Monika Blackburn, CPA
Agoura Hills
Summary
Accountant with a proven track record at Farmers Insurance Group, enhancing financial reporting accuracy through streamlined reconciliations in a dynamic financial environment. Proficient in SAP and Blackline, I foster a collaborative team environment while ensuring GAAP compliance and supporting audit functions. Committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Intermediate Accountant
Farmers Insurance Group
10.2024 - Current
- Reconcile bank and general ledger accounts. Identify adjustments, initiate and oversee corrective action, and prepare documentation in support of reconciliations.
- Use Rally to create and track defects in an Agile environment, working closely with IT and other teams to fix systems issues impacting financial statements.
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by actively seeking ways to enhance departmental performance and streamline processes. Standardize existing processes and eliminate manual processes if possible.
- Facilitate year-end audits by maintaining accurate records throughout the fiscal year and promptly addressing auditor inquiries. Prepare working papers, reports, and supporting documentation for audit findings.
- Perform regular self-assessments of owned internal controls and report any control-related issues to relevant stakeholders.
- Contribute to a positive work environment by actively participating in team meetings, offering constructive feedback, and sharing best practices among colleagues.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of professional accounting standards to manage financial recordkeeping.
Accountant
Farmers Insurance Group
07.2017 - 10.2024
- Prepared and maintained general and subsidiary ledgers and financial records at Center of Excellence for account reconciliations.
- Identified adjustments, initiated and oversaw corrective action, and prepared documentation in support of reconciliations.
- Collaborated with Cash Receipts and IT in the design, implementation, and migration to new JP Morgan banking and cash receipting system.
- Established and maintained desktop procedures for all processes.
- Collaborated with external auditors during the annual audit process to provide necessary documentation and address any concerns or findings promptly.
- Compiled general ledger entries on short schedule with accuracy.
Bookkeeper
Endoscopic Technology
06.2009 - 12.2015
- Managed accounts payable and receivable activities for a small business, maintaining vendor relationships and positive cash flow.
- Established QuickBooks accounting system to reflect accurate financial records.
- Handled payroll processing for employees, ensuring timely payment and adherence to tax regulations.
- Prepared monthly bank reconciliations to ensure accurate representation of company's financial position.
- Reconciled and corrected issues with financial records.
Education
Accounting Certificate With Distinction - Accounting
UCLA Extension
Los Angeles03-2016
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA06-2000
Skills
- SAP including Business Objects
- Reconciliations in Blackline
- Microsoft applications including Excel to a high standard, SharePoint, and collaboration tools
- Intercompany transactions
- Audit support
- GAAP compliance
- Accounting policies and procedures
- Establish and maintain desktop procedures
Certification
- CPA - Certified Public Accountant
Timeline
Intermediate Accountant
Farmers Insurance Group
10.2024 - Current
Accountant
Farmers Insurance Group
07.2017 - 10.2024
Bookkeeper
Endoscopic Technology
06.2009 - 12.2015
Accounting Certificate With Distinction - Accounting
UCLA Extension
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of California, Berkeley
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