Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Career Highlights
Training
Languages
Timeline
Generic

ALISON SCHULTZ

Calgary

Summary

Dynamic accounting professional recognized for exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, fostering positive and productive business relationships across all organizational levels. Expertise in clearly articulating expectations to staff while making informed decisions efficiently and effectively. Adaptable to shifting priorities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and responsiveness to evolving business needs. Committed to driving results through collaboration and strategic problem-solving.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Contractor

INMARKET MEDIA LLC
05.2022 - Current
  • Provided structure to the month-end close process, reducing the closing time from over six weeks to 10 days. The new process includes completeness checks, close meetings, working papers, and thorough variance analysis.
  • Automated procedures to allocate costs at an itemized level using Solver.
  • Enhanced business line reporting to clearly outline performance for leaders to aid in decision-making.

Finance Lead

DECIBEL CANNABIS COMPANY
03.2021 - 04.2022
  • Managed monthly close processes for Wholesale, Retail, and Backstage functions.
  • Oversaw intercompany eliminations and consolidations and the valuation of biological assets, manufacturing inventory, and perpetual inventory.
  • Acted as a liaison with external auditors for quarterly and annual reviews, prepared financial statements, and reviewed the MD&A.

Manager – Financial Planning & Analysis – In-Store Pharmacy

SOBEYS INC./SOBEYS PHARMACY GROUP & LAWTONS DRUGS
01.2018 - 03.2021
  • Supported Operations, Business Development, and Category Management for over 350 in-store pharmacies.
  • Headed a project that streamlined the inventory process for Safeway banner stores, leading to a 7% decrease in inventory level variation.
  • Implemented a site-level forecasting process to help with budgeting and allow Operations to better understand and project financial results.

Manager – Financial Planning & Analysis – Merchandising and Marketing, Fresh

SOBEYS INC.
11.2015 - 09.2017
  • Led the team through its first effort at budgeting full wholesale margin.
  • Guided Marketing and Category Management to help them understand the financial impact of their decisions.
  • Co-founded the SAP Super User group to problem-solve and share best practices across the company.

Supervisor – Retail Accounting, Full-Service Format

SOBEYS INC.
08.2013 - 11.2015
  • Coached and supported a team of 12 Retail Accountants.
  • Led the team through the transformation from a corporate store layout to a fully franchised model.
  • Ensured financial statements for corporate store managers and franchise owners were accurate and on time.

Business Finance Analyst

SOBEYS INC.
09.2011 - 08.2013
  • Maintained a business partner relationship with several groups in the Merchandising department.
  • Assisted with the preparation, analysis, and finalization of budgets and forecasts for the Merchandising group.

General Accountant

LAWTONS/SOBEYS PHARMACY GROUP
05.2009 - 08.2011
  • Analyzed inventory counts for all Lawton’s locations, focusing on both Pharmacy and Retail inventory levels.
  • Prepared monthly working papers for various accounts, including the Inventory General Ledger.

Education

Certified General Accountant -

Certified General Accountants
AB
12-2013

Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting

Mount Saint Vincent University
Halifax, NS
01.2009

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Strong proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
  • ERP Systems: Intermediate-Strong proficiency in Sage X3, Business Central, Solver, SAP, and SAP BW
  • Month-end reporting
  • Auditing procedures
  • Variance analysis
  • Budget forecasting
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Annual budgets
  • Business Partnering

Career Highlights

  • Reduced the month-end closing time by an average of 3-5 business days by creating a structured process with clear communication on expectations. This was achieved by providing more accountability and accuracy within the team and by tightening deadlines for information from internal and external partners.
  • Developed annual budgets for over 350 retail locations, which had a combined revenue of more than $1 billion. The budgets included weekly revenue and margin goals, monthly expense and labor targets, and detailed supplier revenue targets.
  • Assisted in the rollout of a franchisee program for more than 40 retail locations, acting as the accounting representative. She outlined the accounting services provided, explained financial KPIs and ownership levels, and supported franchisees throughout the onboarding process.

Training

Completed courses in Communication, New Supervisory Skills, Change Management, Employee Engagement, Interpersonal Skills, Confidence Building, and Leadership.

Languages

English

Timeline

Contractor

INMARKET MEDIA LLC
05.2022 - Current

Finance Lead

DECIBEL CANNABIS COMPANY
03.2021 - 04.2022

Manager – Financial Planning & Analysis – In-Store Pharmacy

SOBEYS INC./SOBEYS PHARMACY GROUP & LAWTONS DRUGS
01.2018 - 03.2021

Manager – Financial Planning & Analysis – Merchandising and Marketing, Fresh

SOBEYS INC.
11.2015 - 09.2017

Supervisor – Retail Accounting, Full-Service Format

SOBEYS INC.
08.2013 - 11.2015

Business Finance Analyst

SOBEYS INC.
09.2011 - 08.2013

General Accountant

LAWTONS/SOBEYS PHARMACY GROUP
05.2009 - 08.2011

Bachelor of Business Administration - Accounting

Mount Saint Vincent University

Certified General Accountant -

Certified General Accountants
ALISON SCHULTZ