CONNIE A. DOUGLAS
Mexico
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Accountant
Raymond Leasing Corporation
Syracuse
03.2022 - Current
- Articulated findings directly to controller, facilitating improved business decision-making.
- Collaborated with sales and manufacturing teams to initiate invoicing and support budgeting efforts through reporting.
- Executed month-end activities, including balance sheet reconciliations and journal entries in SAP.
- Enhanced lease conversion program in Excel, saving over 16 manual work hours monthly.
- Summarized financial and non-financial data to proactively address impacts on plans and forecasts.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, coworkers, and leadership across regions.
- Played a key role in implementing new software by identifying accounting criteria for month-end processes.
- Ensured report completeness and accuracy through thorough analysis and testing.
- Managed and prepared journal entries and reconciliations to support monthly general ledger closing activities.
Staff Accountant
R.J. Caruso Tax and Accounting
Oswego
01.2020 - 03.2022
- Performed GL account reconciliation monthly, quarterly, and annually for 100+ clients to maintain financial accuracy and integrity
- Reviewed and updated revenue and expenses in Quickbooks, government reports, and audit requests for clients across multiple industries to ensure accurate financial reporting
- Analyzed documents and accounts to develop custom financial statements, identify discrepancies, and resolve variances
- Communicated with 150-200 clients to gather missing information and process sales tax returns, ensuring compliance with regulations
- Supported 5-10 businesses by preparing, entering, and processing payroll and affiliated audits
DOT & Regulatory Compliance Manager
Keith Titus Corporation/Page Trucking
Weedsport
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Lead efforts for compliance, internal control testing, and driver training processes to mitigate risk and maximize efficiency for international and domestic business efforts
- Maintained effective working relationships internal and external stakeholders such as corporate representatives, management, peers, drivers, regulatory authorities, suppliers, and customers
- Instituted driver log policies and procedures that increased regulatory compliance by 10%
- Participated in cross-functional projects to enhance understanding initiatives and cost drivers
- Balanced independent tasks while managing and training compliance specialists and log auditors
- Maintained full sales tax and IFTA compliance for trucking business reducing late filings and penalties by 100%
Staff Accountant
Keith Titus Corporation/Page Trucking
07.2018 - 02.2019
- Verified accuracy of financial statements and prepared Sales and Use Tax Returns for multiple jurisdictions across 5 states
- Prepared payroll and month-end GL reconciliations while preparing associated journal entries
- Enhanced accounting systems and processes to align with operational needs and drive success
- Revamped financial management systems to minimize discrepancies and established internal controls for cost savings
- Developed and implemented purchasing and credit card policies and a "soft weekly financial close" to improve records and assist leadership in identifying loss and areas for improvement
Sales and Use Tax Auditor I & II
NYS Tax and Finance
Syracuse
06.1999 - 07.2018
- Conducted complex audits resulting in average tax assessments of $1M to $5M per year
- Conducted on-site visits to businesses to address concerns, assess sales taxes, inspect operations, evaluate tax records, and discuss appeals
- Resolved technical and controversial tax matters through thorough investigation and professional judgment
- Assisted taxpayers and representatives in filing tax declarations and comprehending audit processes, findings, and tax law applications
- Researched tax related issues to stay up-to-date in the field and best represent New York state
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
The State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego
OswegoSkills
- Financial analysis
- Tax compliance and regulations
- Internal controls management
- Audit documentation
- Closing processes
- SAP accounting software
- QuickBooks accounting software
- Dynamics GP expertise
- LeasePlus software proficiency
- Paycom payroll systems
- Microsoft Office Suite and Excel
- Data analysis methodologies
- Problem solving techniques
- Paycom payroll systems
Community Leadership Experience
- Mexico Central School District School Board Member, Mexico, NY, 07/01/13 - Present, Elected to govern the school district by establishing policies and a strategic plan, developing and approving budgets, and hiring and evaluating the district superintendent.
- Oswego County School Board Association, Treasurer, Oswego, NY, 09/01/14, Present, Collaboratively resurrected board to enhance community connectedness and resources, support educational initiatives and events related to networking, and collaboration with other county school districts. Reconcile and present bank account data for monthly meetings to drive business decisions.
- Central New York (CNY) School Board Association, Board of Directors, Syracuse, NY, 07/01/15, Present, Educate and inform public school board members across the region about contemporary issues and policies affecting public education and the operation of public schools. Empower board members to advocate and lobby governmental representatives. Provide other board members with mandatory training, and specialized professional development. Positively represent Oswego County to learn, contribute ideas, and promote shared success throughout the Central New York region.
Accounting Software Proficiencies
- Microsoft Office
- EasyAcct
- LeCerte
- SAP
- Great Plains (Dynamics)
- LeasePlus
- Peachtree Accounting
- Quickbooks
- Paycom Payroll
Accomplishments
- NY State School Boards Association Board Lifetime Achievement Award
Timeline
Senior Accountant
Raymond Leasing Corporation
03.2022 - Current
Staff Accountant
R.J. Caruso Tax and Accounting
01.2020 - 03.2022
DOT & Regulatory Compliance Manager
Keith Titus Corporation/Page Trucking
01.2019 - 12.2019
Staff Accountant
Keith Titus Corporation/Page Trucking
07.2018 - 02.2019
Sales and Use Tax Auditor I & II
NYS Tax and Finance
06.1999 - 07.2018
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
The State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego