Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Darla Cook

Mountain View,AR

Summary

Proven leader in financial management and team development, adept at streamlining payroll processes and enhancing revenue recovery for notable employers like SwinCo. Skilled in payroll auditing and critical thinking, I've driven significant improvements in efficiency and compliance. My expertise in business development and internal controls has consistently resulted in heightened accuracy and operational excellence.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Account/PayrollManager

SwinCo
02.2024 - Current
  • Addressed employee inquiries regarding pay issues promptly, fostering positive relationships between management and staff members.
  • Coordinated new hire and termination processes to facilitate smooth operations.
  • Responded to employee inquiries to provide assistance with payroll-related questions.
  • Performed calculations in overtime, vacation, and sick hours to provide accurate data to payroll processing database.
  • Calculated deductions and processed payroll for employees.
  • Reviewed time records for [Number] employees to verify accuracy of information.
  • Managed a team of payroll specialists, providing training and guidance to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
  • Monitored and updated employee information in payroll system to add changes in salary, bonuses and deductions.
  • Maintained employee confidence with secure handling of sensitive information during all stages of the payroll process.
  • Uploaded time records into computer system and made adjustments to create accurate database for payroll processing functions.
  • Processed payroll garnishments such as tax liens and child support.
  • Reduced errors in payroll data entry by implementing automated systems and providing thorough training to staff members.

Project Manager

Island View Casino And Resort
07.2021 - 04.2024
  • Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Planned, designed, and scheduled phases for large projects.
  • Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
  • Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
  • Collaborated closely with senior management to align project objectives with strategic company initiatives, ensuring that efforts contributed to overall business growth.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
  • Negotiated and managed third-party contracts related to project deliverables.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
  • Maintained compliance with industry standards and regulations, conducting regular audits and updates to project practices.
  • Enhanced project delivery times by streamlining communication channels between development and operations teams.
  • Monitored project progress, identified risks and took corrective action as needed.
  • Tracked project and team member performance closely to quickly intervene in mistakes or delays.
  • Sourced, vetted and managed vendors needed to accomplish project goals.

Cage Supervisor

Southland Park Gaming and Racing
10.2020 - 07.2021
  • Cashed checks and paid out money by verifying correct signatures, numerical amounts, and sufficient funds in accounts.
  • Observed and monitored status and cash inventory levels of ticket redemption kiosk machines to support maximum performance and availability to casino guests.
  • Assisted in developing annual budgets for the Cage Department, helping control costs and maximize profitability for the casino operation.
  • Fostered a positive work environment by providing clear communication and maintaining open lines of communication between staff members.
  • Monitored inventory levels of cash drawers, chips, tokens, vouchers, ensuring optimal availability during high-volume periods without compromising security measures in place for storage access restrictions or transportation procedures.
  • Monitored and coordinated activities of cage personnel to maintain integrity of cage funds.
  • Enhanced customer service standards by training employees on efficient and courteous interactions with casino patrons.
  • Increased operational efficiency with a thorough understanding of all aspects of the Cage Department, including cashiering, credit, collections, and vault operations.
  • Utilized accurate exchange rates to redeem foreign currencies.
  • Evaluated quality of service of [Number] cashiering personnel to provide constructive, positive feedback to team members, promoting customer satisfaction.
  • Assisted with the hiring process, conducting interviews, and onboarding new employees to ensure a cohesive team environment within the department.
  • Contributed to the ongoing success of the casino operation by actively participating in continuous improvement efforts designed to optimize Cage Department processes and efficiencies.
  • Performed credit checks and references to open credit accounts for customers.
  • Implemented cross-training initiatives among staff members to increase overall team knowledge and versatility within the department functions.
  • Improved cash handling accuracy by implementing effective training programs for cage cashiers.
  • Maintained compliance with gaming regulations by regularly reviewing and updating cage policies and procedures.
  • Hired, trained, motivated, evaluated and supervised staff and offered guidance and resources to accomplish job and department objectives.
  • Reconciled daily summaries of transactions to balance cash drawers and maintain accurate account of assigned banks.
  • Oversaw cage-related financial activities on property to enforce laws, rules, regulations and controls of company, tax and gaming commissions.
  • Responded to and resolved guest inquiries, disputes and issues to maintain guest satisfaction.
  • Assisted guests with credit card advances, chip cash-outs and check cashing.
  • Collaborated with other departments as needed to facilitate seamless casino operations while maintaining high standards of professionalism throughout each interaction.
  • Promoted an atmosphere centered around integrity and ethical conduct by upholding company policies and gaming regulations consistently throughout daily operations.

Senior Payroll Accountant

Global Foods Group LLC
07.2019 - 09.2020
  • Assisted in the implementation of new employee benefit programs, coordinating with vendors to ensure smooth integration into existing payroll systems.
  • Spearheaded process improvement initiatives within the payroll department by identifying inefficiencies and recommending solutions that led to significant time and cost savings.
  • Conducted regular audits of payroll records, identifying discrepancies and taking corrective action to prevent future issues.
  • Conducted thorough orientation sessions for new hires on payroll policies and procedures, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience.
  • Automated timekeeping processes by integrating software solutions with existing systems, improving data accuracy and reducing manual input requirements.
  • Trained junior team members on complex pay calculations, increasing their knowledge base and overall productivity within the department.
  • Established strong working relationships with multiple departments within the organization to facilitate seamless collaboration on cross-functional projects impacting payroll functions.
  • Prepared detailed financial reports for management review highlighting key trends or areas requiring attention within the company''s payroll operations.
  • Played an instrumental role in transitioning from a paper-based payroll system to a digital platform, significantly reducing administrative workloads while enhancing data security measures.
  • Ensured accurate tax filings for the company by diligently reviewing and reconciling quarterly and annual payroll reports.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of federal tax law changes affecting payroll operations, ensuring ongoing compliance across all business locations.
  • Collaborated with human resources to establish effective communication channels, resulting in improved accuracy of employee information for payroll processing.
  • Facilitated year-end processing tasks such as W-2 preparation and distribution, meeting regulatory deadlines without exception.
  • Managed multi-state payroll activities, ensuring compliance with local tax regulations and labor laws.
  • Developed comprehensive payroll policies and guidelines, providing a clear framework for employees and management to follow.
  • Handled garnishments, levies, child support orders, and other mandatory withholdings accurately to comply with legal requirements while protecting employee rights.
  • Served as point-of-contact for employee inquiries related to paychecks, deductions, or any other payroll-related concerns, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
  • Implemented an electronic pay stub system to reduce paper waste, contributing to the company''s sustainability initiatives.
  • Streamlined payroll processes by implementing new software and procedures, resulting in reduced errors and increased efficiency.
  • Reduced overpayment instances through meticulous monitoring and timely adjustments, saving the company from potential losses.
  • Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
  • Tracked funds, prepared deposits and reconciled accounts.
  • Collected and reported monthly expense variances and explanations.
  • Maintained integrity of general ledger and chart of accounts.
  • Trained new employees on accounting principles and company procedures.
  • Compiled general ledger entries on short schedule with 100% accuracy.

General Ledger Accountant

Island View Casino And Resort
06.2015 - 05.2019
  • Supported audit preparation and compliance efforts, ensuring accurate documentation of financial transactions.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to address accounting issues, resulting in improved resolution times for discrepancies.
  • Reduced time spent on month-end closing activities by automating data imports and exports between accounting systems.
  • Supported internal control initiatives by identifying areas for improvement within existing general ledger processes and recommending corrective actions.
  • Streamlined financial reporting processes by implementing more efficient data entry and reconciliation procedures.
  • Increased efficiency in account reconciliations with the implementation of automated tools and standardized templates.
  • Collaborated with external auditors during annual audits, providing requested documentation and addressing inquiries efficiently.
  • Maintained accurate records of fixed assets, ensuring proper depreciation calculations and timely asset disposals.
  • Monitored changes in tax regulations, updating company policies and procedures accordingly to ensure ongoing compliance.
  • Improved interdepartmental communication by providing clear explanations of complex accounting concepts to non-financial staff members.
  • Served as a mentor and resource for junior accounting staff, providing guidance on best practices for general ledger maintenance and reconciliations.
  • Facilitated smooth transitions during mergers and acquisitions through diligent review and integration of acquired companies'' financial records into the general ledger system.
  • Partnered with IT professionals to develop custom reports that provided better visibility into key financial metrics for management decision-making purposes.
  • Prepared detailed variance analyses to facilitate management decision-making based on actual vs. budgeted performance.

Revenue Recovery Auditor

Hard Rock Casino
06.2007 - 09.2014
  • Communicated complex audit findings clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing to both technical and non-technical audiences, facilitating understanding among stakeholders about necessary corrective actions.
  • Increased revenue recovery by conducting thorough audits and identifying discrepancies in billing and payment processes.
  • Analyzed financial records and transactions for accurate documentation, enabling precise identification of discrepancies needing correction.
  • Provided expert advice on internal audit matters, positioning the company as a trusted partner in addressing clients'' revenue recovery needs.
  • Managed multiple concurrent audits under tight deadlines, maintaining high standards for quality and accuracy while delivering results on time and within budget.
  • Established strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, promoting a culture of transparency and accountability in revenue recovery efforts.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of relevant industry regulations and compliance requirements, ensuring adherence during the auditing process.
  • Ensured timely completion of audits by effectively prioritizing tasks and managing workload, resulting in a higher volume of recovered revenue.
  • Streamlined auditing procedures for improved efficiency and accuracy, leading to higher recovered revenue.
  • Developed comprehensive reports to detail audit findings, supporting management decision-making for process improvements.
  • Conducted risk assessments to identify potential areas of revenue loss, enabling proactive interventions that minimized financial impact.
  • Developed customized audit plans based on specific client needs and objectives, maximizing the effectiveness of each engagement in recovering lost revenue.
  • Conducted regular evaluations of internal controls to detect weaknesses or inefficiencies, recommending changes that led to increased recovered revenues.
  • Championed the use of advanced analytics tools within the auditing department for improved detection capabilities, leading to higher rates of revenue recovery.
  • Coordinated with other departments to resolve issues found during audits promptly, minimizing potential financial losses for the company.
  • Trained new auditors on company-specific procedures and best practices, enhancing overall team performance in recovering lost revenue.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Accounting And Business Management

University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS
05.2015

Skills

  • Bi-weekly payroll processing
  • Payroll Processing
  • Reviewing timesheets
  • Resolving discrepancies
  • Payroll Auditing
  • Year-end Procedures
  • New hire processing
  • Maintaining employee records
  • Bookkeeping skills
  • Internal Controls
  • Tax Compliance
  • Payroll Tax Filings
  • Expense reimbursements
  • Documentation requirements
  • Attention to Detail
  • Staff Training
  • Critical Thinking
  • Typing and 10-Key Entry
  • Word Processing
  • Accounting management
  • Business Development
  • Data Analysis
  • Budget Planning
  • Certified Accounts Payable Associate

Timeline

Account/PayrollManager

SwinCo
02.2024 - Current

Project Manager

Island View Casino And Resort
07.2021 - 04.2024

Cage Supervisor

Southland Park Gaming and Racing
10.2020 - 07.2021

Senior Payroll Accountant

Global Foods Group LLC
07.2019 - 09.2020

General Ledger Accountant

Island View Casino And Resort
06.2015 - 05.2019

Revenue Recovery Auditor

Hard Rock Casino
06.2007 - 09.2014

Bachelor of Science - Accounting And Business Management

University of Southern Mississippi

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Darla Cook