Deborah Smith Email & Phone Number

New York, New York, United States

I lead the financial and operations function, serving 100+ attorneys in the U.S. and Israel intersecting processes, people, and technology to ensure excellence. Leveraging my talent for wearing multiple hats to accommodate business needs, I concurrently manage operations and an 8-figure budget.KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• Partnership Accounting• Financial Management• Audits• Budgeting• Pension Administration• Payroll and Benefits Administration• Cash Flow Management• HR Compliance• Budget Development & Budgeting• Payroll• Financial Reporting• Project ManagementDELIVERED RESULTS:► Recovered over $350K in IOLA funds through an internal financial audit and revamped all accounting and finance procedures in line with GAAP compliance.►Turned around billing operations, revamp billing previously behind by 3+ months to completion within 30 days.► By establishing a recruiter role, I boosted recruitment effectiveness and generated 6-figure savings.► Improved firm’s competitiveness as an employer and saved over $500K by selecting a new, improved benefit plan with enhanced service offerings and lower costs.

Greenwich, Ct

As the director of financial and administrative operations for this multi-state firm, I led a 17-member team, including 5 direct reports, primarily in human resources, finance, and accounting functions. I made team empowerment my mission, ensuring that my employees had the information and tools necessary for seamless operations, financial health, and proper accounting.KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• Recruitment for Certain Employee Groups• Benefits and Retirement Programs• HRIS System• Payroll• Regulatory Compliance• Cash Flow Management• Internal Controls• Financial Reporting• Forecasting• Budget Development & Budgeting• Project ManagementDELIVERED RESULTS:► I boosted employee retention by improving the compensation structure, the benefits plan, and the new hire orientation process.► Enabling engagement with the HR system from all locations companywide, I spearheaded the development and deployment of an HRIS system.► By heading an overhaul of the health benefits plan and replacement of the provider, I enhanced offerings and cut costs by $265K over 18 months.► Saving $155K in 9 months, I led the transition to new services vendors.

Greater New York City Area

As the driving force behind various financial, human resources and operational functions, I keep an eye on the big picture while optimizing the fine details to continually enhance business administration. KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• Policies & Procedures Development• Recruitment for Certain Employee Groups• Benefits and Retirement Programs• Payroll• Regulatory Compliance• Cash Flow Management• Billing• Internal Controls• Financial Reporting• Forecasting• Budgeting• Project ManagementDELIVERED RESULTS:► I transformed client billing operations, restoring billing timelines, from 12+ months behind to invoiced within 30 days.► To improve cash flow and help mitigate a challenging financial situation, I accelerated vendor invoice collection, from 3-6 months past due to current. I also developed and implemented an operational budget to ensure the availability of 3-4 months of revenue.

Greater New York City Area

Leading human resources, finance, accounting, and operational administration during a time of significant company growth, I managed a cross-functional team of 21 employees supporting multi-state business.KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• Multi-Million-Dollar Operations Budget• Job Requisition Posting• Background Investigations• Candidate Interviews• Compensation & Benefits• Payroll• Reporting• Training and Talent Development Programs• Internal Control Guidelines, Policies, & Procedures• Financial ReportingDELIVERED RESULTS:► By restructuring office space to accommodate new partners and staff, I propelled employee morale up by 77%.► To scale technology to meet workforce, partner, and space expansion, I steered the transition from an in-house server to cloud-based, including building and leading a blended in-house/virtual training program.► Facilitating the collection of over a half million dollars in 30 days, I revamped the past due collections process, replaced staff, and launched training on 6 e-billing systems.► By driving business development to attract and onboard partners of other firms for new areas of practice, I generated $450K in new revenue.

Greater New York City Area

I steered financial, accounting, and daily administrative operations, including human resources, on the heels of the economic recession, when diligent financial management and lean operations were more critical than ever to company success. KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• Multi-Million-Dollar Operations Budget• Workforce Planning• Employee Onboarding• Labor Relations• Health Benefits Administration• Analysis of Job Classifications, Duties & Compensation• Development of Internal Controls, Policies & Procedures• Budget Development & Budgeting• Financial Planning• Financial Reporting • Forecasting• ProcurementDELIVERED RESULTS:► Through various process improvements, I strengthened employee productivity and performance.► Finding ways to mitigate the impact of the economic recession, I led the selection and replacement of the health benefits provider, which cut plan costs by $75K while covering 100% of the employee benefit.► I managed a key project for space planning and renovation, completed 15 days ahead of schedule and 20% below budget.

Brooklyn, New York, United States

I led accounting, financial operations, and human resources. KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• Workforce Planning• Employee Onboarding• Employee Relations• Benefits Administration• Policies, Procedures & Internal Controls • Operational Reporting • Financial Management DELIVERED RESULTS:► I increased productivity, employee retention, and past due invoice collection by re-building and training a 3-member finance team and establishing administrative and financial operations processes.► Generating millions of dollars in new projects, I advanced marketing performance by overseeing vendor development of new marketing collateral and a website.

Brooklyn, Ny

Driving operations for this public relations/communications firm’s accounting department, I ensured the accounting team produced accuracy and efficiency. I also established and enacting human resources policies related to leave and operating procedures.KEY AREAS OF LEADERSHIP:• HR Policy Development• Budget and Financial Forecasting• Variance Reporting• Monthly Financial Statement Preparation• Regulatory Reporting• Regulatory Compliance• Month-End and Year-End CloseDELIVERED RESULTS:► To reduce staff vacation utilized before the year-end, I modified policies for vacation, sick leave, and standard operating procedures.► I created formal accounting and finance procedures/reporting and then resubmitted the 2 prior years’ tax returns, culminating in the recovery of $70K in taxes.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

Bachelors Of Science

Bachelors Of Science