Zainab Shojaei
Alexandria,VA
Summary
Detail-oriented and analytical accounting professional with 5+ years of progressive experience in tax, finance, quality assurance, and data analysis within public and nonprofit sectors. Proven ability to support audits, manage financial documentation, ensure regulatory compliance, and prepare detailed reports. Actively preparing for the CPA and pursuing advanced studies in U.S. accounting. Strong communicator with cross-functional experience supporting client-facing teams and audit readiness. Graduating Fall 2026 with an Accounting Certificate and committed to a long-term career in public accounting, tax advisory, and professional services.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Assistant IV
Department of Tax -Fairfax County Government office
12.2024 - Current
- Support the Business Personal Property (BPP) tax process by analyzing filings, exclusions, and reconciliations in accordance with local tax codes.
- Collaborate withing different team including business, tax and audit and prepare the documents for review.
- Provide data analysis and information management for first time assignments in audit team and maintain the spreadsheets, actively monitoring records and track business activities.
- Work on the relevant databases and taxpayer information with integrity and transparency.
- Assist internal teams in validating taxpayer data across systems, resolving discrepancies, and maintaining compliance documentation.
- Engage directly with clients (taxpayers) to clarify requirements, ensure data completeness, and support regulatory alignment.
- Prepare structured reports and workpaper documentation for auditors and management, aiding in audit and tax readiness.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline tax operations and ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.
- Process exclusion documents and manage Business Personal Property (BPP) tax filings, assessments, and related compliance documentation to ensure regulatory adherence.
- Conduct detailed comparison and reconciliation of taxpayer records across multiple internal databases and filing systems to verify accuracy and reliability of tax data.
- Communicate proactively with taxpayers to request missing documents, clarify filing requirements, and resolve discrepancies related to tax assessments and payments.
- Prepare comprehensive financial and operational reports for management review, utilizing data analytics tools to support decision-making and improve reporting accuracy.
- Support auditors by providing detailed records, reports, and documentation, facilitating efficient audit processes and compliance verification.
Quality Assurance Coordinator
International Rescue Committee
11.2023 - 12.2024
- Evaluated internal data systems and performed data quality checks to ensure reporting accuracy for grant-funded financial programs.
- Led internal training and compliance efforts, improving cross-departmental understanding of documentation standards.
- Worked with monitoring and finance teams to strengthen audit trail documentation and enforce regulatory compliance protocols.
- Led quality assurance and compliance systems for multiple grants, ensuring strict adherence to donor and organizational policies.
- Trained staff on data collection, reporting tools, and quality control protocols.
- Conducted program monitoring and compliance tracking, analyzing data to improve service quality.
- Collaborated closely with HR team for payroll processing.
- Conducted hiring and on boarding process for new employees in the team.
- Supervised and led team and enhanced the staff capacity by training and one in one orientation.
- Managed the accounts and reconciled the financial reports to correct the discrepancies.
- Updated job descriptions and recruitment materials prepared.
- Liaised with HR to resolve personnel issues and policy questions.
- Planned the budget allocation and approved the Purchasing for the department.
- Ensured all purchases complied with the allocated departmental budget.
- Managed procurement within the confines of the approved departmental budget.
- Conducted audits of financial and administrative procedures across agencies, comparing practices with established policies to ensure compliance.
Senior Access Associate
University of Virginia
11.2022 - 11.2023
- Managed confidential financial records across university systems, ensuring data integrity and compliance with internal and federal guidelines.
- Conducted data analysis and reconciliation to support audit preparation and enhance transparency in reporting processes.
- Coordinated interdepartmental communications to address discrepancies and improve administrative workflows.
- Accessed, managed, and reviewed sensitive data within internal databases to support administrative and operational functions.
- Ensured data accuracy, consistency, and compliance with institutional privacy and security standards.
- Retrieved and compiled records from multiple systems to assist with reporting, audits, and decision-making.
- Collaborated with internal teams to resolve data discrepancies and streamline database processes.
- Maintained confidentiality and adhered to strict data governance and HIPAA regulations.
- Reviewed and approved disbursement forms for accuracy and compliance.
- Recommended improvements to administrative policies, procedures, and methods.
- Interpreted and organized resource data using spreadsheets and databases.
- Produced customized financial reports for internal use.
Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Accountability Officer
International Rescue Committee
11.2018 - 12.2021
- Led performance tracking and data analysis initiatives across multiple programs to meet donor and audit expectations.
- Ensured alignment with internal audit, donor regulations, and compliance reporting standards.
- Mentored junior staff on KPI development, database accuracy, and accountability measures, fostering a culture of integrity and transparency.
- Validated and analyzed data from multiple sources, ensuring accuracy and consistency for program reporting and compliance.
- Coordinated reporting with partners, ensuring adherence to formats and deadlines.
- Ensured compliance with program management standards and supported staff training.
Finance Officer
VEKTI – DynCorp International
09.2015 - 11.2018
- Managed daily financial transactions, reconciliations, and tax reporting in compliance with international and local standards.
- Prepared monthly financial statements, supported audit requests, and maintained ledger accuracy for high-volume transactions.
- Assisted in budget planning and implemented financial controls that reduced reporting delays and discrepancies.
- Maintained accurate records of daily financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable.
- Prepared balance sheets, financial statements, and reports in compliance with organizational standards.
- Managed invoice processing and billing cycles, resolving discrepancies to ensure timely payments.
- Reconciled bank statements and participated in internal and external audits.
- Assisted in budget preparation and supported implementation of financial policies to enhance internal controls.
- Reviewed and approved disbursement forms for accuracy and compliance.
- Recommended improvements to administrative policies, procedures, and methods.
- Interpreted and organized resource data using spreadsheets and databases.
- Produced customized financial reports for internal use.
- Authorized accounts through the corporate financial system.
- Monitored external accounts and resolved financial discrepancies.
- Reviewed and reconciled financial status reports.
- Resolved individual accounting cases through qualitative review.
- Entered data into accounting systems and reconciled accounts receivable/payable.
- Performed custodial duties for petty cash.
- Audited accounting procedures in other agencies to ensure compliance.
- Researched vendors, equipment, and pricing to recommend cost-effective purchases.
- Verified and updated equipment and fixed asset inventory.
- Authorized departmental purchase requests through the corporate system.
- Monitored contracts for compliance with expiration dates, costs, and terms.
- Served as procurement card manager.
- Managed executive calendars, including scheduling and rescheduling meetings.
- Negotiated logistics with hotels and vendors for travel and events.
- Coordinated complex domestic and international travel for staff and visitors.
- Organized national and international meetings, including logistics and communications.
- Composed original correspondence for executive signature.
- Collected and distributed data and reports for internal stakeholders.
- Explained purchasing, travel, and leave policies to employees.
- Supervised general office operations, including records management and reception.
- Managed day-to-day operations of a small administrative unit.
- Assessed short-term needs for supplies, maintenance, and work orders.
- Tracked work progress and communicated status updates.
- Developed filing systems (paper and digital) and internal mailing procedures.
- Drafted non-routine responses to incoming correspondence.
- Supervised general administrative activities.
- Resolved complex inquiries from the public based on policy knowledge.
- Interpreted and applied rules and regulations for staff and external parties.
- Created and maintained macros for word processing tasks.
- Acted as team leader for clerical/administrative staff.
- Created and maintained databases and complex spreadsheets.
- Generated reports and managed web content.
- Resolved minor software and hardware issues.
- Designed and laid out publications using specialized software.
- Prepared reports and statistics from compiled data across multiple sources.
- Determined format and content for internal reports.
- Prepared complex payroll, including overtime, shift differentials, and special schedules.
- Researched payroll discrepancies and interpreted payroll policies.
Education
C.S.C. - Accounting
Northern Virginia Community College
05.2027
German Business Literacy - undefined
VHS Königshofen School
01.2022
B.A. - Management & Economics
Gawharshad University
01.2017
Skills
- CPA licensure
- US taxation
- Audit principles
- Tax compliance
- Audit documentation
- Financial statement preparation
- Data analysis
- Variance resolution
- Reconciling complex financial data
- Client reporting
- Advisory tasks
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Collaboration
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Excel
- Word
- PowerPoint
- SPSS
- STATA
- FAMIS
- SAP
- Workpaper documentation
- Tax data reconciliation
Certification
- Program Management — Harvard Project Mentor
- Monitoring & Evaluation / Project Management — Kaya Humanitarian Academy
Languages
English
Farsi
Timeline
Administrative Assistant IV
Department of Tax -Fairfax County Government office
12.2024 - Current
Quality Assurance Coordinator
International Rescue Committee
11.2023 - 12.2024
Senior Access Associate
University of Virginia
11.2022 - 11.2023
Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Accountability Officer
International Rescue Committee
11.2018 - 12.2021
Finance Officer
VEKTI – DynCorp International
09.2015 - 11.2018
German Business Literacy - undefined
VHS Königshofen School
B.A. - Management & Economics
Gawharshad University
C.S.C. - Accounting
Northern Virginia Community College
Relevant Skills And Qualifications
- Pursuing CPA licensure, with foundational coursework in U.S. taxation and audit principles
- Strong working knowledge of tax compliance, audit documentation, and financial statement preparation
- Expert in data analysis, variance resolution, and reconciling complex financial data
- Experienced in preparing deliverables for client reporting, audits, and advisory tasks
- Excellent communication and organizational skills; adept at collaborating in diverse teams
- Passionate about building a career in audit, tax, and advisory within a Big Four firm environment
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