Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Industries
Education
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Tara Hazelbaker, CPA, CIA

Gulf Shores,AL

Summary

Big-picture focus on solutions that positively impact business operations and performance. Financial manager with a diverse skill set and background; budget management experience ranging from $2 million to $700 million. Ability to quickly learn new business lines and apply a common sense approach to analysis and recommendations. Leader whose focus on improvement and positive change is illustrated through the pursuit of excellence.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Internal Audit

Jefferson Parish Government
06.2017 - Current
  • Advisor to Parish Council and Administration via Annual Risk Assessment, engagement audit reports, and consultative sessions.
  • Design and implement audit procedures to address identified assessed risk spanning across forty-three different departments.
  • Effectively communicated with each audited department to garner ninety-seven percent acceptance rate of engagement recommendations.
  • Excellent time management skills illustrated by production of seven to eight audit reports per year as single member department.
  • Published audit reports can be found at www.jeffparish.net/departments/internal-audit/audit-reports.

Director of Accounting

Jefferson Parish Government
01.2014 - 06.2017
  • Responsible for supervision of general ledger reporting, fixed asset management, accounts payable processes, and payroll administration for over 3800 employees
  • Oversee production of Certified Annual Financial Report (CAFR); Awarded Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association
  • Developed needed policies that were not yet in existence; Revised and improved upon existing policies and procedures; Strengthened internal controls
  • Foster proactive environment in addressing needs throughout the parish and within the accounting department.

Consultant / Finance Director / COO

Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West
01.2011 - 09.2013
  • Supported President/CEO in development and implementation of strategic plan.
  • Provided oversight of internal operations including Finance/Accounting, Risk Management, Safety and Human Resources.
  • Performed staffing analysis and reorganized human capital to enable more effective achievement of strategic initiatives.
  • Responsible for reporting organizational financial and performance results to Board of Directors and President/CEO.

Consultant / Controller

Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans
01.2010 - 01.2011
  • Provided oversight and direction on all aspects of financial reporting, including monthly reporting package, quarterly consolidated statements and annual budgeting process for $26 million human services non-profit organization with 100+ funding sources, and $48 million property development subsidiary.
  • Conducted analysis of all organizational contracts to ensure compliance and appropriate staffing.
  • Reduced expenses by $1.3M.
  • Performed departmental workflow process mapping to improve and realign staff responsibilities.

President & CEO / CFO

Easter Seals Virginia, Inc.
04.2005 - 08.2009
  • Reorganized, right-sized and streamlined operations.
  • Positively impacted bottom line results.
  • Repositioned organization to allow for merger opportunities.
  • Redesigned accounting system; strengthened internal controls.

Senior Manager, Healthcare Group

Larson, Allen, Weishair, LLC
01.2002 - 04.2005
  • Larson Allen is a CPA firm that has been serving healthcare organizations for more than 50 years, and has one of the nation's largest health care practices. *Note: merger has since taken place.

Accounting Manager, Home Health Agencies

Capital Health Management Group
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Capital Health was formed specifically to help home health agencies focus their resources, manage their risks, and capitalize on opportunities in a rapidly changing market.

Senior Accountant, Employee Assistance Programs

Horizon Mental Health Management, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000
  • Horizon Health is a leading provider of mental health and rehabilitation services.

Supervisor, Third-party Reimbursement

Clifton, Gunderson and Company
01.1993 - 01.1999
  • Clifton Gunderson, ranked as one of the nation's largest CPA and consulting firms, provides a wide range of assurance, accounting, tax and consulting services to clients in a variety of industries. *Note: merger has since taken place.

Skills

  • Operational analysis and improvements
  • Internal audit and compliance
  • Policies and procedures development
  • Accounting system migrations
  • Grant management
  • Ethical judgement
  • Problem-solving
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Teamwork
  • Continuous learning

Industries

Government  /  Non-profit  /  Healthcare  /  Consulting

 

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Ball State University – Muncie, Indiana

Certification

  • CPA - LA Certified Public Accountant
  • CIA - Certified Internal Auditor

Timeline

Director of Internal Audit

Jefferson Parish Government
06.2017 - Current

Director of Accounting

Jefferson Parish Government
01.2014 - 06.2017

Consultant / Finance Director / COO

Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West
01.2011 - 09.2013

Consultant / Controller

Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans
01.2010 - 01.2011

President & CEO / CFO

Easter Seals Virginia, Inc.
04.2005 - 08.2009

Senior Manager, Healthcare Group

Larson, Allen, Weishair, LLC
01.2002 - 04.2005

Accounting Manager, Home Health Agencies

Capital Health Management Group
01.2000 - 01.2002

Senior Accountant, Employee Assistance Programs

Horizon Mental Health Management, Inc.
01.1999 - 01.2000

Supervisor, Third-party Reimbursement

Clifton, Gunderson and Company
01.1993 - 01.1999

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Tara Hazelbaker, CPA, CIA