Nicholas Cooper, Mpa, Maaa Email & Phone Number

Anchorage, Ak, Us

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

• Oversee financial strategy and operations for a non-profit organization with $10M in annual revenues, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to ensure fiscal responsibility and sustainability.• Supervise a team of 8 accounting and revenue cycle staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.• Lead the implementation of a new financial management system, enhancing accuracy in financial reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP standards, and optimizing cash flow management to support organizational growth.• Cultivate and manage relationships with key stakeholders, including board members and financial institutions, to secure funding and strengthen the organization’s financial position.• Direct financial audits and prepare comprehensive financial reports for the board of directors, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

• Provided executive-level guidance and oversight in financial and organizational strategy development, optimized and managed $800M in revenue and over $1bn in authority• Spearhead innovative and novel procedures to submit over $300M in COVID-19 related costs to FEMA's Public Assistance Grant in doing so, lead the nation in project submission and anticipated full approval of all eligible expenses• Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by building and leading high-performing teams dedicated to standardizing administrative processes and efficiency while fostering a culture of trust and growth resulting in high employee retention• Cultivated strong relationships across State Departments, fostering collaboration and alignment to achieve shared goals• Conducted fund and cost accounting via CGI’s AMS Advantage Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system ensuring accuracy, compliance, controls, and appropriate resource allocation• Provided controller-level support by training accounting and finance staff, perform journal entries, structure creation, and year-end close• Played an active role in audit engagements leveraging audit findings to enhance internal controls for risk management and compliance• Utilized SAP Web Intelligence (WebI) for advanced financial data analysis to derive actionable and data-driven insights• Managed a state-wide grant program totaling $2M; oversee the entire lifecycle from RFP development to grant award and reporting• Acted as Grantee Finance Official; approve Federal Financial Reports (FFR), support budget submissions and redirections, and compose grant action documentation for over 50 awards• Explored and utilized artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance data analysis and streamline processes

Anchorage, Alaska, United States

• Instrumental in the organization and strategic planning of the State of Alaska’s DPH’s administrative response to the COVID-19 pandemic• Developed and instituted cloud-based systems that ensured Federal grant compliance by instituting robust internal controls• Hired, developed, and supervised the DPH FEMA Public Assistance Grant team of 8• Established strategic partnerships with local, state, and federal government agencies to enhance the COVID-19 response efforts, facilitating resource sharing, information exchange, and coordinated outreach efforts• Developed novel, sustainable process that resulted in the State of Alaska leading the nation in grant submission activities• Reconciled expenses across the State’s ERP and data warehouse

Yorktown, Virginia, United States

• Created and maintained the general ledger in accordance with GAAP, reconciled bank accounts, initiated and managed state tax compliance procedures and accounts• Analyzed financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss, cash flow) to identify profitability, business valuation, and for areas of improvement, such as cost reduction opportunities, revenue growth strategies, and operational efficiencies• Provided guidance and technical support during the transition of business ownership; evaluated contract agreements, file articles of organization and all other LLC registration documents

Norfolk, Virginia Area

• Successfully managed the Artistic Department budget, implementing cost-saving strategies that resulted in a 5% reduction in expenses without compromising artistic quality• Identified additional key performance indicators and implemented efficiency measures resulting in projected cost savings• Successfully negotiated and acquired performance rights for multiple works, expanding the organization's artistic repertoire and enhancing its relevance• Skillfully drafted, negotiated, and executed contracts for over 100 artists, ensuring compliance with legal standards while fostering positive artist relationships, resulting in increased artist satisfaction and retention• Provided effective leadership and guidance to a diverse team of 2 full-time and 60 part-time staff, implementing training programs that improved overall performance

Indianapolis, Indiana Area

• Provided research, training, evaluation, and development functions to the grants department of a statewide arts agency• Reviewed and provided feedback on grant applications• Developed field training modules for the agency’s new online grant portal• Created a new filing system and process for agency’s electronic contracts and grant agreements• Created a utilization guide for the agency and field training modules on the agency’s new creative economy portal

Pleasant Hill, Ca

• Developed a comprehensive, standards-based music curriculum designed to serve diverse communities• Engaged with parents, staff, and the community to advance the mission of the program, enhancing overall program quality and impact• Held leadership positions on local boards including the State-wide board of the California Association for Music Education

• Developed bylaws, submitted articles of incorporation, and executed all other non-profit startup activities• Created robust structures and systems to assure the organization’s long-term sustainability • Provided leadership and strategic vision to a diverse board of directors of 10 and ensemble of over 100 members• Secured sponsorships and funding from numerous sources enabling the San Francisco Wind Ensemble to expand its programs, outreach initiatives, and artistic collaborations.

Core Credential Of Readiness

CORe (Credential of Readiness) is a 150-hour certificate program on the fundamentals of business from Harvard Business School. CORe is.

Dual Masters, Public Affairs And Arts Administration

A candidate for the MAAA-MPA dual degree will develop skills in quantitative analysis, public sector management, budgeting, and public.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Music Teacher Education