Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Sarah Hicks

Fairless Hills,PA

Summary

Strategic Finance Manager with a proven track record in strategic financial planning and budget management. Possess strong skills in financial forecasting, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost savings while maintaining high standards of financial integrity and control. Committed to delivering impactful results through collaborative leadership and cross-functional team engagement.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Finance Manager

Educational Testing Service Inc.
Princeton, NJ
01.2022 - Current
  • Oversee team of financial analysts, including international personnel and BPO resources
  • Coordinate hiring, onboarding, and training of new staff (onshore and offshore)
  • Developed comprehensive slide decks illustrating financial information for budget review sessions with executives (including CEO and Board of Directors)
  • Constructed and analyzed financial models for executive team
  • Compiled comprehensive financial budgets and targets for the company and its subsidiaries
  • Drive initiatives for operational refinement
  • Worked with Transition Service Delivery Leads in IT, SBU, and Operations divisions
  • Managed coordination efforts for financial services revamp in partnership with BPO
  • Oversaw BPO provider relationships to meet business needs
  • Managed operational facets of finance transformation
  • Oversee Capital and OpEx Investment planning, budgeting, forecasting data
  • Led the outsourcing of financial services to a BPO provider
  • Revamped financial reporting frameworks to boost efficiency
  • Prepared financial documents such as budgets, forecasts and reports.
  • Reviewed and analyzed budget variances to ensure accuracy of financial information.
  • Analyzed complex financial data and generated meaningful reports for senior management.
  • Developed forecasting models utilizing historical data trends to predict future revenues and expenses.
  • Coordinated with other departments within the organization regarding budgeting matters.
  • Analyzed actual financial results vs budget to prepare variance reporting to functional groups.
  • Enhanced financial systems and processes through the implementation of technology solutions.
  • Conducted variance analysis to identify discrepancies between actual and budgeted performance.
  • Supervised and mentored finance team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Oversaw budget preparation, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and financial health.
  • Prepared and analyzed financial statements to inform executive decision-making.

Lead Financial Analyst

Educational Testing Service Inc.
Princeton, NJ
07.2015 - 01.2022
  • Managed financial analyst team, focusing on meeting objectives
  • Coordinated budget management activities across multiple departments including Quality, HR, Facilities and Marketing
  • Reviewed accounting journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial reports.
  • Evaluated purchase requisition accuracy
  • Produced detailed financial reports and presented to business area's leadership team at varying intervals
  • Designed on-demand reporting to meet requirements
  • Conducted financial data analysis to uncover cost-saving opportunities
  • Executed financial modeling for various business areas such as volume-based, service-based, and SaaS
  • Developed comprehensive slide decks illustrating financial information for budget review sessions with executives
  • Developed and managed financial models for forecasting, budgeting, and analyzing business performance.

Lead Accountant

Educational Testing Service Inc.
Princeton, NJ
08.2011 - 07.2015
  • Directed a team of three accounting staff overseeing objectives, development, and performance
  • Oversaw month-end financial close processes
  • Oversaw user access for ERP, SharePoint, and network resources
  • Conducted monthly analysis and authorization of journal entries
  • Ensured accuracy by conducting and approving account reconciliations monthly
  • Developed overhead rates for corporate and government budgets
  • Liaised with auditors to complete annual audits and maintain compliance with local, state and federal requirements.
  • Executed review of revenue recognition summary
  • Facilitated continuous ERP learning sessions for finance team
  • Guided junior staff members toward skill enhancement
  • Generated and submitted Schedule of Federal Expenditures (A-133)
  • Prepared A-122 submissions for compliance with federal regulations
  • Applied comprehensive knowledge in FAR and Uniform Guidance to ensure regulatory alignment
  • Completed quarterly flux evaluations
  • Engineered international FIN-48 revenue tax reporting
  • Contributed to new product development initiatives
  • Reviewed and analyzed financial reports to ensure accuracy of information and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.
  • Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with established guidelines.
  • Developed and implemented internal control procedures to ensure accurate reporting of financial data.
  • Managed month-end close process including preparation of journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, adjustments.
  • Assisted with the development of budgeting processes and ensured that all expenses were accurately recorded in the general ledger.
  • Provided guidance to staff members on accounting policies and procedures as needed.
  • Analyzed complex financial transactions for accuracy and completeness prior to recording into the system.
  • Collaborated with external auditors during yearly audit process by providing requested documents or other relevant information.
  • Investigated discrepancies in financial records to determine causes and take corrective action when necessary.
  • Participated in special projects such as system implementations or process improvements.
  • Coordinated with other departments within the organization on various finance-related matters.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, standards, best practices. pertaining to accounting operations.
  • Provided training to staff members on proper use of accounting software applications.
  • Identified areas for improvement in existing processes related to general ledger maintenance or reporting requirements.
  • Prepared ad hoc reports as required by senior management team from time to time.
  • Managed financial operations, month-end reporting, financial schedules and reconciliations.
  • Managed accounting department staff members and workload.
  • Performed audits of operational and financial areas to check compliance.
  • Analyzed balance sheets for mistakes and inaccuracies.
  • Researched and implemented best practices to improve audit results.

Senior Accountant

Educational Testing Service Inc.
Princeton, NJ
08.2009 - 08.2011
  • Created journal entries
  • Performed comprehensive account reconciliations
  • Provided financial backing to specific initiatives
  • Crafted succinct revenue recognition summaries
  • Recognized with prestigious ETS award in 2010 due to innovative product introduction efforts

Senior Accountant

Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma
Princeton, NJ
04.2006 - 08.2009
  • Executed journal entries for accurate financial reporting
  • Executed Intercompany transactions to streamline monthly closures
  • Conducted thorough reviews of Balance Sheet Statements
  • Drafted supporting schedules for SEC regulatory filings
  • Reconciled financial and investment accounts
  • Completed reconciliations for Balance Sheet accounts
  • Managed general ledger upkeep
  • Led efforts in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance remediation
  • Oversaw and educated summer interns

Senior Accountant

RCN Telecom Services LLC
Princeton, NJ
07.2002 - 04.2006
  • Created journal entries and managed intercompany transactions for month-end close
  • Performed thorough analyses of balance sheets and income reports
  • Generated compliant schedules for financial reports (10K, 10Q)
  • Monitored daily and weekly transaction activity
  • Conducted reconciliations for Balance Sheet accounts
  • Recorded monthly figures for accretion and interest regarding company liabilities
  • Assisted in the external audit process
  • Participated in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts
  • Supervised and educated temporary staff
  • Engaged in corporate restructuring process

Education

Master of Science - Accounting

Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
05-2015

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
05-2002

Skills

  • PeopleSoft Financial ERP
  • Microsoft Windows 11 and prior versions
  • Microsoft Office 365 Professional and prior versions
  • Excel – Advanced user (including: pivot tables/charts, slicers, timelines, and advanced formulas)
  • PowerPoint – creating presentations with financial data, charts, and graphs
  • Microsoft Teams – creating and managing Teams and Channels
  • Microsoft Business Intelligence (MSBI)
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • IBM Planning Analytics (TM1) and Excel Add-in
  • Oracle Financial Accounting Hub
  • Cognos Analysis Studio 90
  • SAP Financial ERP
  • Oracle Financial ERP
  • Adobe Acrobat Professional
  • SharePoint (user, designer, and admin) Budget Forecasting
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Strategic Planning
  • Financial Management
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Mentoring and training
  • GAAP knowledge
  • Capital budgeting
  • Financial audits
  • KPI Development
  • Performance Reviews
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Improvement Recommendations
  • Financial Analysis
  • Controls system maintenance

Timeline

Finance Manager

Educational Testing Service Inc.
01.2022 - Current

Lead Financial Analyst

Educational Testing Service Inc.
07.2015 - 01.2022

Lead Accountant

Educational Testing Service Inc.
08.2011 - 07.2015

Senior Accountant

Educational Testing Service Inc.
08.2009 - 08.2011

Senior Accountant

Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma
04.2006 - 08.2009

Senior Accountant

RCN Telecom Services LLC
07.2002 - 04.2006

Master of Science - Accounting

Rider University

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Rider University

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Sarah Hicks