Linda Gilchrist
Accounting Manager
Londonderry,USA
Summary
Results-driven Accounting Manager with over a decade of experience in AP, payroll, and financial reporting. Proven ability to lead teams, streamline operations, and implement ERP systems. Adept at producing financial statements, managing audits, and driving process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Finance professional with extensive experience in managing accounts payable functions and ensuring financial accuracy. Known for fostering team collaboration and achieving seamless operations in dynamic environments. Adept at process optimization and vendor management, consistently reliable and adaptable to changing needs.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Payable Manager – East Region
Liberty Utilities
10.2012 - 07.2025
- Led AP team through SAP implementation, improving reporting accuracy and reducing processing time by 35%
- Centralized regional AP operations, increasing team efficiency by 25%
- Boosted ACH payment adoption by 60%, enhancing vendor satisfaction
- Developed weekly AP budgets and ensured timely payment runs
- Supported audits and regulatory reporting, including PUC compliance
- Coached and managed A/P team to ensure workload balance, accuracy and compliance
- Developed and analyzed reporting metrics to improve efficiencies by 25%
- Prepared and reviewed the month-end expense accruals
- Reviewed invoice allocations to ensure alignment with GAAP practices
- Prepared 1099s annually for US
- Reconciled and reviewed A/P related accounts
- 1 year as Balance Staffing Contractor
- Developed and implemented policies to improve invoice processing efficiency and reduce errors.
- Streamlined reconciliation processes, significantly reducing discrepancies between accounts payable and general ledger entries.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices for invoice management and vendor relations, fostering professional growth.
- Collaborated with procurement team to optimize payment terms and negotiate favorable agreements with suppliers.
- Utilized ERP systems to automate workflows, improving tracking of invoices and approvals across departments.
- Analyzed financial data trends, providing actionable insights to senior management for strategic decision-making.
- Managed accurate and timely processing of over 4000 invoices per month.
- Reduced payment discrepancies with thorough invoice review, analysis, and reconciliation efforts.
- Reviewed monthly expense reports for accuracy, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies.
- Streamlined invoice processing for improved efficiency and reduced processing time.
- Positively interacted with all partners, employees and customers using exemplary communication and interpersonal talents.
- Managed a team of accounting staff, providing guidance and support to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Developed reports for senior management to outline expenditures, vendor spend and forecasting.
- Partnered with finance team to complete month-end accruals and account reconciliations.
- Implemented internal controls to mitigate risk of fraud, ensuring financial integrity within the organization.
Payroll Accountant
KBW Staffing
10.2011 - 10.2012
- Processed multi-state payroll and HR changes in full compliance with federal and state regulations
- Ensured timely and accurate disbursement of wages, reimbursements, and deductions
- Audited payroll and tax filings, ensuring 100% accuracy
- Registered new states for SUI and withholding taxes
- Developed comprehensive payroll and HR reports for audits, budgeting and strategic planning
- (temporary assignment for Unit4 coda, Inc.)
- Executed weekly payroll runs, verifying data integrity and compliance with federal regulations.
- Led reconciliation of payroll discrepancies, implementing corrective actions to enhance accuracy.
- Collaborated with HR to ensure alignment of payroll operations with employee benefits administration.
- Reduced errors in payroll processing by conducting thorough audits and reconciliations of records.
- Ensured accurate and timely payments for all employees, managing weekly and monthly payroll cycles.
- Maintained compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations by staying up-to-date on changes and adjusting payroll systems accordingly.
Staff Accountant, Payroll Manager, Tax Filing Specialist
Genesys, (a division of Salary.com)
12.2006 - 01.2011
- Managed end-to-end payroll processing for a diverse workforce of up to 350 employees across multiple U.S. states, including salaried and hourly, and commissions.
- Filed and tracked federal and state tax amendments, collaborating with internal teams and external agencies to resolve discrepancies and maintain full compliance with evolving tax regulations
- Integrated payroll system enhancements to improve data integrity and reduce amendment frequency, resulting in a measurable decrease in payroll errors and faster reconciliation cycles
- Migrated systems from Coda to NetSuite and QuickBooks, ensuring data integrity and continuity
- Recorded monthly accruals and managed foreign exchange entries to support accurate financial reporting
- Supported nationwide client payroll filings, ensuring timely and compliant submissions
- Streamlined payroll processing by implementing advanced software solutions to enhance efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with federal and state regulations through regular audits and updates of payroll policies.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive payroll documentation, improving accuracy and accessibility for audits.
- Analyzed payroll data to identify discrepancies and implemented corrective measures to ensure accurate employee compensation.
- Collaborated with HR to align payroll processes with organizational changes, enhancing overall operational effectiveness.
- Addressed employee inquiries regarding pay issues promptly, fostering positive relationships between management and staff members.
Education
No Degree - Individual Tax
H&R Block Tax Courses
NHBachelor of Science - Accounting
Franklin Pierce University
Ringe, NH05-1994
Skills
- Accounts payable management
- SAP implementation
- Invoice processing efficiency
- Budget development
- Financial reporting
- GAAP compliance
- Vendor management
- Audit support
- ACH payments adoption
- Team leadership
- Internal controls implementation
- Data analysis and reporting
- Reconciliation processes
- Expense accruals preparation
- Cross-department collaboration
- Risk mitigation strategies
- Process automation solutions
- Compliance with tax regulations
- Account reconciliation
- Onboarding and training
- Team oversight
- Expense processing
- Training and mentoring
- Issue escalation
- Bank reconciliation
- Journal entries expertise
- General ledger accounting
- Process improvements
- Vendor relationship management
- General ledger maintenance
- Variance reconciling
- Month-end closing
- Problem resolution
- Electronic payments
- Payroll processing
- Statement reconciliation
- 1099 preparation
- Performance tracking
- Report preparation
- Foreign currency transactions
- GAAP principles
- Sales tax reporting
Timeline
Accounts Payable Manager – East Region
Liberty Utilities
10.2012 - 07.2025
Payroll Accountant
KBW Staffing
10.2011 - 10.2012
Staff Accountant, Payroll Manager, Tax Filing Specialist
Genesys, (a division of Salary.com)
12.2006 - 01.2011
No Degree - Individual Tax
H&R Block Tax Courses
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Franklin Pierce University