Paula LaCount
Orlando,FL
Summary
Experienced Business Financial Manager with 25 years of success in overseeing financial activities for Department of Defense Customers. Expert in identifying financial discrepancies with reputation of being a hard worker with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Developed relationships to improve communication between Internal and external customers.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
03.2020 - 12.2023
- As the Lead Financial Management Analyst in Program Directorate International (PDI) Product Division, I oversee the overall financial management for 30+Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs
- I use various systems' transactions to manage and monitor PDI's funds status and provided financial advice when necessary
- Current systems use to perform daily, weekly and/or monthly requirements are Navy ERP (NERP), Business Objects, Outlook, WORD, EXCEL, Microsoft, Teams Flankspeed, Defense Cash Accountability System (DCAS), Management Information System for International Logistics (MISIL), and Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS)
- I communicate often with PDI's Director and Deputy Director to prevent unforeseen negative financial mishaps and to maintain a good working relation; provide the Director and Deputy Director with financial execution and status reports to show the standing of all programs
- Upon receiving funding requests from the Project Directors (PJMs), I prepare necessary documentation and work closely with Comptroller Budget personnel to make certain that all funding documents, Purchase Requisitions (PR), Economy Act and Project Orders flow through the system to completion as effortlessly and quickly as possible
- I ensure that all Purchase Requisitions are approved in accordance with NAVAIR ZSPS PR reference guide
- I respond to all customers' (Internal, Department of Defense (DoD), Other Federal Agencies and Non-Federal Agencies) inquiries in a timely and professional manner
- I participate in weekly staff meetings and conduct a weekly staff meeting with the PDI's Analysts.
Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
04.2014 - 03.2020
- As a Financial Management Analyst in Program Directorate Cross Warfare (PDX), I am responsible for the overall financial management for several programs (such as Parachute, Modeling and Simulation Coordination office (M&SCO), Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWCEN), Center For Information Dominance (CID), Fleet Readiness Centers (East, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic), Maintenance, Planning, Scheduling, and Execution (MPS&E), Depot Level Maintenance (DLM), F-18 Special Rework, F-18 Radar and E2C2 (East and West) with an annual budget totaling close to $200 million dollars
- I ensure that military personnel are provided with the training and the training systems essential for their protection and survival
- Upon receiving funding requests from the Project Directors (PJMs), I prepare necessary documentation and work closely with Comptroller Budget personnel to make certain that all funding documents, Purchase Requisitions (PR), Economy Act and Project Orders flow through the system to completion as effortlessly and quickly as possible
- I ensure that all Purchase Requisitions are approved in accordance with NAVAIR ZSPS PR reference guide
- I manage execution of funds by ensuring that the proper use of funding appropriations is applied to every contractual action submitted for approval
- Types of funding managed include Research and Development (R&D), Operation and Management (O&M), Procurement, Navy Working Capital Funds (NWCF) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
- I validate that all funding accepted is recorded correctly for the purpose of data extraction for reports and data calls
- I monitor execution of labor, materials and travel to assist Project Managers with decision-making
- When project expenditures deviate from the plan, I provide advice and guidance on the mitigation strategy to get back on plan, or to adjust the plan as required
- I research any funding discrepancies to include undistributed labor, DTS rejections of travel authorizations and vouchers, and provide recommendations for corrective actions
- When necessary, I process Labor and Cost adjustments to correct erroneous postings
- In support of ongoing reviews and the Tri-Annual Review, I research and resolve unliquidated obligations
- Because of the impact to Carry-Over funds, I prioritize clean-up of old documents and promptly return all unused funds
- I respond to all customers' (Department of Defense (DoD), Other Federal Agencies, Non-Federal Agencies, FMS and Internal) inquiries in a timely and professional manner
- I participate in all acquisition-related Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings to help determine cost estimates, the correct appropriation to use, and discuss all aspects of the life-cycle support of training systems, training services, and training support to our customers
- I prepare a variety of financial reports for internal and external customers
- I research fiscal policies, laws, and regulations, and provide written communication to IPT members and customers
- Have extensive knowledge of Navy Enterprise Resources Planning (Navy ERP), Microsoft Office, Electronic Document Access (EDA) and Cash History On-line Operator Search Engine (CHOOSE)
- I cultivate relationships and collaborate with others
- I am meticulous with my research in order to provide the best advice possible
- I typically work with very little supervisory oversight and direct guidance
- When extremely complex situations arise, I seek advice from higher level authorities.
Budget Analyst
Program Executive Office-Simulation, Training, Instrumentation (PEO-STRI)
11.2010 - 04.2014
- As a Budget Analyst in Program Field Operations Office (PM Field OPS), I was responsible for ensuring that all funding received for the Project Management Programs I supported were valid and the documents were accepted within the mandated timeline
- Served as the financial point of contact for both internal and external customers
- Managed a financial budget over $340M annually
- Ensured accuracy and completeness of budget information inputs by utilizing a variety of computer base forms, reports and financial systems for tracking purposes
- Purchase Requisition (PR) packages were routed through me for approval with the intention of ensuring the funding type and accounting data was correct, and the funds were being utilized for the efforts they were designated for
- Monitored commitments and obligations through review of documentation and accounting records
- Obligations were monitored and tracked throughout the fiscal year
- Prepared weekly and monthly reports reflecting funds received, committed and obligated; also available balances
- I performed a wide range of in-depth budget analysis, responding to customers inquiries promptly
- Provided advice and guidance on interpretations of specific use for various appropriations
- Financial systems utilized in day-to-day duties included but not limited to performance in General Funds Enterprise Business System (GFEBS), Defense Travel System (DTS), RMTRACS, SOMARDS, RMTWeb, Microsoft Office, and ATAAP
- GFEBS is the SAP system comparable to Navy Enterprise Resources Planning (Navy ERP).
Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
04.2008 - 11.2010
- As a Financial Management Analyst in the Aviation Program Directorate, I was responsible for the overall financial management and health of several Aviation Training System Programs leading to the delivery of sound training systems to the fleet's war fighters
- Directed, organized and managed funds for efforts of Aviation teams that planned, developed and integrated support considerations into system designs and established and maintained an integrated logistics support capable of supporting fleet operations and maintenance through the full life cycle of the training systems
- Reviewed budgets and approved program cost estimates, managing an estimated $120 million dollars annually
- Developed acquisition plans, managed execution of funds, coordinated and ensured the proper use of funding appropriations, Procurement and Operation and Maintenance(O&M); tracked execution of funds from trainer design through to disposal
- Ensuring all support requirements were identified and adequately funded, my primary responsibility was to ensure that propriety of funds was applied to all program efforts
- Managed and provided available funding information to subordinate ILSMs and Logistics Managers responsible for provisioning, technical data, initial sparing, audits, acceptance testing, inspections and operational sustainment
- Tracked requirements from plans through commitment, obligation and expenditure stages; updated and maintained Programs' financial records throughout the fiscal year (FY) to reflect emerging requirements
- I coordinated and tracked acquisition status with assigned Training System Managers (TSMs) and funding sponsors
- Provided monthly metrics to all Program Managers and advice if any budgetary problems were developing and/or any funding requirements have significantly changed
- End of the month financial status reports were analyzed for discrepancies before forwarding to supervisor and/or Integrated Product Team (IPT) members
- Approved funds acceptance with the Comptroller and assigned funds to the appropriate Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Reviewed and approved FEDEX requests, Bank card Purchase Requests (BPR) and Purchase Requisitions (PRs) which resulted to contract awards/modification
- As Defense Travel System (DTS) Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Aviation Directorate, I assist Aviation personnel with travel questions and validate the availability of funding for required travel
- Knowledge of Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS) process, DoD Financial Management Regulations, NAVAIR and NAWCTSD policies enabled me to perform as an effective Financial Management Analyst
- Participated in F/A-18 and T-Trainers meetings that consist of diverse team members of military, civilian and contractor personnel designed to plan, organize, and carry out day to day functions of the programs
- Participated in OPNAV/PMA205/TSD Annual Budget Review (ABR) where Aviation training systems requirements were reviewed and funding levels were determined
- Have extensive knowledge of Navy Enterprise Resources Planning (Navy ERP), which is Navy's Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) financial management system that standardized Navy business practices
- Financial data was extracted, analyzed, and interpreted before reports were forward to the Training Systems Managers, NAVAIR HQ PMAs and customers.
Lead Financial Technician
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
11.2007 - 04.2008
- As Travel Lead, I organized and balanced the team's workload
- Monitored the status and progress of all tasks until completion
- Ensured all work assigned was completed timely and accurately
- Responded to all inquiries using guidance from Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR) and Local Business Rules
- Trained technicians on established policies, procedures and specific guidelines within the travel office
- Provided constructive feedback to and discuss daily and weekly goals set by me with supervisor
- Accomplishment: Created a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) desktop guide as a tool to use when training travel technicians on the approval process of travelers' authorizations/orders in the Defense Travel System (DTS)
- Demonstrated positive attitude and provide support in an effort to reduce errors
- Received and reviewed travel documents through Travel Manager 9.0 ensuring that each is in compliance with travel regulations and Command directives
- Maintained accounting data for all travel appropriations to include Temporary Duty (TDY) orders, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, and Funding Purpose Only (FPO) orders
- Audited paid disbursements for validity
- Incorrect orders and vouchers were returned with correction process instructions when necessary
- As the Travel Manager and Lead Defense Travel Administrator (LDTA) for the Defense Travel System (DTS), my duties included ensuring that all orders were processed to completion within Travel Manager and/or DTS, and responded to all inquiries timely
- As LDTA, assigned roles and permission levels to supervisors, travelers, reviewers and approvers; added, detached and deleted travelers when necessary
- Provided DTS technical assistance and one-on-one training to travelers, preparers, and all levels of management when needed; assisted travelers with updating individual profiles and completing authorizations and vouchers.
Supervisory Accounting Technician
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
12.2002 - 08.2007
- Have over 4.5 years of management experience dealing with fast-paced, rapidly changing departments
- Directed and managed Account Payable functions, providing financial services to eight military installations geographically dispersed throughout the world
- Possess excellent ability to quickly evaluate and resolve programmatic issue as well as reconcile personnel conflicts resulting in efficient teams working in unison to support multiple customers
- Planned, coordinated and reviewed the work of 15 civilians and military employees
- Assumed the duties of the Vendor Pay Branch Chief and Vendor Pay Field Site Manager, in their absences
- Proactively and positively coached and mentored employees
- Ensured individual productivity goals were set and met
- Assessed each employee to determine individual training needs and work with the employee to satisfy any performance shortfalls
- Ensured employees complete all required training
- Annually I provided each employee with a detailed-written performance rating, reviewed each employee performance plan and discussed with each employee semi-annual performance feedback
- When performance or conduct issues arose, I worked with Human Resources to identify and implement the appropriate corrective/disciplinary actions
- April 2006 through August 2006 (120 days), served a temporary promotion as Supervisory Financial Management Specialist to manage the Air Force Vendor Pay workload
- I performed liaison support duties between commercial vendors and client commands
- Improved quality customer service by ensuring that all customers inquiries were addressed quickly and prompt corrective actions were analyzed and taken to help ensure the same mistakes were not repeated
- Corresponded daily via email, telephone and/or fax with internal and external customers to determine their needs and expectations
- Audited payment vouchers for accuracy, validity and proper supporting documentation
- Provided information and data support for internal audits
- Established priorities and followed them by disciplined time and project management
- Compiled data and submitted a variety of reports
- Created a desktop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for requesting receiving reports
- Selected to travel to various DFAS field sites in the United States, Germany and Japan to assist with implementation and training
- Periodically instructed employees at various installations regarding proper procedures for completing and submitting receipt documents to the paying offices
- As the Organizational Defense Travel Administrator (ODTA) for the Vendor Pay division, I updated travelers' personal information and assisted them with completing authorizations/orders and vouchers through Defense Travel System (DTS)
- Electronically viewed and certified employees' e-Biz time and attendance reports
- Proficient in the use automated systems
- Assured all internal controls were in place and followed in an effort to achieve objectives and meet established regulatory guidance
- Consistently provided positive guidance and training to accounting technicians on various systems in order to effectively reduce production errors.
Accounting Technician
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
08.1998 - 12.2002
- Received and reviewed obligating documents for validity, expenditure limitation, and correct accounting data against information in the entitlement system
- Reviewed Purchase Requests (PRs), contracts, purchase and delivery orders, and Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPRs) to ensure correct fund usage, proper authorizing signatures, and pertinent contract payment requirements were present and valid
- Processed commercial vendors invoices, civilian and military personnel reimbursable actions, and government bank card transactions
- Managed electronic Government Purchase Card interface to ensure accuracy; scheduled timely payment due dates to avoid late penalty fees
- Performed periodic reconciliation of unliquidated contractual obligations
- Reviewed computerized data output for accuracy
- Managed, uploaded, compiled, analyzed and summarized data from accounting systems and source documents to create daily pre-validation reports for vendor pay personnel and resource managers
- Discrepancies in accounting data were identified, source of error was determined and records were edited to show validity
- Kept current vendors' payment files and government activities' credit card accounts
- Utilized instructions outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Acquisition Regulation (DFARS), Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoDFMR) and Vendor Pay Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure that valid payments were made
- Researched and reviewed complex government contracts to ensure regulatory compliance by utilizing proper accounting compliance
- Customers were contacted to obtain missing documentation, and to clarify information needed to resolve discrepancy item on documents
- Timely returned invalid documents accompanied with a letter explaining deficiency and corrective action needed
- Recorded trends of deficiencies for reports that were submitted weekly
- Assisted managers with reconciling accounting records
- Responded to internal and external inquiries in a timely and professional manner
- Responsible for inputting time and attendance for vendor pay personnel into the Government Payroll system
- Ensured that leave regulations, reporting procedures and policies were followed.
Mail and File Clerk
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
01.1997 - 07.1998
- Sorted mail for distribution and routed it by general subject matter to delivery points
- Read large amount of general mail from private citizens and organizations requesting various information
- Achievement: Identified that the filing procedures were often times confusing and repeating resulted in misplaced files
- Applied practical knowledge using regulatory guidelines and put together clear procedures that were approved, implemented and used until DFAS Orlando's Army Vendor Pay section initiated receiving documents electronically through Electronic Document Management (EDM)
- Trained incoming file room employees and vendor pay personnel on proper filing procedures
- Utilized a variety of basic office automation equipment and automated mail processing equipment
- Received requests for files/documents to be withdrawn and forward to the vendor pay division Sorted and analyzed vendor pay mail, ensured that contracts folders were pulled promptly, pertinent documents were placed in the folders and all materials were routed to the correct departments timely to avoid late payments and penalty fees
- New documents were consolidated with previously filed like documents
- Performed extensive record searches to located misplaced file and maintained control over the file area to ensure only authorized personnel receive appropriate files
- March 1998, selected for a 5 months assignment in the Learning Center
- Coordinated Labor Management meetings held monthly between the Union President/stewards, HR, and management
- Received job applications from applicants
- Provided basic instructions and assistance on procedures for completing and submitting applications
- Informed applicants of basic eligibility requirements and replied to questions in reference to status of applications currently on file
- Assisted the on-site Human Resources Officer with recruit actions (RPA's) and received SF-50s for distribution and filing
- Assisted with writing vacancy announcements, monitored and charted recruit actions
- Downloaded software onto computers and programmed equipment for satellite training courses
- Monitored the center and assisted employees with accessing the computers and/or the multimedia self-study courses provided
- Edited and updated training schedules when necessary
- Scheduled instructors for group training programs as needed
- Progress reports and projections for upcoming training were submitted weekly
- Created the library database using Microsoft Access and made changes when necessary
- Ensured accuracy of the center resources by obtaining a detail inventory list electronically
- Answered a multi-line telephone, recorded messages, received visitors, arranged meeting and conferences, scheduled space for training sessions, notified participants from respective functions, and gathered and assembled materials.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Florida Southern College
Orlando, Florida01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Social Sciences
Florida Southern College
Orlando, Florida01.1995
Associate - Psychology
Waycross College
Waycross, Georgia01.1990
Diploma -
Patterson High School
Patterson, Georgia01.1979
Skills
- Internal Controls
- Budget Development
- Organizational Development
- Business Intelligence
- Compiling Data
- Fund Accounting Software
Job Related Training
- Level 3 DAWIA Certified, October 2012
- Level 2 DoD Financial Management Certification, February 2014
- Fiscal Law, February 2014
- DTS Travel Card Course, March 2013
- FMS-Security Cooperation Course, May 2013
- Life Cycle Logistics for the Rest of Us, January 2012
- Life Cycle Management and Sustainment Metric, March 2012
- Enhanced Defense Financial Management, December 2004
- Supervisory Leadership Course, April 2003
- Military Accounting Course, June 2002
- ACCT 382
- ACCT 383
- ACCT 488
- ACCT 396
- ACCT 201
- ACCT 202
- ACCT 316
- BUS 311(Business Law II)
- BUS 312(Business Law I)
- BUS 345(Managerial Finance)
Security Clearance
Secret Clearance
References
- Netta Wiley, Director, Internal Review & Audit Compliance Office-Ft. Rucker Ala, 334-255-9614, netta.v.wiley.civ@mail.mil, Personal
- Bernard Courtney, Project Manager, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division-Orlando, FL, 407-380-4880, bernard.courtney@navy.mil, Professional
Timeline
Lead Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
03.2020 - 12.2023
Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
04.2014 - 03.2020
Budget Analyst
Program Executive Office-Simulation, Training, Instrumentation (PEO-STRI)
11.2010 - 04.2014
Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
04.2008 - 11.2010
Lead Financial Technician
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
11.2007 - 04.2008
Supervisory Accounting Technician
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
12.2002 - 08.2007
Accounting Technician
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
08.1998 - 12.2002
Mail and File Clerk
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
01.1997 - 07.1998
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Florida Southern College
Bachelor of Science - Social Sciences
Florida Southern College
Associate - Psychology
Waycross College
Diploma -
Patterson High School
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