Kayla Bales
Athens,GA
Summary
Experienced and versatile accountant and analyst actively working towards furthering my education and completing my CPA. Looking to further my experience and knowledge in the industry and contributing to the established accounting culture here at Landmark Athens.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Analyst
VanKirk Electric
Winder, GA
05.2024 - Current
- Contributed to successful completion of high-profile projects through strong financial management and timely communication of potential risks.
- Enhanced project profitability with proactive cost management and accurate revenue recognitions.
- Mentored junior accountants, providing guidance on best practices in project accounting and fostering professional growth.
- Developed comprehensive financial forecasts for projects, enabling informed decision-making by senior leadership.
- Expedited month-end close processes by streamlining reconciliations and intercompany transactions.
- Reduced budget discrepancies by conducting thorough variance analyses and reconciling accounts timely.
- Maximized cost savings through detailed analysis of contract terms and negotiation of favorable agreements with vendors.
- Collaborated closely with project managers to ensure proper allocation of resources and adherence to budgets.
- Optimized resource utilization across multiple projects by regularly reviewing actual expenditures against planned costs.
- Improved cash flow management, ensuring timely invoicing and collection of receivables.
- Monitored project costs, developed job cost forecasts, managed cash flow and approved invoices for payment.
- Eliminated discrepancies by carefully reviewing budgets to prevent overspending and adhere to financial objectives.
- Read, escalated and reported invoices for projects of varying size and complexity.
- Authorized and reviewed funds transfers into and out of project accounts.
- Assessed, cleaned and closed out accounts with depleted funds upon project completion.
Project Analyst
VanKirk Electric
Winder, GA
01.2021 - 05.2024
- Contributed to successful project outcomes by providing accurate forecasts and risk assessments.
- Conducted detailed financial analysis to identify and evaluate changes in operations, trends and potential areas of improvement.
- Facilitated smooth month-end close processes by efficiently reconciling accounts and addressing discrepancies promptly.
- Streamlined financial reporting for better decision-making with clear, concise analysis and presentation.
- Enhanced forecasting accuracy through the development of sophisticated financial models and tools.
- Drove profitability improvements by advising on cost-reduction strategies.
- Conducted detailed variance analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities, leading to more efficient allocation of resources.
- Optimized budget allocation, conducting meticulous cost-benefit analyses for major projects.
- Improved cash flow management with rigorous accounts receivable tracking.
CSR
BankSouth
Watkinsville, GA
05.2019 - Current
- Improved customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Improved operations by working with team members and customers to find workable solutions.
- Collaborated with others to discuss new innovative opportunities.
- Asked probing questions to determine service needs and accurately input information into electronic systems.
- Documented conversations with customers to track requests, problems and solutions.
- Processed customer account changes.
- Recommended, selected and helped locate merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Delivered high level of service and support to each customer, paving way for future business opportunities.
- Investigated technical issues using knowledge base and personal experience to complete timely resolutions.
- Set up and activated customer accounts.
- Maintained calm, friendly demeanor with upset customers to de-escalate stressful situations.
ITM Service Specialist/Virtual Teller
Pinnacle Bank
Elberton,, GA
06.2018 - 05.2019
- Cash checks and pay out money after verifying that signatures are correct, that written and numerical amounts agree, and that accounts have sufficient funds.
- USA Receive checks and cash for deposit, verify amounts, and check accuracy of deposit slips.
- Enter customers' transactions into computers to record transactions and issue computer-generated receipts.
- Examine checks for endorsements and to verify other information such as dates, bank names, identification of the persons receiving payments and the legality of the documents.
Bartender
Dos Palmas
Athens, GA - Georgia
08.2013 - 09.2017
- Collect money for drinks served.
- Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.
- Stock bar with beer, wine, liquor, and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins, or straws.
- Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
Head Cashier
ZAXBYS
Athens, GA
08.2008 - 05.2013
- Receive payment by cash, check, credit cards, vouchers, or automatic debits.
- Issue receipts, refunds, credits, or change due to customers.
- Maintain clean and orderly checkout areas and complete other general cleaning duties, such as mopping floors and emptying trash cans.
- Count money in cash drawers at the beginning of shifts to ensure that amounts are correct and that there is adequate change.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Accounting
Athens Technical College
Athens, GA05.2021
High School Diploma -
NORTH OCONEE HIGH SCHOOL
Watkinsville, GA05.2011
Skills
- Superior Customer Service
- Cash Handling
- Leadership
- Organization
- Finance
- Receiving
- Sales
- Written Skills
- Credit card payment processing
- High-energy attitude
- Inbound and outbound calling
- Call center experience
- Inventory control
- Technologically savvy
- Microsoft Office expertise
- Schedule mastery
- Computer Skills
- Audit preparation
- Account reconciliation
- Cash flow analysis
- Cost control
- Financial management
- Budget analysis
- Contract review
- Variance analysis
- Project forecasting
- Month-end close process
- Project close outs
- Cost analysis reports
- Accounting software implementation
- Job cost tracking
- Project performance forecasting
- Attention to detail
Certification
Computerized Accounting Specialist
Office Accountant Specialist
Payroll Accounting Specialist
Timeline
Senior Project Analyst
VanKirk Electric
05.2024 - Current
Project Analyst
VanKirk Electric
01.2021 - 05.2024
CSR
BankSouth
05.2019 - Current
ITM Service Specialist/Virtual Teller
Pinnacle Bank
06.2018 - 05.2019
Bartender
Dos Palmas
08.2013 - 09.2017
Head Cashier
ZAXBYS
08.2008 - 05.2013
Associate of Applied Science - Accounting
Athens Technical College
High School Diploma -
NORTH OCONEE HIGH SCHOOL