Nick Hughes
Chicago,IL
Summary
Accomplished Investigator with a background in regulatory compliance and financial analysis, notably with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service. Proven expertise in compliance auditing, investigative analysis, and small business taxation. Demonstrated leadership in coordinating complex investigations and crafting effective compliance solutions.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Investigator
U.S. Department of Labor - Employee Benefits Security Administration
Chicago, United States
05.2023 - Current
- Audit financial institutions and employer-sponsored benefit plans, including retirement plans and healthcare plans, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Responsible for addressing fiduciary violations outlined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), including misuse of plan assets, self-dealing, inadequate investment oversight, and prohibited transactions.
- Collaborate with the solicitor's office, district attorneys, and other regulatory agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to ensure comprehensive regulatory compliance.
- Conduct extensive interviews of relevant parties, negotiate compliance resolutions with legal counsel, and document findings in Reports of Interview.
- Research law enforcement databases and analyze large data sets to support civil and criminal case preparation.
- Analyze plan documents, Form 5500, ADV filings, plan investments, payroll summaries, trust reports, and other financial records to prepare detailed Reports of Investigation.
- Identify and track the flow of money in various accounting systems to recover participant funds.
- Prepare for litigation by organizing and analyzing case files, evidence, legal documents, and calculations of lost opportunity cost.
- Assisted in the criminal case of United States v. Matthew Browndorf by tracking and identifying embezzled healthcare and pension funds.
Revenue Officer
Internal Revenue Service
Downers Grove, United States
01.2022 - 05.2023
- Researched and administered tax law to resolve tax delinquencies and debts with corporate executives, attorneys, and certified public accountants.
- Conducted field investigations to verify tax information, and researched internal databases and public records to substantiate findings.
- Analyzed the financial condition of companies, taking into account their assets, liabilities, equity, and liquidity, to identify viable solutions for paying off tax debts.
- Reviewed the accuracy of various documents, including profit and loss statements, bank statements, credit card statements, and Collection Information Statements, by comparing them to relevant IRS filings.
- Investigated tax fraud by identifying the misappropriation of company funds and the utilization of related entities to shield company or personal assets.
- Created and filed form 940, 941, and 944 tax returns on behalf of uncooperative taxpayers.
- Calculated and applied the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) by examining the conduct of individuals who failed to pay federal income tax withholdings, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax to the IRS.
- Summoned financial institutions, filed federal tax liens, prepared installment agreements, and levied bank accounts to satisfy outstanding tax debts.
Emergency Management Project Coordinator
Watterson EFM
Schaumburg, United States
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Coordinated and managed the temporary HVAC portfolio for Walgreens.
- Developed and implemented project plans bespoke to Walgreens' needs and vendor capacities.
- Successfully navigated the complex landscape of natural disasters to meet project objectives, budgets, and timelines.
- Supervised over 250 active projects and created weekly reports for the Walgreens corporate team regarding project compliance.
- Utilized and evaluated Tableau analytics to achieve Walgreens project standards with vendor partners.
- Drafted program recommendations for management and vendor partners.
Income Tax Volunteer
AmeriCorps NCCC
Seattle, United States
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Maintained professional and confidential relationships with tax clients.
- Prepared and quality-reviewed over 300 Form 1040 tax returns, amounting to over $450,000 in refunds.
- Conducted screening interviews with clients to determine eligibility for Free Tax Campaign services.
- Referred clients to various benefits, such as utility assistance, health insurance counsel, and reduced-fare transportation.
- Communicated between the United Way of King County and the Internal Revenue Service to ensure that returns were correctly filed.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Administration - Budgeting And Finance
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI04-2021
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial and investment analysis
- Small business taxation
- Investigative analysis
- Project management
- Research and data analysis
Accomplishments
- 2024 Department of Labor, Secretary's Honor Award - Exceptional Achievement, EBSA - Chicago Regional Office.
- 2024 Department of Labor, Secretary's Honor Award - Exceptional Achievement, EBSA - Chicago Regional Solicitor's Office.
Timeline
Investigator
U.S. Department of Labor - Employee Benefits Security Administration
05.2023 - Current
Revenue Officer
Internal Revenue Service
01.2022 - 05.2023
Emergency Management Project Coordinator
Watterson EFM
07.2021 - 01.2022
Income Tax Volunteer
AmeriCorps NCCC
01.2019 - 04.2019
Bachelor of Science - Public Administration - Budgeting And Finance
Grand Valley State University
Similar Profiles
Leo Botts, MSLeo Botts, MS
Compliance Safety and Health Officer at U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety & Health AdministrationCompliance Safety and Health Officer at U.S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety & Health Administration
BRIAN NOELBRIAN NOEL
Director of Operations at U.S, Employee BenefitsDirector of Operations at U.S, Employee Benefits
MONIQUE EDWARDSMONIQUE EDWARDS
Economic Assistant at Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of LaborEconomic Assistant at Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor