Claudia Zambrana
SUCCASUNNA,New Jersey
Summary
Proactive professional looking to leverage 15 years of working in the construction industry performing different roles in accounting, being my current positions Project Accountant. As Project Accountant I have strong skillset in investigating variances, approving expenses and project cost management. Committed to allocating and monitoring cost funding to maintain budget.
I consider myself a dedicated professional with a proactive attitude and ability to learn quickly. Strong work ethic and effective communication skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and support organizational goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Accountant
Avison Young USA /Studio Project Services
12.2020 - Current
- Conducted monthly reviews of all open projects to ensure accurate accounting records.
- Review projects' Gross Profit and reconciled general ledger accounts on a monthly basis.
- Through my MBA studies, I gained knowledge of the financial principles for best accounting practices. The courses received in Project Management and Accounting during my years of education and experience have given me a wide understanding of projections, budgets, and project profitability.
- Oversee Accounts Receivables (Billing-Collections) I handle all aspects of the process, invoices through payment applications (AIA Contract Documents) and collections.
- Performed ad-hoc analysis to support decision-making related to Accounts Receivables, projects, and customers.
- Aside from having an organized scheduled plan, I believe communication skills are a very important key when it comes to working closely with the Project Managers and handling the customers' accounts.
- Project Cost Reconciliation with Project Managers: Executing meetings for every end of the month with the project managers to review actual costs, investigate variances, and reconcile them.
- These meetings allow me to acknowledge in depth the financial progress of the projects as well as carrying out reconciliation on the estimated revenue (base contract and change order work), reviewing budgets against actual costs, and to ensure that the project’s billing is in line with the percentage completion in the file for the project and revenue earned to date
- Support with the Work in Progress schedule (WIP)
- Responsible for gathering essential information from the monthly project reconciliation meetings with the Project Managers and updating the WIP report, which is required for our monthly closing period.
- Gained experience with the nature of the account billing in excess of costs for over/under billings.
- Collaborate with reviewing signed contracts, payment terms, and sales tax accuracy.
- My greatest satisfaction when supporting my team with this was putting together a process that helped track, monitor, and calculate the sales tax deductions for a project in the state of Connecticut, which prevented the company from overpaying in sales tax obligations. The result helped improve the project's revenue.
- Provide audit support.
- Coordinated audit activities performed by external auditors for various projects as needed. I work with the auditors on all subjects related to Accounts Receivables, Collections, Month End Reconciliations process, and Work in Progress sheet (WIP report) for a better understanding of the business processes
- My acquired proficiency within this field and leadership in my role comes in handy when explaining all supporting documents while complying to the General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Researched complex accounting issues that arise during a project lifecycle.
- Identified areas where process improvements could be made in order to streamline operations.
- Reviewed invoices for accuracy prior to payment processing.
- Managed and maintained project budgets, monitored expenses, and tracked financials.
- Collected and assembled financial data to analyze costs on year-to-year basis relative to fiscal planning and budgeting activities.
- Communicated with project management and professionals to monitor job progress cost reporting.
- Maintained project-related records, contracts and change orders.
- Managed unconditional waivers with payment for subcontractors based on project requirements.
- Investigated and resolved billing issues to maximize cash flow and minimize liabilities.
- Researched and implemented best practices to improve audit results.
- Cross-trained employees, enabling completion of priority tasks during personnel absences.
Accounts Receivable Manager
Ashlar Mechanical Corp
12.2016 - 03.2020
- Collaborated with the project management team to improve A/R collections and billing procedures utilizing QuickBooks accounting system, Excel, and ORACLE's Textura payment management system
- Managed billing for more than 400 projects a year through progress invoices, AIA G 702/703 payment application form and Oracle's Textura payment management system
- In charge of collections, monitoring accounts daily, investigate outstanding historical data for debts and bills
- Resolve and process credits
- Resolve billing issues and reconcile client’s accounts
- Monthly meetings with project managers for Sprinkler and HVAC job billing progress and unapproved change orders
- Weekly review of the job costing report to inquire with the project manager of any unknown cost not reported in the budget
- Generate and submit for approval monthly AIA G702/703 requisitions, follow up with Contractor’s and ensure approved AIAs are submitted for payment
- Review projects financial status to prepare and submit all financial closeout paperwork
- Manage biweekly meetings with the Vice-president and CFO of the company to review job costing, accounts receivables aging report, address delinquent accounts to advise plan of action.
FC Bookkeeper/ Office Assistant
Seabreeze Mechanical Corp
03.2011 - 07.2016
- Using QuickBooks accounting software to perform account receivables and payables functions, generate A/R aging reports for CEO and Balance detail sheets for each project
- Journal entries of payroll expenses and taxes
- Assist accountant in all union annual audits
- Reconcile bank accounts
- Manage change orders and follow up on their approval
- Submit to the CEO monthly reports of active change orders
- In continuous contacts with the General Contractor’s office and Project Managers to retrieve and coordinate all related paperwork (POs, insurance, permits, schedule of material and ductwork) to projects in progress
- Assist in the submittals for approvals of HVAC equipment required as per engineer’s project specifications and regulations of each project
- Manage vendors and providers to RFQ and/or RFO for supplies, equipment and materials related to shop fabrication and projects
- Perform secretarial tasks and other related office activities.
Assistant Manager
AVARGA Contracting Corp
05.2011 - 02.2013
- Assisted in setting management office
- Worked on QuickBooks accounting software for bookkeeping and maintaining financial records and banking
- Assisted Project Managers with all paperwork (insurance, permits, contract, purchase orders, construction plans) and ordering of supplies and equipment.
Bookkeeper
J&V General Contracting Corp
10.2008 - 04.2010
- Worked for two General Contractors, managing accounting transactions in QuickBooks (expenses, income, bills, invoices, bank reconciliation, etc.) Elaboration of proposals, expenses, reports in Excel and related secretarial tasks.
Education
Master: Business Administration -
MCNY, New York
04.2015
Post Degree Financial Management, Industrial Engineering Degree -
UCA University, UNI University
12.2005
Skills
- Communication
- Detail-oriented
- Ethics and integrity
- Financial statement preparation
- Schedule Management
- Budget Analysis
- Account Reconciliation
- GAAP knowledge
- Bookkeeping
- Financial Management
- Payroll Processing
- Cost Control
Timeline
Project Accountant
Avison Young USA /Studio Project Services
12.2020 - Current
Accounts Receivable Manager
Ashlar Mechanical Corp
12.2016 - 03.2020
Assistant Manager
AVARGA Contracting Corp
05.2011 - 02.2013
FC Bookkeeper/ Office Assistant
Seabreeze Mechanical Corp
03.2011 - 07.2016
Bookkeeper
J&V General Contracting Corp
10.2008 - 04.2010
Master: Business Administration -
MCNY, New York
Post Degree Financial Management, Industrial Engineering Degree -
UCA University, UNI University
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