Michelle Wilhoit

• Direct finance operations, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and banking operations.
• Payroll comprises timekeeping, payroll processing, payment distribution, and administration of benefits and deductions.
• Accounts Payable includes invoice processing, vendor payments, expense account identification for GL posting, as well as timely and accurate disbursements.
• Accounts Receivable (non-gas customer accounts receivable) encompasses invoicing and payment receipt for broken line repairs, CNG pump gas sales, Dollywood Trolley billing, and miscellaneous parts sales; it monitors outstanding invoices and ensures timely collections.
• Oversee daily cash management across 13 bank accounts, and implement process improvements that reduce reconciliation errors and improve reporting accuracy.
• Trained and mentored accounting staff to take over the cash reconciliations, offering ongoing support, and ensuring accuracy.
• Reduced the accounting cycle for the HomeStore from 3 to 4 days to 1 day by redesigning reconciliation and journal entry procedures.
• File federal and state tax returns (payroll, unemployment, sales, and CNG excise/dealer taxes) while maintaining full compliance with regulatory deadlines.
• Coordinate external audits by ensuring timely preparation, compilation and delivery of all required schedules and documents.
• Direct preparation of annual budgets, delegating account analysis and variance reporting to staff; enhanced forecasting accuracy by aligning budgets with historical and current data.
• Managed customer billing operations for 7 years, overseeing utility customer invoicing, payment application, adjustments, and reconciliations, before the function transitioned to another department.
• Assisted with ensuring that financial and related accounting systems are established and operating in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Prepare and file annual unclaimed property reports in compliance with state regulations.
• Executed Interim VP of Finance responsibilities, including setting utility billing and CNG pump rates, preparing financial statements for Board presentations, approving purchase orders, and managing liquidity.

• Prepared internal cash flow statements for an $11B utility, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting.
• Supported preparation of annual 10-K and quarterly 10-Q filings in compliance with SEC requirements.
• Created monthly reporting packages with charts, variance analysis, and forecasting; presented insights to senior leadership to support strategic initiatives.
• Partnered with management to identify performance trends and guide financial decision making.

Worked as an independent contractor in flexible, short-term accounting roles before transitioning into full-time positions.

• Supporting corporate accounting teams with month-end close and reconciliations
• Assisting with accounts payable, payroll processing, and general ledger maintenance.
• Preparing financial schedules, reports, and supporting documentation for auditors.
• Contributing to special projects, such as system implementations, reporting improvements, and budget preparation.

• Drafted financial statements for non-profits and municipalities, including Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement.
• Prepared tax returns for individuals, partnerships, and corporations, ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Generated quarterly employment tax returns to meet filing deadlines.
• Audited client transactions to verify accuracy of account balances.
• Analyzed financial statements to ensure adequate disclosure and adherence to standards.