Leillanni Peña
Houston,TX
Summary
Professional with strong background in financial analysis and budget management. Skilled in data interpretation, forecasting, and cost optimization. Known for collaborative approach, adaptability to changing needs, and results-driven mindset. Adept at leveraging analytical skills and strategic thinking to support organizational financial goals. Seeking to transition into a new field, and utilizing my experience and knowledge to drive success for Deloitte and it's clients.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Budget Analyst
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
10.2023 - Current
- In charge of daily position management for 76 campuses across Texas: Perform an efficient analysis of the payroll budget in efforts to approve new positions coming in all while meeting budget guidelines.
- Evaluate procurement needs and projected expenditures.
- Provide training and guidance to junior analysts, fostering a collaborative work environment conducive to professional development.
- Improve financial efficiency by analyzing budgetary data and identifying areas for cost reduction.
- Facilitate cross-department communication to ensure consistent understanding of budgetary goals and constraints.
- Assist in the preparation of annual budgets, working closely with department heads to gather necessary information.
- Streamline budget processes for increased accuracy and timely completion of financial reports needed for quarterly board meetings.
- Guide department heads in understanding financial reports, enhancing their budget management skills.
Finance & Budget Specialist
HIDALGO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
05.2021 - 09.2023
- Developed organizational budgets with Chief Financial Officer.
- Defended budget recommendations with data and evidence-based analyses to the board of trustees.
- Prepared and gathered data from each campus to develop budget for incoming fiscal year.
- Evaluated and approved/rejected budget proposals and funding requests.
- Acted as initial point of contact for fiscal problem resolution, acted as the institution’s area of expertise on sponsored agency guidelines.
- Advised administration and staff regarding available options and budgetary implications.
- Assisted in preparation and maintenance of operational budgets for departments; reviewed expenditures to ensure conformance to budgetary provisions.
- Reviewed proposals for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with district/organization standards.
- Identified trends and budget variances in the campus/department/district budgets.
- Identified areas of compliance vulnerability and risk in all budgets.
- Developed corrective action plans and provided guidance on how to prevent issues.
- Consulted with accountants and CFO to resolve challenging budget issues.
- Vetted funding requests from departments through research for merit and authenticity.
- Monitored spending and kept all departments in the district/organization within its set budget.
- Forecasted and tracked financial results throughout the year to meet budget projections.
Budget Manager Administrative Assistant
SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE
04.2018 - 05.2021
- Knowledge of the benefits function as it relates to a public entity in a college setting; Support Director of College Connections & Admissions for Traditional Students in all responsibilities as it relates to budget/finances, human resources, laws/regulations, policies/procedures, department management, events/community, monitoring, evaluating, communicating, and supporting students and staff, etc.
- Implemented a more efficient way of performing monthly budget reconciliations that several departments within the college adopted.
- Boosted student retention 15% by coordinating the budget for a student grant named MADISSAR (Making A Difference in Student Success and Retention) where all expenses were organized to benefit students academically and professionally.
- Took the lead in coordinating a $149,000 annual department budget to arrange all travel arrangements for department staff, purchases of college promotional items and student ambassador account.
- HIPAA Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor compliance with HIPAA laws when communicating with students and staff on an on-going basis.
Education
Master of Business Administration - International Banking & Finance
Texas A & M International University
05.2021
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
05.2016
Skills
- Microsoft Office programs focused on Finance in Excel
- Strong engagement presentation/training skills
- Planning and coordinating a comprehensive multi million dollar budget
- Ability to adapt to environments such as working independently and in a team
- Learning and mastering web-based data management systems in shorter periods
- Interpreting the application of law and regulations in regards to financial institutions
- Managing and communicating with diverse population of staff, students, and community (English/Spanish)
- Experience with: Reporting and Analysis: Operational Reporting, Financial Reporting, KPIs, Dashboards, and Variance Analysis; Planning and Budgeting: Annual operating plan (AOP), Budgets, and Long-Range Planning; Forecasting: Rolling Forecasts, Trend Analysis, Predictive Analytics; Financial Modeling: What-if analysis and Scenario Analysis
- Tyler Finance: Processing daily budget amendments and extracting data into Excel for in depth analyzation of data
Languages Spoken
Fluent in English and Spanish (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking)
Certification
- Certified Forensic Accounting Auditor
Timeline
Budget Analyst
HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
10.2023 - Current
Finance & Budget Specialist
HIDALGO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
05.2021 - 09.2023
Budget Manager Administrative Assistant
SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE
04.2018 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Master of Business Administration - International Banking & Finance
Texas A & M International University
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