Marissa Ward
Los Angeles,,CA
Summary
CPA-qualified accounting professional with extensive experience in full-cycle accounting, internal controls, and process improvement across banking, construction, technology/telecommunications, and oil & gas. Known for enhancing reporting accuracy, optimizing financial processes, and mentoring teams to support efficient month-end close and audit readiness in complex environments.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Staff Accountant
The Jankovich Company
San Pedro, California
09.2023 - 08.2024
- Owned month-end close, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and balance sheet analysis, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Reviewed and approved A/P coding, corrected GL misclassifications, and allocated credit card expenses, improving accuracy and transparency.
- Enhanced reconciliation templates and Smartsheet masterfiles, reducing errors and streamlining close processes.
- Implemented earlier A/P close deadlines, improving coding accuracy and reducing reporting timing issues.
- Mentored junior staff and cross-trained peers on updated procedures, reducing dependency on single individuals.
- Supported external audits and prepared quarterly reporting workbooks for executives and parent company.
Staff Accountant
Silvus Technologies
Los Angeles, CA
10.2022 - 04.2023
- Performed the majority of month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, inventory and prepaid adjustments, fixed assets, and sales tax reporting, ensuring accurate financial results under tight deadlines.
- Prepared cash flow and government expenditure reports, assisted with GL remapping and ad hoc projects, and developed enhanced Excel/VBA workbooks to streamline posting processes and improve accuracy.
- Approved A/P expenditures and international/national expense reports, ensuring proper coding, three-way match, and policy compliance.
- Conducted variance analysis, maintained fixed asset and prepaid schedules, and supported inventory counts.
- Mentored A/P and A/R staff on process improvements and procedural guidance.
Accountant II (Contract)
Aux, LLC
Lakewood, CO
06.2022 - 09.2022
- Served as lead accountant, collaborating with multiple Controllers to resolve timing issues and ensure accurate reporting across client accounts.
- Delivered high-quality work that contributed to securing an expanded contract with a credit union client.
- Maintained and corrected reconciliation workbooks, prepared journal entries, and assisted with Call Report preparation and variance analysis.
- Trained and mentored Accountant I/II staff on ACH postings, chargebacks, debit/credit entries, and reconciliations to improve team efficiency.
Development Staff Accountant
Quarterra (Lennar Multifamily Communities)
Charlotte, NC
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Prepared month-end financials, journal entries, and accruals across multiple development projects.
- Managed pay applications, invoice approvals, and expense coding to ensure accurate cash management and job cost tracking.
- Participated in project meetings with Senior VPs and Assistant Controller to review budgets, financial performance, and draw requests.
- Maintained monthly reconciliations and depreciation workbooks.
- Assisted with external audits and processed wire requests and treasury forms.
Staff Accountant
Mission Bank
Bakersfield, CA
11.2019 - 08.2021
- Streamlined A/P processes, including invoice coding, audit trails, vendor outreach, and e-billing/ACH implementation, reducing duplicate and late payments by 30% and 70%, respectively.
- Performed daily and monthly reconciliations of GL accounts, including PCBB and DDA balances, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Prepared and posted daily journal entries and supported reconciliations for the Controller and Senior Accountant.
- Recognized with Q4 President’s Award (2020) for exceptional contributions to the accounting department.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Accounting
California State University, Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA05-2021
Skills
- Spreadsheet & Automation: Advanced Excel (Lookup functions, PivotTables, Nested Functions, Power Query, Regression Analysis, basic VBA), Google Sheets, Smartsheet
- Reconciliation Tools: BlackLine
- Document Management: Adobe Acrobat, DocuSign, Box, iDoc Vault
- Other Financial Systems: E Tran Origination, FiServ, Office Connector, basic SQL, Cognos
- AI Applications: Prompt Engineering and AI-assisted workflow optimization for accounting and financial reporting
Certification
Uniform CPA Examination Passed (October 2025); Licensure Pending
Core Competencies
Accounting & Leadership:
Full-Cycle Month-End Close Ownership, GAAP-Compliant Financial Reporting, Balance Sheet Analysis, Internal Controls, Segregation of Duties, Audit Preparation and Compliance, Process Improvement and Workflow Optimization, Cross-Functional Financial Communication and Collaboration, Staff Mentorship, Training, and Knowledge Transfer
ERP Systems:
QuickBooks, Sage 300, Jack Henry, TimberScan, MISys, Alloya, Bill.com, Expensify, P21, Gold CU, BankTel, Working knowledge of Yardi, Workday
Timeline
Staff Accountant
The Jankovich Company
09.2023 - 08.2024
Staff Accountant
Silvus Technologies
10.2022 - 04.2023
Accountant II (Contract)
Aux, LLC
06.2022 - 09.2022
Development Staff Accountant
Quarterra (Lennar Multifamily Communities)
08.2021 - 05.2022
Staff Accountant
Mission Bank
11.2019 - 08.2021
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Accounting
California State University, Bakersfield