CRISTY RAY-BEARDSLEY
Controller
Sturgeon Bay,WI
Summary
Dedicated Finance Professional with 25 years of experience in accounting and financial management. Demonstrated talents in manufacturing, professional services, start-up and creating impactful strategies to achieve business objectives and increase revenue. Excellent leadership skills with business optimization expertise.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2020
2020
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Financial Operations Manager
Rock Robotic Inc
01.2024 - Current
- Created detailed financial forecasts to guide strategic planning efforts and inform executive decisionmaking.
- Mentored and developed team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
- Oversaw annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and objectives.
- Spearheaded process improvements that resulted in faster month-end closing timelines while maintaining high levels of accuracy.
- Improved financial performance by streamlining accounting processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Developed and transformed finance and operations team from transactional to analytical to provide enhanced business support.
- Led financial planning and analysis by managing key metrics, analyzing data and providing support and insight for strategic planning.
Owner/President
Wandering Trails Business Services
01.2000 - Current
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Expanded product offerings by researching market trends and identifying potential growth opportunities.
- Enhanced company's market position by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities.
- Inspired innovation by creating an environment that encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
- Prepared annual budget forecasts and monitored performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Delivered operational excellence by optimizing resources, processes, and overall cost structure.
- Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
- Navigated complex regulatory environments while maintaining compliance across all aspects of the organization''s operations.
- Achieved historic levels of employment by promoting policies that support small businesses and entrepreneurship.
- Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
- Led recruitment and development of strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities.
- Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
CONTROLLER/CFO
AMC Countertops
01.2017 - 04.2023
- Lead, plan, organize and direct all aspects of the financial accounting department including treasury management, payroll, audit activities and human resources functions
- Ensure financial integrity of the company's financial records
- Perform strategic planning to mitigate potential tax implications
- Prepare annual budget and analyze monthly department variances to maintain expenditure controls
- Human resources management to ensure regulatory compliance and manage employee related liabilities
- Implemented cost-saving measures, identifying inefficiencies and reallocating resources to achieve optimal results.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
CONTROLLER
GUNDERSON FAMILY COMPANIES
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Direct the preparation of regular and special financial and budget reports for multi company and multi locations
- Lead treasury management functions and strengthening banking relationships with multiple financial institutions
- Lead and direct human resources and payroll department functions for over 300 employees in multiple locations, including benefit plan administration, recruiting and terminating
- Develop and maintain internal controls for cost accounting and inventory management
- Mentored junior staff members, fostering a positive work environment conducive to professional growth and development.
- Implemented cost-saving measures, identifying inefficiencies and reallocating resources to achieve optimal results.
CONTROLLER
ADVANCED MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
11.2011 - 11.2014
- Lead, plan, organize and direct all aspects of the financial accounting department including treasury management, payroll, audit activities and human resources functions
- Implemented various software systems to increase efficiency, reduce product loss and increase profitability
- Key member of project management team for soliciting new customers and driving market segment optimization
- Compile and analyze accounting resources to determine financial needs
- Implemented cost-saving measures, identifying inefficiencies and reallocating resources to achieve optimal results.
- Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining processes and implementing efficient financial controls.
- Planned budgets, authorized expenditures, monitored accounting processes, established service rates and coordinated financial reporting to oversee all fiscal procedures.
Accounting Manager
F Ziegler Enterprises
09.2009 - 09.2011
- Generated monthly and quarterly financial statements for executive review.
- Managed banking reconciliations and monthly balance sheet statements.
- Coordinated efforts between the accounting team and other departments to ensure accuracy in interdepartmental transactions recording and proper cost allocation.
- Managed relationships with external vendors, ensuring timely payments and accurate recording of expenses.
- Managed journal entries, collection efforts, reconciliations, and payroll processing.
- Managed successful audits by collaborating effectively with internal and external auditors.
- Monitored budget allocation and expenditures to enforce compliance with company policies.
- Optimized cash flow management through careful analysis of accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory levels, and working capital requirements.
- Assisted executive management in making informed business decisions with accurate ad-hoc financial analysis as needed.
- Developed and implemented various procedures to improve accounting process.
- Ensured compliance with tax regulations by preparing accurate federal, state, and local tax filings on time.
- Enhanced stakeholder confidence with detailed and transparent financial reporting.
Accounting Manager
Com-Tec/Argyle Security
08.2008 - 09.2009
- Generated monthly and quarterly financial statements for executive review.
- Managed banking reconciliations and monthly balance sheet statements.
- Coordinated efforts between the accounting team and other departments to ensure accuracy in interdepartmental transactions recording and proper cost allocation.
- Managed relationships with external vendors, ensuring timely payments and accurate recording of expenses.
- Collaborated with other departments to achieve accurate and prompt financial reporting.
- Streamlined month-end closing procedures resulting in reduced processing time without compromising accuracy or completeness of the reports generated.
- Facilitated staff development through regular training sessions on new accounting standards, software upgrades, or company-specific policies changes.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments, identifying potential financial vulnerabilities and proposing mitigation strategies.
- Contributed to successful external audits, preparing all necessary documentation and facilitating auditor inquiries.
- Prepared internal and regulatory financial reports, balance sheets and income statements.
- Established internal audit procedures to validate and improve accuracy of financial reporting.
- Reviewed historical records, current operational data and forecasting information to identify and capitalize on system enhancement opportunities.
- Implemented and regularly reviewed financial controls to generate accurate and reliable financial data.
Accounting/Office Manager
Milwaukee Bearing
05.2005 - 08.2008
- Managed journal entries, collection efforts, reconciliations, and payroll processing.
- Streamlined office operations for increased efficiency and productivity through process improvements.
- Created customized financial reports as needed by senior management to support strategic planning initiatives.
- Mentored junior staff in accounting practices, promoting professional growth and skill development.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable, ensuring timely processing of invoices and payments.
- Optimized cash flow management by closely monitoring income and expenses, resulting in improved financial stability.
- Implemented budget and expense controls and financial policies by analyzing income and expenditures.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives that reduced overall office expenditures without compromising service quality or efficiency.
- Leveraged advanced software tools to automate repetitive tasks, increasing team productivity and reducing manual errors.
- Coordinated inventory tracking efforts to maintain accurate records of assets while preventing unnecessary losses or discrepancies due to mismanagement.
- Prepared accurate month-end closing entries to ensure timely financial reporting for executive review.
- Built and managed processes for tracking and monitoring department performance.
Assistant Accounting Manager
Western Building Products Inc
06.1999 - 05.2005
- Contributed to successful audits by preparing comprehensive documentation and responding promptly to auditor inquiries.
- Achieved greater accuracy in financial data entry through rigorous attention to detail and regular quality checks.
- Ensured timely bill payments by managing accounts payable, reviewing invoices, and processing transactions.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, identifying areas for improvement and developing action plans to address them.
- Implemented cost-saving measures, reducing operational expenses without sacrificing quality or productivity.
- Enhanced inventory accuracy by conducting regular audits and implementing efficient tracking systems.
- Assisted management staff with maintaining budget and schedule controls using standard project management protocols.
Education
MASTER OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP -
MARIAN UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - ACCOUNTING
LAKELAND COLLEGE
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINSITRATION - undefined
OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF ARTS - MANAGEMENT
OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE - ACCOUNTING
MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Skills
Credit analysis
Cost control
Internal controls
Cash flow forecasting
Expense management
Stakeholder management
Business intelligence
Debt management
Revenue recognition
Financial audits
Tax planning
Capital budgeting
Highly detail-oriented
Financial reporting and analysis
Bank reconciliation
Costing and integration planning
MS Excel expert
Accounts receivable management
Budgeting and financial management
GAAP
Customer relationship development
Profitability analysis
Pricing strategy
ERP systems
Payroll administration
Advanced financial analysis
Cash flow management
Financial modeling
Timeline
Financial Operations Manager
Rock Robotic Inc
01.2024 - Current
CONTROLLER/CFO
AMC Countertops
01.2017 - 04.2023
CONTROLLER
GUNDERSON FAMILY COMPANIES
01.2015 - 01.2017
CONTROLLER
ADVANCED MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS
11.2011 - 11.2014
Accounting Manager
F Ziegler Enterprises
09.2009 - 09.2011
Accounting Manager
Com-Tec/Argyle Security
08.2008 - 09.2009
Accounting/Office Manager
Milwaukee Bearing
05.2005 - 08.2008
Owner/President
Wandering Trails Business Services
01.2000 - Current
Assistant Accounting Manager
Western Building Products Inc
06.1999 - 05.2005
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - ACCOUNTING
LAKELAND COLLEGE
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINSITRATION - undefined
OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF ARTS - MANAGEMENT
OTTAWA UNIVERSITY
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE - ACCOUNTING
MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
MASTER OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP -
MARIAN UNIVERSITY