Rebecca Puskas
TAMPA,FL
Summary
Professional with strong background in financial management and strategic planning, ready to drive fiscal responsibility and optimize resource allocation. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to achieve budgetary goals and deliver results under changing conditions. Proficient in financial analysis, budget forecasting, and risk management, with focus on collaboration and adaptability. Known for reliability and effective decision-making in dynamic environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Budget Director
USF
Tampa, FL
03.1999 - 04.2022
- Developed and implemented annual budget forecasts to optimize departmental alignment.
- Analyzed financial reports to identify discrepancies and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Facilitated cross-functional team collaboration to enhance resource allocation efficiency.
- Led strategic planning sessions to assess fiscal performance and enhance financial strategies.
- Mentored junior staff in budgeting processes to cultivate financial expertise and support career growth.
- Streamlined budgeting procedures to enhance approval processes and optimize workflow efficiency.
- Presented budget proposals to senior leadership, emphasizing critical priorities and justifications for funding requests.
- Evaluated financial performance metrics to drive continuous improvement initiatives across departments.
- Developed comprehensive financial forecasts to drive informed executive decision-making.
- Spearheaded continuous improvement initiatives in budgeting processes to drive fiscal responsibility.
- Directed collaboration with senior leadership teams to establish strategic direction through comprehensive financial capacity and resource constraint analyses.
- Spearheaded departmental budget optimization initiatives through strategic financial planning and analysis.
- Executed comprehensive evaluations of current processes and systems to enhance finance operations.
- Formulated and executed performance metrics to assess budget strategy effectiveness.
- Managed budget amendment processes for diverse project types.
- Managed stakeholder expectations by proactively addressing concerns through transparent communication.
- Oversaw budget compliance by strictly adhering to established percentages and optimizing fund allocation.
- Guided department managers in analyzing financial trends and forecasting potential impacts.
- Managed multi-million dollar budgets while ensuring adherence to organizational policies and guidelines.
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors to maximize return on investment.
- Facilitated cross-functional team collaboration to synchronize budgetary goals with operational objectives.
- Championed data-driven decision-making initiatives by producing accurate reports that informed resource allocation strategies for key stakeholders.
- Streamlined budget preparation processes to improve efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting.
- Directed comprehensive record-keeping of financial transactions to uphold transparency in public fund utilization.
- Established effective communication channels to streamline resolution of budget-related issues among internal stakeholders.
- Implemented robust financial controls to mitigate risks of mismanagement and fraud.
- Engineered and sustained software spreadsheets for monitoring and analyzing essential financial data.
- Oversaw annual audits to guarantee compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Mentored junior staff on budget management strategies to foster financial accountability.
- Analyzed operating budgets to uncover trends impacting budgetary needs.
- Conducted month-end account analysis, encompassing headcount and salary reports alongside pertinent journal entries.
- Directed preparation of regular and special budget reports to ensure adherence to budget directives.
- Leveraged advanced software tools to construct detailed financial models.
- Formulated project budgets to enhance accuracy in forecasting inventory and material costs.
- Established financial control procedures and forecasting techniques to enhance budget assessment accuracy.
- Analyzed revenue streams, expenditure patterns, and cash management strategies to optimize financial performance.
- Formulated and implemented comprehensive budgeting policies and procedures.
- Conducted comprehensive audits of payroll vendor payments, commissions, and accounting disbursements to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Monitored compliance with internal controls and policies to uphold organizational standards.
- Formulated cash flow projections and executed cost analysis to enhance financial strategies.
- Established and executed internal audit procedures to strengthen financial reporting accuracy.
- Generated and submitted comprehensive internal and regulatory financial reports, including balance sheets and income statements.
- Analyzed business processes to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive operational efficiencies.
- Streamlined control processes and established reporting frameworks to enhance financial reporting accuracy.
- Managed and directed regular evaluations of financial controls to uphold data accuracy and reliability.
- Assisted in creating coding procedures to improve data accuracy. Supported report tracking and maintained internal files efficiently.
- Designed and implemented financial dashboards to improve visibility of key performance indicators.
- Engineered and maintained financial models to evaluate and quantify risks.
- Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop strategic long-term financial plans.
- Directed development and management of comprehensive financial models for evaluating corporate investments and acquisitions.
- Evaluated financial reports to identify discrepancies and uphold regulatory compliance.
- Formulated and executed annual budget forecasts to ensure alignment with departmental objectives.
- Facilitated collaboration among cross-functional teams to optimize resource allocation.
- Facilitated strategic planning sessions to evaluate fiscal performance and refine financial strategies.
- Guided junior staff in budgeting processes to enhance professional development and knowledge sharing.
- Optimized budgeting procedures to expedite approval processes and improve workflow efficiency.
- Articulated budget proposals to senior leadership, emphasizing key priorities and justifications for funding requests.
- Analyzed financial performance metrics to spearhead continuous improvement initiatives across departments.
- Evaluated and provided strategic recommendations on quarterly expenditure analysis for diverse program budgets.
- Formulated comprehensive financial forecasts to inform executive decision-making and optimize resource allocation.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives in budgeting processes to enhance fiscal responsibility.
- Compiled comprehensive update reports outlining expense categories and trends.
- Oversaw development and management of annual operating and capital budgets exceeding $amount for type agency.
- Evaluated financial trends to identify and mitigate potential shortfalls or funding gaps.
- Collaborated with senior leadership teams to define strategic direction through in-depth analysis of financial capacity and resource limitations.
- Executed departmental budget optimization through strategic financial planning and analysis.
- Conducted regular evaluations of existing processes and systems to identify opportunities for improvement within finance operations.
- Executed comprehensive risk assessments to pinpoint potential threats to long-term financial sustainability.
- Developed and implemented performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness of budget strategies.
- Executed budget amendments for various project types.
- Optimized operating costs by diligently monitoring expenses and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
- Oversaw stakeholder expectations by proactively addressing concerns through transparent communication, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Controlled budget adherence by strictly following outlined percentages and optimizing fund allocation.
- Advised department managers on financial trends and their anticipated impacts.
- Oversaw multi-million dollar budgets, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and guidelines.
- Secured advantageous contracts with vendors to enhance return on investment.
- Facilitated collaboration among cross-functional teams to align budgetary goals with operational objectives.
- Spearheaded data-driven decision-making initiatives by delivering precise reports that guided key stakeholders in resource allocation strategies.
- Optimized budget preparation process to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting.
- Oversaw meticulous record-keeping of all financial transactions to ensure transparency in public funds utilization.
- Facilitated effective communication channels to ensure timely resolution of budget-related concerns from internal stakeholders.
- Established comprehensive financial controls to ensure risk mitigation against mismanagement and potential fraud cases.
- Developed and maintained software spreadsheets to monitor and analyze critical financial data.
- Directed annual audits to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Guided junior staff in budget management best practices, cultivating a culture of accountability and excellence.
- Evaluated operating budgets regularly to identify trends influencing budget requirements.
- Executed month-end account analysis, including headcount and salary reports, alongside related journal entries.
- Oversaw preparation of regular and special budget reports to ensure compliance with budget directives.
- Utilized advanced software tools to develop comprehensive financial models.
- Developed project budgets, forecasting inventory and material pricing points.
- Facilitated training sessions for new staff on system enhancements and financial processes.
- Implemented financial control procedures and forecasting techniques to assess budget status.
- Evaluated revenue streams, expenditure patterns, and cash management strategies.
- Streamlined development and maintenance of monthly overtime report to identify agency-wide inefficiencies.
- Conducted comparative analysis of operating programs by evaluating costs against delivered services.
- Developed and executed comprehensive budgeting policies and procedures.
- Verified payroll vendor payments, commissions, and accounting disbursements for accuracy and compliance.
- Ensured adherence to established internal controls and policies.
- Formulated and executed strategic plans to optimize daily financial operations.
- Developed cash flow projections and conducted cost analysis to inform financial decision-making.
- Implemented internal audit procedures to enhance accuracy of financial reporting.
- Compiled and reviewed internal and regulatory financial reports, including balance sheets and income statements.
- Evaluated business processes to uncover cost-saving opportunities and enhance operational efficiencies.
- Executed banking business administration and financial operations to ensure exceptional client service.
- Leveraged financial software to generate consolidated financial statements.
- Enhanced financial reporting accuracy by optimizing control processes and reporting frameworks.
- Assisted financial director in executing special projects and managing additional responsibilities.
- Established and conducted regular evaluations of financial controls to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial data.
- Assisted in establishing coding procedures and verifying their accuracy. Supported monitoring of reports and updating of internal files.
- Negotiated and finalized contracts to secure advantageous financial terms.
- Analyzed historical records, current operational data, and forecasting information to identify and leverage system enhancement opportunities.
- Developed financial dashboards to enhance visibility of key performance indicators.
- Developed and sustained financial models to assess and quantify risks.
- Executed comprehensive financial due diligence on prospective investments and acquisitions.
- Partnered with C-level executives and stakeholders to formulate strategic long-term financial plans.
- Developed and managed comprehensive financial models to assess corporate investments and acquisitions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Writing
University of South Florida
Tampa, FLSkills
AT USF I had a staff of 22 & we managed >$50M in funding
Accomplishments
I was promoted 5 times in 23 year and was a terrific manager.
Spreadsheets
Excel Office in general.
Timeline
Budget Director
USF
03.1999 - 04.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Writing
University of South Florida