Tara Singleton
Summary
Finance professional with extensive experience in financial strategy and corporate governance. Known for driving fiscal efficiency and implementing robust financial controls. Proven ability to collaborate with diverse teams and adapt to dynamic business environments, while excelling in financial reporting and strategic planning.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Financial Systems Specialist
Department Of Defense Army
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
02.2023 - Current
- Serve as senior advisor to command leadership by conducting complex analysis on workforce, budget execution, and operational impacts affecting 4,000+ employees across multiple organizations.
- Prepare executive level briefings, dashboards, and written reports using Power BI and Excel to inform senior leaders’ decisions on resourcing, staffing, and operational priorities.
- Coordinate cross functional initiatives involving finance, HR, payroll, and IT stakeholders to resolve systemic issues, improve service delivery, and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Lead and manage a team of four analysts; assign work, set priorities, evaluate performance, and mentor staff to meet mission critical deadlines.
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures and internal policies to improve efficiency, consistency, and audit readiness across enterprise systems.
- Act as liaison between senior leadership, functional offices, and external agencies (DFAS, auditors), ensuring accurate communication and timely issue resolution.
- Integrate advanced data analytics and automation tools to streamline reporting workflows and enhance transparency and executive insight.
- Support emergency and surge operations requiring extended hours and rapid response under high pressure conditions.
- Developed training materials for users to optimize system utilization across various departments.
- Managed financial system integrations to enhance data accuracy and reporting efficiency.
Financial Management Analyst
Department of Defense (DoD) CECOM G 8, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
09.2018 - 02.2023
- Conducted in depth financial, labor, and cost center analyses to support strategic planning, budget execution, and organizational decision making.
- Developed recurring and ad hoc reports for senior leadership highlighting trends, risks, and recommendations impacting organizational performance.
- Led cross system data alignment initiatives that reduced payroll and reporting errors by 95%, strengthening compliance and operational reliability.
- Supported leadership with policy interpretation and implementation related to federal financial regulations and internal governance standards.
- Briefed division chiefs and executive leadership bi weekly on operational status, issues, and recommended courses of action.
- Collaborated across departments to identify process gaps, propose solutions, and implement corrective actions aligned with organizational goals.
- Analyzed budgetary data to support financial decision-making processes.
- Developed financial reports to enhance visibility of resource allocations.
Human Resource Assistant
Department of Defense: APG Civilian Personnel Office, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD
Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
02.2016 - 09.2018
- Provided direct support to leadership and employees by managing personnel actions, responding to inquiries, and ensuring compliance with federal employment laws and policies.
- Coordinated onboarding, background checks, and orientation activities, serving as a key point of contact between management, staff, and external partners.
- Maintained accurate records, prepared reports, and supported workforce planning efforts through data analysis and administrative coordination.
- Demonstrated discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive personnel and organizational matters.
- Coordinated recruitment processes to streamline candidate selection and onboarding procedures.
- Maintained employee records in compliance with federal regulations and organizational policies.
- Coordinated with external recruiters to fill vacancies efficiently, aligning talent acquisition with organizational needs.
Education
MBA - Accounting And Finance
Strayer University
White Marsh01.2020
BBA - Accounting And Finance
Strayer University
White Marsh, MD01.2018
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Strayer University
Burlington, NJ03-2017
Skills
- Policy Research & Analysis
- Cross Department Coordination
- Special Projects Management
- Strategic Planning & Performance Metrics
- Data Analytics, Dashboards & Reporting
- Confidentiality & Executive Judgment
- Management reporting
- Payroll processing
- Financial software
- Auditing procedures
- Financial planning
- Financial process automation
- Financial policies development
MILITARY SERVICE
U.S. Army: Finance Specialist (36B)
Active Duty 02/2013 – 09/2014
IRR 09/2014 – 09/2020
- Delivered financial services, customer support, and regulatory compliance in high tempo operational environments.
- Conducted audits, reconciliations, and training while supporting leadership decision making.
- Earned multiple awards for performance and leadership excellence.
Certification
- Power BI Database Certification (2025)
- Financial Management Certification Level II (2025) Level I (2020)
- Practical Introduction to Supervising Employee Cohort Leadership Program (2024)
- DoD Acquisition Level I (2019)
- Active Secret Security Clearance
Timeline
Lead Financial Systems Specialist
Department Of Defense Army
02.2023 - Current
Financial Management Analyst
Department of Defense (DoD) CECOM G 8, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD
09.2018 - 02.2023
Human Resource Assistant
Department of Defense: APG Civilian Personnel Office, Aberdeen Proving Ground MD
02.2016 - 09.2018
MBA - Accounting And Finance
Strayer University
BBA - Accounting And Finance
Strayer University
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Strayer University