Ken Mason Email & Phone Number

Phoenix, Az, Us

Director of the firm's advisory services practice, performing accounting, audit preparation and other value-added consulting services for governmental and non-profit clients.• Prepared Indirect Cost proposals and negotiated Indirect Cost Agreements with the Interior Business Center and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Phoenix, Az, Us

Manager of the firm's advisory services practice, performing accounting and other consulting services for clients.• Provided audit preparation services that helped the client submit three annual audits to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in less than nine months.• Prepared Indirect-Type Contract Support Costs proposal and partnered with Tribe’s attorney to negotiate a self-determination contract with Indian Health Service.• Drafted Financial Management Code and provided training to Tribal Council that led to adoption of the Code.• Drafted Financial Policy and Procedure Manual and provided training to Tribal Council and financial management staff.• Provided training to financial management staff on Single Audit, key internal control concepts, grant financial management, audit preparation and other accounting topics.• Thought leader in COVID-19-related strategic planning and fiscal accountability.

Gb

Areas of Practice• Audit preparation• Internal control assessment and testing• Accounting cleanup• Enhanced financial reporting• Long-range budgeting, financial modeling and forecasting• Grant and contract accounting, reporting and cash flow• Indirect cost proposal support• Contract support cost negotiation• Low-income housing tax credit accounting and cash flow• Water (allocated and leased) planning and accounting• Business process redesign• Policy and procedure manual• Business case development• Staff mentoring and training• Telecommunications study

Tucson, Az, Us

• Directed financial operations for the Tribal government and its non-gaming related business activities.• Implemented process improvements to enhance internal controls and timely invoice payments.• Stood up accounting and reporting for new Tribal corporations and other enterprises.• Negotiated with Indian Health Service for significant increase in Contract Support Costs.• Programmed trial balance to produce components of audited financial statements and indirect cost proposal.

Experienced finance leader and consultant who has executed a variety of initiatives for employers and engagements for clients. Engagements in multiple industries have included business process optimization, financial report development, internal control review, systems implementations and conversions.Previous engagements:• Created and implemented financial policies and procedures and business process improvements for a home health care agency.• Due diligence work on tribal gaming pre-development project.• Interim Finance Director for northern Arizona Indian tribe.Most recent engagement:• Interim Assistant Controller for a healthcare organization.• Designed and implemented process improvements for grant financial management, trained staff accountant in methodology. Created process to submit timely and accurate financial reports and drawdown requests, resulting in significant cash flow improvement.• Analyzed accounts receivable and revenue for a business segment using a poorly understood billing application. Designed and implemented process improvements to ensure accountability and strong internal controls. Created and implemented process to recognize revenue on an accrual basis. Created software application requirements document and worked with developer on implementation plan.• Developed, reviewed and edited financial policies and procedures.• Analyzed and documented accounting system security levels.• Authored, reviewed and updated financial policies and procedures.

• Directed the operations of the Office of Financial Management.• Served as Contracting Officer for Tribe.• Completed and submitted delinquent single audit, improving Tribe's standing with grantor agencies and financial counterparties.• Negotiated Contract Support Cost rate with Bureau of Indian Affairs.• Established accountability for funds that are committed or assigned by Tribal Council.• Secured Tribal Council approval for distribution of funds to local governmental units.• Identified and traced collateral accounts for inclusion in audited financial statements.

Fr

• Responsibilities included cash management, profit enhancement, financial and management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, policies, procedures and business process optimization for Joint Commission accredited facility.• Created key service indicator reporting and daily financial dashboard for more timely and effective decisions; devised cutting-edge analysis of episodic home health care revenue and gross margin.• Presented new financial report and forecast for investors and management of R&D stage telehealth equipment manufacturer that promoted timely and accurate investor cash calls.

Sacaton, Az, Us

• Launched and led new Finance Planning group. Created financial reports using F9, increasing efficiency and reducing staff hours; prepared and presented to Treasurer, Administration and Council.• Prepared and monitored Community operating and capital budgets, enhancing processes for greater efficiency, accuracy and transparency. Liaised with and analyzed Community corporations and other enterprises, improving Treasurer’s Office accountability to Administration and Council.• Developed and presented revenue, expense, capital expenditure and fund balance forecasts. Implemented MuniCast financial forecasting model to enhance information provided to Treasurer, Administration and Council for strategic long-range planning and budgeting.• Directed management, reporting and analysis of Community cash and investments.• Launched and led new Per Capita Office in collaboration with Enrollment/Census and other departments. Created systems and processes for over 11,000 Community members to apply for and receive per capita payments via check, direct deposit and pay card in a timely, accurate, efficient and cost-effective manner. Concurrently implemented ADP EV5 and Chase pay card with links to and from new in-house applicant management system.• Developed in-house capabilities to prepare GASB 34 financial statements and indirect cost proposals using FundWare, IDEA and AuditVision, saving 40% on professional service fees.• Created financial model for new joint venture and assisted in successful negotiations for the Community’s multi-million dollar use of certain of its intangible assets.• Created founding documents for stand-up of Pima Leasing & Financing Corporation, an Enterprise of the Gila River Indian Community with multi-million dollar funding.

Phoenix, Az, Us

• Provided complete range of accounting support, budgeting and financial reporting for the core Joint Commission accredited behavioral health business and the Recovery Opportunity Center start-up.• Monitored and reported HUD grant for Another Chance program.

• Thought leader in transformation of organizational culture to create a Mission in Balance.• Directed the finance operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, internal policies & procedures, funding agency regulations and CARF accreditation standards. Led team identification and collection of past-due accounts receivable, resulting in 57% reduction of old outstanding balances.• Directed the effective and efficient preparation of the annual revenue, operating and capital expenditure, and key service indicator budgets for approval by leadership team and Board of Trustees. • Executed monthly and year-end closings, including more timely provision of monthly financial reports to division directors and CEO. Prepared monthly key service indicator reports and financial statements in accordance with GAAP and provided budget vs. actual results analysis to CEO.• Coordinated the year-end audit of agency financial statements, achieving a clean management letter, and preparation of the annual federal and state information returns and tax returns.• Maintained written policies and procedures pertaining to the maintenance of the organization’s internal controls, accounting policies, grant accountability and A-133 audit preparation. • Administered and enhanced the MAS90 financial management software and systems, achieving self-reliance to save 90% on professional service fees.• Partnered with and advised division heads to build business plans and processes in support of new business initiatives. Designed business processes for launches of Links Sign Language Interpreting Services and Good Source Staffing Services that grew agency revenues by 20%.• Executed build-out of agency’s local and wide area networks. Championed and launched virtual private network to provide voice and data over T1 to all work sites, reducing expenses by 33%.

• Corrected deficiencies in internal control environment, resulting in "clean" audit.• Led cross-functional team to identify and champion new initiatives.• Integrated MAS90 accounts receivable module with general ledger and reengineered cash application process, resulting in accurate aged accounts receivable.

• Reconstructed client financial records for 1997 and prepared financial statements for external audit.• Evaluated internal controls, provided findings and recommendations to CEO and CFO.

• Implemented procurement card program, including training of managers and other cardholders, reducing accounts payable transaction volume and staffing by 20%.• Analyzed scenarios for launches of new products. Created profit center budgeting and tracking structures. Presented regular profit center financial and statistical reports.• Led conversions of pay-by-mail subscriptions, G/L and financial reporting to new software platforms.

• Examined system of internal controls and corrected deficiencies, resulting in "clean" audit.

Gb

• Conducted special engagement to reconstruct grant-funded project accounting and prepare delinquent reports for the client to submit to the funding agencies.