Jennifer Lynn Cotignola

• Effectively oversaw financial operations for small non-profit organization focused on visual arts, resulting in 275% growth in operating cash balance within span of six years.
• Worked closely with Executive Committee to create yearly budget and long-term strategic roadmap, resulting in significant progress.
• Collaborated with Executive Director to facilitate grant applications and reporting, resulting in quadrupling of state funding.
• Prepared and delivered monthly financial reports to Executive Committee to aid decision making; organized fiscal year-end audit with external CPA

Accomplishments: Skillfully navigated the organization through the COVID-19 shutdown period by utilizing accurate cashflow projections and successfully obtaining two Payroll Protection Loans/Forgiveness grants, along with emergency COVID-19 state/federal funding.

• Worked closely with Grant Manager to develop guidelines, contracts, applications, and reports for $250,000 sub-grant award from National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan.
• Supported hiring process of grant panelists, participated in grant panel review sessions, and prepared comprehensive panel summaries.
• Conducted on-site visits to grantee organizations to ensure compliance with ADA regulations and grant requirements.

• Managed Accounts Payable cycle for $24 Million Food Bank in Central New Jersey
• Reduced late payment penalties by closely monitoring due dates and managing timely payments.
• Produced accurate monthly reports for State and Federal grant programs.

• Created schedules for audit team and organized previous fiscal year records.
• Processed A/P and A/R requests
• Reconciled bank accounts and prepared bi-weekly financial reports for ED and CFO.

• Managed day-to-day business operations for performing arts theater, overseeing various revenue streams totaling $13 Million including tracking donations, ticket sales, educational programming, and income from seasonal restaurant and concession stations.
• Conducted monthly reconciliations of bank accounts, investment accounts, General Ledger, and sub-ledger accounts to ensure accuracy and reviewed all activity posted to General Ledger..
• Processed monthly and quarterly New Jersey Sales Tax payments to comply with tax regulations.

Accomplishments: The theater achieved a 37% reduction in billable audit hours for the Fiscal Year Ending 2013 by streamlining inter department reconciliation processes, resulting in significant cost savings. This reduction was maintained in the following fiscal year, 2014.

• Supported Chief Financial Officer with all accounting functions for $6 million organization during software upgrade and implementation.
• Handled Accounts Payable and Receivable, bank reconciliations, tax preparation, and investment data organization.
• Helped train interns and temporary accounting staff on office procedures

Accomplishments: The completion of the 2011 Fiscal Year End audit within an acceptable timeline was made possible by bringing the General Ledger up to date, which was previously six months behind due to a software upgrade.

• Managed financial well-being of $1.2 million budgeted youth orchestra, ensuring all financial transactions were accurately recorded and monitored daily, including A/P, A/R, G/L, and monthly account reconciliations.
• Delivered accurate and timely financial reports to senior management.
• Organized and oversaw coordination of Fiscal Year End audit and W-2/1099 reporting,
• Conducted regular evaluations of intern performance, offering constructive feedback for future enhancement.

Accomplishments: Successfully led a team of interns to complete the Audio Archives project within the set deadline, resulting in the organization retaining $5,000 in grant funding.

• Contributed to audit preparations by organizing financial records and addressing discrepancies promptly.
• Reviewed 1099 and W-2 reports for accuracy.