CONSTANCE L. KLAAS
Jerseyville
Summary
Dynamic information technology and finance professional with extensive experience driving efficiency and compliance. Proven track record in system upgrades, financial reporting, and cross-functional collaboration, resulting in streamlined processes and enhanced decision-making for various organizations.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Business Analyst (Sr. Financial Systems Analyst)
Reinsurance Group of America
Chesterfield
03.2021 - Current
- Conducted system testing for PeopleSoft upgrades across General Ledger, Asset Management, and Accounts Receivable/Billing modules, ensuring seamless transitions and functionality.
- Proactively identified opportunities for improvement in requirements gathering, documentation, and translation.
- Tracked project progress using Waterfall and Agile methodologies.
- Ensured annual audit compliance for PeopleSoft and Master Data Management, ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Maintained and updated team documentation to enhance knowledge sharing and operational continuity.
- Trained new employees and provided guidance to team members.
Sr. Accountant
Olin Corporation
East Alton
06.2000 - 08.2023
- Prepared and distributed monthly financial statements with variance analysis against prior year and forecast to support informed decision-making.
- Conducted budget, forecast, cash flow analyses, and days sales outstanding calculations, along with various governmental reporting to ensure compliance and financial oversight.
- Month-end close including journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
- Revised the financial statements with historical data to improve efficiency and accuracy in variance analysis.
- Supported financial management activities in Winchester Division, enhancing strategic financial planning and operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented testing for several SAP system upgrades and Sarbanes Oxley procedures.
- Set up and maintenance of account and cost center data in SAP.
- Earned a performance bonus due to outstanding contributions to the team.
Business Analyst
Reinsurance Group of America
Chesterfield
03.2017 - 03.2021
- Gather requirements from Finance Division to develop functional and detailed system design/enhancement specifications related to specific projects to increase efficiencies in processes.
- Resolved reporting issues for the Finance Division to ensure accurate financial data.
- Supported Finance Division source system applications, identifying and resolving issues to ensure uninterrupted business operations.
- Consulted with Finance Division to develop test data and results for testing, debugging, and implementing system solutions.
- Established and updated Finance Master Data to support efficient management of Accounts, Departments, and Business Units. including Accounts, Departments, and Business Units.
- Supported Finance Expense Management in OneStream System Application by setting up new users, attributes, and security, preparing and opening the system for budget and forecast entry.
Sr. Financial Analyst
Wolters Kluwer
St. Louis
08.2014 - 03.2017
- Budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, fixed assets, and FTE reporting for five Operating Units.
- Corporate reporting and variance analysis related to five operating units.
- Conducted ad-hoc reporting and analysis for operating units, supporting CFO and division objectives.
- Performed year-over-year expense analysis to identify trends and inform budget decisions.
- Managed commission tracking for Sales Associates and executed monthly sales commission payments.
- Assumed responsibilities of Compensation/Commissions Accountant in June 2016.
Sr. Financial Analyst / Sr. Accountant
HDA Truck Pride
St. Louis
09.2012 - 08.2014
- Prepared monthly analytical reports for CFO presentations to the Board of Directors.
- Month-end close process including financial reporting, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
- Monthly sales reporting and analysis including creating new reporting for Business Development Managers to identify sales trends by customers.
- Led implementation and testing of new ERP system in collaboration with external consulting firm.
- External Audit reporting including preparation of audit schedules.
- Developed budget templates for budget and forecast reporting.
- Bank statement reconciliations for the acquired company that had not been completed in two years.
Sr. Financial Analyst
Alliant Techsystems (ATK)
St. Louis
07.2011 - 06.2012
- Conducted financial reporting with budget summaries and variance analysis to provide insights for decision-making.
- Analysis related to preparation of monthly accruals and journal entries including account reconciliations.
- Assumed responsibilities of Cost Accountant during vacancy, ensuring continuity in financial operations.
- Contributed to initiatives at Eagle Industries Division aimed at operational enhancements.
Sr. Accountant
Edward Jones
St. Louis
12.2005 - 07.2011
- Prepared and distributed Branch Profit and Loss statements for 1,200 Financial Advisors in the US, 650 in Canada, and 250 in the UK, facilitating informed financial decision-making.
- Month-end close process includes journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and variance analysis.
- Resolved conflicts related to financial advisor compensation, addressing issues with commissions, expenses, and trimester bonuses to maintain equitable pay.
- Ad-hoc reporting and projects related to changes to Financial Advisor Compensation and payments.
- Led team of two direct reports, overseeing daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and accountability.
Sr. Financial Accountant
The Solae Company, LLC
St. Louis
04.2005 - 12.2005
- Prepared internal and external consolidated financial statements with variance analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Led Sarbanes-Oxley implementation to enhance internal controls and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Executed testing procedures for SAP system upgrade, verifying operational readiness and compliance.
- Performed account reconciliations to ensure accuracy of financial records.
Corporate Accountant
Olin Corporation
East Alton
08.2003 - 04.2005
- Promoted to Corporate Accountant to manage financial operations during transition of Corporate Division.
- Facilitated transfer of Corporate Division from Norwalk, CT to East Alton, IL, ensuring continuity of operations.
- Resolved outstanding inter-company receiving issues, improving financial accuracy for three operating units.
- Payroll, account, and bank reconciliations for three operating units.
- Transfer of corporate books from mainframe system to SAP.
- Corporate Division
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Accounting
Bradley University
Peoria, IllinoisSkills
- OneStream Financial platform
- SAP
- PeopleSoft
- Great Plains
- Syspro
- ERP upgrades
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Access
- MS Projects
- Office suite expertise
Timeline
Sr. Business Analyst (Sr. Financial Systems Analyst)
Reinsurance Group of America
03.2021 - Current
Business Analyst
Reinsurance Group of America
03.2017 - 03.2021
Sr. Financial Analyst
Wolters Kluwer
08.2014 - 03.2017
Sr. Financial Analyst / Sr. Accountant
HDA Truck Pride
09.2012 - 08.2014
Sr. Financial Analyst
Alliant Techsystems (ATK)
07.2011 - 06.2012
Sr. Accountant
Edward Jones
12.2005 - 07.2011
Sr. Financial Accountant
The Solae Company, LLC
04.2005 - 12.2005
Corporate Accountant
Olin Corporation
08.2003 - 04.2005
Sr. Accountant
Olin Corporation
06.2000 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science Degree - Accounting
Bradley University