Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Seminars/Training
Computer Skills
Timeline
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Tara Makara

Dayville,CT

Summary

Detail-oriented team player with 30 years of Accounting and Accounts Payable experience. Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Adept at managing budgets, invoicing and general accounting functions. Instrumental in keeping business operations fully compliant and working within budgetary guidelines.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Principal Accountant

The Yankee Companies
03.2008 - 06.2024
  • Enhanced financial accuracy by meticulously reviewing and reconciling general ledger accounts.
  • Streamlined financial processes for increased efficiency through the implementation of automated systems.
  • Reduced discrepancies in financial reporting by conducting thorough internal audits and implementing corrective actions.
  • Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
  • Reviewed accounts, resolved coding areas, and tracked recurring expenses for accrual entry.
  • Regulatory filings including annual FERC Form 1, PURA, BE-15, quarterly FERC 3Q, and EQR.
  • Took a leadership role in the preparation of request for proposal (RFP) for tax accounting, external audit, internal audit, Security Services, Insurance Brokerage Services and Welfare Benefit Plan Audit Services.
  • Cooperated with senior leaders to create operating budgets and initiate financial planning.
  • Prepared monthly Performance Indicators and Cost Reports.
  • Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for internal, external and VEBA audits.
  • Prepared annual reports, VEBA annual reports, and Maine Yankee Spent Fuel and Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Annual Reports.
  • Prepared Connecticut Yankee Workers Compensation reporting.
  • Assisted Treasurer with annual insurance renewals.
  • Developed strong relationships with internal, external and VEBA auditors to ensure smooth audit processes and prompt resolution of any issues identified.
  • Championed a culture of continuous improvement within the accounting department, encouraging ongoing professional development and knowledge sharing among team members.
  • Assisted in the Trust Fund Trustee Transition process from Bank of New York to Bank of America.
  • Assisted and prepared documentation for Department of Energy (DOE) requests for litigation.
  • Reviewed documentation and prepared purchase orders as well as perform a yearly purchase order review in accordance with The Yankees Routine Activity procedure.
  • Assisted in preparation of Accounting Manual.
  • Preparation of the annual Maine Yankee Fixed Asset Property Tax file.
  • Yearly preparation of Revenue Requirements and participation in yearly meetings with the Sponsor Companies.
  • Prepared quarterly financial reporting to Northeast Utilities/Eversource.
  • Prepared yearly budgets.
  • Provided monthly budget analysis and comparison to actual expenses.
  • Prepared job postings, reviewed resumes, planned and participated in interviews for various positions.
  • Assisted Benefits Director with Open Enrollment
  • Prepared a Verizon phone bill analysis for the Northborough, MA office resulting in savings for the company.
  • Prepared quarterly reimbursements for retiree premiums.
  • Reviewed and processed benefits invoices for payment.
  • Interacted and developed relationships with retirees.
  • Solely transitioned retiree billing process from a third party vendor to in-house billing resulting in improved service to retirees as well as cost savings to the company.
  • Main resource in Yankee Atomic FERC audit. Met the voluminous audit demands which were subject to tight deadlines.
  • Processed AP to cover for AP personnel as needed without compromising internal controls and segregation of duties.
  • Troubleshoot AP as needed.
  • Took the lead role designing, testing, and transitioning the accounting platform from Solomon to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
  • Trained accounting and AP staff on the Business Central system.
  • Created a step by step guide for the accounting and AP staff on the Business Central System.
  • Served as a subject matter expert on accounts payable processes during Business Central system implementation, offering valuable insight into potential improvements that could be made with automation of the AP process.
  • Trained new Maine Yankee AP admin on the AP system as well as on other aspects of her role (i.e. Purchase Requisitions, Procurement Card Requisitions)
  • Assisted Maine Yankee site admin on records retention for old records that were onsite.

Accounting Supervisor

National Grid
01.2006 - 03.2008
  • Managed a team of 7, providing mentorship, guidance, and performance feedback to optimize productivity.
  • Collaborated with internal and external auditors for timely completion of annual audits, addressing inquiries promptly and accurately.
  • Developed comprehensive budgets for the accounting department in collaboration with department managers to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Met accounting financial standards by providing accounting department monthly and annual budget information.
  • Complied with established internal controls and policies.
  • Prepared internal and regulatory financial reports, balance sheets and income statements.

Senior Accounting Analyst

National Grid USA
07.2005 - 01.2006
  • Streamlined the month-end close process for timely financial statement generation and analysis.
  • Reduced discrepancies in account balances by conducting thorough reconciliations and investigating variances.
  • Assisted in internal and external audit preparation and requirements.

Accounting Analyst

National Grid USA
01.2004 - 07.2005
  • Assisted internal and external auditors during annual reviews, providing detailed documentation and clarification on complex accounting issues.
  • Reconciled accounts and resolved both internal variances and discrepancies in external documentation.
  • Analyzed variances between actuals versus budgets/forecasts for informed decision making on corrective actions if needed.
  • Reconciled accounts, managed audits and updated financial records with remarkable accuracy.

Senior Accountant/Supervisor

Brown & Brown
06.1999 - 01.2004
  • Worked in an outsourced accounting role to one of our top clients.
  • Reconciled accounts and created documents for monthly closure procedures.
  • Reviewed documents and accounts for discrepancies and resolved variances.
  • Completed year-end closing processes with controllers and external auditors.
  • Provided timely and accurate financial reporting to senior management, enabling informed decision-making based on reliable data.
  • Reviewed budgets and communicated discrepancies to senior management.
  • Contributed to hiring, training and development of accounting team.
  • Spearheaded a team of accountants, providing mentorship and guidance to improve efficiency and accuracy in their work.
  • Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
  • Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
  • Trained new employees on accounting principles and company procedures.
  • Reviewed accounts, resolved coding areas, and tracked recurring expenses for accrual entry.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
  • Assisted in internal and external audits by preparing necessary documentation and responding to auditor inquiries.
  • Supervised AP Staff.
  • Reviewed AP input before submitting for payment.

General Accountant

Bay State Gas Company/EnergyUSA
06.1998 - 06.1999
  • Performed month-end closing process by recording journal entries, cash activity, preparing financial statements, and account reconciliations.
  • Created new financial reports using Report Writer in Lawson.
  • Direct liaison with treasury department.

Accounts Payable Coordinator

AT&T Capital Corporation/Leasing Services
05.1992 - 09.1997
  • Managed vendor relationships, ensuring prompt responses to inquiries and resolving disputes.
  • Coordinated with other departments as needed for approval or clarification on invoiced items, promoting effective cross-functional collaboration throughout the organization.
  • Processed check disbursements and reconciled related ledger.
  • Completed month-end closings with journal entries and reconciling accounts.
  • Reduced late payment fees through timely and accurate invoice management.
  • Facilitated timely payments by monitoring accounts payable aging reports and prioritizing high-risk items.
  • Increased efficiency of accounts payable team by providing guidance, training, and support to staff members.
  • Assisted in annual expense report audits to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, identifying any potential discrepancies or areas of improvement.
  • Processed invoices and journal entries with efficiency and accuracy, resulting in decreased discrepancies.
  • Monthly G&A expense analysis.
  • Enforce company expense policies and schedule of authorizations. This included training of new employees during their onboarding.
  • Responsible for all aspects of the fixed asset accounting system including maintaining and updating the assets on the fixed asset software package.
  • Sent daily funding requirements to AT&T Capital Corporation Treasury Department


Education

Master of Science - Personal Financial Planning

College For Financial Planning
Online Program
01.2015

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Babson College
Babson Park, MA
05.1997

Skills

  • Excel expertise
  • General ledger accounting
  • PeopleSoft
  • MS Office Suite
  • ERP systems proficiency
  • Internal Controls
  • Budget Analysis
  • Auditing procedures
  • GAAP Accounting
  • Superior attention to detail

Seminars/Training

  • Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE) Training
  • Sexual Harrassment Training
  • AMA Staff Member to Supervisor
  • International Financial Reporting Standards
  • PGS Seminar- In Depth Introduction to Today's U.S. Electric Power Industry
  • Oracle 8.0
  • Intermediate Excel

Computer Skills

  • Dynamics 365 Business Central
  • Jet Reports in Microsoft Excel
  • Solomon
  • PeopleSoft
  • Oracle
  • Lawson
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Crystal
  • FRX report writer

Timeline

Principal Accountant

The Yankee Companies
03.2008 - 06.2024

Accounting Supervisor

National Grid
01.2006 - 03.2008

Senior Accounting Analyst

National Grid USA
07.2005 - 01.2006

Accounting Analyst

National Grid USA
01.2004 - 07.2005

Senior Accountant/Supervisor

Brown & Brown
06.1999 - 01.2004

General Accountant

Bay State Gas Company/EnergyUSA
06.1998 - 06.1999

Accounts Payable Coordinator

AT&T Capital Corporation/Leasing Services
05.1992 - 09.1997

Master of Science - Personal Financial Planning

College For Financial Planning

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

Babson College

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