Michael J Vaughn, CPA, SFO

Experience

• 

  The Peoria Unified School District

  Oct 2010 - May 2011

  Public Relations & Marketing Intern

  • Introduced and single-handedly wrote new e-mail publication which surpassed industry standards for response rate once distributed to over 20,000 stakeholders including students, teachers, and business partners.• Managed internal and external relations for the publication including with the City of Peoria. • Secured the Arizona School Association’s Golden Bell Award for the Technology, Life & Careers program.

• 

  W. P. Carey School of Business

  Jan 2012 - Sept 2012

  Editorial Assistant

  • Researched a wide-range of business topics and summarized findings for a variety of audiences with varying levels of business knowledge. • Interviewed business leaders for publication including executives from American Express at the Vice President level.• Revamped and introduced social media into the knowWPC publication and trained others on how to effectively use the technology. • Helped maintain and update knowWPC network of websites.

• 

  New Venture Group Consulting

  Aug 2012 - May 2014

  • Assist in managing client relations by drafting and editing written correspondence with the client.• Interview client to gather information for decision modeling.• Data analysis and discovery to explain the current status of grant writing operations.• Model request for proposal (RFP) selection process to bring objectivity and consistency to management decisions at an executive level. • Assisted in surveying economic activity in Fountain Hills by interviewing business owners for relevant information for future economic development.• Helped design and implement a Access database with client specifications for future client use.

  • Senior Consultant - on Chicanos Por La Causa Engagement

    Aug 2012 - May 2014

  • Consultant in Coordination on Fountain Hills Engagement

    Aug 2012 - Dec 2012
• 

  Peoria Unified School District

  May 2014 - Aug 2014

  Business Services Intern

  • Received experience and training in district operations in AP, HR, Budget Analysis, and Food Services • Utilized Munis Financial System to processes invoices for payment• Reconciled summary reports with invoices processed to ensure proper payment and as an internal control• Assisted CFO modify administrator evaluation system and plan for complete restructure of the evaluation tool• Assisted in audit of food services operations to ensure proper reporting of meals served for reimbursement purposes• Automated Excel sheets to create batch entry files for invoices in the Munis Financial System Show less

• 

  Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C.

  May 2014 - May 2014

  Extern at Glendale Union High School District

  • Assisted in preliminary fieldwork by auditing disbursements and IEP maintenance requirement compliance for SPED• Reviewed National School Lunch Program free and reduced lunch eligibility determination• Verified the relevancy of JTED expenditures to CTE curriculum for compliance purposes

• 

  Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C.

  Jan 2015 - May 2015

  Intern

  • Made selections and completed fieldwork for A-133, compliance, USFR, and financial audits of Arizona School Districts • Tested Enrollment for unusual fluctuations using analytical procedures• Identified AJEs related to AP entered all adjusting entries required for several engagements • Prepared and allocated budget items from ADE Annual Financial Reports for CAFR and financial report presentation • Prepared informal client communications of audit findings• Maintain spreadsheet to track progress on ASBO International COE CAFRs that came for H&M’s review• Assisted in activity based costing consulting engagements for several Arizona counties Show less

• 

  EY

  Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  Intern

  • Completed tie outs of quarterly and annual financial statements. • Assisted in migration of audit work into new auditing software suite.• Preformed revenue analytical test work on local SaaS company• Updated and modified tracking of relevant training for employees serving the healthcare industry • Received further training in governmental accounting and single audit engagements

• 

  CliftonLarsonAllen

  Jul 2016 - Feb 2018

  Public Sector Group Associate

  • Specialized in audits and agreed-upon procedures for Arizona school districts and state and local governments.• Used projections and accounting data to identify and explain deviations from budget in organization spending. • Created and monitored budgets for audit engagements. • Tested and reported on compliance with state and federal compliance requirements.• Advised clients on alternative procedures and processes to realize efficiencies or improve controls.• Prepared clients financial statements and related reports.• Served as client contact ensuring engagements were completed timely and relationships were maintained.• Researched various accounting and compliance questions to advise clients on proper treatment or action. • Served on Young Advisory Council to provide advice to office leadership and develop internal projects. Show less

• 

  University Technology Office at Arizona State University

  Feb 2018 - Jul 2018

  Financial Analyst

  • Monitored expenditure budgets for the department and ensured spending remained consistent with expectations.• Provided department wide reporting and variance analysis covering over $100 million of expenditures. • Analyzed all university spending to identify IT costs across all decentralized university departments. • Served as readiness coordinator and contact for questions on new financial management system implementation.• Headed the department’s efforts to establish an administrative cost recovery rate to apply to all billings. Show less

• 

  Peoria Unified School District

  Jul 2018 - Jun 2022

  Internal Auditor

  • Oversaw Grants Management, Fixed Assets, Warehouse Operations and Treasury Management as needed during tenure.• Acted as a backup for bond and override compliance concerns to district’s Chief Financial Officer.• Served as a member of leadership team providing advisory and best practice support to all areas of financial operations.• Key contributor in Peoria’s strategic plan process alongside Chief Technology & Operations Officer including: - Drafted significant portions of the District’s Strategic Plan. - Identified strategic funding support through alignment of available grant funding. - Developed certain strategic initiatives for inclusion in the plan. - Created and implemented process for identification of resource needs around strategic initiatives. - Advised Executive Council members in the operationalizing of strategy and initiatives. - Designed and implemented community engagement around strategic plan and federal COVID stimulus funding including: writing community survey and serving as facilitator of community forum. • Managed District’s annual financial audit including detailed review of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report to ensure compliance with GAAP.• Trained school and department staff on financial operations and procedures of the District.• Conducted investigations around accusations of fraud and communicated findings with Arizona Auditor General’s Office • Interfaced with District legal counsel on a regular basis on financial compliance concerns. • Maintained reputation among District departments as a go-to resource to translate school finance to academic staff. Show less

• 

  LITCHFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT #79

  Jul 2022 - now

  • Provide strategic level financial leadership for school district of 10,000 + students and over $90 million operating budget.• Serves as a key contributor to Governing meetings.• Acts as an advisor to the Superintendent as a member of cabinet for all questions related to financial affairs.• Oversees leaders for facilities, purchasing, finance, student information and registration functions. • Oversees executive leadership for food service, information technology, community education, and transportation.• Develops and implements budget process and long-range financial planning.• Presents and prepares analyses required to understand budget proposals for the Governing Board.• Prepares and publishes budgets as approved by the Superintendent and Governing Board.• Oversees the capital improvement plan and financial aspects of district operations.• Strategically plans bond and operations override elections including timing, amounts, and supported programming.• Responsible for all legal requirements connected to district elections completed in coordination with legal counsel.• Monitors and manages school level staffing based on actual and projected student enrollment by school and grade.• Oversees open enrollment program to maximize available resources considering staffing and capacity constraints.• Responsible for setting tax rates with the Maricopa County School Superintendent's office. Show less

  • Chief Financial Officer

    Jul 2023 - now

  • Executive Director of Finance

    Jul 2022 - Jun 2023