MICHAEL WAITATHU
Maineville,OH
Summary
Senior Accountant with over 10 years' track record of handling critical assignments. Successful at cultivating effective working relationships at all levels while driving improvements to financial reporting processes. Proven track record of performing work ethically while maintaining integrity of all financial data. Reputation for resolving problems and improving stakeholder satisfaction.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Staff Accountant
Graphel Corporation
West Chester, OH
03.2024 - Current
- Reduced discrepancies in account balances by thoroughly reviewing and reconciling general ledger accounts on a monthly basis.
- Developed customized financial reports tailored to specific stakeholder needs, enabling efficient decision-making processes at all levels of the organization.
- Reviewed documents and accounts for discrepancies and resolved variances.
- Continuously improved accounting skills through regular professional development opportunities, staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
- Updated general ledger with latest entries.
- Prepared monthly journal entries and reconciliations.
- Reconciled accounts and created documents for monthly closure procedures.
- Contributed to hiring, training and development of accounting teams.
- Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
- Tracked funds, prepared deposits and reconciled accounts.
- Maintained integrity of general ledger and chart of accounts.
- Diminished outstanding debts by analyzing accounts for issues.
Senior Staff Accountant
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
12.2018 - Current
- Reconciles balance sheet accounts on monthly basis
- Sets up new accounts, creates and posts journal entries, and monitor accounting activity in the general ledger
- Uploads, processes, and balances interdepartmental charges
- Prepares and distributes internal and external financial reports and surveys
- Trains accounting staff, assigns and reviews work
- Participates in new hire interviews and evaluations
- Manages monthly closing process for all financial offices including Banner general ledger
- Participates in annual year-end closing processes for all financial offices including Banner general ledger year-end closing process, year-end calendar, reconciliations, scoresheets, journal entry processing, and financial workpaper preparation.
- Works with external auditors to manage annual Paper Science and Engineering Foundation's audit processes
- Prepares audit schedules and responds to audit requests for additional information and explanations
- Pursues and resolves any audit findings and management comments. Prepares management discussion and analysis, financial statements, and footnotes for Annual Report
- Prepare or review financial schedules and exhibits for Paper Science's annual internal financial report
- Coordinates production of Annual Report and internal financial report
- Assures compliance with GAAP and GASB standards
- Reviews and implements new GASB pronouncements
- Continually challenges current operations and identifies areas requiring process improvements
- Trained in annual year-end closing process for Paper Science and Engineering Foundation including Banner general ledger year-end closing process, year-end calendar, reconciliations, scoresheets, journal entry processing, budget carryforward processing, and financial workpaper preparation
- Trained in year-end roll forward process for Paper Science general ledger accounts and encumbrances
Accounts Payable Analyst
Robert Half Finance & Accounting
Cincinnati, OH
04.2017 - 12.2018
- Developed in-depth knowledge of University's policies and procedures for payments
- Modeled and analyzed exsisting payments policies, and procedures and developed solutions for improvements
- Wrote, updated and published user policies, documentation and training material
- Linked University payments policies to federal and state regulations that govern Accountable Plans
- Conducted best practices and benchmarking research for payables in Higher Education Services
- Served as subject matter expert and key end-user contact for questions regarding payments policies and procedures
- Collaborated with senior management to make sure that project met goals and expectations
- Reviewed and approved invoices and check requests in Jaggaer/Sciquest e-workflow system
Accounting Assistant
Dealers Supply North
Lockbourne, OH
11.2008 - 02.2017
- Reconciled Subsidiary ledger Accounts including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cash and Inventory Accounts
- Reviewed vendor pricing bulletins and recommended updates for Company\'s master price list
- Conducted month-end closing procedures including review of accounts, variance analysis to ensure completeness and accuracy of accounting transactions
- Prepared journal entries for accrued expenses and prepayments
- Assigned general ledger codes to expenses according to expense type and company location
- Processed at least 500 invoices weekly into AS400 accounting system
- Ran sales reports and maintained 100% accuracy in calculating discounts, interests and commissions
- Utilized database queries to create custom reports for management
- Successfully implemented new technologies and process automation to encourage continuous improvement
- Facilitated successful internal and external audits through sound and thorough documentation
- Reconciled vendor statements and handled payment discrepancies
- Created daily and weekly cash reports for accounting management
- Reviewed all travel expense reports for accuracy and proper expense disclosure and documentation
Inventory Payment Coordinator
Genuine Parts Company
Duluth, GA
12.2004 - 05.2008
- Managed high volume of daily invoices that were imported into JD Edwards System
- Trained, coached, motivated, set goals, and evaluated performance and work assignments
- Reconciled accounts and prepared correcting journal entries
- Researched and resolved invoice and purchase order discrepancies to ensure on-time payments to vendors
- Responsible for processing AP Month-End Close, including analysis of unaccounted transactions, accrual entries, purchasing close along with goods received not invoiced (GRNI) accrual and reconciliation
- Developed and implemented process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy of invoice processing, this included automation project initiatives, testing new functionality and supporting system upgrades
- Reviewed and recommended changes in controls, policies, procedures, and systems to provide efficient and cost effective managed areas of travel, cash disbursements, expense reports and record retention
Accounts Payable Coordinator
DuPont Flooring Systems
Kennesaw, GA
08.2001 - 02.2004
- Processed invoices using AS400 using 3-Way match method
- Reviewed vendor statements to assure that accounts are in good standing
- Researched and resolved invoices with discrepancies
- Worked closely with purchasing agents to resolve receiving and purchase order issues
- Cross trained with Staff Accountants on general ledger reconciliations
- Trained new and temporary associates on Accounts Payable procedures
Education
Master of Science - Accounting
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, GA2003
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Florida A & M University
Tallahassee, FL2000
Skills
- Month end close
- Preparing financial statements
- General ledger accounting
- General ledger management
- Accounts receivable management
- Cash flow management
- AP/AR invoicing
- Intercompany transactions
- GAAP
- Cost accounting
- Variance analysis
- Accounts payable management
- Financial statement review
- Month-end and year-end closings
- Non-profit accounting
Temporary Work Experience
Accountemps, Cincinnati, OH
Accounts Payable Analyst at WorkHorse Inc, March 2017 to April 2017
Ajilon Finance, Columbus, OH
Staff Accountant at Education Council, July 2008 to November 2008
Acsys Financial, Atlanta, GA
Staff Accountant at ADP, April 2007 to December 2004
Timeline
Senior Staff Accountant
Graphel Corporation
03.2024 - Current
Senior Staff Accountant
Miami University
12.2018 - Current
Accounts Payable Analyst
Robert Half Finance & Accounting
04.2017 - 12.2018
Accounting Assistant
Dealers Supply North
11.2008 - 02.2017
Inventory Payment Coordinator
Genuine Parts Company
12.2004 - 05.2008
Accounts Payable Coordinator
DuPont Flooring Systems
08.2001 - 02.2004
Master of Science - Accounting
Kennesaw State University
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Florida A & M University