LASHARN BARNES
Brandywine,MD
Summary
A focused and results-driven professional with over 20 years of progressive experience in providing exceptional leadership and management in accounting, auditing and finance, information technology, and excellent client service. Adept at managing concurrent objectives to promote efficiency and influence positive outcomes. Has the proven ability to provide critical support for the development and implementation of strategies to achieve process efficiencies in business operations. More than 19 years of experience in leading and performing audits and associated internal control reviews in accordance with applicable accounting standards, laws and regulations. Throughout career, has been recognized for exhibiting professionalism with a commitment to excellence. Possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills and can develop and establish strategic business relationships with associates and customers at various levels within organizations. Recognized consistently for performance excellence and contributions to organizational success. Enthusiastic leader eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Information Resources Mgmt. Director: GG-0511-15
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA OIG
03.2021 - Current
- Second level supervisor and senior advisor of assigned audit activities for information technology, financial and performance audits to detect errors, fraud, waste and abuse, evaluations, and relevant hotline complaints.
- Assesses information resources management programs, information technology infrastructure, financial systems and records, and risks inherent to information systems and related data for the EPA and Chemical Safety Board.
- Leads audit of IT financial systems for the Annual EPA Consolidated FInancial Statement Audit.
- Applies qualitative or quantitative methods to identify problems within operations, products, and services. Uses tools to gather data e.g. surveys, questionnaires, and analyses to make informed decisions.
- Lead statutory and discretionary audits in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and relevant ethical requirements.
- Advises managers on strategies to optimize organizational resources allocation to meet Office of Audit and IRM's priorities.
- Manages several audit and/or evaluation teams that conduct complex assignments of various programs.
- Leads, participates, and implements alongside the Assistant Inspector General for Audit in developing the Office of Audit Strategic, Annual and Multi-Yea Plans.
- Writes and reviews audit assessment reports for submission to managers with findings and actionable audit recommendations.
- Approves assignment plans containing objectives, milestones and staff day budgets; oversees implementation; and coordinates multiple audits, evaluations, data analyses, and special projects associated with overall plan.
- Responds to complaints received via the OIG hotline or inquiries from the public and responds to Congressional requests. Brief Staffers on complex IT report findings.
- Completes mid-year and annual performance assessments for team members and offers expert coaching to develop staff and monitors performance.
- Supports staff in their professional development and provides relevant training and stretch assignment to enhance skills and experience.
- Evaluates and approves annual plan audit proposals to address high-risk areas that will yield monetary benefits consistent with agency's strategy and mission.
- Provides reporting on FSA and other audit efforts, progress, and results in the OIG's Semi-Annual Reports to Congress.
Financial Statement Audit Manager: GG-0511-14
DIA OIG
08.2014 - 03.2021
- First level supervisor and senior advisor of assigned audit activities to include financial systems and records and performance audits to detect errors, fraud, waste and abuse, surveys, evaluations, and relevant hotline complaints for the OIG.
- Applied qualitative or quantitative methods to identify problems within operations, products, and services. Used tools to gather the data e.g. surveys, questionnaires, and analysis to make informed decisions.
- Managed over 65% of OIG statutory required audits, to include the annual DIA Financial Statement Audit (FSA), and Improper Payments Information Act (IPIA).
- Led numerous performance audits and projects in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and relevant ethical requirements.
- Served as the COR on FSA and other IT software contracts and evaluated procurement and acquisition practices to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations for efficiencies.
- Oversaw the IPA on the Annual DIA FSA, ensuring that the objectives, tasks, and deliverables outlined in the Performance Work Statement were adhered to, met applicable standards, and provided within required times.
- Presented audit assessment results to managers and other senior OIG and agency leadership. Coached and prepared team to present audit assessment results to managers.
- Performed strategic planning, execution and finalization of branch audits ensuring alignment with Audits and OIG organization.
- Offered clear and concise strategic communications on FSA's progress to the Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, IG and other senior level management officials.
- Continually advised managers on strategies to optimize organizational resources allocation to meet priorities.
- Reviewed analytical procedures performed by team on variances in account balances or classes of transactions to identify problems and issues for the FSA.
- Identified control gaps in processes, procedures, and systems through in-depth research and assessment and suggested methods for improvement.
- Wrote and reviewed audit assessment reports for submission to managers with findings and actionable audit recommendations.
- Established short and long term goals and strategies for Audits division and branch that align with OIG’s strategic plan.
- Completed mid-year and annual performance assessments for team members and offers expert coaching to develop staff and monitors performance.
- Supported staff in their professional development and encourages them to assume roles that will stretch their experience.
- Demonstrated OIG values and fosters team commitment to timely results, knowledge sharing, and solving problems constructively through critical thinking.
- Received laudatory comments from OIG and senior agency leadership for strong leadership/management skills.
- Contributed to OIG annual planning process by applying agency knowledge and leadership's priorities to identify and assess audit risks as high, moderate or low.
- Evaluated annual plan audit proposals to address high-risk areas that will yield monetary benefits consistent with agency's strategy and mission.
- Provided reporting on FSA and other audit efforts, progress, and results in the OIG's Semi-Annual Reports to Congress.
- Played vital role in Audits extensive hiring efforts by reviewing resumes, interviewing candidates, and providing recommendations, leading to multiple selections that contributed to increased division effectiveness.
- Trained audit staff on new yellow book 2018 revisions, specifically updates to the internal controls section.
- Facilitated meetings with agency's audit liaison, management, and IPA to discuss audit findings and identify potential solutions without impacting independence.
- Provided technical and administrative updates oral/written to OIG Leadership, agency management, and IPA contractors.
- Instrumental in the development of budget proposal for increased funding for IPA contract and additional billets to support the effort, which was approved by the DR.
- Consistently received top performance recognition from Audit Division and senior OIG leadership.
- Demonstrated self-reliance by meeting and exceeding workflow needs.
Professional Development Officer (Detail)
National Aeronautics And Space Administration, NASA
08.2020 - 02.2021
- As a CIGIE fellow, assigned to NASA OIG Office of Audits (OA) with responsibility for establishing a professional development strategy for OA staff, based upon goals and risk/opportunity areas.
- Coached approximately 60 employees on test taking tips to pass the Certified Fraud Examiner’s (CFE) exam.
- Held coaching sessions with OA leadership on giving employee feedback during mid-year performance period.
- Developed career path manual, promotion strategy, and core competency assessment framework for OA employees.
- Developed recruiting materials for continued hiring in OA.
- Collaborated with Project Managers and Directors on training plans for new employees.
- Evaluated training processes, employee performance, and training progress to determine additional training needs.
- In partnership with OA employees, developed robust OA New Employee On-boarding Program.
- Developed skill-specific training plans to promote employee development.
Financial Statement Auditor: GG-0511-13
Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA OIG
09.2012 - 08.2014
- Gathered and analyzed data to complete and submit Acquisition Purchase Request package, which included the Performance Work Statement, Independent Government Cost Estimate, Acquisition Plan, and Market Research documents for the new IPA contract.
- Completed quality and editorial reviews of audit reports for other branches within Audits.
- Conducted audits in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and relevant ethical requirements.
- Performed analytical procedures on variances in account balances or classes of transactions to identify problems.
- Served as Alternate COR on the DIA Annual Financial Statement Contract.
- Reviewed team members' work papers of audit assignments.
- Served on source selection team in reviewing proposals of Independent Public Accountant (IPA) firms.
- Identified weaknesses of existing control systems and made suggestions for remediation.
- Appraised adequacy of internal control systems by completing audit questionnaires.
- Followed established auditing processes to meet internal and regulatory requirements.
Supervisory Auditor
Acuity Consulting, Inc
06.2008 - 09.2012
- Performed financial audits and internal control reviews in accordance with federal and quality standards, applicable laws, and regulations.
- Performed financial statement audits, reviews, and audit readiness tasks for DoD agencies.
- Led multiple financial statement audit engagements, audit readiness assessment projects, and, internal control reviews from planning through reporting phases.
- Recognized for producing quality work products and exhibiting a high level of professionalism.
- Managed, assigned, and evaluated audit work of staff employees.
- Collaborated with leadership to allocate resources needed to execute and complete audit projects.
- Led testing of general and application controls testing for Service Organization Control Report (SOC 1).
- For Audit Readiness efforts, assisted agencies with development of key accounting process cycle memorandums and flowcharts for processes related to internal controls over financial reporting.
- Briefed results and complex findings to Senior Leadership who reported the results to Congress. Reports were well received, and the team received accolades for work performed.
- Received numerous monetary awards for performance.
- Organized a weekly meeting called the Empower Hour, which was an informal platform for staff to present ideas for improving the work environment, projects, etc. The meetings were successful and attributed to a positive and cohesive work environment.
- Instrumental in Audits Division achieving its goal of 80% retention rate.
- Partnered with agency officials and developed applicable policies and procedures and standard operating procedures for accounting processes.
- Identified gaps in processes and supported agencies in developing and implementing recommendations and corrective actions plans.
- Successful in business development as office obtained additional leads and opportunities, resulting from my team's excellent performance.
- Collaborated with leaders to develop an organizational strategic framework and establish mission, vision, values, and measurable goals and objectives.
- Identified audit risks, prepared budgets and coordinated with management and audit team in preparing related reports.
- Identified control gaps in processes, procedures and systems through in-depth research and assessment and suggested methods for improvement.
- Identified management control weaknesses and provided value added suggestions for remediation.
- Developed and implemented corrective actions to bring business areas in line with standards.
Education
MBA - Information System Security
Champlain College
Burlington, VT12.2018
BBA - Accounting
University of the District of Columbia
Washington, DC05.1994
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Coaching, Mentoring
- Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
- Employee development/Training
- Problem resolution
- IDEA, ACL, TeamMate, Power BI, and SharePoint
- Information Technology
- Contract and Vendor Management
Accomplishments
- Influential in creating organizational change as a result of Audit's findings and recommendations.
- Developed and instituted a Cybersecurity Program for the Information Resources Management Directorate that met the vision of the IG. This included funding, staff, and audit tools.
- Collaborated with other OIGs with established and effective Cybersecurity programs. Used the information as best practices.
- Supervises a team of 15 auditors.
Certification
Certified Fraud Examiner
Additional Information
- Security Clearance: Top Secret
Timeline
Information Resources Mgmt. Director: GG-0511-15
Environmental Protection Agency, EPA OIG
03.2021 - Current
Professional Development Officer (Detail)
National Aeronautics And Space Administration, NASA
08.2020 - 02.2021
Financial Statement Audit Manager: GG-0511-14
DIA OIG
08.2014 - 03.2021
Financial Statement Auditor: GG-0511-13
Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA OIG
09.2012 - 08.2014
Supervisory Auditor
Acuity Consulting, Inc
06.2008 - 09.2012
MBA - Information System Security
Champlain College
BBA - Accounting
University of the District of Columbia
Certified Fraud Examiner
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