Kara Johnson Email & Phone Number

Chicago, IL, US

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Provide bookkeeping, payroll and accounting services for wide range of personal and small business industries. Virtual and in-person capabilities.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Lead accounts payable department while ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments. Develop, implement, and maintain systems, procedures, and policies to ensure adherence to company guidelines and.
• Steered efforts in collaborating with Controller and external CPA to facilitate audits, prepared financial reports, and managed use tax preparation while contributing to accurate and compliant financial documentation.
• Streamlined expense reporting and approval processes for increased efficiency and improved accuracy across employee and system submissions to achieve organizational targets.
• Successfully managed, coordinated, and processed more than $10M in accounts payable weekly while ensuring timely payments and maintaining strong vendor relationships.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Manage and execute all accounts payable and receivable functions
• Prepare financial statements and accounting reports on a regular basis
• Prepare state, payroll, federal taxes etc.
• Prepare and perform year end operations
• Prepare reports for Workers Compensation and other annual audits
• Maintain accounting ledgers by posting account transactions.

• Oversaw reconciliation of bank statements and other accounts to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies promptly. Processed customer invoices and retail sales, managed accounts payable, and accurately recorded.
• Increased profit margins, contributed to company’s financial growth, produced and analyzed various monthly reports for review with the President and identified opportunities to cut costs.
• Achieved timely collections on $200K in monthly sales, enhanced cash flow, reduced outstanding receivables, and managed and reconciled accounts receivable.
• Minimized discrepancies by reviewing and approving extensive distributor deductions, damage claims, and shipping logs and ensuring accurate financial records.

Chicago, IL

• Headed accounts receivable by generating invoices, tracking payments, and following up on overdue accounts to ensure timely collections. Performed monthly bank reconciliations to ensure all transactions were accurately.
• Steered efforts in preparing comprehensive financial reports on monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis while facilitating CPA financial reviews and year-end tax preparation and contributing to regulatory compliance and.
• Successfully managed daily bookkeeping transactions, payroll processing, and documentation for over 20 companies while ensuring accuracy and efficiency in financial operations.
• Retained precise financial records by conducting thorough monthly bank and account reconciliations, including accrual journal entries and general ledger reviews.

Chicago, IL

• Managed office supplies and equipment, including ordering and maintaining inventory. Coordinated appointments and meetings while managing calendars for executives and managers. Prepared and distributed correspondence.
• Improved financial transparency and cash flow management by managing billing department, accounts receivables, and all bookkeeping records and ensuring accurate financial transactions and timely payments.
• Boosted productivity and client service by providing clerical, receptionist, and secretarial assistance for all lawyers of firm and maintaining professional and organized office environment.
• Facilitated informed decision-making and financial planning for firm by preparing and providing monthly reports on attorney compensation, financials, and revolving lines of credit.

Glen Ellyn, IL

• Process word documents and entered data into company database to maintain payroll
• Maintained heavy filing for confidential employee information and job projects
• Administer the process of contracts, materials received, accounts payable, invoices and payroll assistance
• Performed filing, data management, drafting and editing short office memos

Accounting Paraprofessional (Bookkeeping) License, Accounting

Associates Certificate, Accounting

Certificate Of Holistic Nutrition, Holistic Health

Studied Holistic Nutrition Coaching

General Studies

Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage

Fashion/Apparel Design

General Studies