Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Karen F Richardson

Accountant
North Charleston,SC

Summary

Customer-focused individual with a passion for delivering exceptional service. Strong interpersonal skills with a talent for effectively addressing concerns and providing leadership. Committed to improving customer satisfaction and driving positive outcomes. Passionate about continuous learning and professional development. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and support organizational goals. Detail-oriented Accountant with 30+ years of effectively maintaining accurate financial and accounting data in Federal Government organization and entities. History working as part of financial teams to manage diverse financial functions, including Disbursing, Accounts Payable and Receivables, Month-end closeout and Financial Reporting. Worked closely with higher echelon and management on complex mergers and acquisitions and divestitures.

Overview

42
42
years of professional experience

Work History

Accountant

United States Department of State
North Charleston, South Carolina
07.2004 - Current
  • Portfolio Manager for numerous Working Capital Fund (WCF) Cost Centers.
  • Supports efficient accounting operations.
  • Analyzed monthly submission of billing report(s) from Cost Center 8671 - Library Services for mistakes and inaccuracies for correction prior to processing for input into the required accounting systems and month end closeout of applicable system(s). Collaborate with the customer, making proper corrections and respond accordingly in a timely manner.
  • Supports ISO 9001 annual certification through internal and external audits. Consistently provides input for updating Quality Work Instructions (QWIs) for changes in processes when necessary.
  • Supports 8650 (Acquisitions - AQM) monthly collections by inputting and processing billing transactions in both Domestic (Global Financial Management System - GFMS) and Overseas Accounting (Regional Financial Management Systems - RFMS) Systems.
  • Process various corrections for rejected interface documents from the overseas Accounting System for the assigned portfolios.
  • Deletion authority for requested deletion(s) from other team portfolio managers.
  • Delivers a superior level of customer service to both internal and external customers.
  • Gather billing reports via email in an Excel-format spreadsheet. Verify accuracies and abnormalities.
  • Reconcile and post billing (processed and unprocessed) data to the Monthly Reconciliation Reporting Subsidiary and Billing Worksheet.
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook and Word).
  • Previously assigned as the Audit Liaison for WCF audit reviews and data calls. Gathering, consolidating and provide data as requested.
  • Access to various accounting feeder systems and modules for research and informational purposes.

Supervisory Accounting Technician

Defense Finance And Accounting Services
North Charleston, South Carolina
12.1997 - 07.2004
  • Oversaw day-to-day operations of 19 assigned accounting technicians for three Naval activities (Keyport, WA; Carderock, MD; and Port Hueneme, CA).
  • Review and certify biweekly timesheets for accuracy.
  • Compiled financial reports in an organized manner for senior management review.
  • Reviewed general ledger entries for completeness and accuracy in financial reporting.
  • Assisted in the development of new accounting processes that improved efficiency across departments.
  • Responded promptly to customer inquiries regarding billing issues, cash balance concerns, out of balances or account status updates.
  • Completed special projects as assigned by senior leadership.
  • Recruited, hired, trained, mentored, coached, evaluated, and made recommendations for Individual Development Plans (IDP), as necessary, to improve performance.
  • Worked on the Navy consolidation team under the Bases Realignment and Closures (BRAC) Act. Travelled and Accessed transferring workloads, learned work, and trained employees upon return to home site. Data mapped accounting processes, tested data, made data corrections, and ran updated reports accordingly, as needed, until reports were perfected.
  • Evaluated needs and delegated tasks to optimize the overall production of team responsibilities.
  • Conducted weekly meetings with team members to discuss upcoming tasks, future actions and projected deadlines.
  • Maintained accurate records of employee performance, attendance, leave requests, and disciplinary actions.
  • Provided guidance and direction to subordinates regarding job duties and responsibilities.
  • Acted as a liaison between upper management and staff, facilitating open communication.
  • Drafted, published and organized slide prepared for Annual Customer Conference with all Business Affiliates for assigned subject matter.
  • Special Project - Reconciling assigned Mechanized of Contract Administrative Services (MOCAS) Large Contracts over $25K containing Unliquidated Obligations
  • Special Project - Reconciling then Defense Business Operations Fund (DBOF) to Defense Working Capital Fund (DWCF) Zero Cash Balance Initiative Authority of the mid 1990's
  • Special Project - Eliminating Entries (Research of Accounts Payable and Receivables)

Disbursing Clerk

Defense Accounting Office (DAO)
North Charleston
12.1995 - 12.1997
  • Reviewed and approved requests for payment processing.
  • Performed daily reconciliation of disbursement accounts and vendor payments.
  • Collaborated with other departments such as Accounts Payable and Receivable.
  • Provided support in reconciling accounts payable ledgers with general ledger accounts on a regular basis.
  • Prepared deposits and ensured the accuracy of all incoming checks.
  • Compiled ad-hoc reports upon request from upper management.
  • Created spreadsheets.
  • Generated checks for payment authorization.
  • Reconciled daily receipts and expenditures.
  • Perform Canadian Exchange Calculations for Canadian Disbursements
  • Recorded adjustments to previous pay-related errors.

Accounting Technician /Accounts Payable Clerk

Department Of The Navy/Naval Weapon Station
Goose Creek
01.1993 - 12.1995
  • Entered data into accounting system to maintain accurate financial records.
  • Managed vendor relationships through prompt communication of payment information.
  • Ensured proper authorization for all purchases made prior to processing payments.
  • Researched and responded to inquiries from vendors regarding invoice status or payment issues.
  • Processed invoices and payments in accordance with government policies and procedures.
  • Analyzed purchase orders, contracts, invoices, check requests and other documents related to the accounts payable cycle.
  • Reconciled vendor statements, investigated, and resolved discrepancies.
  • Applied mathematical skills to calculate totals, check figures, and correct problems with physical and electronic files.
  • Reconciled monthly statements and transactions to keep records accurate and current.
  • Took offered discounts when advantageous to the government.
  • Handled high-volume credit card invoice reconciliation and processing for cardholder activities.

Head Bank Teller

Citizens and Southern National Bank
Charleston , South Carolina
04.1983 - 06.1985
  • Provided guidance and assistance to subordinates in completing their tasks.
  • Conducted cash handling duties such as counting money, verifying deposits, cashing checks, and processing withdrawals accurately.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with customers through providing exceptional customer service experiences.
  • Resolved customer complaints professionally in a timely manner while maintaining positive relationships with customers.
  • Verified identification for customers before completing transactions involving large sums of money or sensitive information.
  • Responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the bank teller staff.
  • Performed periodic audits on tellers' transactions to ensure accuracy and adherence to established policies and procedures.
  • Processed night deposits from commercial customers.
  • Ensured compliance with bank policies and procedures regarding security measures, internal controls and audit requirements.
  • Provided training to new employees on proper cash handling techniques, customer service standards.
  • Assisted tellers with daily activities such as check approval, adding checks, locating errors and resolving member related questions.
  • Cross-sold bank products by answering inquiries, informing customers of new services and promotions.
  • Trained new and incoming tellers on cash drawer operations, end of day balancing and safety procedures.
  • Answered customer inquiries regarding account balances, transaction history, services charges, and banking related matters.
  • Processed customer transactions promptly, minimizing wait times.
  • Completed highly accurate, high-volume money counts via both manual and machine-driven approaches.
  • Responsibility included direct and indirect collaboration with the US Treasury on ordering and transferring funds and disposal of mutilated cash for bank operations.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration/Accounting

Limestone College
Gaffney, SC
05-2000

Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration

St. Augustine College
Raleigh, NC

Skills

  • Data and Account Reconciliation
  • Customer Service
  • Public Speaking, Verbal and Written communication Skills
  • Financial Reporting and Financial Data Management
  • Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
  • Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivables
  • Account and Financial Statement Reconciliation
  • Customer Workshop Facilitation
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Budget Analysis and Forecasting
  • Project Accounting and Management
  • Portfolio Management
  • Leadership Skills and Development
  • Audit Support
  • Research and Analysis

Affiliations

  • Former President of Accounting Government Association (AGA) - 2 terms
  • Former President of Blacks in Government (BIG) Imani Chapter
  • Special Emphasis Program Manager for Black History (Equal Employment Opportunity Council)
  • ProTem Trustee Board of Morris Brown African American Episcopal (AME) Church
  • Chief Steward - American Federation of Government Employees AFGE Local 1544
  • Steward - American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
  • Past Member Toastmasters USA

Timeline

Accountant

United States Department of State
07.2004 - Current

Supervisory Accounting Technician

Defense Finance And Accounting Services
12.1997 - 07.2004

Disbursing Clerk

Defense Accounting Office (DAO)
12.1995 - 12.1997

Accounting Technician /Accounts Payable Clerk

Department Of The Navy/Naval Weapon Station
01.1993 - 12.1995

Head Bank Teller

Citizens and Southern National Bank
04.1983 - 06.1985

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration/Accounting

Limestone College

Some College (No Degree) - Business Administration

St. Augustine College

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Karen F RichardsonAccountant