Anne Essex
Westfield,IN
Summary
With a proven track record at City of Carmel, I expertly managed a $100 million payroll, demonstrating exceptional financial acumen and strong communication skills. My leadership in migrating to ADP Workforce Now and enhancing payroll processes underscores my ability to innovate and drive efficiency, showcasing my analytical mindset and commitment to compliance and accuracy.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Payroll Administrator
City of Carmel
Carmel, USA
01.2016 - Current
- Administer a $100 million payroll for 1,000 employees a year, in compliance with federal and state laws.
- Project Implementation Manager for ADP Workforce Now migration and implementation (2017).
- Consult, analyze, and implement a compensation program.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders on payroll processes and procedures.
- Execute an accounting analysis of payroll funding.
- Ensure compliance in financial reporting, and create strong internal controls.
- Implement employee benefits.
- Consult on payroll and benefit policy.
- Subject matter expert for payroll accounting software.
- Created streamlined payroll processes to increase accuracy and boost productivity.
- Coordinated employee benefit deductions with the benefits department.
- Enforced payroll-related policies, procedures, and regulations to adhere to changing company and governmental standards..
- Conducted audits to ensure accuracy of payroll data.
- Coordinated special programs and donation drives involving payroll deductions.
- Responded to questions from employees about their paychecks or deductions via email or phone calls in a timely manner.
- Calculated and processed special payments such as bonuses, severance, and back pay.
- Audited, reviewed and compiled payroll reports, records and related summaries.
- Created payroll-related reports for pension plans, insurance, and other benefits.
- Collaborated with external auditors during annual audits, providing necessary payroll records and explanations.
- Generated year-end W2's for distribution to employees and IRS filing purposes.
- Developed and implemented training materials for new hires regarding company policies on vacation and sick time accrual, and leave requests.
- Ensured timely payments of employee benefits such as vacation, sick leave, health insurance, 401K contributions.
- Managed relationships with tax authorities, bankers and auditors.
- Supervised a team of payroll processors in processing bi-weekly, monthly, and annual payrolls.
- Served as a liaison between internal departments and outside agencies such as tax authorities or retirement plan administrators.
- Assisted with the preparation of year-end wage statements and other financial statements for auditors or government agencies.
- Prepared reconciliations of all payroll related accounts, taxes, garnishments.
Associate Financial Representative
Northwestern Mutual District
Zionsville, USA
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Associate Financial Advisor for a Managing Director.
- Overseeing FINRA compliance regulations.
- Interviewed clients to assess income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial and investment goals and risk tolerance.
- Consulted with clients to assess and meet short- and long-term financial goal.
- Facilitated client meetings with comprehensive investment strategy planning.
- Utilized financial planning software to create projections, scenarios, and plans tailored to individual client needs.
- Delivered personalized retirement planning advice, including pension analysis and 401(k) strategy optimization.
- Provided recommendations for education funding, estate planning and insurance gap analysis.
- Provided support to Senior Financial Advisors in developing new business relationships with prospective clients.
- Conducted comprehensive portfolio reviews to ensure optimal asset allocation and performance against market benchmarks.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms and cost savings.
Personal Banker
Ameriana Bank
Westfield, USA
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Built strong rapport with new and existing clients to better serve financial needs and promote branch loyalty.
- Performed banking transactions, consumer lending, and executed retail banking compliance.
- Facilitated resolution of customer disputes in a fair manner while protecting the interests of the bank.
- Partnered with loan and mortgage officers and financial advisors to provide clients with optimal financial solutions.
- Researched customer inquiries and reported findings in a timely manner.
- Processed loan applications according to established guidelines.
- Executed wire transfers of funds in compliance with banking best practices..
- Conducted account openings and closings for clients.
- Assisted and advised customers on using online and mobile banking systems.
- Advised customers on various financial products available from the bank.
- Followed operational standards, promoting security, risk management and compliance.
- Performed daily balancing of cash drawer and reconciled discrepancies when necessary.
- Identified potential fraud risks on accounts and reported suspicious activities to management.
Associate Director Planning and Analysis
State of Indiana, FSSA Division of Aging
Indianapolis, USA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Secured federal grant money for local councils on aging.
- Audited and revised annual federal report for the FSSA Division of Aging.
- Maintained regular performance appraisals for subordinates through verbal, written and on-going review programs.
- Researched industry best practices in order to recommend improvements in existing processes.
- Conducted research on relevant topics related to grant writing.
- Crafted grant requests and proposals for needs.
- Investigated potential funding sources, state and federal programs and non-profit foundations.
- Coordinated with program staff to ensure timely submission of required documentation for grants awarded.
Registered Representative
Charles Schwab & Company
Fishers, USA
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Made bids and offers to buy or sell securities.
- Bought or sold stocks, bonds and commodity futures on behalf of investment dealers.
- Corrected trade errors and kept accurate documentation for records and audits.
- Executed complex options orders.
- Advised clients on appropriate investment strategies based on their individual goals and objectives.
- Discussed client financial options to keep customers informed regarding transactions.
Education
Master of Science - Accounting
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Marketing, Business Administration
Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN01.2003
Skills
- Remote work expert
- Compensation plan management
- Calculating deductions
- Benefits administration
- Year-end procedures
- Annual reporting
- Payroll policies
- Payroll auditing
- Upgrading HRIS systems
- Maintaining employee records
- Payroll tax filing
- Garnishment administration
- Bookkeeping skills
- Directing teams
- Resolving payroll problems
- New hire processing
- Financial acumen
- Relationship building
- Analytical mindset
- Salary analysis
- Compensation plan development
- HRIS systems
- Statistical analysis
- Strong communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
Affiliations
- Treasurer, Carmel Fire Department Auxiliary
- Legacy Council Member, Coram Deo Academy
Accomplishments
- Appointed department lead for Critical Incident Communications Team (City of Carmel)
- Outstanding customer service award (Farm Bureau Insurance)
- Peer leader for brand management (Ameriana Bank)
- WOW award for community leadership (Ameriana Bank)
Certification
- FINRA Series 7 (expired)
- FINRA Series 6 (expired)
- FINRA Series 63 (expired)
- Indiana Life and Health Insurance Producer license (expired)
- Indiana Property and Casualty Insurance Producer license (expired)
- Presently pursuing SHRM certifications
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Payroll Administrator
City of Carmel
01.2016 - Current
Associate Financial Representative
Northwestern Mutual District
01.2011 - 01.2015
Personal Banker
Ameriana Bank
01.2009 - 01.2011
Associate Director Planning and Analysis
State of Indiana, FSSA Division of Aging
01.2007 - 01.2008
Registered Representative
Charles Schwab & Company
01.2006 - 01.2007
Master of Science - Accounting
Indiana Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Science - Marketing, Business Administration
Indiana Wesleyan University
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