Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Job Related Training And Certifications
Areas Of Excellence
Accomplishments
Timeline
AdministrativeAssistant

Wila L. Horsley

Accountant
Charleston,SC

Summary

Meticulous Financial Management Specialist with over 25 years of experience in accounting and accounting operations. Expertise in financial systems analysis, various reconciliations to general ledger accounts, financial and payroll reporting, and designing new procedures. Well-versed in accounting policies, regulations, and directives established by various government organizations. Provides professional interpretations of technical accounting policies, standards, procedures, and operations to clients. Briefs management on financial trends and conditions, evaluates financial management systems to ensure they meet the financial requirements of the program and organization. Provides training to staff on financial accounting procedures and proper use of financial systems. Supports the development of financial management policies and procedures. Reviews and audits financial statements and provides recommendations to ensure accuracy. Known for fostering team collaboration and driving results through effective financial strategies. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and changing business needs.

Overview

25
25

Years of Accounting Professional Experience

Work History

LEAD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Department of State
10.2024 - Current
  • Ensure that all payroll operations within the Department of State comply with the guidance provided by Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the General Accounting Office, and the Treasury Department.
  • Identifying, considering, and resolving various financial questions and payroll issues related to the agency's programs.
  • Communicate with senior-level managers, colleagues, and outside agencies to gather, analyze, and compile financial data, which allows me to provide payroll and financial advisory services in various written forms.
  • Work with the computer systems, programs, and software typically used in the financial field.
  • Recommend the development and maintenance of policies and procedures related to payroll matters, including but not limited to back payments with interest, W-2 and W-2C forms, military offsets, childcare subsidies, student loans, awards, and death benefits claims.
  • Suggest system changes to implement modifications, assess the impact of those changes, and develop guidelines and instructions for program offices regarding newly established systems.
  • . Respond to written and verbal inquiries from employees, supervisors, and other agencies related to payroll matters, such as timekeeping, federal and state taxes, Treasury payments, and State Unemployment Offices.
  • Oversee the processing of tax levies and the collection of other debts owed to the U.S. Government. Advise and assist management in the control of payroll financial operations.
  • Conduct special projects involving new payroll financial developments and program changes. Provide financial and control information to senior management for informational and financial planning purposes.
  • Prepare a variety of routine financial and control reports for senior management. Collaborate with departmental internal review staff to identify and resolve incorrect or improper payments and to address the underlying causes that necessitate changes. Independently prepare financial reports, correspondence, and fact sheets for use by officials in support of their decision-making and control authorities.
  • Evaluated investment opportunities, providing detailed analyses for informed decisionmaking.
  • Created comprehensive financial reports for stakeholders, presenting key insights into company performance.
  • Implemented internal controls to mitigate risks associated with fraud or mismanagement of funds.
  • Mentored junior staff members in best practices for effective financial management.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Department of State
02.2022 - 10.2024
  • Certifying bi-weekly/monthly payrolls for Annuity and American, as well as filing state and federal taxes.
  • Report any identified issues, risks, or errors and recommend corrective actions to improve the process. Prepare multi-state tax returns to comply with US Federal and state laws.
  • Conduct research on tax regulations and analyze financial reports to ensure accurate documentation.
  • Use Microsoft Office tools such as Excel and Access, I perform financial analysis and create databases to test various hypotheses and determine the best course of action when reviewing data to achieve the desired outcome.
  • Streamlined budget development procedures, resulting in more efficient resource allocation.
  • Prepared timely tax filings while ensuring full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
  • Improved financial management processes by implementing new software and automation tools.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement organization-wide financial strategies aligned with company goals.
  • Reduced operational costs by identifying inefficiencies in financial processes and recommending improvements.
  • Develop and implement work processes, such as Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions, to enhance the role of the Financial Management Specialist.
  • Responsible for identifying financial and operational data for federal and state taxes by using multiple reports and checking for any discrepancies.
  • Detect any anomalies in the GFACS system related to Payroll Certification with American and Annuity Payrolls.
  • Respond to various inquiries in a timely manner, whether written or verbal, from stakeholders, customers, etc., and provide the best customer service possible.
  • Ensure that programs comply with Department of State operations, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), GAO (General Accounting Office), Department of the Treasury, and federal/state laws by examining various policies and regulations. Analyze any impacts that could disrupt operations.

PAYROLL ANALYST

Charleston County School District
11.2018 - 02.2022
  • Provided exceptional customer service when addressing employee inquiries about paychecks or withholdings, fostering positive workplace relations.
  • Managed year-end reporting tasks such as W-2s preparation and distribution, ensuring timely delivery to employees.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality of employee information, adhering to company policies and legal requirements for data protection.
  • Resolved payroll discrepancies promptly, addressing employee concerns and maintaining satisfaction.
  • Optimized workflow by creating detailed procedure manuals for each step in the payroll process, reducing errors and enhancing efficiency.
  • Developed strong relationships with internal departments to streamline communication regarding employee data updates and changes affecting payroll calculations.
  • Reconciled general ledger accounts related to payroll liabilities, providing accurate financial reports for management review.
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local regulations by staying current on tax laws and reporting requirements.
  • Reconcile payroll accounts and ensure all accounts are recorded accurately in District’s computer accounting system (MUNIS).
  • Review and correct any errors when posting Payroll Runs (Manual, Salary, and Void Run).
  • Assist the Payroll Processing Office with any refunds that need to be issued to employees or overpayments that may have been made to employees.
  • Communicate with Senior Level Management and employees orally and verbally when it came to payroll-related issues.
  • Provided customer service to employees regarding payroll inquiries and issues.
  • Researched payroll errors and processed payments for federal and state taxes, social security, Medicare and various employee deductions, annuity contributions, and retirement plan withholdings.

ACCOUNTANT

HAYNES, INC.
08.2010 - 11.2018
  • Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
  • Reconciled accounts and reviewed expense data, net worth, and assets.
  • Documented cash, credit, fixed assets, accrued expenses, and line of credit transactions.
  • Gathered financial information, prepared documents, and closed books.
  • Used advanced software to prepare documents, reports, and presentations.
  • Streamlined month-end closing processes, resulting in reduced time spent on financial reporting tasks.
  • Collaborated with external auditors during the annual audit process to provide necessary documentation and address any concerns or findings promptly.
  • Detected and corrected mistakes early on and implemented systems to avoid recurring issues.
  • Improved financial reporting accuracy through meticulous data analysis and reconciliation efforts.
  • Streamlined monthly financial reporting processes, significantly reducing time required for report generation and analysis.
  • Prepare monthly SF133 financial reports under the new and old Treasury accounting systems GTAS (Governmentwide Treasury Account Symbol Adjusted Trial Balance System) and FACTS II (Federal Agency Centralized Trial Balance System) promptly to meet the submission deadlines that are established by Office of Management and Budget (OPM) and Treasury for monthly reporting under Circular A-133, Circular A-123 and Circular A-11.
  • Address discrepancies in cash balances between the agency's financial systems, I employ established procedures to analyze and consolidate data from multiple sources. This data is then used to generate reports utilizing tools like Microsoft Access and Excel, aiding in the assessment of Department of State general ledger accounts.
  • Validation and comparison of cash variances are conducted regularly, particularly between CAPPS Treasury SF224 files and GFMS records impacting GL 1010. Extensive research is undertaken on fund balance discrepancies for CAPPS (Consolidated American Payroll Processing System) transactions over various fiscal years.
  • Analyze financial data to identify trends and issues with various funds.
  • Perform an in-depth analysis of complex business functions and operational processes for the Global Financial Operations department.
  • Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis.
  • Prepared working papers, reports and supporting documentation for audit findings.
  • Tracked funds, prepared deposits and reconciled accounts.
  • Trained new employees on accounting principles and company procedures.
  • Reviewed accounts, resolved coding areas, and tracked recurring expenses for accrual entry.

Education

Certificate in Applied Science - Business Applications Solutions Specialist

Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina
12.2023

Certificate in Applied Science - Accounting

Trident Technical College
Charleston, South Carolina
12.2013

Master of Healthcare Administration - Healthcare

Strayer University
Charleston, South Carolina
04.2008

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Finance and Management

University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
05.2005

Skills

  • Record-Journal Entries

  • Monthly Financial Reporting

  • Payroll Management

  • Analyze Payroll Journal Entries

  • Balance Sheet Reconciliation

  • General Ledger Reconciliation

  • Proficient in USSGL Practices

  • Advanced Excel and Access Skills

  • Refined Instructional Materials

  • 941 Tax Filing Proficiency

  • Tax Filing Expertise

  • Streamlining Business Processes

  • Payroll administration

  • Quality assurance expertise

  • Payroll software expertise

  • Business process improvement

  • Team collaboration and leadership

  • Effective writing

  • Spreadsheet proficiency

  • Risk assessments

  • Organizational development

  • Documentation and reporting

  • Payroll training

  • Data research and validation

  • Financial statement analysis

  • Project accounting

  • Payroll auditing

  • Financial operations

  • Data processing

  • Data analysis techniques

  • Year-end reporting

  • Garnishments handling

  • Bank reconciliation

  • Account reconciliation

Job Related Training And Certifications

  • Preparation and Analysis of SF133
  • Budgeting and Accounting: Making the Connection
  • The U.S. Standard General Ledger Practical Application
  • GFMS New User
  • Microsoft Word and Outlook
  • Microsoft Excel - Creating Scenarios
  • Microsoft Excel - Array Formulas
  • Microsoft Excel – Record and Run Macro
  • Reading and Understanding Fiscal Data
  • Cash vs. Accrual
  • Expense Classification
  • Principles of Accounting
  • How to Read Cash Flow Statements
  • Business Etiquette: Written Communication
  • Accounting for Cash Control
  • Individual Tax Procedures
  • Payroll Accounting

Areas Of Excellence

  • Record-Journal Entries
  • Month End Reporting
  • Proprietary Financial Reporting
  • Budgetary Financial Reporting
  • Payroll Encumbering
  • Review Payroll Journal Entries
  • Reconciling Balance Sheet Accounts
  • Financial System Analysis
  • Daily and Monthly Financial General Ledger Reconciliation
  • USSGL (Standard Ledger)
  • Microsoft Excel and Access
  • Circular A-123, Circular A-133, and Circular A-11
  • Developed and revised work instructions and reference documents
  • Year-End Reporting
  • 941 Tax Reporting
  • Filing State and Federal Taxes
  • Implementing/ Improving Business Processes
  • Data Analytics

Accomplishments

  • Establish strong working relationships between various departments to achieve our agency's mission. Provide guidance and improve the business process regarding how federal taxes are paid. Created templates that is currently in use to ensure that the reported amounts for wages and taxes are accurate.
  • Participated6.7Mil in overpayments and erroneous deposit caused by an error that duplicated wages and taxes.
  • Automated the RITS process using pivots that will calculate all health benefits codes under each Payroll Office; update data corresponding with the proper health codes in RITS.
  • Collaborate with Pay Systems to implement those recommendations and improve the business process within Funds Control.
  • Saved time on Payroll Encumbering narrowing it down from 1 week to 2 days; to have financial reports prepare and ready for Senior Level Management.
  • Worked on a special project for PEBA Retirees and was able to identify and resolve the issue at hand when it comes to employees’ contributions.

Timeline

LEAD FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Department of State
10.2024 - Current

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Department of State
02.2022 - 10.2024

PAYROLL ANALYST

Charleston County School District
11.2018 - 02.2022

ACCOUNTANT

HAYNES, INC.
08.2010 - 11.2018

Certificate in Applied Science - Accounting

Trident Technical College

Master of Healthcare Administration - Healthcare

Strayer University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Finance and Management

University of South Carolina

Certificate in Applied Science - Business Applications Solutions Specialist

Trident Technical College

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Wila L. HorsleyAccountant