Heather Showels
Round Rock,TX
Summary
Public finance specialist with deep experience in financial analysis, cash flow management, investment oversight, and financial reporting. Supports budgeting, variance analysis, reconciliations, audit coordination, and compliance across complex funds and reporting programs. Adds value through careful analysis, process improvement, and dependable support for leaders and stakeholders.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Financial Reporting Analyst
Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company
Austin, Texas
08.2024 - Current
- Perform advanced financial analysis of organizational financial records to identify operating trends, evaluate business practices, and support financial decision-making.
- Analyze operating budgets, billing and revenue trends, expenditures, and financial performance to support cost-recovery objectives and financial planning.
- Perform financial forecasting of projected revenues and expenditures to support budget planning, resource allocation, and financial management.
- Conduct financial variance analysis to identify significant fluctuations, evaluate financial trends, and communicate findings to support management decision-making.
- Evaluate financial and operational trends to identify cost efficiencies, assess business practices, and recommend process improvements.
- Monitor third-party financial performance, contractual obligations, regulatory compliance, and reporting deliverables to ensure adherence to established requirements.
- Support financial reporting, audit coordination, and compliance activities across multiple investment programs, including TexPool, TexPool Prime, SWIFT, and Tobacco Fund.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Accounting, and Investment teams to support daily financial operations, investment transaction processing, reconciliations, and reporting accuracy.
- Analyze performance incentive compensation data, review quarterly participant certifications, and calculate annual award amounts to support compensation administration and financial accuracy.
- Communicate financial findings, operational issues, and recommended solutions to management and internal stakeholders.
- Cross-trained and performed operational responsibilities across Settlement Services, Trust Services, Investment Performance, and Investment Accounting, supporting daily business operations, transaction processing, investment accounting activities, reconciliations, organizing investment performance data and client services functions.
Treasurer, Accountant Sr
City of Round Rock Texas
Round Rock, Texas
10.2022 - 08.2024
- Managed investment portfolios exceeding $550M in alignment with established objectives and legal guidelines
- Developed and implemented comprehensive cash management and investment strategies that consistently exceeded benchmark returns
- Facilitated treasury operations to enhance efficiency in cash management and payment procedures., including cash management, payment processing and bank account management
- Foster new and retain relationships with financial institutions, regional governmental entities, and other non-governmental entities in support of City projects and programs
- Oversaw collection, custody, and investment of public funds, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and policies
- Review financial data and produce timely reports to the CFO, Deputy CFO, and Controller regarding investment performance
- Analyze complex financial models, cash flow projections and daily settlement of City's bank statements
- Execute collateral optimization strategies to maximize the efficient use of assets
- Accurately record and reconcile a wide range of complex journal entries
- Manage the City's Debt portfolio and perform complex calculations related to debt service payments or other financing arrangements
- Develop year-end reports for audits and prepare year-end reports and schedules for Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
- Prepare and file monthly Sales tax returns
- Implement new software programs designed to improve efficiency in the finance department
- Provided investment strategy recommendations for optimizing surplus funds management. for surplus funds
- Reconcile monthly bank statements and investments accounts
CIP Accountant Sr
City of Round Rock Texas
Round Rock, Texas
11.2018 - 10.2022
- Managed and accounted for city funds for capital improvement projects exceeding $60M, ensuring financial integrity and compliance.
- Managed capital improvement project expenditures and budgets, tracking expenses, identifying variances, and implementing strategies for timely project completion within budget.
- Proactively managed and meticulously recorded all CIP Project-related contracts approved by the city council
- Skillfully authorized and processed contract invoices to ensure accurate and timely approval and maintained precise financial workflows
- Diligently supervised the monthly reconciliation of capital project funds
- Developed and maintained complex financial models and cash flow projections, informing strategic financial planning and decision-making.
- Assisted in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting process, ensuring alignment with the City's goals
- Compiled year-end reports adhering to audit standards, facilitating smooth audit processes and enhancing financial transparency.
- Administered and streamlined the annual asset inventory process across various departments, achieving comprehensive and accurate tracking.
- Employed rigorous audit procedures to verify and maintain compliance, accountability, transparency, and accuracy of grant-funded fixed assets
- Ensured compliance by accurately recording entries for a variety of financial transactions
Accountant II
Texas Department of State Health Services
Austin, Texas
02.2018 - 11.2018
- Proficiently prepared and meticulously reconciled Financial Status Reports (FSRs) for all contracts in partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services, ensuring compliance and accuracy
- Resolved discrepancies through thorough reconciliation and review of transactions, conducting in-depth investigations of supporting documentation from contractors and vendors
- Designed and delivered weekly performance tracking and status report for Grants Team, enabling informed managerial decision-making
Assistant Branch Manager
Austin Telco Federal Credit Union
Austin, Texas
09.2006 - 02.2018
- Effectively led day-to-day branch operations in the absence of the Branch Manager, ensuring the smooth continuity of services
- Mentored and assessed branch staff, fostering individual growth and aligning performance with job expectations to enhance team productivity
- Played a pivotal role in employee performance evaluations, promotions, and compensation activities, contributing to a motivated and high-performing workforce
- Developed action plans to bolster operational controls and optimize member service, improving service quality and operational efficiency
- Maintained strict compliance with federal and state laws within the branch, ensuring adherence to all regulatory requirements
- Upheld the operational excellence and integrity of the branch, ensuring consistency and high standards in all services and processes
- Demonstrated exceptional precision in balancing cash items and reconciling accounts, contributing to financial accuracy
- Collaborated with Branch Manager to maintain branch compliance with company procedures and policies, ensuring consistency and adherence
- Conducted regular internal audits to identify and rectify any operational irregularities, ensuring regulatory compliance and integrity
- Oversaw the daily ordering and shipping of $250K worth of currency and coin to sustain seamless branch operations
- Efficiently monitored, processed, and maintained all online accounts, contributing to accurate and accessible financial records for members
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance Concentration
University of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TXBachelor of Business Administration - Management
Texas State University
San Marcos, TXSkills
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Forecasting
- Budget Preparation and Analysis
- Cash Flow Management
- Debt Financing Strategies
- Investment Accounting
- Account Reconciliation
- Financial Project Oversight
- Cash and Investment Management
- Revenue and Expenditure Analysis
- Data Analysis
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
Timeline
Sr. Financial Reporting Analyst
Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company
08.2024 - Current
Treasurer, Accountant Sr
City of Round Rock Texas
10.2022 - 08.2024
CIP Accountant Sr
City of Round Rock Texas
11.2018 - 10.2022
Accountant II
Texas Department of State Health Services
02.2018 - 11.2018
Assistant Branch Manager
Austin Telco Federal Credit Union
09.2006 - 02.2018
Master of Business Administration - Finance Concentration
University of Houston Clear Lake
Bachelor of Business Administration - Management
Texas State University