Linda Spielman
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Highly driven and accomplished manager with a rich and varied background encompassing over 10 years of experience in corporate finance, auditing, accounting, and ERP systems. Exceptional talent in cross-functional team communication, outstanding organizational abilities, and expertise in project implementation, process improvement, and business analysis. A master of Accounts Payable processes, recognized for consistently managing accounting processing with outstanding precision and delivering exceptional outcomes. Thriving in dynamic and demanding work environments, this versatile individual capitalizes on a natural ability to make remarkable speed and accuracy decisions. A leader who embraces continuous growth and a collaborative mindset, consistently ensuring optimal results and cultivating a harmonious work.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff Accountant/Financial Analyst
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES
2019.09 - Current
- Contributed to the financial success of Aristocrat Technologies by efficiently managing full-cycle general ledger accounting, performing mid-level reconciliations, and ensuring accurate reporting.
- Spearheaded process improvements that significantly streamlined month and year-end closing procedures reducing closing schedule.
- Developed and implemented a global market research policy/process with Global Accounts Payable division to support informed business decisions.
- Reduction of 92% processed invoices per week for the entire global division with six months of joining the organization.
- Reduced month and year-end closing turnaround time globally, achieving a business day turnaround of 4 days from 14 days.
- Decreased the monthly journal entry line items from 18-36 to 6, leading to more efficient financial reporting.
- Established a standardized template for journal entries, decreasing revisions and reprocessing requests from 43% to < 3%.
- Successfully monitored and managed open purchase orders, reducing non-receipted POs from $10 million dollars per quarter to $981K for the first half of FY23.
- Maintained general ledger accuracy through regular account reconciliations, journal entry adjustments, and transaction reviews.
- Managed accounts payable processing, ensuring timely payments to vendors while maximizing cash flow management strategies, including prepayments & rent.
- Participated in internal and external audit processes to establish accurate financial records and comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and regulatory requirements.
- Created journal entry schedules to improve efficiency, support, and documentation of accounting processes.
- Reduced month-end closing time by optimizing reconciliation procedures and improving communication among team members.
Accounts Payable Supervisor
BOYD GAMING
2018.07 - 2019.09
- Supported a Midwest and Gulf State casino acquisition initiative, communicating invoice processing procedures and training individuals on the new AP processing system.
- Navigated the implementation of PO-based systems alongside standard AP processes.
- Managed a team of 9 processors and 2 team leads, improving response times for customer inquiries and achieving timely and accurate invoice processing.
- Eliminated late fees for utility payments across 4 vendor partnerships, resulting in $900K in savings per year ($255K per vendor).
- Reduced response and resolution times for customer inquiries from 3 weeks to 1 business day.
- Achieved timely and accurate invoice processing, eliminating a backlog of 1.5 weeks and ensuring accurate P&L balances for month end closing.
- Mentored and coached team members, leading to professional growth, including promotion opportunities.
- Troubleshot and resolved escalated issues pertaining to vendor disputes, payment discrepancies or delays in a timely manner, maintaining positive relationships with suppliers.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, resulting in improved communication and negotiation on payment terms.
- Oversaw monthly accounting close process for timely and accurate reporting of financial information.
- Participated in software implementation projects designed to automate manual tasks within the Accounts Payable department.
Accounts Payable Analyst/ Staff Accountant
EI CORPORATION & NEVADA GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
2017.07 - 2018.05
- Oversaw full-cycle payables processing, employee reimbursements, vendor relationships, and corporate credit card reconciliation.
- Coordinated AIA progressive billing and work-in-progress (WIP) calculations for ongoing construction projects.
- Managed accounts receivable and accounts payable processes using QuickBooks.
- Received vendor invoices, validated for accuracy and routed for approval to prepare for payment processing.
- Processed daily invoices, check requests and wire transfers of foreign and domestic currency.
- Improved payment accuracy with meticulous invoice review and reconciliation efforts.
Accounts Receivable - Cash Application/Invoicing Manager North America
KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
2015.01 - 2016.06
- Facilitated the revenue application processes.
- Drove process improvement initiatives, streamlined cash application timelines, ensured timely closing of monthly and yearly financial tasks, performed financial analysis and reporting, reconciled accounts, facilitated business model integration during mergers, and maintained external partnerships.
- Managed a team of 7 employees and revenue applications ranging from $9M to $28M weekly, ensuring accurate and timely processing.
- Implemented a process improvement initiative to reduce open cash days from 15 days to 24 hours.
- Utilized the 80/20 rule to prioritize applying for payments from the top 80% of revenue-generating customers.
- Coordinated with the team to support 35 customers per team member for daily application, ensuring timely completion.
- Orchestrated a cash application and invoicing integration project as part of the Heinz SAP systems into Kraft SAP systems, supporting the seamless merger of the companies.
- Built high-performing teams through effective recruitment, onboarding, and talent development initiatives.
Accounting Specialist- Accounts Payable/Oracle Expert & Inventory Control Manager
AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION & LUCAS GROUP CONSULTING
2013.07 - 2014.12
- Served as a subject matter expert for Accounts Payable and Receivable processes in Oracle.
- Responsibilities included controlling the cash flow life cycle, ensuring accurate accounting reporting for strategic projects, performing general ledger and intercompany account reconciliations, and implementing process improvements for the accounts payable department.
- Led a team of 5 employees in the company's product deployment and customer service area.
- Verified, audited, and applied accounting cost allocation to the employee expense report process.
- Generated daily organization activity reports to maintain and improve staff productivity.
- Reviewed and updated departmental procedures to ensure yearly compliance with regulations.
- Supported month-end closing process by preparing journal entries, account reconciliations, and variance analysis reports.
- Applied proper codes to invoices, files, and receipts to keep records organized and easily searchable.
- Increased efficiency in accounts payable and receivable management, reducing processing time and minimizing errors.
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
2008.01 - 2013.03
- Played an integral role in the Oracle Global ERP Deployment, contributing to regression testing, training, and acting as a liaison for the accounts payable department during the acquisition.
- Developed comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all departmental processes, aligning them with departmental KPI metrics to enhance processes and operational efficiency.
- Managed a team of 3 members to ensure streamlined operations and efficient ticket resolution during implementation.
- Participated in user acceptance test cycles, transferring knowledge on new system functionality, and successfully converting legacy invoices.
- Provided departmental support as a process consultant during the postproduction support project phase, including offshore operations.
- Monitored the PO receiving process between the existing system and Oracle ERP Implementation to ensure accuracy and alignment.
- Conducted weekly and monthly financial analysis and reporting for the AP Department's ERP Implementation, providing valuable insights.
- Processed a high volume of full cycle transactions, ranging from 10,000 – 25,000 monthly invoices, through Oracle Systems, consistently delivering accurate results.
- Leveraged reporting tools to create daily activity reports for Transaction Processing management, enabling effective monitoring and improvement.
- Implemented process improvements as the Lead Quality/Financial Assurance Coordinator to achieve compliance with internal and external audits, SOX, and ISO standards.
- Trained junior staff members on accounts payable best practices, fostering a cohesive and knowledgeable team environment.
- Collaborated with procurement team to ensure accuracy in purchase orders, contracts, and pricing agreements with vendors.
- Organized and maintained filing system for accounts payable documentation, ensuring easy access to relevant information when needed.
- Participated in cross-functional projects, providing subject matter expertise on accounts payable processes and contributing to overall process improvements within the organization.
Education
M.A. - International Business
Point Park University
B.A. - Communications and Journalism
Point Park University
Skills
- Oracle 12.1
- Oracle 11.5
- Oracle 11.03
- Elite Accounting Software
- SAP
- Microsoft D365 for Accounting
- QuickBooks AP/AR Software
- Monthly Journal Entries
- Journal entry preparation
- General ledger accounting
- Internal / External Audits
- Accounts Payable / Invoice Coding
- Budget Preparation
Certification
- Accounting Foundations: Bookkeeping Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Developing Organizational Awareness Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Leveraging the Power of Curious at Work to Adapt and Growth with Francesca Gino Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Mastering Self-Leadership Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- The Business of Accounting Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Unlocking Authentic Communication in a Culturally Diverse Workplace Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Learning GDPR Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Starting a Memorable Conversation Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Uncovering Unconscious Bias in Recruiting and Interviewing Certification, LinkedIn Learning
Earlycareerhighlights
- Accounts Payable - Senior Processing Associate, UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
- Accounts Receivable - Claims Processor II, UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
- Accounts Receivable - Claims Processor I, UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
Timeline
Staff Accountant/Financial Analyst
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES
2019.09 - Current
Accounts Payable Supervisor
BOYD GAMING
2018.07 - 2019.09
Accounts Payable Analyst/ Staff Accountant
EI CORPORATION & NEVADA GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
2017.07 - 2018.05
Accounts Receivable - Cash Application/Invoicing Manager North America
KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
2015.01 - 2016.06
Accounting Specialist- Accounts Payable/Oracle Expert & Inventory Control Manager
AMERICAN PACIFIC CORPORATION & LUCAS GROUP CONSULTING
2013.07 - 2014.12
Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
2008.01 - 2013.03
M.A. - International Business
Point Park University
B.A. - Communications and Journalism
Point Park University
- Accounting Foundations: Bookkeeping Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Developing Organizational Awareness Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Leveraging the Power of Curious at Work to Adapt and Growth with Francesca Gino Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Mastering Self-Leadership Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- The Business of Accounting Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Unlocking Authentic Communication in a Culturally Diverse Workplace Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Learning GDPR Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Starting a Memorable Conversation Certification, LinkedIn Learning
- Uncovering Unconscious Bias in Recruiting and Interviewing Certification, LinkedIn Learning
Similar Profiles
Kailash Kailash null
Senior Technical Lead at Aristocrat TechnologiesSenior Technical Lead at Aristocrat Technologies
Niharika TiwariNiharika Tiwari
Specialist, People and culture Service Operations at Aristocrat TechnologiesSpecialist, People and culture Service Operations at Aristocrat Technologies
David RiggsDavid Riggs
Field Engineer at Aristocrat TechnologiesField Engineer at Aristocrat Technologies