Karen Kessler, Cpa Email & Phone Number

United States

• Advise the organization to make strategic decisions tied to financial goals• Engage with the agency in core business• Oversee the budget process and accounting for seven business units• Cost accounting: oversee management reporting to ensure the organization has key information to make decisions, serving as the financial advisor to the organization• Gain alignment while leading the organization in implementation of significant budget cuts • Communicate with executive team on latest revised estimates and recommendations for financial decisions• Provide oversight over outage financial decisions to ensure organization understands risks• Advise management and staff on compliance with laws, guidance, regulations, and internal policies• Provide training on complex processes for non-financial team members• Utilize systems to improve reporting and implement regulatory changes• Provide oversight of previous responsibilities

Richland, Washington, United States

• Continue to perform supervisor roles and responsibilities• Lead the team in successful operation of accounting ensuring processes are documented and executed flawlessly• Use a risk-based approach to set standards and direction for accounting implemented throughout the organization in process, procedure, and systems• Continuously improve and implement new processes documenting decisions and gaining alignment • Responsible for regulatory compliance as it relates to accounting including the State Audit, Financial Audit, 401(k) Single Audit (FAR, DCAA), and Department of Revenue audits• Responsible for oversight of financial reporting to ensure accuracy and timeliness for seven business units• Retail Sales Tax, Business & Occupational, and Leasehold Tax governance• Implement Governmental Accounting Standards (GASB) as required throughout the organization• Review account reconciliations providing insights to key financial transactions to ensure employees have the right picture as it relates to complex accounting entries

Richland, Washington, United States

• Provide oversight of previous responsibilities and accounting department as a whole• Present to the board key financial information as well as audit results• SME for accounting and systems for the organization as it relates to financial transactions and reporting• Establish goals for employees to ensure company objectives are met and the employee is developed appropriately• Compiling the financial statements and related note disclosures• Review complex transactions and related guidance to ensure Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) adherence• During upgrades lead the organization through accounting implementation and reporting• Establish and monitor internal controls for the organization

Richland, Washington, United States

• Perform analytical functions with respect to projects including their cost and activity and general ledger account association, invoice research, and general project/account inquiries• Maintain the reporting system daily including researching and resolving errors, coordinating amongst all departments monthly closing including processing, writing, and running reports for daily, monthly, and annual use• Implement accounting guidance with cross functional teams throughout the organization• Design and maintain reporting for budget to actuals

Yakima, Washington, United States

• Prepared financial statements and audited companies according to GAAP and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)• Proposed adjusting entries and reported deficiencies to management• Evaluated monthly, quarterly, and yearly expenditures to analyze costs and comparing them to trends within the industry and client history• Organized planning meetings to discuss with the team phases of audit work, risk areas, and timeline• Documented and analyzed company's internal controls and made recommendations based on findings

Education record

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration And Management, General

Bachelor'S Degree, Accounting

Associate Of Arts - Aa, Accounting