BRIGETTE COLLINS
NEWPORT NEWS,VA
Summary
Seasoned finance professional with 15 years of experience in city government finance and capital project management. Demonstrated expertise in preparing audit schedules, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Proven track record of optimizing financial processes and enhancing budget accuracy. Committed to leveraging analytical skills to drive efficient fiscal management in public sector initiatives.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Accountant
City of Hampton
Hampton, VA
01.2018 - 12.2021
- Prepare and monitor budgets, as well as provide analysis compared to department expense reports.
- Performed the financial administration and reporting requirements for the city’s capital projects, which included monitoring contracts and expenditures charged to capital projects for propriety and budgetary compliance.
- Prepares journal entries to distribute the costs of maintenance and operation to the proper accounts.
- Examines records to determine that acquisition, sale, retirement, and other entries have been made.
- Prepare statements reflecting monthly appreciated and depreciated values.
- Complies with all local, state, and federal regulations in maintaining accounting records and preparing financial reports.
- Assist in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and related schedules.
- Responsible for meeting monthly, quarterly, and annual deadlines.
- Identified and kept a record of all city-owned or leased property, plant, and equipment.
- Record the value, location, and other pertinent information on each.
- Work directly with department managers and directors regarding financial statements and audit preparations.
- Specific funds include: Coliseum, Fleet Services, Equipment Replacement, and Capital Assets.
- Prepared a mapping process for the finance department to connect the division of duties and provide a visual of finance processes.
- Collaborated with external partners to complete audits.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards of generally accepted accounting principles.
- Maintained accurate accounts for cash, fixed assets, and other transactions.
- Posted financial data in Excel spreadsheets and managed inventory.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Prepared accurate financial statements in compliance with GAAP standards.
- Established relationships with external auditors for completion of annual audits.
Accountant
Hampton, VA
01.2013 - 01.2018
- Applied generally accepted accounting principles necessary to properly implement changes to maintain operations of financial management accounting systems for the city funds to ensure adequate budgetary and internal controls.
- Performs analytical review and prepares reports for the various city funds and specific financial management topics.
- Audits contracts and prepares reports which substantiate individual transactions before their settlement.
- Resolves accounting issues on a timely basis.
- Assist budget department with budget analysis reporting as they relate to departmental expenses and revenues.
- Complies with all local, state, and federal regulation in maintaining accounting records and preparing financial reports.
- Assist in the preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and related schedules.
- Trained Grant’s administrators on UGG (Uniform Grant Guidance) updates.
- Work directly with department Managers and Directors regarding financial statements and audit preparations.
- Specific funds include Golf courses, Stormwater operations, Information technology.
Accounting Clerk II
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Utilized New World financial system to process, track, and report utility payments for all City of Hampton departments.
- Assist with preparation of annual Hampton library system state budget.
- Provided utility reports to individual departments throughout the city when requested.
- Prepared journal entries for department of Human Services warrant registers.
- Analyzed and compiled information to create reports for upper management.
- Reconcile 2 liability accounts on a monthly basis, to include completion for end of fiscal year audit schedule.
- Trained both State and local employees on the upgrade of the New World financial system.
Accounting Coordinator II
Cox Communications
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Supervised Temporary Accounting Coordinators Created aging reports through access database for Upgrade Manager.
- Meet with contractors on a monthly basis.
- Processed and reconciled vendors payments Analyzed and compiled information to create reports for upper management.
Education
PhD - Leadership And Change
Antioch University
10-2024
MA Leadership And Change - Leadership
Antioch University
Yellow Springs, OH02-2022
MBA - Accounting
Saint Leo University
01.2015
Skills
- Generally accepted accounting principles
- Training and development
- Budget administration
- Database management
- Knowledge of financial statements
- Analytical research
- Budget forecasting expertise
- Cost reduction options
- [Microsoft office, NewWord financial system, Spreadsheet server] proficient
- GAAP guidelines
- Process evaluations
- Account reconciliation expert
- GAAP Accounting
- General accounting
Affiliations
American Society for Public Administration (Current Member) – ILA - International Leaders Association (Current Member)- ICMA International City/County Management Association (Current Member)
Timeline
Sr. Accountant
City of Hampton
01.2018 - 12.2021
Accountant
01.2013 - 01.2018
Accounting Clerk II
01.2007 - 01.2013
Accounting Coordinator II
Cox Communications
01.2001 - 01.2006
MBA - Accounting
Saint Leo University
PhD - Leadership And Change
Antioch University
MA Leadership And Change - Leadership
Antioch University
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