Open To Work
Jignya Patel
2256 W. Alamo Spring Lp., Oro Valley,AZ
Summary
Certified Public Accountant with over 10 years of progressive experience leading accounting operations, month-end close, financial reporting, and audit compliance in both domestic and international environments. Proven track record of improving processes, accelerating close timelines, and ensuring accuracy and transparency in financial reporting. Skilled leader in building and mentoring accounting teams, strengthening internal controls, and partnering across departments to support organizational goals. Experienced with the U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and multiple ERP systems.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Director of Finance
Tucson Airport Authority
Tucson, Arizona
10.2023 - 05.2025
- Oversaw month-end close and preparation of financial statements.
- Directed essential finance functions - accounts receivables and payables, payroll processing, budget analysis, and financial reporting.
- Supervised and mentored an 8-member accounting team.
- Identified potential areas of risk or noncompliance with regulatory agencies, such as the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
- Reviewed monthly financials and budget analysis to identify fluctuations in performance against budgets.
- Coordinated and led external audits, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and industry requirements.
- Led quarterly and annual reporting specific to Aviation industry requirements.
- Compiled 150-page Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Board presentation and external reporting.
- Oversaw grant funding, accounting entries, and related receipts from federal, state, local, and other governing agencies.
- Led external consultants and contractors on assigned financial projects, system walk-throughs, support, and monitored ongoing progress.
- Demonstrated proficiency in problem solving, data analytics, identifying issues, and presenting solutions.
- Involved in ongoing collaboration with cross-functional departments, including IT, revenue, business operations, grant compliance, project management, airport safety, and maintenance.
- Assisted with the talent hiring process, candidate selection, interviews, and post-interview hiring training process.
- Led as the Finance Business Owner in the successful rollout of a new payroll system within a 10-week timeline.
- Developed monthly financial reporting packages, cash forecasts, and variance analyses for executive leadership.
- Streamlined accounting procedures, reducing manual work and improving efficiency.
Sr. Accountant/Controller
Tucson Airport Authority
Tucson, AZ
06.2021 - 09.2023
- Performed month-end close and financial statement reporting.
- Supervised an accounts payable specialist and staff accountant.
- Analyzed account balances and recorded correcting entries.
- Assisted with bi-weekly payroll review of employee hours, bank transfers, and tax and pension payments to the Arizona State Tax Authority.
- Prepared month-end financial package for reporting to the Chief Financial Officer.
- Worked closely with the cross-functional teams, the director of finance, the director of programs and regulations, and an accounting manager to ensure the accuracy and timely reporting of the monthly financial information.
- Reduced month-end close time by 50% by streamlining manual Excel files using Excel formulas, and ERP-supported GL Wand capabilities.
- Created multiple month-end recurring journal entries in Oracle, which reduced manual effort and significantly enhanced the close cycle.
- Executed re-alignment of the Finance shared folder to a centralized accounting files/folder, which significantly improved the efficiency of financial reporting. Data was previously stored in decentralized locations.
- Created new journal entry template for all monthly journal entries, utilized for auditing and record keeping.
Manager of Global Accounting
Leidos, Inc.
Tucson, AZ
11.2020 - 05.2021
- Converted and ensured adherence with the U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- Supervised two lead accountants and indirectly managed third-party international accounting service providers.
- Provided oversight with international audit firms and accounting service providers.
- Reviewed reconciliations, and worked with direct team and outsourced service providers to resolve discrepancies.
- Served as a liaison between the company headquarters and global accounting teams.
- Collaborated with the Leidos Tax Department on periodic tax reporting by providing subsidiary financial data and carve-outs.
- Global Playbook development (2020): created standardized global accounting regulations and standards. Worked closely with global audit partners and controllers to gather the data.
- Created a tax carve-out process for annual reporting, and helped implement the process in less than 2 months.
- Partnered with global controllers and KPMG to migrate subsidiaries to a unified accounting services platform.
- Collaborated with the Canada Controller to help transfer office functions to the United States' shared services teams and close out operations at the Canada office.
Accounting Supervisor
Leidos, Inc.
Tucson, Arizona
06.2017 - 07.2018
- Oversaw the balance sheet reconciliations process, which included annual training, assigning reconciliations to team members, and reviewing and approving reconciliations.
- Supervised a Senior Accountant and a Staff Accountant. Oversaw five staff accountants' work.
- Assisted with approving high-risk accruals and journal entries for $80 million in accruals.
- Responsible for researching and reporting the flux for monthly consolidations reporting.
- Ran monthly labor rates for reporting segments per CAS (Cost Accounting Standards), and recorded them to the general ledger.
- Strengthened the reconciliation process with standardized training and clear ownership assignments using the Blackline software.
- Managed the quarterly legal reserves process and reporting, collaborating with division vice presidents.
- Assisted with cross-functional teams to ensure month-end close deadlines were met.
- Selected by senior leadership to travel to the Melbourne, Australia, office to help establish standard processes and train local employees on how to utilize the ERP system for month-end close processes.
Sr. Accountant
Leidos, Inc
Tucson, AZ
03.2014 - 06.2017
- Oversaw fixed asset management policies and processes.
- Managed the month-end accrual review process and assigned workflows to teams of 15 to 20 preparers and approvers.
- Prepared and conducted annual training sessions on account reconciliations and accruals, and mentored new hires on the accrual process.
- Managed month-end balance sheet reconciliations and post-close processes. Reported end results timely to the consolidations team, with flux analysis for monthly CFO meetings.
- Assisted the Journal Entry Team with reviewing and approving month-end entries prepared by staff accountants.
- Served as an acting international accountant, managing tax reporting and compliance for overseas subsidiaries.
Staff Accountant
AGL Resources Inc
Naperville, Illinois
02.2012 - 10.2013
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting And Auditing
University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, ILSkills
- Accounting Operations Leadership – General ledger, reconciliations, month-end close, financial reporting
- Compliance & Controls – US GAAP, IFRS, audits, grant compliance
- Process Improvement – Close cycle reduction, automation, centralized reporting
- Team Leadership – Managing, mentoring, and developing accounting staff and managers
- Strategic Financial Support – Cash forecasting, executive reporting, variance analysis
- Systems Proficiency – Oracle EBS, Costpoint, Hyperion, Blackline, GL Wand, ABRM, Microsoft Office Suite
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant (State of Arizona)
Accomplishments
- Received the 'Best Team Player Award' in 2016.
- Participated in the Lockheed Martin Systems Migration Project, ensuring a smooth transition of accounting functions. Awarded a 'Valuable Player' in 2018 for this effort.
Timeline
Director of Finance
Tucson Airport Authority
10.2023 - 05.2025
Sr. Accountant/Controller
Tucson Airport Authority
06.2021 - 09.2023
Manager of Global Accounting
Leidos, Inc.
11.2020 - 05.2021
Accounting Supervisor
Leidos, Inc.
06.2017 - 07.2018
Sr. Accountant
Leidos, Inc
03.2014 - 06.2017
Staff Accountant
AGL Resources Inc
02.2012 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Science - Accounting And Auditing
University of Illinois At Chicago
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