Robert Stewart

Organized, coordinated, and executed the fiscal and business management operations of the Department of Transportation. Oversaw accounting, budgeting, finance, procurement, and management evaluation functions to maintain financial integrity and compliance. Exercises considerable latitude in the development and execution of fiscal and business management procedures and practices of the department. Supervises the preparation and execution of the department's budget and collateral federal and state fiscal transactions. Oversees and coordinates all fiscal business management matters of the department. Developed and presented annual appropriation request, securing necessary funding for departmental initiatives. Oversees the preparation of regulations and special reports of federal, state and local agencies. Oversees the procurement of services, equipment and supplies in accordance with departmental budget limitations and procurement regulations. Oversees the inter-agency relationships between Transportation and other agencies such as the Auditor's Office, the Treasurer's Office and the Legislature.

Assisted in developing budget proposals for transportation projects.

Coordinated communication between departments to streamline project workflows.

Conducted research on regulatory compliance and policy updates.

Led overhead reviews as in-charge auditor, addressing questions from consultants to ensure clarity and compliance. Prepared and reviewed diverse accounting reports related to audit steps and policies, supporting accurate conclusions. Maintained current knowledge of Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) to ensure compliance in audit reviews.

• Conducted comprehensive audits of financial records to ensure compliance with state regulations.
• Developed detailed audit reports outlining findings and recommendations for corrective actions.
• Evaluated internal controls and identified areas for process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement audit recommendations and monitor progress.

• Managed monthly financial statements, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
• Developed and implemented budget tracking systems to enhance accuracy in financial reporting.
• Conducted variance analysis, identifying discrepancies and recommending corrective actions to improve financial outcomes.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline accounting processes and improve operational efficiency.

• Led audit preparation, coordinating with external auditors to streamline review processes.
• Managed financial reporting processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and organizational policies.
• Developed and implemented budgetary controls, enhancing accuracy in financial forecasting.
• Mentored junior accountants, fostering skill development and improving team performance.
• Established State (WV) Rates for Medicaid Providers based upon cost reporting data, and various other documents from the National Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services. Was also responsible for calculation of the quarterly Enhanced Payment Program (EPP) Payments and Direct Medical Education Payments to be distributed among 30+ hospitals throughout the state. Required extensive written and oral communications with vendors and providers.

• Developed comprehensive audit plans to effectively evaluate risk management processes.
• Led audit teams to assess compliance with financial regulations and internal controls.
• Analyzed complex financial data to identify discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
• Mentored junior auditors, enhancing their skills in audit methodologies and documentation practices.
• Conducted thorough reviews of financial statements, ensuring accuracy and adherence to standards.

• Led financial reporting and analysis to enhance strategic decision-making processes.
• Developed and implemented internal controls to mitigate financial risks and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Streamlined accounting operations, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy of financial statements.
• Mentored junior accountants, fostering professional development and enhancing team performance.

• Assisted in preparing accurate financial reports for management review.
• Analyzed financial data to support decision-making and identify trends.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency.
• Developed and implemented process improvements to streamline workflows.
• Was responsible for the development and production of General Ledger Management reports for the bank. Extensively used report writing tools to develop, test, and implement reports. Was responsible for maintaining monthly production schedules and monitoring monthly report production. Assisted in maintaining structures and chart of accounts. Was also responsible for monitoring changes to infopac report distribution tables. The above duties required extensive use of Microsoft Excel, Access, and Word for Windows. In addition to the above duties, was also responsible for helping to phase in the new Activity Based Costing (ABC) approach to cost accounting. This was a project started with the help of Ernst & Young Consultants in early 1995.

• Evaluated investment opportunities to optimize portfolio performance and risk management.
• Led initiatives to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and standards.
• Mentored junior staff on financial analysis techniques and best practices.
• Facilitated training sessions on new financial tools and systems for staff development.
• Was responsible for the accuracy of 11,000+ financial reports distributed to 1,400+ managers nationwide within the bank, on a monthly basis. Also supervised the distribution of the reports by maintaining a database in PARADOX (a database software) and coordinated staff for the distribution process. Other responsibilities included maintaining correspondence with 70 Customer Group Contacts and the coding of management reports to the mainframe. Also was responsible for posting monthly entries to the general ledger for Loan Loss Provisions and Money & Capital allocations. These duties involved extensive usage of Lotus 123 and WordPerfect. I was also in the bank’s Management Associates Program (MAPS) – responsibilities included producing manual entries for payroll system rejects. Also generated entries for payroll taxes and dealt with the needs of Expatriates of the bank.