Renee Brown

· Supporting business users through strong knowledge of Financial processes and systems. Identifies and implements controls that protect access to, and accuracy of financial data stored in the financial systems.

· Assessing and interpreting internal customer needs and objectives to evaluate new applications or enhance existing applications

· Documenting and testing system requirements, and work collaboratively with consultants, users and internal IT department

· Recommending system changes or new software to improve efficiency of processes

· Building business cases including timelines that consider cost/benefit analysis, dependencies and other initiatives that could impact success of projects

· Leading and executing necessary changes across different functional teams to include training to stakeholders and updates to leadership as required.

· Oversee the process of the month-end close to ensure reporting is delivered by deadlines

· Performs financial analysis and ensures accounts are reconciled, journal entries approved

· Participate in development of Accounting policies and procedures to improve efficiency and control over financial reporting

· Compile information for regulatory requirements and audits

· Work with external auditors to provide requests and ensure understanding or risks tested to complete the audit efficiently

· Work with stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely reporting within financial statements.

· Ensure internal controls are followed in accordance with policy

· Review and institute ways to streamline processes across the region to reduce workload while conforming to both statutory and internal controls needs

• Lead and direct all operations of the Corporate Accounting team
• Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process
• Report, analyze, and provide variance explanations, prepared quarterly projections, annual operating plan and other financial information
• Provide oversight and reporting for Capital projects and major initiatives
• Evaluate operational functions and provide recommendation for automation and improvement
• Evaluate, maintain and monitor internal controls
• Managed and coordinated internal and external audits
• Managed, coached and developed of team of fifteen (15) exempt and non-exempt associates
• Developed excel model to use as a system wide template for account reconciliations to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Implemented a workflow tool for online journal entry submission
• Recommended changes to Corporate Accounting and Travel and Expense policies and procedures that improved overall effectiveness of financial controls

• Corporate role with accountability for financial statements, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and general ledger to ensure accurate and timely reporting of financial information
• Manage and direct the operational and strategic activities of the accounting department for System Office and all subsidiary companies
• Coordinate internal and external audits, including preparation of monthly, quarterly, and year end account reconciliations
• Provide financial support and guidance during the annual budget preparation for all System Level department heads
• Supervise and manage a staff of four (4) exempt and non-exempt associates
• Developed new and improved policies and procedures for purchasing, cash transfers, and account reconciliations
• Awarded achievement bonus for superior performance

• Lead all financial reporting, analysis and accounting activities for Ascension Information Services (AIS)
• Prepare monthly financial statements, annual operating and capital budgeting process, coordination of the external audit as it relates to IT and other financial analysis for existing or proposed initiatives
• Coordinate and support internal and external customer requests
• Serve as main contact within the AIS Finance department for all IT related matters
• Provide leadership and support related to the mission of Ascension Health
• Supervise and manage a staff of three (3) exempt associates
• Six month (July – November 2014) assignment as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and conversion team lead for Oracle/PeopleSoft ERP System development and implementation system wide across AIS, including Accounts Payable, Travel and Expense, Fixed Assets, General Ledger, with emphasis on IT purchasing, bringing standardization on more than 3,400 process
• Awarded achievement bonus for superior performance
• Prepared and guided company through three years of successful external quarter-end and year-end audits
• Drafted and enforced accounting policies and procedures in compliance with GAAP that provided the basis for all budgeting

• Manage strategic IT vendors and projects related to Clinical Foundation Suite and handle all financial aspects of these implementations
• Prepare project analysis and capital and operating expense forecasts
• Support operating and capital budgeting for AIS and provide financial support and analysis for $500 million operating and $100 million annual capital budget
• Provide support for month end closing and develop financial reports for forecasting and trending
• Awarded achievement bonus for superior performance
• Developed Excel models to use as universal templates for project analyses, operating expense projections, and annual budgeting across all Health Ministries at AIS
• Recommended changes to policies and procedures that improved overall effectiveness of financial controls

• Maintained a complete, systematic, and computerized record of all accounts receivable transactions for Ascension Health and its affiliated entities
• Timely preparation and transmittal of invoices and the accurate recording of those invoices for financial purposes, calculation of all allocation of service fee billings, performed thorough review of all invoices prior to electronic distribution or mailing, performed monthly closing procedures for Accounts Receivable, generating reports and statements
• Assisted in preparation of month-end and year-end financial statements

• Responsible for recording certain financial transactions, preparing monthly account reconciliations, perform fixed asset accounting, and supervising the daily activities of the Accounts Payable function, including three Accounts Payable clerks
• Review and approve weekly travel reimbursements and vendor invoices, perform month end closing procedures, prepare year-end 1099 forms, and assist with preparation of supporting schedules for annual audit

• Managed all aspects of Accounts Payable, Fixed Assets and Accounts Receivable for CHAN and its affiliates
• Processed payroll for 200+ employees throughout the United States
• Prepared General Ledger journal entries, prepared preliminary financial statements, participated in monthly month-end analyses with management, and various monthly financial account analyses
• Developed and wrote procedures for Accounts Payable expenditures and Accounts Receivable and billing processes
• Created various excel spreadsheets to improve monthly analysis and reporting
• Awarded achievement bonus for superior performance