix and standards for Finance master data objects.• Executed implementation of Finance master data for regions being integrated into the global SAP instance.• Participated in project to execute a System Landscape Optimization for cost centers and profit centers which required renumbering all cost center and profit center numbers in all tables as well as adding two additional attributes to cost center master data to allow for more dynamic reporting.

Greater Chicago Area

• Managed staff of three. Executed month end close process for US and Canadian entities ensuring proper and timely submission of financial statements to the Consolidations department.• Collaborated with Internal Audit department to submit proper process and financial documentation for Sarbanes-Oxley and financial audits.• Coordinated the integration of shared services for Canadian sales office into Corporate departments.• Managed project for implementing new general ledger company codes in SAP as part of Fortune Brands integration to Beam, Inc. • Implemented fixed assets SAP module for US and Canadian companies.

Greater Chicago Area

• Managed two senior level accountants. Executed monthly, quarterly and year-end activites for treasury accounting, foreign exchange analysis, loan accounting, intercompany reconciliations and cash repatriation transactions.• Participated in project to successfully implement Canadian subsidiaries in SAP by leading finance functions to ensure system configuration reflects business requirements.• Streamlined sales transactions between Beam Global entities by integrating three company codes to one and simplifying system processes.

Greater Chicago Area

• Assisted consultants to ensure system was configured according to accounting business requirements.• Developed training documentation for SAP general ledger to finance departments.• Tested processes confirming transactions were posted to general ledger accurately for finance, supply chain and operations streams.• Implemented new processes in accounting department reflecting new requirements for SAP from AS/400 system.