VERONICA H. KELLY
Oak Lawn,IL
Summary
Experienced accounts management professional with expertise in accounting and financial analysis. Strategic planner and analytical thinker skilled at leading teams to success. Detail-oriented and goal-driven with over 20 years of industry experience. Proficient in handling high-stress situations to drive projects forward for organizational and personal growth.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Grant Reporting & Analysis
Youth Guidance
03.2023 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives aligned with organizational goals.
- Developed and implemented performance metrics to enhance operational efficiency across departments.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through regular training and mentorship programs for staff.
- Analyzed market trends to inform decision-making and identify growth opportunities for the organization.
- Facilitated stakeholder engagement sessions to ensure alignment on project objectives and deliverables.
- Managed budget allocation and resource optimization to maximize project outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Cultivated a positive work environment that fostered employee engagement, increased retention rates, and boosted overall team morale.
- Strengthened internal controls by reviewing existing policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
Finance Manager
Youth Guidance
Chicago, IL
10.2021 - 02.2023
- Collaborated with Finance and department staff to streamline grant life cycle processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and transparency.
- Responsible for the reporting and oversight, coordination, and assigned senior accountants ensuring compliance with all funders, local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
- Supports implementation programs, policies, practices to ensure that all agency units follow funder, federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
- Trains and supports staff in the creation and distribution of monthly reconciliation grant reports; assists team on follow up actions as required
- Acts as a liaison between Finance Team and other internal/ external departments and agencies
- Review grant contracts and correspondence with granting agencies. Responsible for maintaining all grant agreements and MOUs pertaining to grant awards.
- Prepares journal entries and invoices as needed; reviews and approve journal entries and invoices created by Back Office Team
- Complete monthly recons for pledge receivables, temp restrict, and accrued receivables schedules
- Manages funder relations to ensure timely collection of receivables
- Primary Liaison for Funder/External Audits. Provide technical and consulting support for compliance audits or other financial requests specifically single audit and A-133.
- Assists in the development of Audit & Compliance strategical plans, including identifying, evaluating, areas of risk/ exposure, and alternative solutions
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC
Oakbrook, IL
04.2017 - 10.2018
- Responsibilities include overall supervision of Accounts Payable (AP) financial transactions, processing and paying vendor invoices, and implementation and execution of internal controls related to AP.
- Monitored performance and development of staff, adherence to policies/procedures, and other finance activities as assigned in purchase/AP cycle including travel and entertainment (T&E) expense function.
- Worked with internal and external customers to implement ongoing process improvements.
- Focused on centralized processing of AP, process improvements and standardization.
- Supervised all AP transactions: entering invoices, check runs, maintaining good communications with vendors.
- Performed “goods received but invoice not received (GRIR)” analysis and monitored balance.
- Prepared journal entries, account reconciliations and supporting schedules for journal purchase cycle.
- Implemented, documented, and monitored the internal controls for the purchase cycle.
- Setting goals and expectations for staff for the year in Annual Performance Review.
- Developed, implemented, and maintained AP/accrual/T&E policies in accordance Corporate policies.
- Ensured compliance and performance to company’s internal controls and accruals properly stated and reported AP, accruals and purchase related Key Performance Indicators, KPIs
Senior Accountant/Accounts Payable Supervisor
Akzo Nobel, Inc.
Chicago, IL
02.2015 - 09.2016
- Served as account payable supervisor and handled a team of 5 accounts payable clerk and their work successfully, for month end process across several business units in an accrual-based accounting environment.
- Managed the accurate and timely processing of up to 10,000 invoices ($1M) per month for multi-sites.
- Assessed and closed A/P sub-ledger monthly, validated content and resolved various issues.
- Processed invoices based on three-way match (invoice, purchase order and approval)
- Handled expense reports, contract payments, analyzing proper approvals.
- Reconciled accounts ensuring timely processing of stop payment, reissues, etc.
- Identified key areas which led to the realignment of the department to be more consistent with “best practices”.
- Reconciled balance sheet items, including suspense and accruals, and purchase reports on long outstanding orders.
- Prepared journal entries, account reconciliations, and accounts analysis for assigned entities.
- Partnered with purchasing department regarding vendor setup, transactions and maintenance.
Alliance Finance Analyst
Accenture LLP
Chicago, IL
03.2014 - 02.2015
- Alliance Finance professionals provide their services from purchase origination to revenue recognition, in the areas of WBS creation, vendor invoice approvals, client billings, receipt management, inventory and AR management, GAAP Compliance, internal controls, as well as advisory services to Alliance and Client Engagement Team leadership.
- Assisted with the preparation of weekly reporting on accounts receivable and inventory status.
- Helped with completion of request for new WBSEs, contracts, and client addresses.
- Performed reconciliations, reporting requests, forecast management activities, and contract compliance tracking.
- Provided value-added financial management, analysis, to client engagement teams to maximize the profitability.
- Prepared or assisting in the development of process improvement for client engagement teams.
Senior Staff Accountant
CEDA, Inc.
Chicago, IL
06.2009 - 03.2014
- Served as a liaison between the program managers and the funding source providing updated and timely information of accounting information. Providing accurate and timely information of expenditures through monthly draws and ensure expenses are allowed under State and Federal strict guidelines.
- Performed grant related post award functions, including budget and expense analysis, financial reporting, modifications, and grant closeout for each grant in accordance with GAAP principles and company policy
- Communicated with program managers on budgets/budget controls and allowable expenditures.
- Identified and projected expenditures from encumbrances not to exceed budget.
- Updated and maintain grant files with required documentation for audit purposes and for the SEFA.
- Reconciled and maintained subsidiary ledgers to general ledgers monthly or as needed.
- Prepared journal entries with supporting documentation due to variances on GL including deferred revenue.
- Contacted funding sources monthly to ensure receipt of billing voucher and acquire payment schedule.
- Corrected and resubmitted deletions or errors regarding billing vouchers to funding sources.
- Prepared schedules for agency annual OMB A-133 independent audit
Compensation Specialist (Human Resources), Senior Accounting Analyst (Supervisor/Accounts Receivable), General Accounting Analyst- (Jr. Staff Accountant)
Accenture LLP
Chicago, IL
10.2000 - 10.2008
Education
Master of Business Administration - Accounting
Keller Graduate School of Business Management
01.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting
Roosevelt University
01.2005
Skills
- Competent leadership
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Multitasking & project management
- Organization and ability to manage deadlines
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution
- Strict confidentiality and integrity
- Treasury operations
- Strategic analysis
- Cash management
- PeopleSoft
- Microsoft Dynamics (Solomon)
- SAP FICO, R/3, VIM
- Financial Analysis
- AS400
- Black baud/Financial Edge
Timeline
Director of Grant Reporting & Analysis
Youth Guidance
03.2023 - Current
Finance Manager
Youth Guidance
10.2021 - 02.2023
Accounts Payable Supervisor
Readerlink Distribution Services, LLC
04.2017 - 10.2018
Senior Accountant/Accounts Payable Supervisor
Akzo Nobel, Inc.
02.2015 - 09.2016
Alliance Finance Analyst
Accenture LLP
03.2014 - 02.2015
Senior Staff Accountant
CEDA, Inc.
06.2009 - 03.2014
Compensation Specialist (Human Resources), Senior Accounting Analyst (Supervisor/Accounts Receivable), General Accounting Analyst- (Jr. Staff Accountant)
Accenture LLP
10.2000 - 10.2008
Master of Business Administration - Accounting
Keller Graduate School of Business Management
Bachelor of Arts - Accounting
Roosevelt University