Noelle Sanchez
Summary
Seasoned Controller with a robust history at Colorado School of Mines, adept in GAAP compliance and strategic leadership. Excelled in enhancing financial operations and implementing robust internal controls, significantly contributing to business process improvement and risk mitigation. Skilled in financial reporting and communication, championed major technology integrations and financial strategy management.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Controller
Colorado School of Mines
03.2019 - 08.2024
- Directed strategic financial operations surpassing $350M annually for university.
- Developed and implemented effective internal control systems to ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies and procedures.
- Oversaw daily activities of staff members including hiring, training and evaluating personnel performance.
- Led Accounting and Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Contract and Procurement teams.
- Identified areas for improvement within the finance department operations and processes.
- Created financial reports for senior management, the board of directors, and external auditors in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
- Reviewed journal entries for accuracy and completeness.
- Coordinated month-end closing process in order to meet tight deadlines.
- Monitored accounts receivable and payable activity to ensure proper reconciliation of accounts.
- Conducted regular reviews of fixed assets register to maintain accuracy of records.
- Maintained general ledger integrity through review of account balances and transactions ensuring accuracy of information reported in the financial statements.
- Performed detailed variance analyses between actual results versus budget and forecast estimates.
- Collaborated with University departments to develop finance models for various fund types, including general, gift, research, and business activity funds.
- Provided development oversight for cost accounting including regular development of fringe, Facilities & Administrative (F&A), and service center rates.
- Served on the State Higher Education Financial Advisory Committee and the Mines Tuition Leniency Committee.
- Sponsored two major technology projects, Banner SaaS, and Workday.
- Collaborated with IT, HR, and Financial Aid to deliver Workday integration for Finance and HCM in 24 months.
- Designed processes to ensure adherence to IRS Unrelated Business Income regulations.
- Launched tuition insurance initiative for students.
- Developed financial operations model for University's inaugural Venture Center.
- Streamlined processes for indemnification approval and revitalized the structure and processes for the universities' shared service model.
Deputy Controller
Colorado School of Mines
06.2018 - 03.2019
- Managed and guided teams in Accounting & Financial Reporting, and Bursar departments.
- Supervised financial aspects of capital construction projects.
- Oversaw cash flows for construction projects with diverse funding sources.
- Verified accuracy of closure for construction initiatives.
- Restructure GASB analysis for Retirement Obligations (68/75) and Implemented Asset Retirement Obligations (83).
- Developed business processes for research participants.
- Led financial and federal fringe audits.
- Ensured financial data integrity through reporting and analysis.
- Delivered ad hoc analysis and assistance to Controller.
Assistant Controller
University of Northern Colorado
05.2015 - 06.2018
- Ensured compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles standards.
- Monitored daily cash flow, prepared journal entries, bank reconciliations and maintained general ledger.
- Prepared audited financial statements including balance sheets, income statements, trial balances and statement of cash flows.
- Provided technical guidance to staff on accounting issues related to revenue recognition, fixed assets management, cost allocation methods.
- Monitored depreciation calculations and updated book values for all fixed assets.
- Conducted physical inventory counts of fixed assets on a periodic basis.
- Monitored the University's TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) status.
- Developed and delivered campus wide accounting training on procedures and compliance related policies.
Accountant II Grants
University of Northern Colorado
04.2013 - 05.2015
- Financial accounting for private, local, state and federal grants..
- Collaborated with Principal Investigators on SF425 and program reporting
- Invoiced all Federal, State, and Private sponsors for reimbursement and fixed price agreements.
- Monitored program income and matching requirements for all sponsored projects.
- Monitored sponsor owned equipment for compliance, including transfers.
- Reconciled grant expenditures to contract award for closeout.
- Prepared schedule of Federal Assistance, compliance reporting.
- Collaborated with the Colorado Small Business Development (SBDC) Office on a regional office seated at UNCO, on community grants and engagement.
- Managed the workload of student employees within the department.
Treasurer
Town of Fowler
05.2011 - 04.2013
- Managed accounting for governmental and enterprise funds.
- Prepared and presented financial reports to Council.
- Prepared audit financial statements and managed all revenue and expense processing.
- Developed strategic budgets with multi-year goals in mind.
- Proposed, pitched, and implemented a novel sales tax measure upon approval.
- Created debt service funds for maintaining and replenishing the Public Safety fleet.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Accounting
Hasan School of Business, Colorado State University
Pueblo12-2012
Skills
- Public Sector Accounting
- Financial strategy management
- GAAP compliance
- Financial controls implementation
- Internal controls development
- Month-end and year-end closings
- Balance sheet management
- General ledger accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Data Analytics
- Communication
- Compliance
- Strategic leadership
- Business Process Improvement
- Risk Mitigation
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Controller
Colorado School of Mines
03.2019 - 08.2024
Deputy Controller
Colorado School of Mines
06.2018 - 03.2019
Assistant Controller
University of Northern Colorado
05.2015 - 06.2018
Accountant II Grants
University of Northern Colorado
04.2013 - 05.2015
Treasurer
Town of Fowler
05.2011 - 04.2013
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Accounting
Hasan School of Business, Colorado State University
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