MELODY RIVAS
New Orleans
Summary
Results-driven Accounting Specialist with over 10 years of experience, excelling in payroll management and compliance for sizable employee groups. Expert in utilizing Power BI and Microsoft Excel to perform in-depth data analysis and reporting, driving operational improvement and efficiency. Proven track record of cross-functional collaboration and process optimization, with bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English enhancing client communication and engagement.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Payroll/Accounting Specialist
Zachry Group
Port Sulphur
12.2021 - 10.2025
- Managed and processed payroll for over 10,000 employees on a weekly basis.
- Verify wages and hours Using Kronos and Power BI.
- Ensured accurate calculation of employee wages, deductions, and taxes in compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Calculate and process time-cards corrections.
- Collaborated with HR department to update employee information, including new hires, terminations, promotions, and salary changes.
- Performed regular audits of payroll data to identify discrepancies or errors and resolved them promptly.
- Developed comprehensive payroll reports for management review, providing insights into labor costs and trends.
- Coordinated with finance department to ensure accurate recording of payroll expenses in the general ledger.
- Managed garnishments, levies, and other court-ordered deductions from employee wages in accordance with legal requirements.
- Assisted employees with setting up direct deposit accounts for seamless payment processing.
- Generated daily payroll reports using Excel.
Operations Coordinator
Hutco Inc.
Harvey
11.2016 - 12.2021
- Conducts operational and administrative portions of hire process like background checks, drug screen, health screen, I9 compliance, E-Verify compliance, employment paperwork, site specific requirements and other duties as assigned.
- Review data for deficiencies, errors and discrepancies and correct, if possible.
- Communicating with customers via phone and email.
- Prepared and organized documents for data entry.
- Assist Employment Manager and recruiters.
- Processing payroll updates including new starters, leavers and pay rises.
- Gathering and examining timesheets to ensure their validity.
- Entering start and end times onto the payroll software.
- Addressing queries about payroll-related issues.
- Working to resolve discrepancies in payments as a matter of urgency.
- Enter text based and numerical information from source data into company databases within time limits.
- Created and maintained customer logs and book-keeping spreadsheets.
- Entered and reviewed data updates in the system to ensure accuracy.
- Corrected and verified data from several different sources.
- Filed information into spreadsheets and databases according to instructions.
- Maintain up-to-date employee records.
- Oversee and supervise the work of junior staff.
- Implement clerical duties and administrative processes.
Senior Tax Preparer
RVS Solutions
Gretna
01.2016 - 04.2020
- Prepare or assist in preparing simple to complex tax returns for individuals or small businesses.
- Use all appropriate adjustments, deductions, and credits to keep clients' taxes to a minimum.
- Review financial records such as income statements and documentation of expenditures to determine forms needed to prepare tax returns.
- Furnish taxpayers with sufficient information and advice to ensure correct tax form completion.
- Calculate form preparation fees according to return complexity and processing time required.
- Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems, and personal computers.
- Maintain and update filing, inventory, mailing, and database systems, either manually or using a computer.
- Complete work schedules, manage calendars, and arrange appointments.
Education
High school diploma -
John Ehret High School
Marrero, LA01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UTBachelor of Science - Accounting
Delgado Community College
New OrleansSkills
- Power BI
- Microsoft Excel
- Kronos
- Teams
- Microsoft Word
- Outlook
- Oracle HCM
- ADP Workforce
- QuickBooks proficient
Websites
Languages
- Spanish, Fluent
- English, Fluent
Timeline
Payroll/Accounting Specialist
Zachry Group
12.2021 - 10.2025
Operations Coordinator
Hutco Inc.
11.2016 - 12.2021
Senior Tax Preparer
RVS Solutions
01.2016 - 04.2020
High school diploma -
John Ehret High School
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Western Governors University
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Delgado Community College