Colleen L. Sturgeon
Cannon & Wendt
Central,AZ
1
Certification
28
years of professional experience
Results-driven finance professional with extensive experience at Cannon & Wendt, excelling in budget preparation and financial reporting. Proven track record in implementing strong internal controls and mentoring junior staff, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Adept at leveraging advanced Excel functions for data analysis, driving significant improvements in financial processes.
Work History
Assistant Controller
8 Years 2 Months- Streamlined financial reporting processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
- Led monthly closing procedures, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
- Developed and implemented internal controls to mitigate financial risks.
- Mentored junior accounting staff, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing.
- Oversaw budget preparation and variance analysis to drive fiscal responsibility.
- Ensured integrity of general ledger accounts through regular reconciliations, adjustments, and detailed documentation.
- Completed journal entries, reconciliations, and account analysis to prepare quarterly financial documents and general account management.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable functions with a focus on timely payment processing while minimizing bad debt exposure.
- Implemented process improvements leading to increased productivity within the finance department.
- Identified areas for cost-savings by conducting regular reviews of vendor contracts and negotiating favorable terms when possible.
- Provided oversight to key inventory management activities including valuation analysis, obsolescence tracking, and physical count verifications.
- Reduced discrepancies between actuals and forecasts by refining revenue recognition methodologies.
- Prepared balance sheets, cash flow reports and income statements.
- Accurately completed financial statement audits and thoroughly reviewed results.
- Mitigated risk by implementing internal controls and safeguards for revenues and expenditures.
Corporate Franchise Accounting Manager
4 Years 3 Months- Review, validate and audit store-level labor data and corporate payroll information.
- Processed payroll, electronic deposits, and employee pay adjustments.
- Prepared annual, quarterly, state and local tax returns.
- Perform high-volume bank and cash drawer reconciliations.
- Oversee and manage general accounting functions including accounts payable (A/P) processing & coordinating vendor invoices for 361 sonic locations in various states restaurant supplies.
- Prepare and deliver operational cost reporting to individual restaurants general manager to maximize profit margins, support budgeting forecasting and strategic planning.
- Lead month-end and year-end closes, including journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, payroll, vendor relations, tax filings and job-costing variance analysis.
- Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting for internal and external franchise owners.
- Prepared and approved dividend payments to franchise owners after closing month-end financials.Improved financial reporting accuracy by implementing advanced Excel functions for data analysis.
Senior Accountant/Lead Cost Accountant
9 Years 4 Months- Streamlined month-end closing processes by organizing and reviewing ledger entries for consistency in order to support timely financial reporting.
- Developed internal controls to improve accuracy and compliance to proactively prevent cost overruns in tracking project costs, forecast budgets on/including WIP and percentage of completion.
- Collaborated with purchasing manager and project managers during the annual budgeting process for alignment.
- Reviewed documents and accounts to identify discrepancies and resolve variances.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines while focusing on detail and quality.
- Managed prequalification packages, insurance certificates, lien releases, RFI, RFP, NTP and all project change orders to ensure accurate pricing before approving and recording in the accounting system.
- Prepare and submit payment applications, monthly draw packages, and construction loan requisitions to lenders and general contractors.
- Managed cash flow effectively by scheduling outgoing payments to align with receivable cycles.
- Enhanced financial reporting accuracy by applying advanced Excel functions for data analysis.
- Guided junior accountants in their development to enhance efficiency and accuracy in their roles.
Construction Accountant
5 Years 9 Months- Managed construction payroll, ensuring timely and accurate payment to all employees.
- Streamlined invoice processing for efficient payment of subcontractors and suppliers.
- Maintained accurate records of fixed assets, enabling informed decisions on equipment purchases and replacement schedules.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal reporting requirements by staying current on evolving regulations affecting the construction industry.
- Used advanced software to prepare documents, reports, and presentations.
Education
Bachelor Of Accounting - Financial Management
Skills
Customer Orientation/Relations
Budget and Forecast Preparation
Financial System Implementation
Project Leadership
Training and Mentoring
Financial Statements Prep/Analysis
Fiscal and Management Reporting
Strong Internal Control
Certification
- Certified CCIFP, CFMA(Construction Financial Management Association - 2019-2022
- Managing People in the Workplace certification, HRCI Learning Centers -2019
Timeline
Assistant Controller
Cannon & Wendt
01.2014 - 03.2022Read More
Corporate Franchise Accounting Manager
Sonic Industries-MHR/BBWI Group
10.2009 - 01.2014Read More
Senior Accountant/Lead Cost Accountant
Cannon & Wendt
04.2000 - 08.2009Read More
Construction Accountant
GFW Enterprise Inc.
11.1993 - 08.1999Read More
Arizona State University
Bachelor Of Accounting from Financial Management
Read More