Heather Forbes Email & Phone Number

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

✴️ SNAPSHOT:I began working with this privately-held general contractor through Robert Half and hired full-time after 3 months for newly created position to create, implement, train, and maintain new Power BI platform dashboard rollout. Additional functions included quarterly reporting, document preparation, period-end close, account reconciliation, cross-functional collaboration, employee training, data analytics, and regulatory compliance.✴️ SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS:🔹 Overhauled and redesigned quarterly financial packages, creating thorough, standardized content to align with heightened regulatory requirements.🔹 Pioneered development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) vis-à-vis budgeting, dashboards, workflows, and processes to ensure compatibility with audit regulations.🔹 Created foundational infrastructure to foster scalability, including standardized checklists and templates around month-end close, account reconciliation, and journal entries.🔹 Spearheaded consolidation of data and creation of first-of-its-kind dashboards utilizing Power BI, which enhanced visibility of real-time data, allowing for more strategic business decisions.🔹 Restructured all aspects of chaotic general ledger, creating uniformity across 6 distinct companies and 3 investment firms.✴️ CORE COMPETENCIES:Regulatory Compliance, Corporate Accounting, SOX Compliance, Data Analysis, Process Improvement, Budget Management, Financial Reporting, Audit Preparation, Human Capital Development, Project Management, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, JD Edwards, Hyperion, Oracle Business Intelligence, SharePoint, Bank of America Cash Pro, QuickBooks, ECI MarkSystems, Syspro ERP Systems

Charleston, South Carolina Metropolitan Area

✴️ SNAPSHOT:I provided general accounting services for assigned clients, including payroll, forecasting, variance analysis, journal entries, accruals, bank reconciliations, cash requests, report generation, data analysis, project management, accounts payable, and month-end close. ✴️ SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS:🔹 Leveraged extensive accounting knowledge, seamlessly pivoting between accounts of varying scope and verticals with no adverse effects. 🔹 Championed development of end-to-end Oracle-based accounting system for expanding manufacturer establishing all financial systems, including accounts payable, check formatting, and vendor set up.🔹 Trained and coached co-workers on proper account payable processes, earning reputation as diligent, meticulous, and organized team player.🔹 Pinpointed opportunities and took ownership of fixed asset process, recording, reporting, and training; authored SOPs to ensure proper knowledge transfer.🔹 Created templates to update journal entries in QuickBooks, which streamlined processes, boosted productivity, and minimized errors.✴️ CLIENT BASE INCLUDED:Construction, automotive, manufacturing, real estate, telecommunications, bio-pharmaceutical.

Stamford, Ct

✴️ SNAPSHOT:I began as Senior Accountant leading intercompany accounting for 8 affiliates. Promoted in 2010 to Accounting Manager of Operations to lead accounting, management reporting for customer balancing, forecasting, and store retail accounting for 10 financial channels. Additional functions included SOX compliance, sales reporting, variance analysis, balance sheet reviewing.✴️ SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS:👉 BUSINESS ACUMEN🔹 Led transition of corporate balance sheet reconciliations during post-acquisition integration, including prepaid accounts, by training Florida-based team on processes and exchanging knowledge. 🔹 Spearheaded creation of automated royalty and accrual reporting module, reducing manual errors, improving accuracy, and slashing completion time.🔹 Overhauled gratis program from ground up, including creating new account codes, developing procedures, and implementation, which reduced errors and reinforced corporate policy. 🔹 Streamlined audit package preparation by standardizing balance sheet documentation and justifications, ensuring consistency and minimizing auditor requests.🔹 Collaborated on implementation of new management reporting system by overseeing mapping, testing, and system integration for assigned areas. 👉 LEADERSHIP🔹 Hand-selected for dual role to lead accounting for 4 business units, including Canadian businesses, during extended leave of absence with no adverse effects on primary functions🔹 Provided leadership, direction, and vision to team of 3 direct reports, earning reputation as analytic, meticulous, and collaborative leader who sets high expectations to drive success.🔹 Trained new Costa Rican accounting team after corporate acquisition on basic procedures and principles, required documentation for month-end close, and technology usage.🔹 Earned leadership award for taking on extra assignments, including beta testing and helping to establish workflows during new ERP implementation.