MICHAEL A. SCHERER
Geneseo,IL
Summary
Results-driven Finance Professional with Diverse Expertise Dedicated financial professional with a robust educational background and a proven track record in various financial roles. Leveraging a master’s degree in accountancy, a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Business Analytics, and an MBA, I have consistently delivered exceptional results across different domains. Adept at driving efficiency through meticulous analysis, leveraging advanced technical skills, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Teaching Support Assistant
Western Illinois University
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Tutored undergraduate students for accounting and finance classes.
- Facilitating classroom requirements for CODEC and ZOOM accounting classes.
- Proctored exams and provided additional teacher support as needed.
Accounting Intern
Caterpillar Innovation and Technology Division
08.2017 - 12.2017
- Team leader for group project on block chain technology presented to senior managers.
- Executed daily plant machine hours reconciliation and plant operations spend reports.
- Assembled and submitted multiple monthly journal entries.
- Delivered multiple reconciliations for accountable and legal entity.
- Provided reconciliation and reporting support to the inventory accountant during month end closing process.
- Developed one-page instructions and PowerPoints on broken controls for the internal auditor.
Accounting Intern
Caterpillar Branded Engines and Components
01.2015 - 05.2015
- Undertook Manufacturing Plant Asset Audit.
- Analyzed and adjusted agency employee time for payroll.
- Administered multiple reports for operations support.
- Examined and improved functionality of pilot expense tracker and R&E forecasting tool in Excel.
Truck Driver
BP Transportation LLC
04.2011 - 08.2011
- Operated 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer combination.
- Conducted and documented safety checks, processed documentation and maintained DOT compliance records.
- Licensed to operate tankers, double and triple trailer combinations and transport hazardous materials.
Company Owner and Operator
Otto James Transport LLC
04.2007 - 12.2010
- Owned and operated small trucking company maintaining DOT and FMCSA compliance records.
- Performed safety checks, managed maintenance schedule, and repaired equipment as necessary.
- Carried out contract negotiations, customer billing, receivables, and collections.
Military Contractor Senior Accountant
Service Employees International Inc. - KBR
06.2004 - 06.2006
- Managed moderate accounting activities, distributed cash payments, and served as site Accounting Manager.
- Completed weekly and monthly reconciliations, cash audits and audited each employee’s account when departing the site.
- Trained and mentored three new accountants on all aspects of their position before taking over their own job site.
- Presided over SAP accounting module, SAP timekeeping module, Excel and SOX compliance.
- Served as special purpose cash account custodian with cash balances of up to one million dollars.
- Promoted Associate Accountant / Timekeeper to Associate Accountant to Accountant and to Senior Accountant.
Logistics specialist
02.2004 - 06.2004
- Worked in the Movement Control Team - Arrival/ Departure Airfield Control Group (A/DACG).
- Managed documentation, preparation, and delivery of Army air shipments.
- Composed Material safety data for transport of hazardous materials.
- Trained replacement before departure when promoted to Associate Accountant/Timekeeper.
Education
Master of Accountancy -
Western Illinois University
07.2018
Bachelor of Business in Accountancy - Finance Minor
Western Illinois University
12.2015
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East China Normal University
12.2013
Skills
Accounting
Documentation and control
Confidentiality and data protection
Documentation and recordkeeping
Analytical thinking
Account software application
Awards
Phi Beta Delta International Scholars Honor Society Membership Selection Committee 1 semester, Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Fraternity Quad Cities Treasurer 2 semesters, Sigma Iota Epsilon Management Honor Fraternity, member, IMA Institute of Management Accountants Member and scholarship recipient, Illinois CPA Society Student member, WIU Dean’s List Lambda Chi Alpha Social Fraternity Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW, Caterpillar Foundation Scholarship to study abroad in China $15,250 - Fall 2013, Fallen Soldiers Scholarship $500- Fall 2015 $500- Spring 2015
MILITARY EXPERIENCE
- U.S. Army Sargent E-5 Unit Supply Specialist
- U.S. Army Reserve Duty – Battalion staff S-4 January 1989 to January 1993
- Deployed - Active duty, Persian Gulf War - Saudi Arabia and Kuwait October 1990 to June 1991
- Maintained supply records, processed requests, transported materials and secured supply for unit.
- Led and conducted entire change of command inventory of property book for company level unit.
- Supervised soldiers and provided training as assigned.
- Secret Clearance
- U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal E-3 Combat Engineer
- Boot-Camp and Combat Engineer School & Active Reserve duty. February 1983 to September 1984
- Active duty, Camp Pendleton California & WESTPAC Sea Service Deployment. October 1984 to October 1987
- Combat engineer in company level unit. (11 months)
- Conducted annual 2-week weapons recertification course for all Marines in the battalion. (16 months)
- Served on U.S.S. Ogden – Marine detachment – Western Pacific tour of duty. (6 months)
- Watched over Battalion S1 Administrative Records Section during the final 3 months of active duty.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- State Licensed Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser January 1998 to September 2005
- State Licensed Real Estate Broker May 2000 to April 2005
- State Licensed Real Estate Salesperson March 1993 to May 2000
Timeline
Graduate Teaching Support Assistant
Western Illinois University
01.2018 - 05.2018
Accounting Intern
Caterpillar Innovation and Technology Division
08.2017 - 12.2017
Accounting Intern
Caterpillar Branded Engines and Components
01.2015 - 05.2015
Truck Driver
BP Transportation LLC
04.2011 - 08.2011
Company Owner and Operator
Otto James Transport LLC
04.2007 - 12.2010
Military Contractor Senior Accountant
Service Employees International Inc. - KBR
06.2004 - 06.2006
Logistics specialist
02.2004 - 06.2004
Bachelor of Business in Accountancy - Finance Minor
Western Illinois University
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East China Normal University
Master of Accountancy -
Western Illinois University