Melissa Bowers Email and Phone Number

Responsible for managing, developing, and overseeing daily operations for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Real Estate Accounting and Inventory areas consisting of over 25 professional and clerical level team members. Analyze and review general ledger accounts for related areas of operation. Lead annual budgeting and monthly forecasting process for numerous general ledger accounts. Manage accuracy and timeliness of various financial reports for upper management and executive level review. Ensure controls associated with Sarbanes Oxley are adhered to and identify necessary changes to support new company initiatives.• Drove process improvements related to all accounting operational procedures that resulted in the reduction of 15% of staff • Provided managerial oversight on cash positions in order to maximize financial liquidity on a daily basis and allow for effective uses of cash on-hand • Manage cost controls through interaction with numerous internal buying departments which provided $5M in savings• Led team to implement ASC 842 Lease Accounting standards in an aggressive timeline as part of IPO process providing as $80 million cash inflow and successful S-1 filing • Organized multi-departmental implementation of Travel & Expense software (Concur) resulting in a reduction in reimbursement time from over 15 days to less than 4 days

Responsible for overseeing the review and approval of over $270 million in occupancy payments, including Rent, Common Area Maintenance, Real Estate Taxes and Insurance. Coordinated the monthly forecast and annual operating plan for all occupancy related areas. Manage, develop, and allocate tasks of Senior Accountants, Senior Lease Analysts and Accounting Clerks. Review and approve monthly journal entries, account reconciliations and lease allowance schedules. Prepared annual 10K lease footnotes and support.• Managed Lease Audit project to acquire occupancy savings/recoveries utilizing external lease auditors and internal lease analysts which resulted in annual savings of over $1.0 million/year• Initiated the implementation of systemic changes with Lucernex, including workflows, reconciliation processing and forms that resulted in process efficiencies, enhanced tracking and valuable reports• Drove the multi-departmental implementation of IWMS system (Lucernex), including the design, development and testing, which resulted in improved productivity and one source of truth for all lease related information

Oversaw collection of Vendor negotiated allowances, rebates and discounts resulting in $60 million collected annually. Responsible for managing, developing, and allocating tasks of Supervisor, Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant and two Accounting Coordinators. Review and approve monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, various schedules, and monthly reports. Manage preparation of Annual Operating Plan for multiple general ledger accounts related to Vendor allowances.• Core Team Member of multi-departmental implementation of Non-Merchandise Purchasing software (Coupa) resulting in $1.0 million annual savings and process improvements throughout the organization • Assisted and managed implementation of Gift Card Mall program providing an additional revenue stream for the company

Manage the payment of monthly rent and processing of CAM, Tax and Insurance annual reconciliations for over 900 retail locations. Supervise, develop, and allocate tasks of Accounting Coordinators. Negotiate with Landlords to resolve disputes regarding annual occupancy expenses. Manage preparation of Annual Operating Plan for lease related general ledger account. Data compilation for 10K preparation and External Audit requests.• Created an Access database to record, track and manage workflow of all department documents. Created process efficiencies and gained the ability to report on reconciliation status and aging.

Responsible for analyzing and reconciling lease related general ledger accounts. Prepare required journal entries and monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc reporting for Jo-Ann management. Assist Manager, Accounting Coordinators and General Council in the resolution of Defaults, Lawsuits, complex Year-End Reconciliations, and outstanding account balances.• Revamped Deferred Rent, Rent Holiday, and Forecasting workbooks to create a more streamlined and efficient process.

Ensure proper recording of receivables transactions for timely processing. Prepare monthly reconciliations for receivable general ledger accounts. Coordinate with the Real Estate Department for proper billing and reporting. Compile weekly and monthly reporting of Goodyear's Receivables portfolio to Treasurer and bank. Develop and maintain Sarbanes-Oxley testing requirements and controls for Accounts Receivable.

Manage payment and processing of monthly rent, CAM, Tax and Insurance reconciliations, percentage rent and sales reporting for over 800 retail locations. Supervise, develop, and allocate tasks of Lease Administration associates. Provide forecasting data to the Capital Department for Lease related expenses.

Audit all CAM, Tax, and Insurance invoices to ensure billing is in accordance with the Lease. Responsible for payables to Landlords for all Excess properties and collection of receivables from Subtenants. Coordinate and facilitate post-secondary audits with outside firm for occupancy expenses.

• Coordinate all Real Estate Accounting, Vendor Accounting and Accounts Payable recovery audits with third party audit firms.• Review findings, verify amounts, and manage claim process with Vendors and Landlords.• Prepare Workpapers and create Audit Reports for Corporate audits.• Assist in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.• Create an Access database to record and report all monies recovered from Landlords and/or vendors.• Responsible for recurring and ad hoc reporting as needed to management.• Supervise, develop and allocate tasks to Internal Audit Intern.

• Work with Recovery Auditor on multiple Real Estate tasks.• Gain ability to read Lease documents and perform Lease recovery audits.