ALITA STRATTON
Farmers Branch,TX
Summary
Pragmatic professional with solid experience in leadership roles. Adept at implementing strategic business plans, driving growth and improving operations. Skilled in financial management and stakeholder relations. Collaborative and dedicated to building and leading talented and motivated individuals.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Finance
Ultimate Tool & Safety
01.2021 - Current
- Manage financial and accounting functions for distribution facilities with annual revenues over $20 million
- As a key management team member, participate in strategic planning to include expansion into new geographic locations, expense forecasting, tax planning, and cash management/investment strategies
- Development and implementation of internal controls
- Hire and develop an accounting team (A/R, A/P, Special Billing Clerks)
- Prepare and analyze monthly financial statements and compare to budget, review variances, and initiate corrective action
- Maintain relationships with insurance providers (commercial, worker’s compensation and health insurance)
- Perform various human resource functions as needed
- Ongoing monitoring and forecasting of state and federal tax planning and preparation of annual tax returns
- Review all tax filings, including monthly gross receipts and sales tax reporting for multiple states
- Preparation of workpapers for annual reviewed financial statements, including implementation of the ASC 842 lease accounting standard, and federal and state income tax calculations (current and deferred)
- Developed process design to support operations for general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable
- Lead implementation of ERP (Epicor Prophet 21)
- SAP Concur
- Establish policies for issuing credit.
- Controlled accounting operations and oversaw transactions related to payroll, financial reporting, payables and receivables.
Senior Manager – Private Business Services
EisnerAmper, LLP
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance & Accounting functions for client businesses as needed
- Provide leadership in the development of short and long-term strategic financial objectives and continuous evaluation
- Advised clients of industry trends and emerging conflicts and presented solutions that enhanced client goals
- Developed high-level knowledge of client business goals, policies and procedures to establish foundation for targeted problem solutions
- Perform financial budgeting, forecasting and reporting, profitability analysis, and benchmarking
- Preparation of financial statements on various accounting methods (cash, accrual, and full GAAP)
- Develop and implement business and financial strategies
- Perform due diligence for mergers and acquisitions
- Perform special engagements for clients (setup of accounting and payroll systems, train and develop staff, and review and recommend internal control procedures)
- Develop and maintain client relationships through strong communication and project management skills
- Experience with diverse client base (real estate, manufacturing/distribution, automotive, medical, construction, family office)
- Identify and assist client with implementation of tax planning/tax savings strategies
- Research and consult on complex tax matters (income, payroll, sales tax)
- Preparation of complex tax returns (1120, 1120S, 1065, 1040).
Controller
Autoflex Leasing
01.2011 - 01.2017
- Manage financial and accounting functions for auto leasing and used automobile dealership generating annual sales over $100 million
- As management team member, participate in strategic planning, including expense forecasting, budgeting, and cash management/investment strategies
- Perform account reconciliations and analysis, prepare journal entries and review accounting classifications in accordance with GAAP
- Review all tax filings, including monthly sales tax and vehicle inventory tax reporting, as well as quarterly and annual payroll tax reports
- Prepare and analyze monthly financial statements and compare to budget, review variances, and initiate corrective action
- Perform various human resource functions as needed
- Administer the company’s 401(k) plan, completing annual compliance testing, submitting 401(k) withholdings to investment company, and establishing and updating new policies and procedures as necessary with changes in law
- Review and analyze annual renewals on employee benefit plans (health insurance, dental, vision, life and long-term disability), including research of current laws and regulations to ensure compliance and proper reporting
- Ongoing review and implementation of internal controls to ensure compliance with laws and regulations in specialized automobile industry
- Corporate liaison with lenders and auditors (accounting firm, and various local, state and federal tax agencies)
- Maintain relationships with insurance providers (commercial, worker’s compensation and health insurance).
Chief Financial Officer
Watson Truck & Supply, Inc./Watson Hopper, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Manage financial and accounting functions for automobile dealership (Watson Truck & Supply, Inc., Watson Chevrolet-Buick) and heavy-duty oilfield equipment manufacturer (Watson Hopper, Inc.) generating combined annual sales over $100 million
- Perform complex reconciliations of actual inventory counts to the general ledger, assist with parts inventory periodic physical counts, and implement various internal controls as a result of findings
- As management team member, participate in strategic planning, including expense forecasting, tax planning, and cash management/investment strategies
- Prepare complex corporate federal and state tax returns with multiple consolidated companies, including the preparation of individual federal and multiple state tax returns for owners/officers of the company
- Review all tax filings, including monthly gross receipts and sales tax reporting for multiple states, as well as quarterly and annual payroll tax reports for multiple states
- Corporate liaison with lenders and auditors (accounting firm, and various local, state and federal tax agencies)
- Administer the company’s 401(k) plan, including directing quarterly 401(k) trustee meetings, completing annual compliance testing, researching and recommending additional investment offerings to employees, calculating company match, submitting 401(k) withholdings and match to investment company, and establishing and updating new policies and procedures as necessary with changes in law
- Review parts costing, including work in process for the manufacturing of heavy-duty oilfield equipment
- Maintain relationships with insurance providers (commercial, worker’s compensation and health insurance), most specifically serving on the Board of Directors for a captive insurance group with over 250 members
- Participate in the company’s risk management program which includes monitoring equity balances for captive insurance group, reviewing loss runs, approving and managing reserves on claims, attending safety committee meetings, and participating in making recommendations to departments on areas to control risk
- Monitor claims and reserves for self funded health insurance plan
- Prepare audit work papers for the annual financial statement and 401(k) audits, including preparation of the audited financial statements in accordance with GAAP
- Prepare consolidating journal entries, and consolidated financial statements
- Prepare annual budget, analyze variances, and initiate corrective action
- Perform account reconciliations and analysis, prepare journal entries and review accounting classifications in accordance with GAAP.
Supervisor/Senior Accountant
Johnson, Miller & Co, CPA’s
01.1998 - 01.2006
- Knowledge of GAAP, GAAS, and common audit/review procedures and techniques
- Supervise, train and develop staff accountants for tax, audit, review and compilation engagements
- Coordinate and in-charge audit and tax engagements: plan, set budgets, monitor actual performance, maintain communication with client, and presentation of financial statements
- Prepare and review of tax returns for a variety of entities (individual, trusts, corporate, partnership, S Corporations, non-profit)
- Perform special engagements for clients (setup of accounting and payroll systems, train and develop staff, and review and recommend internal control procedures)
- Develop and maintain client relationships through strong communication and project management skills
- Experience with diverse client base (real estate, manufacturing/distribution, automotive, oil and gas producers/service providers, nonprofit organizations, governmental).
Education
B.S. - Business Administration - Accounting
University of The Southwest
Hobbs, New Mexico05.1998
Skills
- Financial Strategy Development
- ERP System Expertise
- Financial Modeling and Forecasting
- Performance Metrics Evaluation
- Revenue Growth Strategies
- Cash Flow Management
- Business Process Improvement
- Cost Reduction Strategies
- Budget Planning and Management
- Tax Planning and Compliance
- Financial Reports
Professional Registration
- Certified Public Accountant, Texas, 01/01/17
- Certified Public Accountant, New Mexico, 01/01/01, True
Certification
Certified Public Accountant - Texas (2017) and New Mexico (2001 - currently inactive)
Timeline
Vice President of Finance
Ultimate Tool & Safety
01.2021 - Current
Senior Manager – Private Business Services
EisnerAmper, LLP
01.2017 - 01.2021
Controller
Autoflex Leasing
01.2011 - 01.2017
Chief Financial Officer
Watson Truck & Supply, Inc./Watson Hopper, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2011
Supervisor/Senior Accountant
Johnson, Miller & Co, CPA’s
01.1998 - 01.2006
B.S. - Business Administration - Accounting
University of The Southwest
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