Nichelle Howell

• Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
• Conducted thorough reviews of business expense reports to ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with staff members to resolve issues and discrepancies in expense submissions.
• Provided excellent service and attention to staff members when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
• Reviewed and analyzed expense reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policy.
• Updated and maintained databases with current information.
• Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for expense management.
• Developed a corporate expense policy to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Created detailed guidelines for expense submission to streamline processes and enhance accuracy.
• Developed and conducted new hire orientation focused on expense management and corporate card usage.
• Educated and trained staff members on expense submission procedures and processes within the Vantagepoint system.
• Ensured compliance with legal requirements pertaining to project accounting practices.
• Participated in special projects as needed by senior management team.
• Provided support to internal departments on expense related inquiries.

• Increased revenue by skillfully upselling and closing customer sales and driving product benefits around client needs.
• Described merchandise and explained use, operation and care.
• Watched for and recognized security risks and thefts to prevent or handle situations.
• Opened and closed cash registers by counting money, separating charge slips and balancing drawers.
• Managed daily bookkeeping functions with attention to accounts receivable, accounts payable, banking reconciliation and disbursements.
• Sorted documents, matching supporting invoices to procurement documents and verifying invoices for payment.
• Communicated with vendors and clients to facilitate timely payments and reduce outstanding accounts receivable.
• Reduced financial discrepancies by accurately managing accounting documentation.
• Performed floor moves, merchandising, display maintenance and housekeeping to keep sales areas well-stocked, organized and current.
• Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
• Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
• Assisted customers with making payments or establishing payment plans to bring accounts current.
• Escalated customer concerns, issues and requirements to supervisors for immediate rectification.
• Developed strong customer relationships to encourage repeat business.

• Assessed, optimized and elevated operations to target current and expected demands.
• Determined performance goals for departmental employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
• Supported shrinkage and safety awareness, reviewed sales and inventory data, identified trends and prepared reports for management.
• Supervised two full-time and three to four part-time employees.
• Employed process improvement initiatives within department.
• Collaborated with staff to maximize customer satisfaction, streamline procedures and improve bottom-line profitability.
• Treated associates with fairness and respect, providing recognition of accomplishments.
• Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
• Coached, trained and mentored new team members and manager trainees.
• Monitored supplier operations to verify quality, delivery schedule and conformance to contract specifications.
• Streamlined ordering and Inventory procedures to identify top sellers and reduce over-stock.
• Performed opening and closing duties as part of management team, including cash management.
• Balanced workloads to meet targets without overtaxing employees.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills in resolving product and consumer complaints.
• Cultivated culture of empowerment to help employees better meet customer needs with minimal oversight.
• Connected with customers to provide assistance and collect feedback to optimize operations.
• Delegated tasks appropriate to individual employees to provide development opportunities.
• Addressed employee issues and conflicts to provide input, feedback and coaching.
• Maintained inventory accuracy by counting stock-on-hand and reconciling discrepancies.
• Maintained high merchandising standards by building attractive displays and monitoring inventory levels.
• Managed inventory and stock levels in coordination with purchasing and receiving department.
• Organized and updated schedules to optimize coverage for expected customer demands.
• Taught junior employees proactive strategies to meet operational and sales goals.
• Responded to safety and loss prevention incidents.
• Organized in-store promotional events.
• Monitored sales performance through analysis of sales reports and comparison shopping.
• Initiated service consultations by asking customers open-ended questions to learn personal preferences and needs.
• Recommended improvements to store procedures.
  

I successfully started and ran my own wedding/family photography business for just under five years. This involved:

• Scheduling clients
• Client intake
• Contract creation
• Invoicing
• 12-15 months of relationship management before the event and about 1-2 months after. Many times these relationships resulted in my clients choosing to have me photograph their other major life events.
• 12-16 hours of shooting on the day of the event.
• Making sure things ran smoothly and on time on the day of the event. This meant not only making sure I was able to my job to the best of my ability, but I also had to help the DJ, caterers, videographer and other vendors onsite to make sure we all were on the same page and were able to execute our jobs harmoniously.
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Web page design and management
• Photo editing
• Sales
• Talent acquisition
• Promoted business on social media platforms to maximize brand identity and generate revenue.
• Identified client and operational needs and introduced services to provide solutions.