Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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Michelle R. Watkins

Glenpool,OK

Summary

Driven professional with over 15 years of both public and private accounting and financial reporting experience. Proven track record of building a team from the ground up and leading the team to provide results in a collaborative, inclusive manner. Adept at managing concurrent objectives to promote efficiency and influence positive outcomes. Strategic problem solver and change manager.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

Accounting Manager and Controller

OPPORTUNE
Tulsa, OK
10.2022 - Current
  • Research complex accounting issues and provide solutions to management teams.
  • Coordinate external audits and provide information to tax preparers for all assigned clients.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for multiple clients.
  • Manage a team of eleven accountants to ensure accuracy of all financial transactions.
  • Reconcile complex accounts and resolve discrepancies to maintain accurate financial records.
  • Maintain regular client interaction by serving as the primary contact for assigned clients.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor accounting staff, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
  • Maintain regular performance appraisals for subordinates through verbal, written and on-going review programs.

Vice President of Accounting and Controller

CHISHOLM OIL AND GAS, LLC/ZENERGY, INC.
Tulsa, OK
08.2009 - 10.2022
  • Provided guidance and leadership to as many as 20 employees.
  • Supervised accounting and financial functions for approximately 20 legal entities; worked with Chief Financial Officer to complete all financial reporting requirements.
  • Performed various treasury functions including initiation and approval of wire transfers, development of spreadsheet to monitor and analyze cash inflows and outflows, and answering questions regarding working capital.
  • Submitted financial statements and ad hoc reports to investors, including major private equity firms.
  • Facilitated and completed annual financial statement audits and reviewed results.
  • Created internal controls and corrective actions to reduce risk of deficiencies.
  • Participated in selecting and implementing new accounting software, including setup and training.
  • Promoted from Controller - Partnership Accounting to Controller in 2011.
  • Promoted to Vice President of Accounting and Controller in April 2019.

Chief Financial Officer

ASSOCIATED RESOURCES, INC.
Tulsa, OK
10.2007 - 08.2009
  • Lead team of up to 22 people to perform a variety of accounting functions for oil and gas companies, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash, revenue, joint interest billing and financial reporting.
  • Interacted with clients to ensure needs were understood and expectations were met.
  • Worked with external accountants on behalf of clients to provide necessary information for tax preparation and audits.
  • Communicated with accounting software support personnel to resolve processing errors.
  • Set up new companies in accounting software.
  • Trained and motivated team members.
  • Promoted from Accounting Supervisor to Accounting Manager in February 2009.
  • Promoted to Chief Financial Officer in May 2009.

Senior Corporate Reporting Analyst

IBM
TULSA, OK
06.2006 - 10.2007
  • Analyzed the financial information for multiple British Petroleum companies to ensure accurate reporting.
  • Ensured financial information was presented in accordance with both International Financial Reporting Standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  • Prepared external audit schedules and explained variances in account balances.
  • Prepared and reviewed account reconciliations.

Senior Accountant

TEREX | O&K USA
TULSA, OK
01.2006 - 05.2006
  • Prepared and submitted financial statements and supplemental information to TEREX Corporate on a monthly basis.
  • Performed all accounts receivable functions, including assessing credit risk of potential customers and establishing credit terms, reviewing and processing credit memos, and reviewing aging and contacting customers regarding past due balances.
  • Performed all accounts payable functions, including establishing new vendors and processing and paying invoices.
  • Analyzed trial balance and made adjusting journal entries, as necessary.

Senior Financial Analyst

AMERICAN AIRLINES
TULSA, OK
10.1998 - 01.2006
  • Reconciled general ledger accounts, including payroll, disbursements, fuel, cash and unearned revenue accounts.
  • Lead cash accounting group of five people, including monitoring performance levels to ensure compliance with contractual requirements of Canadian Airlines.
  • Performed key role in implementing SOX procedures, including documenting internal controls and coordinating testing by internal and external auditors.
  • Prepared balance sheet variance explanations for monthly review with Managing Director and quarterly review with CFO and Controller.
  • Coordinated external audits.
  • Consolidated monthly budget-to-actual explanations from various departments and presented results to Manager and Managing Director.
  • Promoted from Account Analyst to Cash Lead Analyst in September 1999.
  • Promoted to Senior Financial Analyst in November 2000.

In-Charge Auditor

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
TULSA, OK
08.1996 - 10.1998
  • Performed audit work on all areas of the financial statements.
  • Planned, performed and completed audit engagements.
  • Supervised personnel in the field and reviewed the work of staff on engagements.
  • Drafted financial statements.
  • Gained experience in numerous industries including manufacturing, financial institutions, health care and not-for-profit.
  • Promoted from Staff Auditor to Experienced Staff Auditor in 1997.
  • Promoted to In-Charge Auditor in 1998.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

THE UNIVERSITY of TULSA
TULSA, OK

Skills

  • Proficiency in Enertia and Microsoft Excel
  • Adaptability
  • Critical Thinking
  • Leadership
  • Time Management
  • Decision-Making

Accomplishments

  • Established and managed the Tulsa team for Opportune's outsourcing division.
  • Certified Public Accountant, State of Oklahoma
  • Led accounting team through merger (Chisholm remained as surviving entity) where $300 million of net assets were acquired.
  • Managed relationships and interactions with two external audit teams (Ernst & Young and Grant Thornton) and three external tax teams (Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton and Deloitte) for various entities during the same period of time
  • Led accounting team successfully through a reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, from the initial filing through emergence and from preparing the financial statements and disclosures to receiving an unqualified opinion from the external auditors.
  • Added six employees to the accounting team to scale up for fast-paced, private equity-backed partnership.

Timeline

Accounting Manager and Controller

OPPORTUNE
10.2022 - Current

Vice President of Accounting and Controller

CHISHOLM OIL AND GAS, LLC/ZENERGY, INC.
08.2009 - 10.2022

Chief Financial Officer

ASSOCIATED RESOURCES, INC.
10.2007 - 08.2009

Senior Corporate Reporting Analyst

IBM
06.2006 - 10.2007

Senior Accountant

TEREX | O&K USA
01.2006 - 05.2006

Senior Financial Analyst

AMERICAN AIRLINES
10.1998 - 01.2006

In-Charge Auditor

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
08.1996 - 10.1998

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

THE UNIVERSITY of TULSA

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Michelle R. Watkins