Stephenie Benes Email & Phone Number

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Comptroller for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina

• Work independently on recurring monthly bank reconciliation, journal entries, and payroll for multiple companies.
• Readily take on new challenges to assist companies to grow their business while determining the best course of action to decrease expenses and increase revenue.
• Strong knowledge of most financial software applications providing specific expertise based on individual client’s needs.

Evaluated/managed complex bookkeeping problems, such as financial statements errors, chart of accounts cleanup, sales tax issues, unsolved A/P and/or A/R, payroll issues, merchant services, and 3rd party interaction concerns/questions.Created high quality customer interactions and experiences that instilled confidence using deep customer empathy. Met highly efficient deadlines and quickly processed all client work per our service agreement Prepared and reviewed Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Financials other reports for any discrepancies and create a financial management package.Communicated with clients and team members to summarize month end closing to ensure books are complete in a timely manner. Maintained detailed notes in client files for continuity of service.Assisted clients in either establishing and/or updating their chart of accounts to align with types of business entities.

North Carolina

• Utilizing a strong knowledge and expertise to provide comprehensive services to small business owners to include: Bookkeeping, Payroll, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable. • Specializing in assessing prospective client’s needs, creating specific financial operation plans, and then executing the plan in order to increase the efficiency of the client’s business. • Employ current cloud based software for the client’s businesses in order to increase productivity and transparency in the business, all while decreasing time spent on tasks and increasing efficiency. • Network with business professionals utilizing customer service skills to create a specific proposal for the customer, and getting contracts signed. • Work independently to grow my business, utilizing an increasing network of clients and referral businesses.

• Primary Crop Insurance Agent, utilized a strong knowledge and experience specific to crop insurance. • Tasked with maintaining crop insurance licensing, and providing clients financial security through crop insurance. This increased the profile of the Agent in charge by offering coverage not available through other agents. • Licensed Auto and Fire Insurance Agent, tasked with assessing the specific needs of individual clients in order to provide increased coverage while lowering the client’s financial burden. • Maintained strong professional relationships with the agency’s clients providing face to face service while fostering a healthy and trustful partnership. • Responsible for all aspects of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and monthly account reconciliation. • Personally, updated daily office operations to a digital, streamlined, paperless environment. Providing an increase of speed and efficiency of all services, while decreasing clerical errors. • Repurposed Office space to increase productivity while allowing this space to be utilized by other businesses which increased the agency’s revenue. • Designed and implemented an Agency Operations Manual reducing task redundancy while adding to the productivity of the office and encouraging cooperation amongst all team members.

• Provided assistance to the Sr. Loan Accountant with accurate and timely processing of loan servicing transactions. • Processed BMIS corrections/maintenance that branch offices were unable to process. • Performed the accounting procedures relating to special process of loans.

St. Johns, Mi

• Implemented customer tracking system to organize multiple forms and notices that had to be sent to clients. • Ensured that information is kept organized, accurate, and entered timely, due to extremely strict federal deadlines. • Maintained crop insurance license to assist customers with decision making on crop insurance policies. • Gathered and input customer acreage and production for crops to help determine claims. • Maintained teamwork through cooperation with Financial Service Team and insurance companies.

Midland, Mi

• Interviewed and took applications from members in person and by phone, counseling them on loan alternatives. • Approved secured loans up to $10,000. • Prepared loans for disbursement, while ensuring credit union assets were protected, and looking out for the customer’s best interest.

Midland, Mi

• Handled VISA card questions and disputes from members, assisting them to make payments, balance transfers, or report cards lost or stolen. • Assisted members with questions about loans, and guided them to appropriate credit union products. • Handled various office duties including filing and copying.

Midland, Mi

• Answered phone calls of members and assisted in troubleshooting their problems. • Received a Special Recognition Award for assisting with an ATM card error after hours. • Designed signature documents, customer tracking systems, and call sheets to assist coworkers in their daily productivity.

Bachelor Of Business Administration (Bba), Banking And Finance/Management

High School Diploma