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Resumé

Heather A. Childs
Mesa, AZ

(Business) 480-218-1337
(Mobile) 480-703-8345

E-mail: hajdacotah01@hotmail.com

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Over twenty-one (21) years of Accounting/Finance (GAAP Principles), (GASB 34 Regulation) and auditing experience including nine (9) years management with hiring practices and objectives such as, workforce development, strategic planning, budgeting, financial preparation and reporting, organizing, disciplinary actions, recruitment, compensation and benefits, performance development and evaluations.

Twelve (12) years accounting and auditing experience with strong audit/analytical skills and experience in the preparation of audits, conducting audits, reporting of findings, presenting irregularities to appropriate personnel with analysis of suggested improvements. Most recent accomplishment includes: external audits for years 2004 and 2005 for the Salt River Housing Division with the outcome indicating no audit findings for both years.

Excellent Finance experience with economic development for businesses, retention and expansion, financial assistance including: fixed assets, strategic planning, finance budgetary operations, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting.

Excellent accounting skills including, but not limited to, month-end closing, monthly financial statements, financial studies, grants and contracts, proformas and analysis of existing/proposed business entities, profit/loss statements, balance sheets, budgeting, tax compliance and other financial reporting.

Excellent communication/teamwork skills and the ability to work with co-workers, vendors, internal and external auditors, senior management, board of directors, and independent accountants.

EDUCATION

Masters of Arts Degree in Organizational Management, June 2001
University of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Accounting emphasis), May 1987
University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota

COMPUTER EXPERIENCE

Platinum, AS400, Infinium, MS Works, MS Word, Stratton Warren Purchasing System, Access, Excel, Lotus 123, Great Plains, Bally SDS Slot System, Casino Data Systems (CDS), PeopleSoft (HR/Payroll and Financial Modules), Fundware, HDS (Housing Data Systems), Microsoft Dynamics.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sr. Accountant, May 2007 to Present
First American Title Company, Phoenix, Arizona

Responsibilities: Assists in the operations of the General Ledger Reconciliation Department providing leadership and teamwork with twenty (20) Finance Team members; responsible for general accounting month-end closing “Best Practices”; verifies the monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations ensuring accuracy at all times; establishes, maintains, assesses, and reconciles the general ledger accounts which include: prepays, fixed assets, accounts payable and receivable accounts, etc. applying the GAAP principles of Accounting.

Accounting Manager – (Temporary), Dec. 2006 to April 2007
Calence LLC. Tempe, Arizona

SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY (OCTOBER 1997 TO OCTOBER 2006)

Accounting Manager, June 2005 to Oct. 2006

Responsibilities: Oversaw the operations of the General Ledger and Per Capita Departments providing leadership, mentoring and supervision to nine (9) Finance Team members; responsible for general accounting month-end closing “Best Practices”; maintained, and verified the monthly bank and balance sheet reconciliations ensuring accuracy at all times; established, maintained, and reconciled the general accounting departments fixed assets, general ledger, prepays, strategic planning, finance budgetary operations, financial reporting, and tax programs applying the GAAP principles of Accounting and GASB 34; established and processed the 1099’s and tax procedures by entering, auditing, and changing the database and financial systems to reflect the correct customer information and compliance with all tax laws; responsible for quarterly per capita payouts ensuring accurate distributions; coordinated year-end audit activities including preparation of explanatory schedules, provision of requested backup and year-end reconciliations; responsible for financial reporting preparation and distribution and performed any special duties or projects requested by the Finance Department and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.

Finance Manager, Aug. 2003 to June 2005

Responsibilities: Supervised four (4) Finance Staff; established, maintained, and reconciled the Finance Departments fixed asset, general ledger, prepays, balance sheet reconciliation’s, general ledger accounts, strategic planning, finance budgetary operations, financial reporting, and tax programs for the Housing Division applying the GAAP principles of accounting and GASB 34; developed programs for grants (NAHASDA) and contracts and processed them; established and processed the W2, 1099’s and tax procedures by entering, auditing, and changing the database to reflect the correct customer information for the Housing Division and ensuring compliance with all tax laws; responsible for month-end closing including: inventory, fixed assets, prepays, accounts payables and receivables, journal entries, P & L Statement disbursement, NAHASDA reporting requirements, tax credit partnership reporting and general ledger reconciliations for the Housing Division; and performed any special duties or projects requested by the Housing Division and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.

Grants and Contract Manager, Jan. 2003 to Aug. 2003

Responsibilities: Reviewed and established departments within ITCA; reviewed contract and grant award documents; monthly review of general ledger and all fund source allocations; prepared and reviewed proposed budgets for the ITCA programs; supervised ITCA’s annual audit; analyzed revenue and expenses for the programs; performed internal audits; prepared balance sheet reconciliation’s; prepared all policies and procedures, regulations, budgets, audits, deadline agreements; prepared and analyzed an Access database of all grants and contracts for ITCA.

Staff Accountant, Jan. 2000 to Oct. 2002

Responsibilities: Supervised six (6) direct Accounts Payable and Payroll Staff; established, maintained, and reconciled the Finance Departments fixed asset, general ledger, prepays, vault reconciliation, general ledger accounts, strategic planning, finance budgetary operations, account reconciliation’s, financial reporting, and tax programs for both Casinos applying the GAAP principles of accounting; developed programs for grants and contracts and processed them; established and processed the W2G’s, 1099’s and 1042S tax procedures by entering, auditing, and changing the database to reflect the correct customer information for both Casinos; established the development of the Tax Withholding procedures and performed the necessary procedures to ensure that both Casinos were in compliance with all tax laws and Title 31 Regulations; responsible for month-end closing including: inventory, fixed assets, prepays, accounts payables and receivables, journal entries, P & L Statement disbursement, and general ledger reconciliation for both Casinos; and performed any special duties or projects requested by the Casino, and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community.

Revenue Audit Supervisor, Mar. 1999 to Jan. 2000

Responsibilities: Supervised eight (8) direct Revenue Auditors; established and developed controls for the Casino Finance Department from opening day to present; maintained the Audit Department by performing daily revenue audits for slots, poker, cashiers cage, food and beverage, and gift shop, in compliance with the policies and procedures setup by the Casino; prepared daily gaming revenue reports on an on-line tracking system called Bally SDS System, and on Excel and Microsoft Word spreadsheets; prepared Casino journal entries for the general ledger; assisted in the preparation of monthly worksheets for financial reporting; processed W2G forms for tax purposes; ensured the accuracy of all revenue audits from jackpot/fills, poker, cage accountability, and departmental overages/shortages; safe guarded all assets and assisted in investment funding; ensured compliance of internal controls as required by the Community, State, and Federal Agencies; responsible for preparation of all audits, reports, payroll for audit staff for the Casino; and performed any special duties or projects requested by the Casino, and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Tribe.

Controller, Oct. 1997 to July 1998

Responsibilities: Safe guarded all assets and assisted in investment funding; ensured compliance of internal controls as required by the Community, State, and Federal Agencies; responsible for preparation of all audits and reports with all Community, State, and Federal Agencies; administrated the operation and supervision of forty (40) plus staff, seven (7) direct and thirty-three (33) indirect for the Finance, Cage, Vault, Purchasing, and Count Room Departments; developed programs for grants and contracts and processed them; assigned, coordinated, scheduled, and reviewed the work staff; reviewed all financial reports including, but not limited to, monthly financial statements, reporting required by various lease and management agreements and other reporting requirements applying the GAAP principles of accounting; prepared financial studies, strategic planning, finance budgetary operations, proformas, and analysis of existing and proposed business entities; interpreted financial reports, profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and other financial reports for management and Board of Directors; prepared short and long range business assumptions and financial projections on special projects; prepared operating and construction budgets in a timely manner for Casino operations; assisted with the assessment of economic impact of proposed transactions; observed competitive operations and prepared financial comparisons to the Casino Arizona at Salt River’s existing or proposed operations; hired local and out of state vendors for goods and services for the Casino.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE