Marie Engel
San Mateo,CA
Summary
Experienced Procure-to-pay Operations manager bringing ten years' experience overseeing all facets of accounts payable functions. Expert in overseeing daily operations, including invoice processing, vendor relationships, expense reporting and team leadership. Successful in improving workflow and efficiency by reallocating functions based on staff strengths. Excellent communication and customer service mindset. Strategic problem solver and proven change manager.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Payable Manager
Auction.com
San Mateo, California
01.2014 - Current
- Responsible for all aspects of Accounts Payable, Travel, Expense, and Corporate Credit Card Program and Travel Partner Relationships (airlines, rental cards, hotels)
- Managed teams ranging in size from two to four
- Oversee the daily accounts payable activities including accounts payable transactions, reconciliations and cash management Completed month-end and year-end closings, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Enhanced profitability by identifying duplicative spend and questioning need for services.
- Monitored daily accounts payable activities and ensured compliance with established internal control procedures.
- Maintained accurate records of invoices, purchase orders, and other financial documents.
- Prepared weekly check runs for approval by management or executive staff members.
- Collaborated with other departments such as procurement, treasury, accounting, and business units that travel.
- Created new audit procedures, reducing voided checks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Identify solutions, process improvements, and resourcing requirements to maximize team efficiency
- Assisted external auditors during year-end audit process by providing required documentation.
- Provided guidance to team members regarding complex billing issues or payment inquiries.
- Act as a key business partner for designated operational functions, participate in business strategy and process teams, proactively provide guidance, status and assistance
- Responsible for overseeing employee T&E program including drafting and communicating T&E policy, processing of T&E reports, and ensuring timely reimbursement.
- Manage key software vendor relationships
- Ensure all account aging issues are identified, communicated (especially with respect to necessity for accruals), and resolved in a timely manner
- Review all AP invoice accruals for monthly, quarterly and annual closing
- Collaborate with the Accounting Team on monthly close process and invoice accruals. Take a lead role in problem solving to promote efficiency across team, e.g. coding errors
- Evaluate, recommend, and implement improvements regarding internal controls, automated processing and cost productivity improvements (invoice automation, wire processing reduction, etc.)
- Ensure proper controls are in place to support all disbursements – following company policy and procedures, including proper approvals, documentation and segregation of duties
- Assist management in refining policies and procedures as necessary and document. Pinpoint areas for potential cost savings and risk mitigation, particularly related to the Company’s expense reimbursement policy. Educate and train users (employees, vendors) as necessary
- Executed timely and accurate year-end 1099 reporting
- Manage the company credit card programs including employee T&E card and purchasing cards (P-card). Work with Treasury and use or develop banking relationships whereby best practice cash management initiatives can be implemented (credit card, virtual credit card, check processing, etc.)
- Drive continuous control environment improvements and streamlining processes
- Mentor and train personnel to enhance the technical and operational capabilities of the team – set departmental and individual goals and track progress
- Instill customer service orientation in team and exhibit this through professional communications with all customers of the AP process
Vice President, Business Operations
Blackrock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.
San Francisco, CA
12.2009 - 08.2013
- With the acquisition of Barclays Global Investors (BGI) by BlackRock in December 2009 operational complexity increased significantly. I was responsible for change management and problem resolution within the Client Reporting organization.
- Served as subject matter expert for the systems, procedures and business integration of BGI's legacy systems into BlackRock.
- Developed reporting solutions for new products, while continuing to deliver .
- Trouble shooting, Problem solving and identifying opportunities for improvement and collaborating with internal stakeholders to execute on this initiatives.
- Created or reviewed technical design documentation to drive accuracy of reporting solutions.
- Communicated with customers, competitors and suppliers to stay abreast of industry or business trends.
- Managed projects and served as primary liaison between client and multiple internal groups to clarify goals and meet standards and deadlines.
- Assessed project resource requirements to support strategic execution.
- Communicated regularly with executive team members to deliver pertinent details related to progress status and direction for projects.
- Conducted independent analyses to resolve program deficiencies.
Client Service Ops Manager, Client Reporting
Barclays Global Investors (acquired by BlackRock)
San Francisco, CA
01.2007 - 12.2009
- Recruited, hired and scaled team from eight to seventeen
- Delivered positive customer experiences by implementing effective quality assurance practices.
- Directly managed daily production team of five to six associates.
- Managed staffing levels to ensure appropriate coverage for Client Reporting Hotline and website inquiries.
- Coordinated responses to RFP's for new business
- Streamlined office processes and procedures to boost profits and productivity and facilitate continuous improvements.
- Created and revised systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, recordkeeping systems and forms control.
- Worked with regulatory representatives to complete accurate filings and maintain compliance.
- Prepared operating statements and activity reports and completed company's annual audits within expected timeframes.
- Planned and coordinated risk mitigation strategies to protect company assets.
- Researched, documented and solved various accounting issues with minimal supervision and compliant actions.
Senior Client Reporting Associate
Barclays Global Investors (acquired by BlackRock)
San Francisco, CA
01.2001 - 12.2006
- Responsible for all standard and customer reporting requirements for multiple U.S. Institutional Business teams
- Shortened standardized report delivery time by 75%
- Completed a variety of special projects including conversion of legacy currencies to Euro
- Recognized as "Innovator" in May 2001
Client Reporting Associate
Barclays Global Investors (acquired by BlackRock)
San Francisco, CA
08.1999 - 12.2001
- Supported Global Sales and Service, consisting of seven teams from offices in U.S., London, Amsterdam, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong & Singapore.
- Managed multi-currency unit trust reporting process for 350+ Institutional client accounts
- Reduced Canadian reporting distribution by 33%
- Reduced costs by $30K annually by shifting report distribution online to www.barclaysglobal.com
Operations Analyst
Franklin Templeton Investments
San Francisco, CA
07.1997 - 07.1999
- Problem Resolution Analyst under the operational group, Shareholder System Management (SSM), responsible for the management of integrating three shareholder systems into one system, SunGard Investor One.
- Primary contact for fund accounting system issues
- Provided business analysis for newly reported business issues, documented the issues and set prioritization for fixes.
- Responsible for maintain system enhancement matrix and communicating business updates
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Finance and Accounting
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CASkills
- Business Processes and Procedures
- Proven Track Record of Building and Managing Teams
- Strong Client Service Mindset
- Creative and Innovative
- Critical Thinking
- Proficient in MS Office, Concur, Intacct, Coupa
- Process Improvements
- Onboarding and Training
Timeline
Accounts Payable Manager
Auction.com
01.2014 - Current
Vice President, Business Operations
Blackrock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.
12.2009 - 08.2013
Client Service Ops Manager, Client Reporting
Barclays Global Investors (acquired by BlackRock)
01.2007 - 12.2009
Senior Client Reporting Associate
Barclays Global Investors (acquired by BlackRock)
01.2001 - 12.2006
Client Reporting Associate
Barclays Global Investors (acquired by BlackRock)
08.1999 - 12.2001
Operations Analyst
Franklin Templeton Investments
07.1997 - 07.1999
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Finance and Accounting
San Francisco State University