MICHELE MARSH, CPA

Plymouth, MI 48170 mmarsh@ameritech.net

CONTROLLER / DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ACCOUNTING

Financial Analysis & Reporting / Corporate Governance / Audits / Forecasts / Budgets / ERP / IT Internal Controls / SOX / Best Practices / Risk Management / Performance Metrics / P&L / Payroll
A leader in tactical and strategic financial management, I have a proven record of ensuring financial stability by reducing costs and improving margins for both non-profit / for-profit organizations. By establishing internal controls and incorporating new technology, I built the infrastructures required to support growth and change. As an integral part of the senior management team, I provided the insights and guidance shareholders and Board Members required for informed decision making, maximizing profits and attaining corporate goals. Key strengths: Establishing sound business principles and strategies to ensure long-term success Managing accounting, finance, HR, treasury and administrative operations Mitigating risk while delivering the best optimized value proposition Working effectively with all levels of an organization Instituting internal processes and procedures, improving efficiencies and profitability

A licensed CPA in the State of MI, my BBA in Accounting is from Eastern Michigan University, and a member of the Michigan Association of CPAs (MACPA). Colleagues recognize me as a key business advisor and partner with strong problem solving and analytical skills.

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR OPTREX AMERICA

Passed internal / external audits effortlessly. Notified a SOX audit would be performed shortly after Kyocera acquired Optrex in 2012. Assembled cross-functional team, focusing on areas of audit (Purchasing, IT, HR, Accounting, Warehouse). Held weekly meetings, reviewing processes / documents. Passed audits with no violations. Saved $1.7M over three years. Optrex America was continually seeking cost containments and reductions. Performed line-by-line GL review, identifying areas for reduction in communication costs, disaster recovery, healthcare costs, travel and legal. Continuously saved average of 4% annually. Ensured accurate reporting process. Late expense reports resulted in posting to incorrect month, and excessive manual adjustments. Researched on-line reporting tools, selecting one that was compatible with current ERP system. New system forced employees to reconcile expense report monthly to corporate credit card. Ensured reimbursements recorded in correct month, increasing efficiencies and eliminating manual entries. Turned expense into revenue generating program. Existing travel program was costly. Researched and interviewed credit card programs, creating competitive atmosphere for business and negotiating generous rebate programs. Transitioned vendors to credit card payments, increasing card spending. Generated $127K in rebates. Automated accounting for real-time reporting. Accounting system was antiquated with very little reporting available. Assembled team, evaluated, selected and implemented new ERP system. Transitioned to new system on-time, within 5% of budget, and provided instantaneous transactions, inventory and shipment tracking. Centralized operations. Employees occupied two adjacent buildings. Created business case for building a facility vs. leasing one larger facility, and gained approval from Japanese parent company. Secured land, financing and hired architect / builder. Applied for and awarded a 12-year tax abatement from city, resulting in $720K savings.

CAREER SUMMARY
Optrex America / Kyocera Display America. Designer and manufacturer of liquid crystal displays. Director of Administration, 2002 to 2013. Directed accounting, HR, IT, contracts, and logistics. Prepared and presented annual BOD financial reports. Revamped 401K / benefit programs, and the Performance Review Process. Implemented SOX, reviewed bids and ROI for capital purchases. Managed 11 staff / $200M budget. Controller, 2000 to 2002. Promoted to oversee accounting, inventory, warehouse, logistics and HR. Ensured custom regulatory compliance, coordinated annual external audits. Partnered with Executive Management for growth and profitability. Led 15 staff and managed $150M budget. Accounting Manager, 1998 to 1999. Supervised AP, AR, financial reporting and budgeting. Developed operating expense budgets / forecasts. Managed insurance program and coordinated external audits. Earlier: Financial Services Manager, Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn (law firm). Accounting and Data Processing Manager, Word of Faith Christian Center (not-for-profit).