Nicole M Covelli
Mundelein,IL
Summary
Dynamic finance professional with extensive experience, excelling in financial reporting and tax compliance. Proven track record in process improvement and team leadership, ensuring accurate month-end closings, and compliance with GAAP. Skilled in QuickBooks, and dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service while driving organizational success.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
US Finance Manager
Avantis Education, Inc.
Arlington Heights, IL
10.2023 - 12.2024
- Processed and invoiced all sales orders.
- Processed monthly payroll, and paid payroll taxes.
- Reconciled the company's bank accounts.
- Recorded and reconciled company credit cards, and attached all receipts to the accounting system.
- Filed 30+ multi-state sales and use tax returns with local and state governments.
- Prepared W-2s and quarterly tax returns.
- Handled daily bank deposits.
- Handled all insurance tasks: short-term disability, workers' compensation, and errors and omissions.
- Completed vendor packets.
- Handled customer inquiries regarding sales order issues.
- Maintained regular performance appraisals for subordinates through verbal, written, and ongoing review programs.
- Created and updated financial reports on frequent basis to present information to leadership teams.
- Calculated and prepared checks for utilities, taxes, and other payments.
- Monitored cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity.
- In charge of obtaining all documentation for the external audit.
- I worked in the CRM database.
- Handled all inquiries from outside accounting firms for quarterly and year-end tax planning, and tax returns.
- Managed payroll processing activities for multiple entities, including tax filings.
- Prepared financial documents such as budgets, forecasts, and reports.
- Evaluated existing processes within the finance department, and identified areas for improvement.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors in order to obtain competitive pricing structures.
- Maintained accounts payable and receivable records, ensuring timely payments are made.
- Supervised and mentored a finance team member, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Ensured accurate and timely compliance with tax filing requirements, and other regulatory obligations.
Accounting Manager
Burkett & Beattie
Libertyville, IL
03.2023 - 07.2023
- Prepared monthly bookkeeping for multiple entities, including recorded cash disbursements, cash receipts, general entries, and tax journal entries.
- Prepared monthly bank reconciliations, as well as reconciled escrow, loan, and investment accounts.
- Reviewed the general ledger on a monthly basis and determined if any journal entries are needed.
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for all clients.
- Prepared year-end work papers, trial balance, and depreciation schedules for tax return preparation.
- Prepared tax returns for individuals, corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, trusts, profit-sharing plans, and estates.
- Participated in audits of a nonprofit and a condominium association.
- Prepared Compilations and Reviews.
- Prepared quarterly payroll tax returns, W-2s, W-3s, and 1099s.
- Provided QuickBooks training and support to all clients.
- Trained co-workers on QuickBooks.
Tax Accountant
Phoenix American
San Rafael, California
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Prepared account reconciliations for multiple clients for year-end tax form processing.
- Prepared 1099s and K-1s for multiple investment funds, which included thousands of investors.
- Handled investor inquiries regarding their tax accounts.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, resolving issues efficiently and effectively.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
- Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
Chief Financial Officer, Human Resource Manager
Great Lakes Fund Solutions, Inc.
Lake Villa, IL
12.2019 - 09.2022
- Responsible for CFO and HRM duties.
- Billed all clients for services received, handled cash, and made twice-weekly deposits.
- Handled accounts payable and receivable.
- Processed biweekly payroll, pays payroll taxes, and handles 401(k) and HSA contributions.
- Reconciled the company's bank accounts.
- Recorded and reconciled company credit cards.
- Reconciled 30+ client distribution accounts monthly.
- Applied for, received, and forgiven PPP loan.
- Prepared W-2s and quarterly tax returns.
- Established and administers a 401(k) plan.
- Purchased program to a certain international investors criminal history/background, linked to terrorism or organized crime
- Handled all insurance tasks: short-term disability, worker's compensation, and errors and omissions.
- Interviewed and hired all new employees, including background checks, drug testing, fingerprinting, and grievances.
- Complied with all SEC filings.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable, and friendly service.
- Worked successfully with a diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Exceeded customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Identified the needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Maintained detailed records of employee time sheets and vacation requests.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for external services or personnel when necessary.
Senior Accountant
Karlin, Kerschner, Sharpe & Co.
Northbrook, IL
11.2004 - 08.2019
- Prepared monthly bookkeeping for multiple entities, including recorded cash disbursements, cash receipts, general entries, and tax journal entries.
- Prepared monthly bank reconciliations, as well as reconciled escrow, loan, and investment accounts.
- Reviewed the general ledger on a monthly basis and determined if any journal entries were needed.
- Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for all clients.
- Prepared year-end work papers, trial balance, and depreciation schedules for tax return preparation.
- Prepared tax returns for individuals, corporations, S-corporations, partnerships, trusts, profit-sharing plans, and estates.
- Participated in audits of a nonprofit organization and a condominium association.
- I paid bills, kept a record of all IRA distributions and contributions, and tracked investment activity for clients.
- Prepared quarterly payroll tax returns, W-2s, W-3s, and 1099s.
- Provided QuickBooks training and support to all clients.
- Performed general ledger account reconciliations, and generated updated financial documents.
- Complied with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and GAAP principles to maintain complete transparency.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face, or through phone conversations.
- Oversaw the full accounting cycle and prepared the applicable financial statements.
- Delivered a superior level of customer service to small business clients.
- Maintained accurate accounts for cash, fixed assets, and other transactions.
- Maximized tax refunds by striving to obtain taxable income, deductible expenses, and allowance details.
- Managed month-end and year-end close duties, administered additions, and performed maintenance and reporting of corporate fixed assets.
- Managed and prepared journal entries, and reconciliations to support monthly general ledger closing activities.
- Trained staff members on the proper use of accounting software applications.
Education
Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY01.2002
Roosevelt University
Arlington Heights, IL01.1994
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI01.1992
Skills
- Zoho
- Avalara
- MS Word
- Excel
- Lacerte
- Accountants Trial Balance
- Creative Solutions for Accounting
- QuickBooks
- QuickBooks Online
- Quicken
- Asset Keeper
- ACT
- Publisher
- Financial analysis
- Financial reporting
- Tax and income tax compliance
- General ledger management
- GAAP compliance
- Month-end closing management
- Audit support
- Sales tax compliance
- Team leadership and training
- Financial statement preparation and review
- Generally accepted accounting principles
- Expense tracking
- Internal controls
- Year-end closing
- Month-end closing
- Process improvement
- Customer service
- Time management
- Vendor management
- Payroll processing
- Tax preparation
- Fixed asset accounting
Affiliations
Royal Arcanum Fraternal Benefit Society
Royal Arcanum Fraternal Benefit Society
This fraternal insurance company has been in existence since 1877. I have been a member of the board of directors since 2019. I have risen through the organization and I am currently the Supreme Regent for the next two years.
Supreme Regent 2024-Present
Supreme Vice Regent 2022-2024
Supreme Orator 2019-2022
Officer on Finance Committee 2014-2018
Secretary of Grand Council Illinois 2007-Present
Grand Regent of Illinois 2017-2024
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
US Finance Manager
Avantis Education, Inc.
10.2023 - 12.2024
Accounting Manager
Burkett & Beattie
03.2023 - 07.2023
Tax Accountant
Phoenix American
10.2022 - 03.2023
Chief Financial Officer, Human Resource Manager
Great Lakes Fund Solutions, Inc.
12.2019 - 09.2022
Senior Accountant
Karlin, Kerschner, Sharpe & Co.
11.2004 - 08.2019
Empire State College
Roosevelt University
Carthage College