Rachel Morris
Duncan Falls,OH
Summary
Diligent accounting professional with a passion for continuous improvement and a proven history of integrity, accuracy and efficiency. Eager to apply 15 years of experience adding value to corporate accounting teams by creating procedures to streamline processes while leading, developing and empowering team members.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Assurance Manager
EisnerAmper
Columbus, Ohio
12.2023 - Current
- Assessed existing policies and procedures to meet goals and objectives and encourage on-time reviews.
- Established governance, organization and management structure to meet program protocols.
- Monitored operations metrics to deliver regular reporting to senior leadership.
- Developed and tracked institutional risks to promote consistency within business realm.
- Conducted comprehensive reviews of internal controls, ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Coordinated assurance engagements from planning to execution, providing reliable results for clients.
- Provided ongoing training for staff members on best practices in auditing, enhancing their skills and productivity levels.
- Mentored junior auditors to foster professional growth and development within the team.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement within the team by encouraging feedback and promoting open communication.
- Enhanced audit quality by implementing risk assessment procedures and efficient planning techniques.
- Developed strong client relationships through effective communication and proactive problemsolving.
- Streamlined assurance processes for improved accuracy and timely completion of projects.
- Identified opportunities for process improvement, leading to increased efficiency within the department.
- Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
- Collected and reported monthly expense variances and explanations.
Director of Accounting
The GSH Group, Inc.
Clawson, Michigan
08.2022 - 11.2023
- Improved financial reporting accuracy by streamlining the accounting process and implementing robust internal controls.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for operational improvements, leading to increased efficiency and cost savings.
- Mentored junior accounting staff, fostering professional growth and promoting knowledge sharing within the department.
- Coordinated with HR to develop competitive compensation packages that attracted top talent while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- Enhanced budgeting process for more accurate forecasting, resulting in better resource allocation and cost control measures.
- Implemented effective cost allocation methods across various departments, providing management with accurate insights into the profitability of each business segment.
- Oversaw accounts payable and receivable functions, maintaining strong cash flow management practices that ensured prompt payment from clients and timely settlements with vendors.
- Managed a team of accountants, fostering professional growth and ensuring timely completion of all tasks.
- Reduced month-end closing time by optimizing workflows and implementing automated reconciliation processes.
- Implemented new accounting software, improving data accuracy and reducing manual input errors while increasing overall productivity.
- Complied with established internal controls and policies.
- Prepared cash flow projections, cost analysis and monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
Director of Accounting
Fairfield Homes, Inc.
Lancaster, Ohio
02.2017 - 08.2022
- Reviewed historical records, current operational data and forecasting information to identify and capitalize on system enhancement opportunities
- Spearheaded the development of financial plans and business strategies by setting goals and objectives
- Established and enforced internal controls, workflows, and policies for tracking, reconciling, and reporting on accounting activities
- Oversaw high-volume accounting operations specifically servicing property management, development, construction, and corporate with a 10-person team focused on efficient budget administration, AP/AR, financial reporting, financial analysis, and other financial management needs
- Established and checked coding procedures, monitored reports, and updated internal files
- Identified improvement changes regarding key processes for internal controls and accounting procedures
- Prepared cash flow projections, cost analysis and monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
- Validated existing accounting management and reporting systems to assess quality and conformance, identify problems and implement corrective actions
- Complied with established internal controls and policies
- Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures
- Responsible for retaining and development team talent.
Fiscal Officer
Child Care Resources, Inc.
Zanesville, Ohio
10.2014 - 02.2017
- Supported internal control framework by performing various internal control processes such as ensuring separation of duties, pre-approval of transactions, assessing controls, and monitoring data
- Developed, implemented, and maintained internal standards, processes and routines based on group requirements
- Delivered monthly reviews to board of directors to explain performance
- Gathered, summarized, and analyzed significant amounts of transactional data to make reasonable conclusions and facilitate key accounting and business decisions
- Maintained fiscal records and accounts
- Completion of budgets, forecasts, cash management, cost allocations between federal and state funding, and month-end / year-end closing.
Auditor
Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co
Columbus, Ohio
10.2009 - 10.2014
- Identified control gaps in processes, procedures and systems through in-depth research and assessment and suggested methods for improvement
- Interviewed business owners to understand needs and explain audit scope
- Interpreted state and federal laws, accepted auditing principles and procedures and program standards to audited materials and data to detect non-compliance and facilitate recommendations
- Obtained and interpreted relevant and authoritative criteria for program or issues under audit
- Interviewed auditees to gather data needed to conduct audits
- Analyzed data and findings to prepare reports detailing financial information
- Planned audits and audit activities to allocate necessary resources and determine consistency of plans with audit objectives
- Assessed internal control risks of network through information system audits
- Adapted plans and schedules to meet changing priorities of work objectives, resources and workload demands
- Produced and reviewed audit reports and advised on audit recommendations and internal controls
- Consulted clients on internal control systems development and audit program improvements
- Followed established auditing processes to meet internal and regulatory requirements
- Communicated with auditee staff to obtain necessary information for audits
- Coordinated, managed, and implemented auditing projects and prepared for evaluation
- Performed observations and evaluated supporting documents to supplement audit findings
- Administered auditing program to address risks and evaluate compliance with regulatory requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Franklin University
08.2009
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Accounting
Franklin University
08.2009
Associate of Science - Business Administration And Management
Hocking College
05.2006
Skills
- Staff Management
- Process Implementation
- Financial Analysis and Reporting
- Relationship Building and Management
- Budget forecasting
- Staff Training and Development
- Strategic and Financial Planning
- Risk Assessment
- Regulatory Knowledge
- Compliance Management
Timeline
Assurance Manager
EisnerAmper
12.2023 - Current
Director of Accounting
The GSH Group, Inc.
08.2022 - 11.2023
Director of Accounting
Fairfield Homes, Inc.
02.2017 - 08.2022
Fiscal Officer
Child Care Resources, Inc.
10.2014 - 02.2017
Auditor
Clark, Schaefer, Hackett & Co
10.2009 - 10.2014
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Franklin University
Bachelor of Science - Forensic Accounting
Franklin University
Associate of Science - Business Administration And Management
Hocking College