Paula LaCount
Orlando,FL
Summary
Experienced Budget Analyst and Business Financial Manager with over 25 years of proven success in managing and overseeing financial operations for Department of Defense (DoD) customers. Skilled in collaborating with Program Managers, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and senior leadership to drive financial performance and program success. Recognized for exceptional attention to detail in identifying and resolving financial discrepancies. Highly regarded as a dedicated professional with strong time management, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. Adept at fostering strong relationships to enhance communication and coordination between internal teams and external stakeholders.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Business Financial Manager
Sabre Systems, LLC
01.2025 - 09.2025
- Served as Business Financial Manager supporting the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) - Lakehurst.
- Processed Domestic and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Purchase Requisitions (PRs) for Contractor Service Support (CSS) and Material Buy Purchase Orders (POs).
- Managed funding documents with dormant funds that had surpassed the Work Completion Date (WCD), ensuring proper return of funds to the original fund owner.
- Conducted audit drill research on obligated lines past delivery dates to verify receipt of all contracted deliveries.
- Participated in weekly financial review meetings with fellow BFMs and Project Managers to assess funding status and financial health of programs.
- Attended monthly BFM team meetings to discuss policy updates, process improvements, and upcoming financial cycles.
Lead Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
03.2020 - 12.2023
- Oversaw the financial management of 30+ Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs valued at over $150 million.
- Served as an active member of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), provided improved forecasting variance analysis, and financial reporting efficiency through process streamlining.
- Delivered fiscal law guidance to IPTs and sponsoring commands to ensure compliance and proper fund utilization.
- Monitored and managed the status of current and prior-year funding, offering financial advice to ensure timely program closure and return of unused funds.
- Provided monthly spend plan status to Program Managers for review.
- Collected, interpreted, and communicated financial data and strategic plans using tools such as Navy ERP (NERP), Business Objects, Outlook, Word, Excel, Microsoft Teams, Defense Cash Accountability System (DCAS), Management Information System for International Logistics (MISIL), and Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS).
- Delivered fiscal law guidance and developed forecasts for senior management and program leaders.
- Provided financial execution updates and status reports to the Director and Deputy Director.
- Participated in weekly staff meetings, contributing financial insights and supporting cross-functional collaboration.
Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
04.2014 - 03.2020
- Supported Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) efforts by conducting detailed examinations of financial data, account balances, and business processes to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and audit standards.
- Prepared and reviewed documentation for Dormant Account Review Quarterly (DAR-Q).
- Assisted with reconciling financial records, performing root-cause analyses, and implementing corrective action plans to strengthen financial reporting integrity.
- Helped enhance audit readiness, strengthen internal controls, and enable more reliable financial decision-making across the organization.
- Collaborated closely with Program Managers on planning, scheduling, and tracking program performance related to financial execution.
- Monitored and evaluated contractor performance with a focus on financial compliance and accountability.
- Provided financial insights and recommendations to support Program Management Reports and strategic decision-making.
- Oversaw the financial management of multiple programs.
- Validated WBS entries against project scope, budget allocations, and financial guidelines to confirm correct funding assignment and compliance with fiscal policies.
Budget Analyst
Program Executive Office-Simulation, Training, Instrumentation (PEO-STRI)
11.2010 - 04.2014
- Managed financial operations and audits ensuring compliance with federal fiscal policies and budgetary guidelines.
- Collaborated with Program Managers on planning, scheduling, and tracking program performance with a focus on financial execution and compliance.
- Monitored and evaluated contractor financial performance, ensuring alignment with program goals and funding constraints.
- Provided strategic financial input for Program Management Reports, supporting informed decision-making.
- Managed $340M annual budget, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and adherence to DoD regulations.
- Prepared weekly and monthly financial reports to track execution and highlight variances.
- Conducted funding reconciliations and optimized utilization of resources across multiple projects.
- Conducted in-depth budget analysis to support forecasting, spending plans, and resource optimization.
- Partnered with leadership to align program funding with strategic goals and compliance standards.
- Presented budgetary insights and performance metrics to executive stakeholders, influencing strategic investment decisions.
- Utilized financial systems including General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS), Defense Travel System (DTS), SOMARDS, Microsoft Office Suite, and Automated Time Attendance and Production System (ATAAPS).
Financial Management Analyst
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
04.2008 - 11.2010
- Validated Financial transactions for accuracy, ensuring the validity of open obligations.
- Assisted with reconciling financial records, performing root-cause analyses, and implementing corrective action plans to strengthen financial reporting integrity.
- Collaborated closely with Program Managers on planning, scheduling, and tracking program performance related to financial execution.
- Monitored and evaluated contractor performance with a focus on financial compliance and accountability.
- Provided financial insights and recommendations to support Program Management Reports and strategic decision-making.
- Oversaw the financial management of multiple programs with an annual budget exceeding $200 million.
- Prepared financial documentation and coordinated with Comptroller and Budget personnel to ensure accurate budget submissions and compliance.
- Managed the execution of various funding types, including Research and Development (R&D), Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Procurement, Navy Working Capital Funds (NWCF), and Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
- Participated in Acquisition-related Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings, contributing financial expertise to program planning and execution.
- Provided cradle-to-grave financial support for F/A-18 (C/D, E/F) Training Systems and Fleet Readiness contracts.
- Reviewed Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements to ensure accuracy and alignment of funding data prior to release and obligation of funds.
- Validated WBS entries against project scope, budget allocations, and financial guidelines to confirm correct funding assignment and compliance with fiscal policies.
Lead Financial Technician
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
11.2007 - 04.2008
- Organized and balanced team workload, ensuring equitable task distribution and efficiency.
- Monitored task status and progress through completion, proactively addressing delays or issues.
- Ensured all assigned work was completed accurately and on time in alignment with organizational deadlines.
- Trained technicians and travelers on Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), and local business guidelines, promoting compliance and reducing travel-related errors.
Supervisory and Accounting Technician
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
08.1998 - 08.2007
- Directed and managed Accounts Payable functions, delivering financial services to eight geographically dispersed military installations worldwide.
- Supervised financial teams and trained staff on accounting systems and procedures for better accuracy.
- Planned, coordinated, and reviewed the work of a 15-member team composed of both civilian and military personnel.
- Processed and verified vendor invoice payments across Army and Air Force contracts, supporting mission readiness through accurate financial transactions.
- Assumed leadership responsibilities as Vendor Pay Branch Chief and Vendor Pay Field Site Manager during their absences.
- Served as a liaison between commercial vendors and client commands, ensuring timely resolution of payment and contract-related issues.
- Selected as a member of the DFAS Tiger Team, traveling to DFAS locations to train personnel on the use of the Electronic Document Management (EDM) system.
- Possess strong working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation (DoDFMR), and Vendor Pay Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Education
Bachelor of Science - Social Sciences
Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL04.1995
Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Communication
- Leadership, Interpreting data
- Projecting financial needs
- Preparing reports
- Team-player
- Maintain integrity
- Financial forecasting
- Financial reporting and analysis
- ERP systems
- Budgeting and financial management
Timeline
Business Financial Manager
Sabre Systems, LLC
01.2025 - 09.2025
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 and Accounting Technician
Defense Finance and Accounting Services
08.1998 - 08.2007
Bachelor of Science - Social Sciences
Florida Southern College