Simone Edwards Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is a non-profit cultural organization that offers tours, exhibitions, programs, and events for all ages. Our mission is to inspire people to discover why design matters. The CAC inspires people to participate in the building of vibrant communities and to demand the highest standards in urban design. The CAC awakens young people to achieve their potential through the discovery of architecture, engineering, and design.• Plays a critical role in strategic decision making while ensuring that the organization continuously enhances its financial management. • Manages all aspects of Finance & Accounting, and Sales. • Responsible for legal, governmental, and regulatory compliance along with ensuring that assets and resources are manage using applicable financial and operations-related application software. • Oversight of the audit to ensure recommendations are implemented and/or improving upon accounting processes, budgets, reports and standards to support to day-to-day operations as well as strategic planning

Chicago, Il

Utilized variety of technologies and instructional methodologies to keep courses fresh and engaging. Worked closely with individual students to improve their understanding of software and computer systems. Developed and implemented effective teaching strategies, inculcating technology while maintaining discipline in classroom. Oversaw independent student research project on information systems development, requiring practicality and intuitive user interface. Obtained 95% student referral rating and 100% completion with grading and assessment submission.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

BOBBY E. WRIGHT COMPREHENSIVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER, INC., Chicago, Illinois, 2020- presentCFO As a strategic thought partner with the President/CEO, played a critical role in strategic decision making and operations, ensuring that the organization continuously enhances its financial management. Continuously monitored the revenue cycle to identify risks to cash flow. Oversaw all compliance and recognition for government (federal, state, county, and city) contracts and private grants. Worked with senior leadership and the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategies in accordance to the missions, vision and goals across the organization. Monitored the efficiency and accuracy of all healthcare and managed care patient coding, billing and collections for third party reimbursements. Maintained good relations with the community while keeping credit and collection policies current and sound. Led, developed and mentored staff by fostering a culture of excellence through servant leadership.• Conducted an intensive clean-up of the aging schedule, identifying and removing hundreds of small dollar "ghost assets".• Implemented HRIS and Payroll System that reduce the processing time by 75% and reduce the liability to the organization by 30%. Successfully slowed the growth of employee health insurance costs without diluting benefits.• Took advantage of US Small Business Administration program in order to facilitate 100% of retention while providing the necessary PPE. Achieved 100% forgiveness against the program due to careful allocation and in accordance to guidelines of the program.

Greater Chicago Area

Provided leadership and management of the University’s administrative and finance operations, served on the executive management team and reported directly to the President. Served as advisor to the Board of Trustees’ committees on Finance and Audits. Provided executive level direction and management oversight for financial planning, budgeting and budget analysis, accounting and business operations, finance controls and reporting, purchasing and contracts, meetings and events, strategic partnership, information technology, human resources, university police, facilities and university services, and auxiliary enterprises. Develops the annual operating and capital budgets and leads the budget process. Organized accurate and timely reporting of financial information to the President and outside agencies and groups. Assisted the President and other administrators in gathering, collating, and analyzing data relative to the financial operations of the University.• Oversaw the University’s treasury functions, including cash management; asset accounting and divisional policies and procedures; and reviewed budget vs. actual expenditures with department heads and senior management. • Coordinated the contracts and services of the campus auxiliary enterprises.• Directed internal control and audits on University’s administrative departments; coordinated report preparation, responses, and implementation. • Provided a source of continuity and business innovation as the University challenged to stabilized.• Worked cooperatively and collaboratively with the campus community, including the Faculty Senate, Civil Service Council, Employee Advisory Committee, Student Government, the President’s Executive Committee, and others.• Developed the first diversity, equity and inclusion program and department.• Worked on HLC accreditation to remove all sanctions and monitoring related to the University’s financial sections.

Evanston, Il

Director of Operations and Finance, 2011-2017Manager of Business and Finance, 2010-2011Developed strategic administrative, budget, and financial initiatives meeting mission of office. Applied extensive knowledge to aggregate diverse departmental resources to move inventions to commercialization stage. Oversaw implementation of software systems and subsequent analysis and reporting requirements for day-to-day operations, licensing operations, government compliance, and all human resources requirements. Planned and managed complex budget(s) to fund strategic mission, including financial sustainability and enhancement models.• Spearheaded planning for both capital and operation and implementation of new student incubator space.• Led Kaizen initiative to ensure process improvements documented and reviewed yearly.• Negotiated with law firms to decrease legal fees by 20%.• Provided standard reports and presentations to board of trustees, advisory board, deans, and department heads.• Structured marketing planning and financial preparation for invention commercialization. • Oversaw implementation of database management information system and reporting tools to assist employees at universities and companies to manage and analyze intellectual property portfolios. • Created template for distribution letter to ensure financial transparency for invention royalties.

Oversaw all financial operations, including financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, finance, insurance, income and property tax compliance, financial statement preparation, actual versus budget analysis, and cash forecasting. Coordinated all aspects of annual audit and tax reporting with top audit and accounting firms. Supervised 11 departments, with direct oversight of general accounting, construction in progress, fixed assets, payroll, banking, accounts payable, account receivable, purchasing, and information technology activities. Established and maintained banking relationships. Collaborated with CFO, PFO, and investors to increase investment opportunities.• Published monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and various lender and investor reporting requirements.• Reduced receivable write-offs by 20% by developing credit policies, instituting aggressive collection strategies, and establishing constructive dialogue with delinquent accounts.• Analyzed financial strategies and project feasibilities on potential projects. • Led proposal process for two major federal projects (RFPs), including compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). • Negotiated profitable contracts with combined revenues of $6,500,000 and guided department managers with complex proposals.

Evanston, Il

Developed monthly/quarterly financial statements, variance statements, financial forecasts, and budgets. Oversaw back offices in fund development including donor operations department, foundation research, and development financial administrator and recognition. Administered all financial systems, evaluating and integrating new applications and technology. Supervised 22 individuals including hiring, training and semi-annual evaluations. Spearheaded foundation’s contribution tangible program including budgeting, bidding, and inventory. Interacted with board of directors and trustees concerning financial report and business process improvements.• Oversaw implementation of international office improving receipting and fulfillment, reducing operating expenses 30% annually.• Restructured financial reporting processes to consolidate seven international accounts to report monthly revenue in accordance with organizational changes, GAAP, and International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS).• Integrated two Access systems along with spreadsheets within PeopleSoft Financial System, lowering business process and IT costs by $500,000 annually.• Created ad hoc financial reports to run at month-end close to compare current period against previous year.• Built manual of operations detailing day-to-day operations, reviewed yearly for amendments.

Evanston, Il

Business Process Supervisor, 2000-2004Business Process Coordinator, 2000Developed and monitored grant program budgets for nine different cost centers totaling $25,000,000 annually and administrative budget for approximately 28 accounts totaling $1,000,000 annually. Coded and approved over 2,000 grant payments annually. Reviewed bank’s quarterly market value statement for $3,000,000 in assets to unitize approximately 600 endowments’ spending authority to fund future grants. Trained new staff regarding fiscal procedures related to financial requirements for grants and endowments. Implemented and facilitated enhancement and correction to many PeopleSoft versions. Prepared financial statements for annual reports and quarterly variances.• Coordinated and represented several company-wide projects, including an Enterprise Resource Project (ERP), which diagramed all business processes, and was able to eliminate 20% of redundancies.• Evaluated and revised internal financial administrative procedures to ensure all requirements were met and closed all accounting periods within timeline.

Financial Information Technician, 1997-2000Accounting Clerk IV, 1996-1997Accounting Clerk, 1995-1996Workers’ Compensation Reporter, 1994

Master Of Science (Ms), Management Information Systems And Services

Ba, Accounting