Edward B. Suggs, CPA, EA
Finance, Accounting and Tax
Bowie,MD
Summary
Mission-driven finance executive with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and enhancing profitability through sound accounting practices and innovative financial strategies. Expertise in streamlining operations and implementing cost-saving efficiencies that optimize organizational performance. Skilled in delivering effective solutions to complex financial challenges while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality regarding sensitive information. Committed to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within financial operations.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Finance
YWCA National Capital Area (NCA)
09.2018 - Current
- Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor financial reporting and regulatory compliance with Federal and local agencies.
- Maintain internal control safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
- Analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; closely monitor progress and changes to keep senior leadership and Board committees and abreast of the Association’s financial status.
- Work in close collaboration with the senior leadership team to facilitate the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and regularly review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate.
- Oversee all financial, contract and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with contract and grant budgets throughout the contract/grant term.
- Prepare financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants.
- Manage organizational cash flow forecasting.
- Closely manage and track the performance and utilization of the YWCA NCA’s endowment and other invested assets in keeping with YWCA NCA policies and guidelines.
- Serve as primary point of contact for audits and coordinate all audit activity.
- Support the CEO and COO in engaging the board’s finance and investment committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
- Prepare presentations for the board’s finance and investment committees.
- Collaborate with Chief Program Officer and senior leadership team to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations.
- Leverage strengths of the finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
- Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and collaborative work environment.
Director of Finance and Grant Administration
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
06.2017 - 09.2018
- Oversee organization's entire accounting and finance functions including identification of areas of improvement and strategic guidance for the organization's financial and accounting management.
- Work directly with and provide oversight to the outsourced accounting firm (who provides transactional support, closes the books and prepares financial statements).
- Support the Association Finance Committee, including presenting monthly financials and following up on recommendations.
- Develop finance and accounting policy and procedures, manuals, forms, tools Grants and Contracts Management and Reporting.
- Managing prime awards and sub-awards from proposal to closeout stage including drafting and negotiating terms and conditions, submitting invoices and donor reports, and drawing down funds.
- Supporting senior staff in developing and managing budgets for new projects and programs.
- Develop annual Indirect Rate proposal and submission of Institutional, Grants and Contracts level budgeting.
- Develop organization's annual operating and capital budget.
- Develop all proposal, grants and contracts budgets.
- Work with program directors on monthly budget analysis as well as organization-wide and manage internal controls and process improvements.
- Develop materials and tools to implement new policies and procedures and manage external auditor and investment bank relationships.
- Manage organization's audit process, 990 and 1099s.
- Manage the organization's investment portfolio.
Chief Financial Officer
Linden Resources
11.2008 - 06.2017
- Design, maintain and ensure the integrity of the 501(c) (3) organizational financial management information system.
- Serve as Executive staff liaison to the Treasurer and Board of Directors’ Finance and Audit Committees.
- Develop and manage the fiscal year’s budget according to the strategic plan. Provide pertinent financial reports and measurement tools to assess progress.
- Create and monitor financial metrics to assist low-margin performers’ improvement.
- Managed grants and contracts internal and external financial reporting, and ensure financial regulatory compliance with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Departments of Labor, U.S. Department of Treasury and U.S. Department of Defense.
- Oversee federal and institution grants’ restrictive and non-restrictive financial activities to ensure compliance with general accepted accounting procedures.
- Oversee the Finance department’s responsibility for policy and procedures implementation.
- Develop and manage the Enterprise Risk Management Plan to assess and monitor operational risks and opportunities.
- Oversee the process of preparing monthly and year-end financial statements, supporting analysis and Board reports.
- Manage cash flows, physical inventory, fixed assets, and investment funds; and coordinating the preparation for the annual 401(k) audit and filings.
- Manage contribution, contract and grant revenue from all federal and private funding sources.
- Develop relationships with organization’s audit, banking, insurance and investment officers and maintain up to date services and related documentation.
- Oversee the organization’s fiscal year audit to ensure financial statements are in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and internal controls policies and practices.
- Oversee the preparation of the organization’s annual A-133 audits and information returns (forms 990 and 5500).
- Ensure financial information and administrative operations are of the highest ethical and professional standards.
Finance Manager
National Association of Black Journalists
02.2007 - 11.2008
- Managed an annual budget for 501(c) (3) organization committed to improving the job opportunities for black journalists and providing continuing professional development and training.
- Directed the timely closing of month and year-end books and records; prepared and reviewed financial statements.
- Review monthly financial statements with Executive Director to ascertain budget deviations and provide corrective solution when necessary.
- Prepare with the Executive Director the annual budget and proposed capital expenditure program to the Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
- Forecasted cash requirements and obligations as a basis for maintaining adequate funds.
- Directed the preparation of all information, reports, schedules, and analyses required for a timely and efficient completion of the annual audit and Form 990.
- Oversaw cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed.
Assistant Controller
APICS, The Association for Operations Management
02.2006 - 02.2007
- Assisted the Controller/Division Director with all aspects of managing the Finance and Accounting of a $20M annual budget for this 501 (c) (6) not profit enterprise.
- Provided financial information to management and the Board of Directors by interpreting and analyzing accounting data, and preparing accurate and timely financial reports.
- Protected the assets of the Association by ensuring analysis and compliance with internal control procedures and applicable regulations.
- Managed the accounts receivable, payable operations within the finance department, and lead the budget process.
- Managed the daily activities of exempt and non-exempt staff.
Director of Finance & Human Resources
National Association of State Units on Aging
09.1998 - 02.2006
- Managed $6M annual budget for 501(c) (3) organization committed to improving the lives of senior citizens’ issues.
- Managed all daily operational, internal and external financial reporting, and financial regulatory compliance with Administration on Aging, and U.S. Departments of Labor and Education.
- Acted as liaison between external auditors and Board of Directors.
- Oversaw federal and private grant financial activities, annual audit, and tax submissions.
- Managed and supervised staff within the accounting, budget, and finance functions of the finance department.
Senior Accountant
Special Olympics International
04.1995 - 09.1998
- Produced quarterly consolidated financial statements for Board of Directors, international, state, and local chapters.
- Compiled statistical, financial, accounting and auditing reports, and tables pertaining to cash receipts, expenditures, accounts payable and receivable, and profits and losses.
- Managed the daily activities of accounting assistant.
Education
Master of Accountancy -
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ01-2010
Bachelor of Science in Financial Management - undefined
Southeastern University
Washington, D.C.01-1990
Skills
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Financial Planning
- KPI tracking
- Audit coordination
- Financial policy development
- Cash Flow Management
- Tax Planning
- Tax Resolution
- Enterprise Risk Management
- Risk Management Assessment
- Bookkeeping Clean-Up
Accomplishments
- Developed procedures that significantly improved the audited financial statements results and developed updated accounting procedures which resulted in no significant deficiencies, material weaknesses or audit adjustments.
- Led the finance and human resources team in reorganizing financial system’s benefits and pay codes so that management would have an accurate analysis of Service Contract Act’s (SCA) expenses.
- Led the development of Linden Resource’s Enterprise Risk Management Plan that was accepted by the Board of Directors.
- Conducted feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis to select an accounting and financial reporting system, which resulted in improved organizational efficiencies, reduced cost, timely, accurate and relevant financial information for the organization’s decision makers.
Affiliations
Affiliation: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Certification
Maryland CPA License August 2025
Awards
Awarded: Smart CEO’s 2013 Executive Management Award.
Community Service
Alpha Leadership Project, Mentor, Its mission is to give young males guidance and encouragement to stay in school and become productive citizens in our society.
Timeline
Director of Finance
YWCA National Capital Area (NCA)
09.2018 - Current
Director of Finance and Grant Administration
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
06.2017 - 09.2018
Chief Financial Officer
Linden Resources
11.2008 - 06.2017
Finance Manager
National Association of Black Journalists
02.2007 - 11.2008
Assistant Controller
APICS, The Association for Operations Management
02.2006 - 02.2007
Director of Finance & Human Resources
National Association of State Units on Aging
09.1998 - 02.2006
Senior Accountant
Special Olympics International
04.1995 - 09.1998
Bachelor of Science in Financial Management - undefined
Southeastern University
Master of Accountancy -
University of Phoenix