Sandra Banks
Jackson,MS
Summary
Experienced financial management and accounting professional with a track record of over 10 years driving positive company growth. Proficient in utilizing accounting and financial management best practices, adept in team leadership, and dedicated to implementing improvements for sustained enhancement. Skilled in financial statement preparation, analysis, operational management, forecasting, and cost control, aiming to optimize processes and foster operational excellence.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Accounting Director
Mississippi Soil and Water Conversation Commission
07.2022 - Current
- Manages a budget exceeding $25 million, ensuring proper allocation of funds in accordance with state guidelines and policies
- Responsible for overseeing and supervising all financial and accounting operations within the agency
- Assesses financial reporting systems, accounting, collection procedures, and investment activities, providing recommendations for enhancing procedures, operational systems, budgets, or other financial control functions
- Conducts in-depth research on prevailing accounting and auditing principles, standards, laws, and regulations pertinent to program areas under supervision; interprets and elucidates these regulations to staff, while creating new applications as necessary
- Assists in the preparation and submission of information to The Legislative Budget Office (LBO)
- Assumes responsibility, when requested, for the operation of the office in the absence of an Administrative Superior
- Collaborates on and aids in analyzing the policy implications of budget proposals, while also coordinating the formulation of a comprehensive state budget detailing both expenditures and revenue for each fiscal year
- Directs the implementation of the enacted annual state budget and budget revisions, escalations, and transfers throughout the fiscal year
- Monitor and assess financial data, conducting analysis to detect discrepancies or trends, forecast revenues and expenditures, calculate costs and benefits, and generate reports for managerial review.
DOR-Tax Auditor/Accountant II-OIT-MARS/MARVIN Division
Mississippi Department of Revenue
08.2021 - 07.2022
- Initiated and conducted tax audits by establishing methodologies and procedural guidelines, determining necessary information, and specifying the scope and depth of the audit
- This involves assessing the audit's significance and scrutinizing tangible data, such as testing records, to achieve accurate analysis and evaluation
- Provided guidance to administrative personnel regarding laws, rules, and regulations pertinent to tax, fiscal, and employment compensation issues in their administration
- Participated in Review Board hearings concerning disputed audits
- Advised administrative personnel on laws, rules, and regulations as they relate to tax, fiscal, and employment compensation matters and/or related concerns in the administration of same
- Engaged in Review Board hearings involving disputed audits
- Communicated with taxpayers regarding audit procedures, improvements in tax reporting and compliance, tax assessment amounts, and the collection of owed taxes or refunds for overpayments
- Reviewed taxpayers' self-assessed tax liabilities as reported on returns
- Conducted research to identify and promptly resolve client logs/errors, which depending on the complexity, may require several hours to address
- Kept updated on various tax types, their objectives, and the revenue they generate on a daily basis
- Conducted rigorous testing in various environments before releasing anything to Production
- Depending on the scope of testing, completion could range from hours to days
- Participated in meetings discussing upcoming changes or new tax laws on a weekly basis.
Accountant/Auditor Professional I
Mississippi Soil and Water Conversation Commission
06.2018 - 07.2021
- Reconciled, or notes and reports, discrepancies found in records
- Ensured accuracy and proper coding of figures, postings, and documents
- Inspects notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate
- Compiled statistical, financial, accounting, or auditing reports and tables pertaining to cash receipts, expenditures, accounts payable and receivable, and profits and losses
- Researched, compiled, and prepared reports, manuals, correspondence, and other information required by management or other governmental agencies
- Processed vendor invoices for payment; processes travel authorizations and travel vouchers for payment
- Created and maintains spreadsheets and other documents related to accounting records for multiple agency programs
- Traced revenues to source to verify revenue reporting
- Corresponded and communicated with suppliers and departments regarding services and complaints
- Recommended new or revised purchasing procedures
- Assisted suppliers/vendors in registering in MAGIC
- Resolved discrepancies and invoice problems.
Accountant/Auditor III—Procurement Specialist
Mississippi Development Authority
06.2017 - 05.2018
- Originated purchase orders
- Resolved discrepancies and invoice problems
- Served as advisor to subordinate buyers on unusual or difficult policy problems
- Solicited quotations and bids
- Selected suppliers from bidders' lists
- Corresponded and communicated with suppliers and departments regarding services and complaints
- Recommended new or revised purchasing procedures
- Assisted suppliers/vendors in registering in MAGIC
- Read, interpreted and explained laws, rules and office policies and procedures
- Reviewed Personal Service contracts and create waiver letters
- Compiled data for purposes of bidding and awarding contracts.
Accountant/Auditor II
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation
01.2016 - 05.2017
- Directed or assisted in directing the disbursement of agency funds in accordance with approved policies and procedures
- Acted as fiscal advisor to agency administrators; by representing the agency at various fiscal meetings with considerable authority to act for the agency carrying out important personnel responsibilities involved in directing small accounting divisions
- Developed and modified complex accounting systems; maintained complex ledgers, controls, and balances; and preparing fiscal statements and analyses.
Accounting/Auditing Tech.
Mississippi Department of Health
06.2014 - 01.2016
- Verified and balanced entries in various accounting ledgers, the preparation of payroll, and the compilation of statistical and financial information for reports
- Participated in the analyses of department accounting functions to determine the effectiveness of accounting systems
- Reviewed state rules, regulations, laws, and policies to become familiar with applicable procedures governing accounting practices.
Senior/Vault/Commercial Teller
Regions Banks
09.2008 - 06.2014
- Accepted DDA deposits, cash, checks, accepted savings deposits and withdrawals, accepted installment loan and charge card payments for customers as well as commercial customer
- Counted and recorded cash deposits in vault of commercial bank
- Counted currency, coins, and checks received for deposit in vault from business or branch bank, by hand and using currency-counting machine.
Education
Masters of Professional Accountancy -
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS12.2018
Bachelor of Science in Accounting -
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS04.2016
Skills
- Proficient in MAGIC (Mississippi Accountability System for Information and Collaboration)
- Procurement
- Account Payable/Receivable
- Auditing
- Proficient in MARS and MARVIN
- Proficient in The Legislative Budget Office (LBO)
- Management Reporting
- Financial Analysis
- Auditing Procedures
- Fixed Asset Management
- Cost Accounting
- Account Reconciliation
- Purchase Order Management
- Financial Reporting
Certification
- Member of MAGPPA
- Certified Mississippi Purchasing Agent
- Certified Mississippi Fleet Manager
Timeline
Accounting Director
Mississippi Soil and Water Conversation Commission
07.2022 - Current
DOR-Tax Auditor/Accountant II-OIT-MARS/MARVIN Division
Mississippi Department of Revenue
08.2021 - 07.2022
Accountant/Auditor Professional I
Mississippi Soil and Water Conversation Commission
06.2018 - 07.2021
Accountant/Auditor III—Procurement Specialist
Mississippi Development Authority
06.2017 - 05.2018
Accountant/Auditor II
Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation
01.2016 - 05.2017
Accounting/Auditing Tech.
Mississippi Department of Health
06.2014 - 01.2016
Senior/Vault/Commercial Teller
Regions Banks
09.2008 - 06.2014
Masters of Professional Accountancy -
Jackson State University
Bachelor of Science in Accounting -
Jackson State University
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