MARLENA BAQAH
Sterling Heights
Summary
Finance professional with full-cycle responsibility for accounting, compliance, legal coordination, and HR operations within multi-entity organizations. Proven record of maintaining strong internal controls, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering accurate, decision-ready financial reporting to leadership. Trusted partner to ownership on financial, payroll, legal, and operational matters. Trilingual in English, Arabic, and Chaldean, with the ability to communicate effectively across internal teams and external stakeholders.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Controller
KMT Distribution
Sterling Heights
10.2024 - Current
- Direct accounting and financial operations, overseeing the full monthly close and financial reporting process.
- Prepare and analyze financial statements used by leadership for operational and strategic decision-making.
- Manage accounting and reporting for multiple legal entities and related companies.
- Oversee accounts payable, vendor onboarding, cash flow, and banking relationships.
- Lead PACT Act reporting and excise tax filings across 35+ states, ensuring proper licensing and ongoing regulatory compliance.
- Administer payroll and oversee HR operations, including employee records and compliance requirements.
- Serve as the primary internal point of contact for legal, tax, audit, and regulatory matters, coordinating with external attorneys, CPAs, and advisors.
- Maintain strong internal controls, accurate documentation, and audit-ready financial records.
- Serve as a key operational partner to ownership, providing financial clarity, risk oversight, and process discipline.
Accountant
DA Advisory Group
Troy
07.2024 - 10.2024
- Managed monthly accounting cycles for multiple clients, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Prepared financial statements and supporting schedules for management and CPA review.
- Performed detailed account reconciliations and resolved discrepancies efficiently.
- Supported budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
- Maintained organized, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
Financial Controller
GeorgeCo
Birmingham
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Led accounting and financial operations for multiple entities and partnerships.
- Prepared consolidated monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
- Managed vendor setup, payment processing, cash flow, and bank activity.
- Completed bank and balance sheet reconciliations to ensure financial accuracy.
- Supported audit processes, tax preparation, and regulatory compliance.
- Worked directly with ownership to ensure financial transparency and control.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance & Accounting
Walsh College
Troy, MISkills
- Financial Reporting
- Month-End Close
- Multi-Entity Accounting
- Partnership Accounting
- Internal Controls
- Compliance
- Risk Management
- Regulatory Reporting
- Payroll Administration
- HR Operations
- Legal Coordination
- Audit Coordination
- Tax Coordination
- Accounts Payable
- Cash Flow
- Banking
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Variance Analysis
- Process Improvement
- Financial Documentation
- Advanced MS Office
- Financial Systems
Earlier Experience
- Fragrance Specialist, Jo Malone London / Estée Lauder, 2019–2025
- Apartment Leasing Agent, Princeton Management, 2022–2023
Core Expertise
- Financial Reporting & Month-End Close
- Multi-Entity & Partnership Accounting
- Internal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management
- Regulatory Reporting (PACT Act & Excise Tax)
- Payroll Administration & HR Operations
- Legal, Audit & Tax Coordination
- Accounts Payable, Cash Flow & Banking
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Variance Analysis
- Process Improvement & Financial Documentation
- Advanced MS Office & Financial Systems
Timeline
Financial Controller
KMT Distribution
10.2024 - Current
Accountant
DA Advisory Group
07.2024 - 10.2024
Financial Controller
GeorgeCo
05.2023 - 07.2024
Bachelor of Business Administration - Finance & Accounting
Walsh College