Maria Lisa Crater
St. Petersburg,FL
Summary
Dynamic CPA with extensive experience in the financial services industry, adept at fostering collaboration across all organizational levels to drive company success. Recognized for creative problem-solving abilities and strong leadership skills, effectively managing teams to navigate complex projects and deliver exceptional results. Proficient in financial reporting, analysis, accounts receivable and payable, budgeting, audit coordination, and tax reporting, ensuring compliance and strategic financial planning. Committed to leveraging expertise to enhance operational efficiency and support organizational goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CFO
West Point UW LLC
Pinellas Park, FL
01.2018 - 03.2025
- Performed detailed monthly accounting functions and entries, culminating in timely financial closings.
- Analyzed financial data and prepared detailed statements and exhibits for senior management's evaluation.
- Developed and organized financial analysis reports to support strategic decision-making.
- Directed billing team operations to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
- Compiled and delivered ad hoc reports to support decision-making processes.
Senior Accountant
Bankers Financial Corporation
06.2016 - 12.2017
- Prepare monthly close entries for 2 subsidiary companies
- Coordinate and prepare annual forecasts and budgets
- Coordinate resources for external auditors to complete annual audits
- Research tax questions
- Prepare pricing analysis for potential customers
- Create relational databases to update and compare data
Lead Accountant
Transamerica
01.2015 - 06.2016
- Produce monthly expense analysis
- Provide assistance with expense and budget questions to various departments as needed
- Coordinate and consolidate annual forecasts and budgets for approximately 150 cost centers
- Train offshore associates on routine tasks as required
- Utilize Essbase to produce reporting above from multi-dimensional databases
Client Account Specialist
Yale Capital Corporation
04.2013 - 01.2015
- Automated daily client reporting
- Developed client databases for asset reporting
- Developed new billing invoices utilizing new software through Charles Schwab
- Responsible for quarterly client billing
- Automated quarterly sales commission calculations
- Responsible for providing clients and external accountants with tax and financial data
- Responsible for routine accounting duties utilizing Quickbooks
Independent Contractor & Tax Preparer
Lisa Crater CPA
07.2012 - 03.2013
- Prepared individual and small business tax returns
- Provided consultation on QuickBooks to small businesses
Controller
Eagle Asset Management, Inc. (subsidiary of RJF)
09.2008 - 07.2012
- Successful in developing and preparing annual, semi-annual, and five year rolling budget plans
- Successful in monthly preparation of consolidated financial statements
- Responsible for Accounts Receivable and Account Payable functions
- Successful in reducing bad debt by 80% and implementing new policies to regulate large accounts receivable fluctuations
- Responsible for the timely completion of monthly and quarterly client billings and FA payouts
- Responsible for timely completion of monthly and quarterly commission calculations for sales persons, portfolio managers and Executive Management
- Responsible for preparing and presentation of quarterly board reports
- Successful in assisting the CEO and other members of Executive Management with financial analysis and producing ad hoc reports as requested
- Coordinated federal and state tax return preparation for limited partnerships
- Coordinated audits for limited partnerships, financial statements and GIPS reports
Education
B.A. - Accounting
University of South Florida
Tampa, FLA.A. - Business
St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FLSkills
- Expertise in Microsoft Office tools
- Experience with Essbase
- Hyperion application knowledge
- Proficient in Crystal Reports
- SQL data analysis
- Proficient in QuickBooks
- Proficient in Lawson
- AS400 proficiency
- Multiview GL ERP
Accomplishments
While at West Point Insurance Services, LLC I used my skills utilitzing the Multiview GL system to create reports which decreased financial close time down to 7 days verses 20 days.
Certification
Certified Public Accountant, State of Florida
Timeline
CFO
West Point UW LLC
01.2018 - 03.2025
Senior Accountant
Bankers Financial Corporation
06.2016 - 12.2017
Lead Accountant
Transamerica
01.2015 - 06.2016
Client Account Specialist
Yale Capital Corporation
04.2013 - 01.2015
Independent Contractor & Tax Preparer
Lisa Crater CPA
07.2012 - 03.2013
Controller
Eagle Asset Management, Inc. (subsidiary of RJF)
09.2008 - 07.2012
A.A. - Business
St. Petersburg College
B.A. - Accounting
University of South Florida