Tara Cole
Lithonia,GA
Summary
Experienced Accounts Payable Manager with 28 years of experience in the consumer electronics and electrical contracting industries, managing daily accounts payable operations. Expertise in overseeing invoicing, vendor relations, payment processing, credit card rconciliation and employee relations. Successful in reconfiguring workflow and staff responsibilities to improve efficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Accounts Payable Manager
Allison Smith Company
10.2012 - 05.2024
- Managed accurate and timely processing of over 5000 invoices per month.
- Reduced payment discrepancies with thorough invoice review, analysis, and reconciliation efforts.
- Reviewed expense reports for accuracy, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiencies.
- Streamlined invoice processing for improved efficiency and reduced processing time.
- Positively interacted with all partners, employees and customers using exemplary communication and interpersonal talents.
- Managed a team of accounting staff, providing guidance and support to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Improved vendor relationships through timely payments and clear communication of company policies.
- Developed reports for senior management to outline expenditures, vendor spend and forecasting.
- Collaborated with other departments to resolve billing issues promptly and maintain accurate financial records.
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting open communication, collaboration, and professional growth opportunities for team members.
- Monitored department performance metrics regularly, identifying inefficiencies or bottlenecks in order to continuously improve overall productivity levels.
- Closely monitored accounts to post timely payments and resolve billing discrepancies.
- Coordinated accounts payable functions and improved workflow for 3 staff members.
- Supported audit processes with well-organized documentation of accounts payable transactions, minimizing errors or discrepancies found during audits.
- Built strong relationships with vendors to enhance cost offerings and accomplish favored customer status.
- Spearheaded process improvements initiatives resulting in increased efficiency within the accounts payable department.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of tax laws affecting accounts payable activities.
- Optimized cash flow management by negotiating favorable payment terms with vendors.
- Conducted regular training sessions for staff on new regulatory requirements and accounting practices.
- Enhanced vendor relationships by negotiating payment terms that benefited both parties.
- Optimized cash flow management by strategically scheduling payments.
- Enhanced team performance by setting clear goals and providing regular feedback.
- Managed team of accounts payable clerks, fostering culture of accuracy and timeliness.
- Spearheaded project to improve vendor onboarding process, enhancing vendor satisfaction.
- Oversaw reconciliation of accounts payable ledgers, guaranteeing financial accuracy.
- Developed and maintained strong working relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely resolution of disputes.
- Led successful migration of accounts payable system to cloud-based platform.
- Achieved significant cost savings by identifying and eliminating duplicate payments.
- Supported financial director with special projects and additional job duties.
- Prepared cash flow projections, cost analysis and monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
- Reached out to vendors and customers to verify information and follow up on client issues.
- Processed invoices and journal entries with efficiency and accuracy, resulting in decreased discrepancies.
Accts Payable/Billing Specialist/Payroll Specialist
Allison Smith Company
03.2008 - 10.2012
- Researched and resolved billing discrepancies to enable accurate billing.
- Identified, researched, and resolved billing variances to maintain system accuracy and currency.
- Prepared itemized statements, bills, or invoices and recorded amounts due for items purchased or services rendered.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with timely and accurate invoice generation.
- Strengthened client relationships through effective communication regarding billing issues and concerns.
- Improved customer satisfaction with prompt and clear communication regarding their billing inquiries.
- Managed monthly billing cycles to ensure timely issuance of invoices and statements.
- Responded to customer concerns and questions on daily basis.
- Collaborated with customers to resolve disputes.
- Produced and mailed monthly statements to customers and assisted with related requests for information and clarification.
- Entered invoices requiring payment and disbursed amounts via check, electronic transfer or bank draft.
- Kept vendor files accurate and up-to-date to expedite payment processing.
- Processed vendor and supplier payments on weekly basis.
- Assisted employees with inquiries regarding their paychecks, deductions, and other related issues, providing clear and concise communication.
- Provided customer service to employees regarding payroll inquiries and issues.
- Resolved payroll discrepancies quickly and successfully.
- Reduced payroll errors by conducting thorough audits and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
- Created new hire and termination documents for payroll.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of all payroll information and records.
- Managed payroll data entry and processing for over 1000 employees to comply with predetermined company guidelines.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive employee information while addressing payroll concerns or disputes.
- Generated paper checks for employees and printed stubs for associates who received direct deposits to complete payroll distribution.
- Documented and processed all garnishments for bankruptcies, student loans, and child support orders.
- Facilitated smooth onboarding of new hires by efficiently entering relevant data into the payroll system.
- Implemented direct deposit options for employees, increasing convenience and improving overall satisfaction levels.
- Improved employee satisfaction with timely and accurate payroll processing, addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
- Identified and corrected payroll discrepancies, ensuring employees were paid accurately and fostering trust within workforce.
- Oversaw accurate processing of special payroll situations, such as bonuses, terminations, and leaves of absence, maintaining strict adherence to policies.
- Completed payroll accurately and timely to meet employee expectations.
- Responded to employee questions and requests for information in timely and knowledgeable fashion.
- Performed data entry tasks and maintained accurate records of employee payroll information.
- Audited timesheets and payroll records for accuracy.
- Maintained confidentiality of employee records and payroll information.
- Maintained employee confidence and protected payroll operations by keeping information confidential.
- Updated employee files with new details such as changes in address or salary levels.
- Reconciled payroll discrepancies and responded to inquiries from employees.
- Processed manual checks for employees in accordance with company policies.
- Reviewed personnel records to determine names, rates of pay, occupations of new hires and changes in wage rates.
- Processed monthly union reports for over 1000 employees.
Education
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Kaplan University
Davenport, IASkills
- Account reconciliation
- Accounts payable software
- Credit card reconciliation
- Expense processing
- Proficient in 10 key
- Workflow management
- Invoice auditing
- Accounts payable expertise
- Payment scheduling
- Purchase order management
- Invoice processing
- Process improvements
- Audit support
Timeline
Accounts Payable Manager
Allison Smith Company
10.2012 - 05.2024
Accts Payable/Billing Specialist/Payroll Specialist
Allison Smith Company
03.2008 - 10.2012
Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
Kaplan University
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