Monica Ward, MBA
Bronx,NY
Summary
Administrative and Office Management experience working with CEO and CFOs. 15 Years’ experience delivering superior customer service and administrative tasks with little or no supervision. 25 Years’ experience with income tax preparation and managing tax offices. Supervising a staff of 10 or more while setting and maintaining office goals and objectives. Dedicated Higher Education Professional and Advocate with over 10 years of experience in student recruitment, program development, and academic mentoring. Proven track record in navigating the college admissions landscape, building strategic partnerships with community leaders, and driving enrollment initiatives for diverse student populations.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Black Collegiate Girls Inc
Bronx, NY
01.2012 - Current
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance programs supporting collegiate girls' empowerment and leadership development.
- Directed organizational operations, ensuring alignment with mission and vision of Black Collegiate Girls Inc.
- Developed partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations to expand outreach and support services.
- Oversaw budgeting and resource allocation, enhancing financial sustainability and program effectiveness.
- Lead initiatives to prepare high school juniors and seniors for the admissions process including personal statement development and college selection strategy.
- Managed organizational budgets and fundraising campaigns to provide resources for first-generation college-bound students.
- Developed and maintained strategic alliances with board members and philanthropic leaders to increase organizational visibility.
- Authored and presented funding proposals to secure resources for community-based educational programming.
- Mercy University council member and former student Keynote speaker at events for Alumni and current students.
CEO
My Crazy Tax World
Bronx, NY
12.2001 - 04.2026
- Tax Planning and preparation of individual and small business clients. Complex federal and state tax research related to various tax matters. Providing payroll and bookkeeping services to small business clients. Represent clients before taxing authorities with regard to a variety of business and individual tax notices and audits. Completing and submitting paperwork in formation of LLC. Preparing IRS forms for tax exempt status.
- Directed client consultations to identify tax needs and optimize filing strategies.
- Analyzed complex financial data to provide tailored tax solutions for diverse clientele.
- Established strong relationships with clients, fostering trust and satisfaction through personalized service.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
- Advised small business CEOs and community leaders on workforce development and educational alignment.
- Delivered educational seminars at community pop-up events, translating complex tax code into actionable advice for small business owners and freelancers
- Facilitated the successful federal and state tax-exempt filings (Form 1023) for burgeoning nonprofit organizations
Tax Preparer / Assistant Manager / Auditor
Liberty Tax
New York, NY
01.2016 - 04.2022
- Prepared Federal and State income tax returns for individuals and small businesses. Solicited bank products to clients, printed and tracked all refund checks for clients. Supervised tax preparer staff with the distribution of refund checks and collection of payment. Interviewing and hiring of all clerical staff. Completing after tax season audits for compliance with IRS and Liberty Tax standards.
- Assisted in preparing individual and business tax returns, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Maintained organized records of client information to enhance data accuracy and retrieval efficiency.
- Reviewed tax forms for completeness, identifying discrepancies to ensure precise filings.
- Utilized tax software tools to assist in data entry and analysis, enhancing workflow productivity.
- Supported clients in gathering relevant financial information, enabling accurate tax return filings.
- Reduced errors by double-checking calculations and cross-referencing input data against source documents.
- Developed a comprehensive understanding of various forms, schedules, and filing requirements as part of ongoing professional development efforts within the role of Tax Preparer Assistant.
- Communicated with clients regarding tax situations, providing guidance on financial decisions.
- Researched tax implications for various deductions and credits.
- Directed team performance evaluations, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
Office Assistant, Jewelry Counter, Front End Cashier
TJ MAXX
New York, NY
09.2015 - 01.2016
- Assisting Store General Manager with applications for seasonal work, scheduling interviews, checking applicants’ references. Inputting weekly schedules for employees, along with requests for time off.
- Assisting new employees with assessment testing, and training.
- Auditing incoming jewelry and assisting with night audits in jewelry department.
- Managed scheduling and calendar appointments for management team, optimizing time management.
- Processed customer transactions accurately, improving overall checkout efficiency and satisfaction.
- Trained new employees on operational procedures, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Maintained confidentiality in handling sensitive information while performing administrative tasks.
- Enhanced office efficiency by managing schedules, organizing files, and maintaining a clean workspace.
- Expedited document processing with accurate data entry and timely filing.
- Strengthened office organization by implementing new filing systems and digital record-keeping practices.
- Managed incoming and outgoing correspondence, ensuring prompt and accurate delivery of information.
- Enhanced staff communication, creating comprehensive internal directory with contact information and areas of expertise.
- Assisted in staff training, increasing overall team efficiency and productivity in the retail environment.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Office Manager
Woodlark Equity Group, Hedge Fund
White Plains, NY
10.2005 - 09.2006
- Coordinating travel arrangements, and phone conferences for the CFO and CEO. Met and greeted high net-worth clients for conferences and business meetings.
- Maintain vendor accounts payable. Inputting quarterly and monthly journal entries in QuickBooks. Completed travel and expense reports for CFO and CEO in excel.
- Maintain payrolls for all entities under ADP Payroll system. Facilitate all personnel changes to entities.
- Setting up Limited Liability partnership paperwork and all state required documents.
- Interface with property managers of all entities on monthly cash flow.
- Communicating with insurance brokers and carriers for all entities and employees.
- Working closely with accountants for all entities quarterly reports of profit and loss. Making bank deposits.
- Tracking wire transfers.
- Property management and banking for all properties out of state.
- Administering distribution checks to investors on a quarterly basis. Supervising temporary staff.
- Developed and implemented office policies that improved compliance and operational consistency.
- Trained new staff on administrative processes, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Led initiatives to digitize records management, increasing data accessibility and security.
- Provided exceptional customer service when addressing client inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email correspondence.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Mercy University
Bronx, NY01.2018
B.S. - Management Accounting
Mercy University
Bronx, NY01.1995
A.A.S. - Business Administration
Iona University
Yonkers, NY01.1993
Skills
- Microsoft Office, QuickBooks
- Drake, Taxwise
- TurboTax , Google Docs Type 65wpm
- Budgeting and financial management
- Public speaking
- Program leadership
- Compliance and regulations
Timeline
Tax Preparer / Assistant Manager / Auditor
Liberty Tax
01.2016 - 04.2022
Office Assistant, Jewelry Counter, Front End Cashier
TJ MAXX
09.2015 - 01.2016
Executive Director
Black Collegiate Girls Inc
01.2012 - Current
Office Manager
Woodlark Equity Group, Hedge Fund
10.2005 - 09.2006
CEO
My Crazy Tax World
12.2001 - 04.2026
B.S. - Management Accounting
Mercy University
A.A.S. - Business Administration
Iona University
MBA - Marketing
Mercy University