Deborah Kramer Email & Phone Number

Saukville, Wi, Us

Key member of the local site leadership team, division management team (DMT), corporate finance leadership team (FLT). Developed an effective and engaged local finance team. Provide leadership with focus on serving as business partner drawing on insights via financial analysis. Make recommendations that positively influence decision making. • Provide site leadership team with advice on the financial implications of business activities/decisions; consultative support for planning initiatives through financial and management information analysis, reports and recommendations.• Analyze, develop and recommend capital projects that support the annual business plan and long term direction of the business.• Interpret operating results and identify opportunities for improvement including advocating actions to address issues and lead initiatives (AIPs) to accomplish the objectives. Spearheaded cost saving initiatives which resulted in excess of $12 million in savings to date.• Responsible for establishing repeatable business processes on a GAAP basis, and providing oversight on internal controls, and building a team with strong analytical skills with the ability to frame business issues, analyze options and concisely articulate a course of action to cross functional/matrix team members.

Amsterdam, Noord Holland, Nl

Responsible for managing a team that coordinates the consolidation of multiple businesses that represent the Deco US business unit; this is the largest BU in the Decorative Paints business. Decorative Paints represents 34% of AkzoNobel (a Global Fortune 500 company) which is the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Responsibilities include the budgeting and forecasting process, internal management reporting for the business unit, all financial reporting including commentary to Amsterdam, global projects that include streamlining the Chart of Accounts and defining key metrics for consistent reporting, preparing various analyses including waterfalls by business line, develop reporting to provide clarity on mapping from the general ledger system to Hyperion reporting, other special projects. Reported under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Division Accounting Manager (2007-2009)Responsible for month-end closing and consolidation (including eliminations) of Division (13 operating units) operating results. Serve as primary liaison between parent company and division/operations. Involved in integrating acquisitions. Responsible for monitoring capital project spending. Involvement with Internal and External Auditors and continue to remain a SOX source for the operations. Responsible for various balance sheet reviews, reconciliations and financial statement analysis as well as budgeting/forecasting. Sarbanes Oxley/Accounting Projects Manager (2006-2007)Projects have included purchase accounting analysis and related acquisition activities including assisting in the transition to PCC methodologies/procedures/practices, establishing the month-end closing process and various reporting requirements with the operations, and managing /setting-up the Division books and month-end closing process. Responsibility includes implementation of Sarbanes Oxley (SOX), which primarily consists of traveling to the various facilities to educate management/employees on how to document processes and establish internal controls, perform walk-throughs, determine critical controls and testing methodology, and perform testing.

Corporate Projects (2003-2006) Transferred to Corporate Staff after closing SPD. • Performed special projects (revenue recognition analysis, internal controls/fraud investigations, analysis on issues associated with ERP implementations, purchase price accounting true up, integration of acquisitions) based on need at any of the 120+ facilities throughout the PCC organization. Projects have included financial investigations and financial analysis/reconciliations of balance sheet accounts/cost of goods sold.• Implemented Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) process, which primarily consisted of traveling to the various diverse facilities to educate management/employees on how to document processes and establish internal controls, perform walk-throughs, determine critical controls and testing methodology, and perform testing.

Supervised twelve indirect employees in monthly close functions. Served as primary liaison between parent company and division/operations. Directed all aspects of financial reporting. Conducted balance sheet audits for six operations. Assisted in the development of corporate policies and procedures. Established protocols concerning capital acquisitions and purchasing. Performed due diligence and communicated with outside counsel concerning corporate acquisitions. Handled intangible assets and good will determinations. Implemented FAS 142 involving new asset acquisition. Merged six sets of charts of accounts and produced one master set. • Managed all aspects of monthly closing and consolidation of six operations including foreign and joint ventures, which streamlined monthly closing process from two weeks to three days.• Formulated benefit rate for each operation, which significantly improved accuracy of annual budget and financial forecasts. • Controlled all aspects of worker’s compensation cases, which produced significant savings due to denials and case settlements.• Performed as Acting Controller and Manager at the operations level.• Demonstrated knowledge in GAAP and FASB regulations.• Initiated the development of policies concerning environmental projects, which realized significant savings.

Handled daily accounting functions. Worked on various financial projects and financial analyses. Established new chart of accounts for all divisions. Analyzed performance reports and recommended augmentations in business processes.• Managed all aspects of monthly closing including financial reporting and inventory management for one of three divisions.• Played a key role in the migration to new accounting system, which increased productivity levels.

Participated in accounting activities including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and credit functions. Prepared royalty payment criteria. Managed deferred support revenue reporting. Performed branch registration and developed policies for foreign offices. Reviewed contracts and sales agreements pertaining to software development. Handled revenue recognition responsibilities. Created financial analyses and reported results to management. Recommended changes in business processes based on performance indicators. • Controlled all aspects of financial statement preparation and financial reporting.• Prepared Federal and State corporate income tax returns, franchise taxes, and sales and use tax returns.• Executed financial planning based on industry and market trends.

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

Manager – Department of Asset Management (1993-1995)Controlled all aspects of accounting for property, plant, and equipment. Supervised employees in daily job functions including training, performance appraisals, and improvement recommendations. Handled all aspects of budget preparation and analysis. Evaluated and maintained automated systems. Ensured reliability of financial reporting. Prepared depreciation schedules in accordance with accounting requirements. • Maximized cost recovery from the Federal Government through accurate capital asset data.• Complied with Federal OMB A-21 guidelines concerning verification of physical existence of property.• Devised and implemented corporate policies and procedures.Senior Financial Analyst (1992-1993)Assisted in the organization of external auditing responsibilities. Supervised accounting staff in daily job functions. Recommended enhancements in business processes, which improved productivity levels. Evaluated transaction flow concerning student accounting system. • Prepared annual and quarterly financial statements and financial reports.• Maintained accounts in accordance with GAAP, FASB/GASB, and NACUBO standards.

New York, Ny, Us

Performed audits in diverse industries including manufacturing, retail, computer software, university, governmental, and not for profit organizations. Conducted audits concerning pension and benefit plans. Prepared and reviewed individual and corporate tax returns. • Managed all aspects of auditing engagements from planning through report preparation. • Supervised eight staff accountants in daily job functions.• Tax rotation for six months.

Masters, Taxation

Human Resource Certification

Bs, Accounting And Mis