Susan Donato
Lexington,NC
Summary
Forward-thinking Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller bringing solid experience in reporting and accounting leadership. Successful history includes maximizing the accuracy of records, statements and corporate audits. Confident leader with a level-headed, relationship-driven approach. Gifted in connecting with shareholders and board members through well-honed communication, negotiation and mediation strengths.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Corporate Controller
Sentry Electrical Group, Inc.
Atlanta, GA
05.2025 - 10.2025
- Remote Full /Corporate Controller responsible for the financial activity and reporting for the company.
- Managed all aspects of financial reporting, including preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
- Participated in monthly WIP review, reporting and monthly GL adjustment.
- Implemented internal controls to safeguard assets and mitigate risk.
- Managed cash flow by monitoring accounts receivable/payable and optimizing working capital levels.
- Responsible for biweekly AP report and payment selection.
- Review of monthly AR status after billing was completed by Staff.
- Developed policies and procedures to improve efficiency within the finance department.
- Prepared financial forecasts and projections to support strategic decision-making.
- Managed relationships with insurance providers to ensure adequate coverage for the organization's assets.
- Evaluated potential risks associated with business decisions, providing recommendations.
- Managed relationships with external vendors such as auditors, tax consultants, or legal advisors.
- Supervised a team of accountants responsible for day-to-day accounting activities such as journal entries and reconciliations.
- Consulted with management on multi state sales tax requirements and reporting.
Corporate Controller
Night and Day Dental
Raleigh, NC
04.2023 - 05.2025
- Position outsourced to CPA firm.
- Managed all aspects of financial reporting, including preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for 15 business units.
- Implemented internal controls to safeguard assets and inventory.
- Performed detailed financial analysis to identify trends and variances in key performance indicators.
- Managed cash flow by monitoring accounts receivable/payable and optimizing working capital levels.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives that resulted in a 30% reduction in operating expenses annually.
- Developed policies and procedures to improve efficiency within the finance departments and individual business units.
- Identified areas for process improvement within the finance function through automation or system enhancements.
- Managed relationships with banking institutions to ensure adequate funding for daily operations.
- Reconcile accounts monthly to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance.
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive chart of accounts that accurately reflected the company's financial transactions.
- Conducted regular variance analysis to identify areas of concern or opportunities for improvement.
- Provided training and development opportunities for finance team members to enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Managed all aspects of financial reporting, including preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
- Oversaw the company's accounting operations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP.
- Prepared comprehensive financial reports for executive management and board of directors' meetings.
Construction Controller/Senior Accountant
Southeast Mechanical Corporation
Hillsborough, NC
08.2020 - 05.2023
- Responsible for all of the month-end, quarterly, and year-end closing.
- Reconcile accounts monthly to ensure accurate reporting and ledger maintenance.
- Directed a team of accounting staff and coordinated the departments for work input and monthly close.
- With input from the CFO, work on formulating accounting policies, procedures, and controls.
- Review transaction coding and financial statements for accuracy, legal compliance, and alignment to budgeted expense coding.
- Cash and multi-year financial planning.
- Internal lead for annual financial audits.
- Coordinate the year-end audit.
- Internal AR and AP planning and oversight with major business units under the services umbrella.
- Provided training and development opportunities for finance team members to enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Oversee accounting for one major office and various project site locations.
- Collaborate with leadership to assess and make important financial decisions.
- Prepare WIP reports and related adjustments for monthly financial reporting.
- Prepare financial documents such as business reports, financial forecasts, and statements to understand the financial state of the business.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the financial market to understand how to maximize profits and find new expansion areas.
- Prepare the company financials according to US GAAP standards to meet legal requirements and keep the financial state of the company in good standing.
- Ensure the company complies with financial regulations.
- Prepared and submitted payroll for approval and funding for over 140 employees or several locations with commissions.
Corporate Financial Controller -Company
A-1 Pavement Marking, TMI Marking and TMI Services, Inc
Monroe, NC
01.2017 - 04.2023
- Directed the activities and established the priorities of the accounting department of a multi-corporate group.
- Prepared consolidated monthly financial statements for all operating entities.
- Managed and coordinated general accounting financial reporting as well as financial planning and forecasting, including consolidation for two entities.
- Prepared and entered all GL journal entries and reconciled all accounts prior to month end close.
- Preparing consolidated financial statements and supporting schedules according to monthly close schedule.
- Assisting with providing data for tax returns and corporate reporting requirements.
- Responsibility of annual budgeting process including overall comparison of actual operations to budgeted results, identifying variances, and determining causes and actions.
- Developed new accounting rules and policies, and implemented critical, standardized performance measures to improve financial reporting.
- Directed the HR activities for all companies to include onboarding procedures, handbook and EEO complaint system.
- Built a self-insured Health plan and maintained the monthly funding and claims, secured competitive renewals and employee benefits. Savings of 750,000 over three years.
- Planned and implemented the transition to a new computer system so all companies were reporting the same information across the board.
- Provided oversight and approvals for payroll processing of weekly payrolls, for over 100 employees.
- Prepared and filed all necessary payroll tax returns.
- Managed all projects and A1A billing for contracts.
- Monitored accounts receivable, collections, and accounts payable as well as liquidity and working capital reporting.
- Serve as a liaison with external CPA in preparing monthly financial statements & tax returns for all corporate entities.
- Participated in audit function.
- Provided training for accounting staff at all locations and encouraged professional development of team members.
- General ledger account maintenance and balanced monthly schedules to Trial Balance.
- Made AJE's where needed for monthly maintenance and reporting.
- Reconciled ALL cash accounts monthly.
- Responsibility for all general accounting and financial reporting duties and facilitation and preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
- WIP Accounting and reporting.
- Inventory Accounting and management.
Auditor/Controller /Accountant
Accurate Audit and Accounting Services, LLC
Albany, NY
01.2008 - 01.2017
- Managed accounting services for several clients to include Financial Statement reporting and all related subsidiary functions to include payroll processing, AR functions, Payroll and Sales Tax filings, reconciliations, and other related accounting services.
Education
Bachelor's - Accounting And Finance
SUNY At Buffalo
05-1981
Skills
- Financial reporting
- Internal controls
- Cash flow management
- GAAP compliance
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Financial analysis
- Process improvement
- Team leadership
- Auditor coordination
- Month-end and year-end closings
- Cost accounting
- Intercompany transactions
- General ledger management
Personal Information
Title: Controller
Timeline
Corporate Controller
Sentry Electrical Group, Inc.
05.2025 - 10.2025
Corporate Controller
Night and Day Dental
04.2023 - 05.2025
Construction Controller/Senior Accountant
Southeast Mechanical Corporation
08.2020 - 05.2023
Corporate Financial Controller -Company
A-1 Pavement Marking, TMI Marking and TMI Services, Inc
01.2017 - 04.2023
Auditor/Controller /Accountant
Accurate Audit and Accounting Services, LLC
01.2008 - 01.2017
Bachelor's - Accounting And Finance
SUNY At Buffalo