Maria M. Johnson
Financial Analyst
Greenville,US
Summary
Detail-oriented financial analyst with over 20 years of hands-on experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis. Expertise in advanced Excel functions, including pivot tables, charts, and VLOOKUP, along with proficiency in creating Access databases and comprehensive reports. Recognized for developing robust financial models and databases that facilitate informed decision-making for leadership while effectively communicating key insights to drive organizational success. A strong analytical mindset, combined with a deep understanding of market trends, ensures consistent delivery of strategic solutions and valuable insights that support critical business initiatives.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Financial Planning & Rate Analyst
Greenville Utilities Commission
03.2023 - Current
- Perform long-range financial and capital planning, fees and rates analyses, industry comparative analyses, and corporate performance reporting.
- Prepares the organization's annual long-range financial model and plans, financial projections, and pro forma on GAAP and budgetary bases.
- Collaborate with financial consultants to complete cost-of-service analyses and rate designs.
- Designs, maintains, and updates utilities' rates and revenue models for all service offerings.
- Prepare corporate performance reports and presentations for the board and city council by analyzing fee and rate designs, and provide management with best practice recommendations.
- Evaluated market demand drivers to establish accurate forecasts and inform real-time rate adjustments.
- Assisted in budget preparation by providing accurate forward-looking assessments of anticipated revenues driven by rate adjustments.
- Optimized rate structures by analyzing market trends and competitor pricing strategies.
- Provided guidance on strategic decision-making based on data-driven insights from detailed rate analysis reports.
- Conducted in-depth analyses of historical data to identify patterns and trends, informing future rate decisions.
Financial Management Analyst II
Duke University
11.2020 - 03.2023
- Provide administrative management and coordination of finance, budget, space, and facilities planning, and fiscal policy interpretation and dissemination for multiple UICs, and other assigned Provost programs.
- Plan operational budgets by analyzing operating needs, projected revenue, and expenses on both a short- and long-range basis; prepare and manage capital expense budgets as required.
- Assist the Campus Grants Management Team with the preparation of grant proposal budget projections, as well as monitoring and verifying expenditures; ensure compliance with university and sponsoring agency policies and procedures; and participate in the preparation of financial and administrative reports for submission to the sponsoring agency.
- Maintain interface with unit personnel to coordinate operational activities to ensure adequate manning, space, and facilities; coordinate purchasing, maintenance, and renovation activities for each unit; and administer a program of property management and accountability.
- Interpret unit policies and procedures, make decisions on specific operating problems, and issue instructions.
- Determine fiscal requirements, make projections, and prepare budgets; monitor, verify, and reconcile expenditure of budgeted funds; prepare financial statements reflecting the status of programs and activities; ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
- Serve as a liaison with administrative and professional personnel concerning University policies and procedures, personnel administration, grant administration, and budgetary preparation and control.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of designated employees; manage personnel activities to meet University and unit objectives; advise faculty on employment, salary administration, employee relations, and related issues as required; assist with the administrative aspects of the faculty appointment and promotion process.
- Prepare reports and analyses to include financial reports, setting forth progress, adverse trends, and appropriate recommendations and conclusions.
- Implemented internal controls and complied with FAM regulations for financial management.
Fiscal Analyst
City of Raleigh
09.2019 - 11.2020
- Prepare a monthly program budget reporting package to identify discrepancies, variances, and financial irregularities to advise the Director and Program Managers of the financial fitness of each program and the department.
- Coordinate and administer the operating budget development process by preparing forms and instructions, analyzing requests, providing funding recommendations, and maintaining the budget software system.
- Prepare a special analysis to track and monitor travel, utility billing, personnel, and contractual services expenditures.
- Perform research and review of financial accounts, budget transfers, and contracts to project revenue, expenditures, and make recommendations for future budget needs.
- Acts as the departmental liaison with Budget Management Services to ensure deadlines are met and compliant with COR's policies.
- Monitor and coordinate contract requests for proposals, reviewing submittals, participating on evaluation committees, and after award monitoring.
- Enhanced fiscal accountability with thorough internal audits and timely resolution of discrepancies.
- Increased fiscal efficiency by implementing new budget management strategies and monitoring department spending.
Financial Analyst II
Duke University Health System
07.2013 - 09.2019
- Responsible for budget creation, detailed monitoring, and reporting on spending and projections for all departmental programs, which are inclusive of grants, governmental insurance programs, private insurance products, foundation contributions, and community partnerships.
- Responsible for the management of the contract process, which includes (1) negotiation of financial arrangements with Duke Legal and the contracting agency, (2) ensuring adherence to contract financial expectations, (3) development and implementation of financial systems for monitoring, spending, and reporting requirements unique to each contract to ensure accuracy and timeliness of invoicing, collections, and reporting.
- Responsible for creating and presenting a monthly reporting package, which includes budget-to-actual comparison, variance analysis, FTE analysis, key performance indicators, and any ad-hoc reports needed.
- Responsible for daily supervision of the accounting clerk, which includes (1) prior approval of all departmental financial transactions (ETR, Corp Card, Buy@Duke, JV's), (2) review and approval of POs, OSAs, and other subcontracts, and (3) the completion of monthly reconciliation and FAM validation to ensure all transactions meet compliance standards.
- Streamlined financial reporting for better decision-making with clear, concise analysis and presentation.
- Trained junior analysts on best practices in financial modeling, contributing to a stronger overall team performance.
Staff Specialist
Duke University
07.2012 - 07.2013
- Created and managed vendor contracts and purchase orders, processed invoices, and monitored divisional budgets.
- Made budget recommendations and projections by tracking and analyzing historical financial data.
- Verified and reconciled divisional expenditures, receipts, and procurement card transactions.
- Prepared travel, miscellaneous reimbursements, and purchase orders for IT services and equipment acquisitions.
- Prepared ad-hoc reports requiring the identification of sources, compilation, analysis, and evaluation of CRM data.
- Prepared presentation materials, coordinated materials, and resources for upcoming projects and events.
- Maintained and updated business and financial information on the departmental website.
- Enhanced team productivity by streamlining communication and implementing efficient project management tools.
- Streamlined reporting processes to provide more accurate and timely information for decision-making purposes.
Business Manager
State of North Carolina
05.2006 - 04.2012
- Managed media buys and production budgets by assigning correct funding codes and purchase orders to outside vendors and professional services expenditures.
- Prepared and distributed billing to clients for services rendered, reconciled and posted payments for incoming receipts, and researched and resolved outstanding accounts.
- Tracked and reported program actual and anticipated expenditures and receipts monthly, and compiled and reported financial statistics for quarterly board meetings.
- Acquired approval, reconciled all agency procurement card transactions and travel reimbursements, and prepared purchase requisitions for operational and capital equipment expenses.
- Submitted all required personnel forms and documentation for new hires, separations, and employee benefits, and kept employees aware of updates and deadlines.
- Prepared work schedules, submitted payroll via BEACON, and supervised clerical/support staff, and 10-20 weekly contracted production crew members.
- Assisted with hiring process and training of new employees.
- Increased overall team productivity by fostering a positive work environment and providing effective leadership.
Audit Technician
State of North Carolina
06.2004 - 05.2006
- Verified the accuracy of provider names and numbers of incoming Medicaid Cost Reports, uploaded to databases on the master PC, cross-checked settlement schedules with submitted hard copies, and filed and distributed cost reports and “Attachment A” forms.
- Uploaded completed desk and field audits, as approved and released by the Audit Manager, verified settlement schedules with the completing auditor, and backed up the master database to the community drive.
- Distributed statistical reports requested by audit management maintained the master database's activities and notified the programmer of any cost reports and software problems.
- Assisted the Accounting Supervisor by collecting data for analysis, audit appeals, and requests from the State Auditor's Office.
- Managed and posted daily Dorothea Dix Hospital patient personal transactions to ensure that funds were balanced among NCAS and HEARTS sub-systems.
- Monitored and researched monthly transactions for John Umstead Hospital, Town of Butner Operations, and Whitaker School to ensure bank statements were balanced with NCAS.
- Followed up and made sure proper actions were taken on uncleared and outstanding checks.
- Keyed all accounts payable invoices for Dorothea Dix Hospital vendors, and processed checks for patients' personal financial requests.
- Reconciled and balanced insurance and benefit statements to payroll deduction registers, and made adjustments accordingly.
- Assisted in entering journal vouchers and cash draws down in NCAS and Cash Management as needed.
- Ensured data confidentiality throughout all stages of the audit process, maintaining the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.
Financial Analyst
Duke University Medical Center
01.2001 - 12.2003
- Prepared and analyzed monthly and year-to-date income statements, and budget/actual statements reports to monitor the financial performance of each division.
- Assisted 12 division managers and 5 executive managers by forecasting revenue, expenses, and capital outlays based on historical data.
- Projected census and revenue to prepare a $6.3 million annual budget, created and maintained the department's administrative budget.
- Determined allocation methodology for shared revenue and expenses.
- Recommended cost efficiencies to the Finance Director.
- Calculated and prepared all monthly journal vouchers to transfer revenue and expenses in accordance with the fiscal budget among 19 divisions and outside departments.
- Ensured that all financial reporting systems were in accordance with the current budget plan, provided analysis on current processes, and made recommendations for improvements.
- Prepared insurance claims, invoices, statements, and followed up on outstanding balances for the Health Psychology Division.
- Monitored capital procurement and fixed assets to ensure compliance with the department's retention schedule.
- Facilitated smooth month-end close processes by efficiently reconciling accounts and addressing discrepancies promptly.
- Conducted detailed financial analysis to identify and evaluate changes in operations, trends and potential areas of improvement.
Education
A.A.S. - Business Administration
Vance-Granville Community College
B.S. - Business Management
Western Governors University
M.S. - Leadership & Management
Western Governors University
Skills
Advanced Excel proficiency
Data access management
Presentation design
SAP software proficiency
KPI development and tracking
Budget software proficiency
Oracle database management
A3 proficiency
Essbase analytical tools
Accomplishments
- Coordinated the merger of two departments to establish a centralized finance team for Population Health Management & Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability.
Timeline
Senior Financial Planning & Rate Analyst
Greenville Utilities Commission
03.2023 - Current
Financial Management Analyst II
Duke University
11.2020 - 03.2023
Fiscal Analyst
City of Raleigh
09.2019 - 11.2020
Financial Analyst II
Duke University Health System
07.2013 - 09.2019
Staff Specialist
Duke University
07.2012 - 07.2013
Business Manager
State of North Carolina
05.2006 - 04.2012
Audit Technician
State of North Carolina
06.2004 - 05.2006
Financial Analyst
Duke University Medical Center
01.2001 - 12.2003
A.A.S. - Business Administration
Vance-Granville Community College
B.S. - Business Management
Western Governors University
M.S. - Leadership & Management
Western Governors University