Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Other
Certification
Timeline
Generic

LAURA J. HARKNESS

Lemont

Summary

Experienced accounting professional with a proven track record in financial analysis, cash management, and accounting report preparation. Adept at preparing detailed financial statements and providing insightful analysis that supports strategic decision-making.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

ASSOCIATE ACCOUNTANT

Jones Lang LaSalle
Westmont
09.2023 - Current
  • Prepared accurate financial statements for portfolio of five properties, including month-end General Ledger and variance reviews.
  • Submitted comprehensive financial statements and supporting documentation in timely manner for review.
  • Managed cash flow for assigned properties to ensure operational efficiency.
  • Reconciled bank statements monthly, addressing outstanding checks and reconciling items.
  • Maintained expertise in mortgage and management agreements for effective property oversight.
  • Supported property managers by providing requested financial information to tenants and owners.

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING CONSULTANT

Laura Harkness Accounting Services
Lemont
07.2012 - Current
  • Provide tax advice and services for individuals, partnerships, and sole proprietors.
  • Prepare tax returns electronically for clients.
  • Offer financial analysis and assistance with business management.
  • Educate clientele on profitable financial strategies.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

MPS|CPA, Ltd
Orland Park
12.2015 - 09.2016
  • Prepared 1065 and 1120 tax returns electronically for clients.
  • Prepared Quarterly Payroll tax returns.
  • Generated monthly accounting reports and financial packages for clients.
  • Processed monthly accounting information for various pension fund clientele.
  • Organized and prepared the accounts for retail client owning 45 properties.
  • Created and fixed asset depreciation schedules.

SENIOR PROPERTY ACCOUNTANT

Lincoln Property Company
Oak Brook
12.2009 - 07.2012
  • Generated the monthly ownership financial packages for 10-14 properties, consisting of review, adjustments, and compilation of the financial owner-specific reports and supporting schedules.
  • Managed cash flow of over 20 accounts through reconciliations, disbursements, wire transfers, ACHs, check payments, and other adjustments.
  • Streamlined monthly entries for more efficiency and timeliness of the reporting process.
  • Pioneered the creation of uniform reporting formats and packages for owners and potential clients.
  • Exclusive experience in commercial development, which produced the role of Development Assistant creating draws, payouts, and invoice reviews for extensive residential high-rise buildings in the Chicago Loop area.
  • Instrumental in training new personnel, reviewing peer reporting packages, annual 1099 process, and maintenance of real estate tax and unclaimed property for various jurisdictions.

CONTROLLER / DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

The Standard Group
Chicago
03.2006 - 02.2008
  • Controller for $10+ Million Commercial Real Estate Developer, Property Manager for 5 properties, 15 tenants, and Development Coordinator for more than 20 projects.
  • Played a key role in company reconciliations of investor funding and annual property expenditures.
  • Streamlined reporting procedures to increase efficiency among accounting personnel.
  • Instrumental in property closings by compiling and researching due diligence and finalizing closing statements for lending institutions and title companies.
  • Managed five properties and fifteen tenants, fielding all property management issues and inquiries with immediate turnaround results.
  • Proficiently analyzed financial information detailing assets, liabilities, and capital to prepare monthly and annual Balance Sheets, Income Statements, and other reports to summarize current and projected financial positions of the company.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER / ACCOUNTS PAYABLE / PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR / HUMAN RESOURCES / OFFICE MANAGER

Time Savers, Inc.
Elmhurst
12.2004 - 03.2006
  • Managed all accounting and personnel activities, as well as training new personnel.
  • Developed a more efficient and accurate payroll process.
  • Reviewed invoice accuracy to maintain excellent relations with customers and ensure competitive pricing.
  • Prepared fuel, sales, and city lease taxes, and calculated union, welfare, and pension dues.

ACCOUNTANT / SALES / CUSTOMER SERVICE

Vickilew Inc. / Good Sector, LLC
Rolling Meadows
01.2005 - 02.2006
  • Converted company to QuickBooks Manufacturing software to parallel industry.
  • Researched children’s growth, development, and social inequities for new product ideas.
  • Managed all Internet and phone orders for products and generated sales for combination items that increased sale options and sales by 5%.
  • Generated daily and monthly accounting activities.

ACCOUNTING / BOOKKEEPER

InSite Real Estate LLC / Burnham Construction Co.
Oak Brook
11.1998 - 06.2003
  • Negotiated pricing controls on project and administrative expenses, thereby saving the company over $50,000 annually.
  • Reconciled bank statements, cash accounts, and escrow accounts for over 100 accounts.
  • Balanced and processed monthly mortgage payments for approximately 100+ properties.
  • Set and achieved personal reporting and efficiency goals to achieve maximum annual bonus for four consecutive years.

Education

MAFM - Accounting and Financial Management

Keller Graduate School of Management
Naperville, IL
06.2009

B.A. - Political Science and History

Saint Xavier University School of Arts & Sciences
Chicago, IL
05.1997

Skills

  • Quicken and QuickBooks Pro
  • Oracle and MAS 90
  • Timberline and MRI
  • Yardi and MAC
  • UltraTax and Accounting CS
  • Fixed Asset CS
  • Windows expertise

Other

  • Passed CPA Exams, 01/01/11
  • Member of the Illinois CPA Society, 01/01/08
  • School District 113A Education Foundation Treasurer, 01/01/19

Certification

  • CPA License since 2011

Timeline

ASSOCIATE ACCOUNTANT

Jones Lang LaSalle
09.2023 - Current

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT

MPS|CPA, Ltd
12.2015 - 09.2016

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING CONSULTANT

Laura Harkness Accounting Services
07.2012 - Current

SENIOR PROPERTY ACCOUNTANT

Lincoln Property Company
12.2009 - 07.2012

CONTROLLER / DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

The Standard Group
03.2006 - 02.2008

ACCOUNTANT / SALES / CUSTOMER SERVICE

Vickilew Inc. / Good Sector, LLC
01.2005 - 02.2006

ACCOUNTING MANAGER / ACCOUNTS PAYABLE / PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR / HUMAN RESOURCES / OFFICE MANAGER

Time Savers, Inc.
12.2004 - 03.2006

ACCOUNTING / BOOKKEEPER

InSite Real Estate LLC / Burnham Construction Co.
11.1998 - 06.2003

MAFM - Accounting and Financial Management

Keller Graduate School of Management

B.A. - Political Science and History

Saint Xavier University School of Arts & Sciences

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE