Katherine Forde
Jamaica,NY
Summary
Results-driven management professional with over 20 years in accounts payable, excelling in team leadership and process improvement.
Strong focus on team collaboration, operational efficiency, and achieving measurable outcomes. Adept at strategic planning, AP Automation, and fostering culture of accountability and excellence. Known for adaptability and consistently meeting changing organizational needs.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager
New York Blood Center
New York, NY
04.2001 - Current
- Manage full-cycle accounts payable operations processing over $200M+ in annual payments.
- Supervised accounts payable team, ensuring timely processing of invoices and payments.
- Implemented workflow improvements that enhanced invoice reconciliation accuracy reducing processing time by 40%.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices in vendor management and payment protocols.
- Led training sessions to develop staff proficiency in accounting software tools.
- Streamlined vendor onboarding process, reducing setup time by enhancing documentation requirements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve discrepancies and improve operational efficiency.
- Developed and enforced policies for expense reporting, promoting compliance with company standards.
- Analyzed payment trends to inform strategic financial decisions and optimize cash flow management.
- Processed all vendor invoices promptly in accordance with company policy.
- Troubleshot and resolved escalated issues pertaining to vendor disputes, payment discrepancies or delays in a timely manner, maintaining positive relationships with suppliers.
- Maintained accurate records of all financial transactions within the accounts payable department.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, resulting in improved communication and negotiation on payment terms.
- Reduced payment errors by closely monitoring and reconciling vendor statements.
- Managed month-end closing process, ensuring timely completion of accruals and account reconciliations.
- Participated in software implementation projects designed to automate manual tasks within the Accounts Payable department.
- Identified areas for improvement in existing processes, leading to increased productivity and reduced costs within the accounts payable department.
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between finance, purchasing, operations departments to resolve issues impacting cash flow or vendor relations.
- Developed and delivered training sessions to new team members on department procedures, ensuring a seamless transition into their roles.
- Streamlined accounts payable processes for increased accuracy and timeliness of payments.
- Coordinated with auditors during annual audits, providing necessary information to ensure a timely completion of the audit process.
- Recruited, interviewed, and hired new accounts payable employees.
- Trained and supported new hires to educate on process flow and interdepartmental procedures.
- Mentored junior staff members to improve their understanding of accounting principles and practices.
- Created business continuity plans for department in event of disaster or outage.
- Implemented a new vendor management system that streamlined onboarding procedures while improving supplier relationships.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
Education
MBA - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ12.2013
Bachelor of Science - Business Accountancy
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ08.2009
Skills
- Customer service
- Team leadership
- Time management
- Decision-making
- Complex Problem-solving
- Verbal and written communication
- Documentation and reporting
- Project management
- Vendor management
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Multitasking
- Process improvement
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with IT in the development of various processes including transitioning from Lawson to Oracle
- Implemented vendor payment tracking system improving transparency
- Worked with American Express & Bank of America on implementing comprehensive payables
- AP Automation
Languages
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Manager
New York Blood Center
04.2001 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Business Accountancy
University of Phoenix
MBA - Business Administration
University of Phoenix
Technical Skills
- ERP Systems: Oracle & Lawson
- AdHoc System: Image Express (MHC Software)
- Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables)