Simona Duka-Kispal

Experience

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  Vendor-Trans, Romania

  Dec 1997 - Aug 1999

  Accounting Supervisor

  ◆ Reported on business performance; prepared GAAP Financial Statements◆ Liaised with government authorities, suppliers and clients on financial matters◆ Implemented new accounting software (Ciel)

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  Community Living Toronto

  Mar 2000 - Jun 2007

  ◆ Prepared month end closing, GAAP financials and business performance analysis, reporting to CFIO◆ Assisted with preparation of 55 million annual operating budget, financial and statistical reporting to external parties, funding and government agencies◆ Point of contact for external auditors; prepared year end working papers for interim and annual audit◆ Planned, supervised and reviewed work of 6 staff◆ Functional lead for ERP (PeopleSoft Financials) upgrade project, testing and user manuals developmentAchievements:➤ Developed and implemented a collection framework to reduce allowance for doubtful accounts by reducing the balances over 120 days by over 60%, with no creeping accounts➤ Reduced data migration clean-up time during ERP upgrade from 10 days to 2 Show less ◆ Conducted management reporting, variance analysis, forecasts of departmental expenses/revenues◆ Provided analytical support to Finance/Budget and Regional Management teams◆ Performed risk analysis on aged Accounts Receivable and estimated bad debt◆ Monitored workload for a team of 3; assisted with staff selection and hiring◆ Trained staff in the use of ERP and accounting concepts; developed training material; developed and redesigned PeopleSoft nVision layouts and Queries to expedite routine activitiesAchievements:➤ Designed and implemented changes in overhead costs allocations, reducing processing time from a few hours to a few minutes at peak month-end closing Show less

  • Sr Accounting Analyst

    Jan 2006 - Jun 2007

  • Financial Analyst

    Oct 2001 - Jan 2006

  • Sr Accounting Clerk

    Mar 2000 - Oct 2001
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  Cohn & Wolfe

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2009

  Accounting Manager

  ◆ Managed 5 direct reports; improved efficiency by delegating responsibilities and resources to match the skills, providing technical and professional development guidance◆ Assisted Business Manager with preparation of the annual operating budget and the consolidation for the newly acquired Canadian and US companies, prepared monthly forecast◆ Prepared management reporting package, account reconciliations, variance analysis, reviewed ADP payroll◆ Evaluated multicurrency work-in-progress (WIP), deferred revenue and inter-company transactions◆ Liaised with auditors, prepared annual financial and tax audit working papers and documentation◆ Streamlined accounting functions by identifying weaknesses and supporting implementation of new processesAchievements:➤ Reduced cycle time of monthly financial reporting by 50% through automation and standardization➤ Improved billing and collection process by reducing billing period from 14 to 8 days➤ Implement the process to issue T4As to freelancers Show less

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  NATIONAL Public Relations

  Aug 2009 - May 2013

  ◆ Member of Executive Committee and Senior Management Team; reporting to NATIONAL Managing Partner and CFO of RES PUBLICA◆ Oversaw financial reporting (monthly, quarterly and year-end) and presented financials in Executive meetings◆ Managed audit process (interim and year-end) for 1 US and 2 Canadian entities◆ Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts, service agreements (MSA) and non-disclosure agreements (NDA)◆ Developed forecasts and operational budgets, by advising and collaborating with the Executive team◆ Guided non-financial department managers to develop business plans and annual budgets; provided training and support in using the financial reporting system and budget tracking◆ ERP subject matter expert, trained finance staff from other offices, developed training material/best practices◆ Recruited, coached and conducted performance reviews of staff (8 direct reports); fostered teamworkAchievements:➤ Optimized ERP configuration to eliminate the need of financial consolidation for 3 offices while maintaining the performance reporting at office and consultant level; structure was later applied network-wide during re-implementation of ERP➤ Developed data import and validation procedure to allow for weekly import of freelancers’ time for 15 minutes work interval, reducing Accounts Payables data entry at month-end without the cost of additional ERP licenses; procedure was later adopted company-wide Show less ◆ Prepared Financial Statements for the company and subsidiary, ad-hoc analysis and reporting for senior management and Head Office◆ Guided Project Managers and Practice Leads in budget development and financial performance management◆ Liaised with Partners and Head Office’s Finance and CFO to finalize annual operating budget◆ Oversaw interim and annual audit; liaised with senior auditors and Head Office◆ Led the finance team (6 direct reports); coached and conducted performance reviews, establishing and implementing short and long range departmental goals, policies and operating proceduresAchievements:➤ Redesigned the reporting process for donations, meals and entertainment, business allowances and training costs to reduce the data gathering time during annual tax audit from 1 week to 2 days Show less

  • Director of Finance

    Jul 2011 - May 2013

  • Accounting Manager

    Aug 2009 - Jul 2011
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  Sonic Boom Creative Media

  May 2013 - Apr 2015

  Business Manager

  ◆ Member of Senior Leadership Team reporting to Managing Partner, with a significant impact in areas of corporate strategy, financial management, procurement, payroll and human resources◆ Drove accountability across the company with 2 offices scaling rapidly, through financial discipline and transparency, policy development and implementation◆ Lead due diligence process and interaction with Operations on process improvement, resourcing, project management and profitability analysis, strengthening internal controls◆ Developed corporate budget, analyzed and reviewed key performance indicators (return on revenue, rates, productivity, target margins, net profit) forecasting month-end and annual financial results◆ Prepared and enhanced KPI reporting for Executives, assisting in preparation of Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and presentations for operational reviews, staff and board meetings◆ Managed group benefits plan and payroll, including legislation compliance (Ontario and Quebec), payroll processing (Ceridian PowerPay), ROE (Records of Employment), calculations for manual cheques, termination payments and bonuses, source deductions and taxable benefits, year-end◆ Worked with HR on drafting employment contracts, developing policies, recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement and exit strategy◆ Liaised with Finance, IT and Property Management; negotiated and approved client and supplier contracts◆ Build, led and mentored a cohesive admin team of 2 Office Managers and 1 HR CoordinatorAchievements:➤ Drove the implementation of a project and portfolio management system (Project Insight), acting as key member in software and supplier selection; developed a methodology for integration with existing workflows and business systems, presented proposal and secured executive approval for a pilot project➤ Developed procedures to improve month-end forecast and reduce timeline from 1 week to 2 days Show less

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  Consultant

  Mar 2016 - Jul 2022

  VP Finance/Business Manager

  ◆ Worked with small business owners and directors to ensure their company is on a stable financial footing, to achieve long-term success and smooth day-to-day operations during rapid growth◆ Developed and implemented operational procedures (budget, finance, accounting, purchasing, payroll and taxes) and human resources policies to create a desirable-to-work-for company◆ Defined, implemented and maintained Chart of Accounts and Payroll (QuickBooks Online, Payment Evolution)◆ Built financial models for weekly cash flow, 12 months P&L projections and monthly consolidated statements◆ Advised on business acquisitions and integrations, analyzed business performance◆ Oversaw regulatory reporting, including working with the company’s advisors to prepare tax returns, research and development tax credits (SRED), wage subsidies, and PayEquity reporting◆ Advised on HR issues and employment contracts/terminations; oversaw compensation and benefits◆ Collaborated with external auditors, legal, banking and government agencies to ensure fiduciary duties are met◆ Communicated on contracts, taxes, outstanding balances with employees, customers, suppliers/vendors◆ Responsible for remittances for source deductions, GST/QST and corporate taxes Show less