Seth Fargen
UNITED STATES MARINE CORP
Work Preference
Desired Job Title
Director of Shared ServicesControllerChief Financial OfficerChief Executive Officer
Work Type
Full TimePart TimeContract WorkGig WorkConsultingVolunteerSeasonal Work
Location Preference
On-SiteRemoteHybrid
Location:
Tulsa, OK
Open to relocation:
Yes
Minimum Desired Compensation
$120000/yr
Important To Me
Company CultureStock Options / Equity / Profit Sharing
1
Certification
24
Years of experience
A top-performing executive with extensive experience in private industry, government and military operations. Highly skilled in leveraging working knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving regulations to implement comprehensive operating strategies, policies, and procedures, driving continuous growth and development. Proven ability in directing internal teams, ensuring centralization of data and financial statistics for consistently accurate reporting and presentation of actionable recommendations. Recognized for evaluating existing operations to identify inefficiencies and redundancies, innovating process improvements for optimized workflow and improved profit margins., LSS Black Belt
Work History
DIRECTOR SHARED SERVICES CENTER
2 Years 5 Months- Directed daily operations of the Marine Corps Community Services Center, a government shared services center managing $2 billion in retail sales and community services for the USMC. Operations in 27 locations and support of military personnel and dependents. Functions include accounting operations, financial systems, data center management, financial reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll for 27,000 employees. Over a 2 year period I reduced operating costs by 15%. Reduced month end closing from 18 days to 10 days. Led a project to reduce customer service calls, by automating information request, and solved core problems in processing workflow. Initiated a formal Lean Six Sigma program to improve workflows and processes, such as reducing manual checks and adjustments in payroll for 27,000 employees.
- DIRECTOR SHARED SERVICES CENTER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
9 Years 6 Months- Improved financial operations and control for Coast Guard Finance Center, shared services center managing $17 billion in appropriations, by overseeing accounting operations, financial systems, data center management, financial reporting, and control for multiple agencies. Strengthened enterprise leadership by guiding 600 personnel and managing $68M operating budget across accounting, IT, physical and cyber security, safety, human resources, administration, facilities, and property operations. Expanded internal controls through interagency agreements, coordination with customer leadership, and collaboration with external auditors, IG, and senior financial management on purchase, fleet, and travel card oversight, A123 key controls, and SSAE16 assurance statement framework. Advanced continuous improvement by mapping business processes, monitoring performance reports, and directing training and development initiatives for staff. Recognized federal innovation through government-wide presentations on robotic process automation and policy standardization for national-priority issues, including Emergency Relief Recovery Act and Oil Spill Trust Fund accounting. Improved operational compliance by evaluating accounting operations, systems, and reporting metrics and applying corrective actions aligned with requirements and regulations; maintained 120,000 sq. ft. facilities, mail room, shipping, document archiving, physical security, and maintenance while protecting Privacy Act, SBU, and classified information; managed HR operations covering recruiting, hiring, performance, payroll and benefits, military and civilian personnel, disciplinary actions, EEO complaints, and ADA compliance.
- DEPUTY DIRECTOR
- Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to investors and shareholders.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
Senior Financial Analyst
3 Years- Public Accounting Expertise in SAP, Chemical, Oil& Gas Industries
Corporate Controller
3 Years 10 Months- National telecommunications sales and service $300 M revenue
Faculty
10 Years 4 Months- Graduate courses in Finance, Accounting, Strategic Planning
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance, Accounting
Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science - Business Economics, Finance
Cum Laude
Professional Investment Training Goldman Sachs, Franklin Templeton, Pacific Life
Advanced Facilitation Skills
Certified Governmental Financial Manager
ASMC Leadership Course
Oracle Federal Financials
Government Financial Management
Executive Lean Six Sigma
Management Education Program
Certifying Officer Training
Federal Travel Regulations
Federal Personnel and Pay
Appropriation Law
US Standard General Ledger
Skills
Financial Operations
Project Management
Forecasting & Budget
Data Collection & Reporting
Strategic Planning & Analysis
Payroll & Benefits
Accounting & Financial Reporting
Internal Controls
Risk Management
Team Leadership & Development
Client Relationship Management
Human Resources
System Implementation
Revenue & Profit Growth
Cost Controls
Process Improvement
Regulatory Compliance
Reorganizations
Accomplishments
- Appointed as key leader in achieving the first unqualified audit opinion and the first military agency to do so; acted as leading government expert on Robotic Process Automation for effective financial management.
- Supported multiple systems for over 17,000 end-user accounts, including mixed-use systems in procurement and HR, as well as military pay and retirement.
- Processed 1M+ payments each year of $7B in payments, $2B in billing and collections, as well as full financial reporting for 92 Treasury appropriations; effectively reduced operating expenses over four years by $8M through Lean Six Sigma, restructuring and contract insourcing.
- Achieved outstanding results form the Improper Payments Audit with less than 0.02% payments identified as improper; reduced the number of audit NFRs and reportable conditions by 80%.
- Effectively expanded the Lean Six Sigma program, increasing number of projects and initiatives by 40%; migrated to the Treasury's Internet Payment Platform, reducing transactional costs by 30%.
- Successfully oversaw the accounting for Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill government-wide coordination in collection of costs from other agencies, collecting $7 billion in cost recoveries and civil penalties.
- Consolidated the Customer Service function, standardizing CRM software and instituted surveys, achieving a 92% satisfaction rating; followed-up on complaints and escalations to optimize career training for internal teams.
- Participated in Agency Directors Council, leading the implementation of Modernization of the Coast Guard and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
- Managed and negotiated unit contract for 350 employees with AFGE, maintaining relationships throughout reorganization and changes and implementation of Master Labor Agreements.
Affiliations
- Member, Association of Government Accountants
- Former Regional President American Society of Military Comptrollers
Certification
CGFM
Timeline
DIRECTOR SHARED SERVICES CENTER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORP
10.2022 - 03.2025Read More
Faculty
University of Tulsa, Phoenix University
01.2010 - 05.2020Read More
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
06.2008 - 12.2017Read More
Senior Financial Analyst
Price Waterhouse Coopers
05.2005 - 05.2008Read More
Corporate Controller
Telenova
06.2001 - 04.2005Read More
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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science from Business Economics, Finance
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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Master of Business Administration from Finance, Accounting
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Section name
Page Three of Three
Personal Information
Title: Accounting & Financial Leader