Michael G. Newkirk, CPA - CMA - CTP

Experience

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  Successful progression in accounting and finance-related roles

  Jan 1990 - Jan 2003

  Earlier Career

  ♦ Accountant for FirstEnergy Service Company; analyzed, examined and interpreted accounts records, compiled financial statements information and review and reconciled reports and financial data. ♦ Project Accountant & Accountant for Centerior Energy Service Company; assisted and coordinated monthly journal activities. After a 50% employee reduction in General Accounting, led various department initiatives resulting in a 33% improvement to the monthly closing process". Helped achieve goal of having 80% of accounts balanced and reconciled; received Employee Recognition Award.♦ Associate Accountant and Junior Account for Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company. Show less

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  FirstEnergy

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2007

  Advanced Business Analyst - Treasury Department

  ♦ Provided wide range of cash management services including cash flow cycles and money pool management for numerous FirstEnergy Companies.♦ Prepared daily cash position, cash flow budgeting and forecasting, investing and borrowing reports.♦ Supported internal business units by recording unique cash-related transactions and ensuring transactions were accurate and properly recorded; business units included Asset Swaps, Property Sales, and Department of Energy Reimbursements.

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  FirstEnergy Solutions

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2016

  Accountant V | Accountant IV | Senior Accountant - FES Commodity Accounting Department

  ♦ Improved closing process 25% by reducing the number of monthly journals and instituting recurring journals. ♦ Provided leadership and mentoring to co-workers related to preparation of variance analyses and the creation of metrics for a newly implemented system.♦ Member of the FES Reporting Team responsible for reviewing and verifying monthly KPIs, quarterly and annual financial reports. Point-of-contact for internal and external auditors related to specific FES Accounting questions.♦ Analyzed and compiled financial information and prepared reports used by FES and management team while working with IT improving system reporting.♦ Interacted with FES accounting groups to ensure clarity of financial information and updating of SOX control procedures. Prepared and analyzed monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting packages; presented at quarterly and annual review meetings with Investor Relations, audit, financial reporting and management.♦ Worked to achieve common reporting objectives; led co-workers in cross-training and creating bench strength.♦ Received the 2011 Controller Employee of the Year Award. Show less

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  FirstEnergy

  Jan 2016 - Apr 2019

  Lead - Property Accounting

  ♦ Managed over $43B in capital assets over 16 companies.♦ Identified and developed resolutions for workflow processes and interfaces between SAP and PowerPlant, a software platform that integrates key financial and operational data with compliance information, ensuring all data files were updated properly, reducing errors during month-end Day 1 closing process.♦ As Project Manager, supervised and trained staff and consultants during PowerPlant upgrade to improve process closing by 50%, helping other functional areas (GA, Tax, FE Reporting) to improve their timeframes.♦ In collaboration with management and internal audit, developed processes to improve testing of SOX controls and updating written SOX procedures.♦ Conducted ad-hoc research, data analysis, results interpretation, and implementation activities for Asset Impairments for journal processing, Price or Cost trends for sale of Assets, and Rate Case Reports for filing. ♦ Prepared monthly, quarterly and annual PPE Capital Summary Cash Flow Expenditure report recommendations for management, internal and external auditors, and FE Reporting team. Show less

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  FirstEnergy Solutions

  Oct 2019 - Jun 2020

  Senior Accountant - Zempleo

  Consultant for FirstEnergy Solutions, an Akron-based coal and nuclear power generating company♦ Assisted in the development of the closing process; resolved issues to seek win/win solutions by communicating with consultants, management, and service providers throughout the process to achieve established deadlines.♦ Involved with the preparation of system cutovers to Energy Harbor (SAP, PowerPlant and Aligne).

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  Energy Harbor

  Jun 2020 - Apr 2024

  Accountant IV

  Energy Harbor is a premier carbon free power producer and fully integrated retail energy provider.♦ Analyzed and compiled financial information and prepared reports used by Energy Harbor and management team while working with IT to improve system reporting.♦ Maintained PPE monthly reporting and records.♦ Performed monthly balance sheet reconciliations and special reports meeting deadlines.♦ Prepared and posted monthly journal entries complying with GAAP.♦ Assisted in reviewing and posting SAP parked monthly journals.♦ Prepared documentation for annual external audits.♦ Met crucial deadlines by paying attention to details to complete each task.♦ Proactively identified and communicated potential ideas to team members and leaderships to improve efficiency. Show less

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  FirstEnergy

  Apr 2024 - now

  Accountant V - Zempleo