Deanne Mills
Hamburg,New York
Summary
Experienced Team Member and dedicated United States government employee of 20 years committed to servicing our veterans and their families, demonstrating outstanding work ethic and performance, and working successfully with others to meet common goals while focusing on the Department of Veteran Affairs mission and ICARE core values of Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. I was an original island member of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Team focused on leaving the world a better place with a lighthearted sense of humor and an unsinkable attitude.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Administrative Specialist
Veterans Benefits Administration
02.2022 - Current
- Examine, certify, and audit vouchers submitted for payment, while assessing compliance with policies and procedures.
- Process daily check deposits and update spreadsheet tracking debts.
- Efficient use of financial administrative systems including CAATS, TCIS, VAMS, eMPWR, VBMS, SHARE, IPPS, CWINRS, Sharepoint, and OTCnet.
- Communicate by phone or correspondence with veterans, other departments, and fiduciaries with inquiry results.
- Possess a working knowledge of various benefit programs and payment procedures and regulations applicable to each program administered by the Department.
- Independently perform reviews for accuracy and consistency of data such as audits, debts, and reimbursement.
- Provide technical advice on complex and unusual benefit award adjustments, special payment issues, and accounts receivable actions.
- Ability to use specific VA computer applications, in addition to Microsoft Excel, Word, and other electronic database applications.
- Perform accounting reviews and payment function checks for discrepancies.
- Provide administration support to management staff for budget administration, procurement, and other financial-related activities.
- Ensure separation of duties is upheld and financial integrity is maintained.
- Assist in reviewing work performed within the operations area.
- Serve as Certifying Official authorizing financial transactions, adjustments, and Collections.
- Ability to conduct detailed audits and analysis.
- Skilled in completing oral and written presentations that are clear, concise, and logical.
- Assist in training newly hired employees as part of a team effort.
VETERAN CLAIMS EXAMINER
Veterans Benefits Administration
07.2018 - 02.2022
- Review, adjudicate and authorize claims for educational assistance and veteran benefits administered by the Education Division of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Examine and process all awards including accrued benefits, concurrent enrollments, and school and program change determinations for Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill and the STEM Scholarship
- Original member of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Team awarding an additional 9 months or $30,000 in educational benefits
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of current policies, procedures, and laws pertaining to the above mentioned education benefits to ensure that benefits are paid in accordance with applicable laws and VA regulations
- Demonstrate effective communication verbally and in writing to Veteran claimants, their dependents, Education Liaison Representatives and School Certifying Officials (SCO) to request information, documentation, review and resolve inquiries, correct errors, address disagreements and other issues
- Consistently interacting with and educating SCO with regards to STEM information requests and verification
- Contribute to team success by meeting targeted goals quickly and accurately
- Properly develop and evaluate evidence to make eligibility determinations
- Demonstrate effective workload management and work progress monitoring
- Continued understanding of operations manuals under the M22-4 and directives in the Knowledge Management Portal (KMP)
- Develop and foster strong cooperative relationships with coworkers and managers
- Routinely accept additional job duties and work hours to accommodate seasonal work influx and maintain productivity standards
- Maintain skilled working knowledge of claim processing systems including Defense Personal Record Information System (DPRIS), Digital GI (DGI), Long Term Solution (LTS), Veterans Information System (VIS), Benefits Delivery Network (BDN), Talent Management System (TMS), Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS), Financial Assistance System (FAS), eMPWR and SHARE
- Protect Veterans records containing sensitive data and personally identifying information (PII) from unauthorized access, release, or loss in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, federal regulations, VA statues and policy, and VNA policy
- Continually seek out ways to exceed job requirements and expectations
- Consistently pursue learning opportunities to advance knowledge and learn all required tasks quickly to maximize performance
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of performance standards and workload requirements to ensure quality and efficiency
- Helped introduce Feds Feed Families initiative to the Education Division and a new hire
- Assumed role as Volunteer Senior VCE Authorizer
- Responsible for reviewing and authorizing with second signature authority the Chapter 33 Education claims of VCEs without single signature capabilities and provide aid and directional guidance to other veterans claims examiners
- Consistently meet or exceed established performance and timeliness standards.
CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE
Department of the Treasury - IRS
10.2004 - 07.2018
- Provided technical assistance to individuals in both the Wage and Investment Division (W & I) and Small Business Self Employed Division (SBSE) through telephone interaction in a call center environment
- Identified and addressed all specific tax account inquiries through cause and cure, providing direct, correct, and complete responses
- Advised potential business owners on obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Educated taxpayers on tax obligations, explaining letters and notices
- Instructed the self employed on quarterly tax payment obligations
- Provided corrective actions on accounts including adjustments, credit transfers, and penalty abatements
- Researched tax refund inquiries, reissued refunds, and input refund traces
- Addressed wide range of issues/problems that required unique solutions
- Applied the tax code to assist taxpayers in understanding and meeting their individual tax responsibilities
- Consistently secured, analyzed, and protected sensitive personal and financial information
- Made determinations and using sound judgment to resolve taxpayer disputes and delinquency issues
- Developed, analyzed, and evaluated information involving the research of computerized records by accessing multiple online/ database systems
- Maintained a good working knowledge of, and ability to apply governing laws, regulations, precedents, and agency procedures
- Assisted individuals in developing needed evidence and obtaining required documents, to resolve errors, delays, or other problems with fulfilling obligations
- Evaluated current procedures and policy, proposing appropriate action which may include changes Probe and Response Guide, Interactive Tax Law Assistant (ITLA) and Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) revisions
- Routinely identified if all customer issues were resolved and actions taken were complete and correct
- Maintained current knowledge of procedures, policies and directives, answers questions, and provided On Job Training (OJT) instructions to employees
- Consistently protected taxpayer personally identifying information with thorough authentication methods and provided guidance on identity theft issues
- Established installment agreements and extensions of time to pay for tax obligations
- Addressed audit inquiries and explained audit determinations
- Accepted Acting Lead detail and Lead Line duties
- Acted as New Employee Mentor
- Volunteered for special interest projects, created monthly team newsletter
- Contributing Member of Extreme Breakthrough Transition Team
- Recipient of several Performance Awards, Manager Awards and Special Act Award.
FINANCE ASSISTANT - MORTGAGE LOAN PROCESSOR
Beneficial/Household Finance/HSBC
09.1996 - 08.2004
- Update financial spreadsheets with daily transactions
- Prepare balance sheets
- Track and reconcile daily bank deposits
- Record accounts receivables and cash payments
- Process invoices and follow up with clients and suppliers
- Provide administrative support to management
- Collect, prepare, and ensure all financial documentation for loan packages is in order
- Research and analyze applicant credit status and current financial position
- Prepare and maintain all paperwork for existing and new loans, including loan disclosures
- Create repayment plans; conduct interviews to assess client eligibility for loans or mortgages
- Submit files to designated underwriters to finalize the application process
- File appropriate mortgage recording fees and taxes
- Verify and witness signature as notary public.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Design
State University College
Buffalo, NYAssociate of Science - Social Sciences
Erie Community College
Buffalo, NYTimeline
Financial Administrative Specialist
Veterans Benefits Administration
02.2022 - Current
VETERAN CLAIMS EXAMINER
Veterans Benefits Administration
07.2018 - 02.2022
CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE
Department of the Treasury - IRS
10.2004 - 07.2018
FINANCE ASSISTANT - MORTGAGE LOAN PROCESSOR
Beneficial/Household Finance/HSBC
09.1996 - 08.2004
Bachelor of Science - Design
State University College
Associate of Science - Social Sciences
Erie Community College
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