Michelle Townsend
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
Hardworking Senior Accountant proficient in providing cost-effective and accurate accounting oversight in the healthcare industry. Exceptionally talented at preparing financial statements, reconciling transactions and assisting with internal and external audits. Enterprising, cost-driven and well-organized with good project management skills. Sophisticated understanding of account and procedures.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Investment Accountant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA
09.2015 - Current
- Evaluated current holdings against benchmarks established by the company's Investment Committee.
- Reviewed and analyzed financial statements to detect irregularities, errors, or omissions.
- Initiate and process all HMO, Southern National Life, and Foundation monthly investment journal entries. Also, assisted with LHSIC as well.
- Prepare all monthly accruals for investment related accounts.
- Prepare monthly realized gain/loss analysis. Also, prepare the a monthly income analysis and various other analysis for for all for 4 lines of business.
- Reconcile the bank trust statements to our investment activity to our ledger balances.
- Prepare all quarterly and annual financial statements for investments in both the blue and orange book. Not limited to the following schedules within the books. Exhibit of net investment income, Exhibit of capital gains and losses, all financial notes pertaining to investments, general interrogatories for the investment piece, responsible for the summary investment schedule, responsible for all schedules pertaining to BA's, all parts of schedule D, E, Cash Equivalents, DA, and all verification between years.
- Prepare the 1061C quarterly and annually to ensure the Louisiana tax credit is received.
- Prepare all statutory and tax requests needed for both quarterly and annually.
- Lead in all external, internal, and MAR audit requests.
- Played a key role with the implementation of the new investment software.
- Prepared all policies and procedures for the investment team.
- Key lead in training all new employees and any employee transitioning into another role.
- Reviewed and approved all entries prepared by all accountant II or miscellaneous staff accountants.
- Mentor and assist accounting staff with various issues that arise.
Accountant II
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA
09.2014 - Current
- Prepared monthly and year-end closing statements, financial documents and invoices.
- Managed accounts receivable and payable, reconciled bank statements, and prepared financial reports.
- Created journal entries accurately and timely for month end close processes.
- Prepared pre-allocation and post allocation analysis.
- Maintain and distribute the Summary Margin Analysis.
- Proactive in ensuring variances for monthly cash reconciliations that are submitted to responsible departments and resolved issues within the current quarter.
- Maintained and processed the unclaimed property.
- Prepared both state and federal tax returns quarterly.
- Prepared the third party billing and W's.
- Played a key roll on a project moving RIMS to Facets.
- Responsible for accurate reporting of interunit transactions between all lines of business.
- Assisted with all internal, external, and MAR audit requests.
Staff Accountant
Edgen Murray
Baton Roug, LA
05.2010 - 09.2014
- Prepared monthly account reconciliations for bank accounts, credit cards, and other balance sheet accounts.
- Reviewed and reconciled discrepancies in accounts and financial documentation.
- Compiled and prepared journal entries to ensure accurate general ledger records.
- Managed accounts receivable activities such as invoicing customers, applying payments received, monitoring customer balances.
- Reconciled intercompany accounts on a monthly basis.
- Reconciled company bank statements and bookkeeping ledgers.
- Generated financial reports for management review including income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement.
- Participated in special projects as needed.
- Participated in the foreign currency management related to cash flow and earnings activity.
- Maximized the external credit borrowings and interest costs.
- Reconciled the cash position to maximize the utilization of cash on hand.
- Processed foreign exchange hedging contracts to secure project margins as well as provide foreign currency liquidity for global operations. This was done to achieve and ensure long term growth of the company.
- Assisted in the compliance management for debt and trade finance for loan agreements.
- Bank account and relationship management.
- Prepared variance analysis for expenses.
- Assisted in yearly audit.
- Able to consistently meet firm deadlines and work as part of a team with various members and departments.
Credit and Collections Specialist III
Edgen Murray
Baton Rouge, LA
05.2010 - 11.2011
- Participated in ongoing training and compliance activities.
- Processed all orders on hold, check the payment history of customer to determine if the order is to be released; this ensures their credit worthiness.
- Processed all foreign credit insurance applications and monthly foreign credit report.
- Analyzed potential customers and current customer's financial statements and background information found.
- Update the tax system to ensure the correct tax code for each city, state, and country.
- Utilized and initiated training among my team members when needed.
- Responsible for running various throughout the month to ensure productivity and quality is met.
Accounting Clerk
Notoco Industries L.L.C
Baton Rouge, LA
11.2004 - 04.2010
- Processed invoices, payments, and statements in a timely manner.
- Processed both outgoing and incoming payments and invoices.
- Resolved customer inquiries regarding bills and payments.
- Supported clerical and administrative needs of senior department staff.
- Verified accuracy of vendor invoices against purchase orders before entering into system for payment processing.
- Reconciled company credit cards, expense accounts and other expenses and financial records.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA05-2008
Skills
- Computer Experience - Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access), Peoplesoft Accounting System, Oracle, ERP Financials, FIS Investment Systems, QuickBooks Pro, Netscape, and Clearwater Analytics
- Financial analysis, account reconciliations, software proficiency, analytical, attention to detail, accuracy, verbal and written communication, collaboration
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Investment Accountant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
09.2015 - Current
Accountant II
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
09.2014 - Current
Staff Accountant
Edgen Murray
05.2010 - 09.2014
Credit and Collections Specialist III
Edgen Murray
05.2010 - 11.2011
Accounting Clerk
Notoco Industries L.L.C
11.2004 - 04.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Marketing
Southeastern Louisiana University