Akaette Alexander

Financial Analyst with 10+ years of progressive experience across FP&A, financial reporting, budgeting, variance analysis, audits, and ERP-driven accounting environments. Proven partner to executive leadership, delivering actionable insights, strengthening internal controls, optimizing close processes, and supporting strategic, data-driven decision-making across public and private sector organizations.

Financial Analyst at MS Lottery Corporation (2022-01 – Present)

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial results.
• Develop and maintain reconciliations and tracking for miscellaneous and promotional prize activity.
• Reconcile bank statements and investigate variances to resolution.
• Maintain capital expenditure tracking and reporting.
• Manage budgeting, expense tracking, and performance reporting for the company vehicle fleet, supporting cost optimization.
• Assist in annual budget preparation, periodic forecasting, and year-end close activities.
• Prepare and present budget-to-actual analyses, clearly explaining variances to management.
• Build and maintain advanced Excel-based financial models for planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Support Claims Department financial activities and serve as backup for miscellaneous and promotional claims processing.

Corporate Accountant at MINACT, Inc. (2020-01 – 2021-12)

• Prepared and submitted monthly and quarterly financial reports and vouchers to the U.S. Department of Labor.
• Managed general ledger activity and performed detailed balance sheet reconciliations.
• Supported year-end audits through preparation of consolidated workpapers and auditor responses.
• Processed bi-weekly payroll for 700+ employees, recording accurate journal entries across multiple locations.

Management Controller at Valeo North America (2018-01 – 2019-12)

• Performed monthly close and analyzed actual-to-budget variances for manufacturing operations.
• Supported preparation of monthly P&L statements and key performance indicators.
• Monitored departmental spending and ensured compliance with corporate policies.

Accountant/Auditor Bureau Director (Internal Auditor) at State of Mississippi, Department of Highway Safety (2017-01 – 2018-12)

• Led internal audits to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Identified control weaknesses and implemented corrective actions to reduce risk exposure.
• Designed and implemented controls preventing duplicate vendor payments, removing a high-risk audit rating and enabling approval of a $5M federal grant.
• Trained staff on SAP transaction processing and standardized financial procedures.

Accountant/Auditor III at State of Mississippi, Department of Environmental Quality (2014-01 – 2017-12)

• Processed 3,000+ invoices monthly using SAP and Oracle systems.
• Managed payroll for 400 full-time and 50 contract employees.
• Established financial tracking for BP oil spill-related accounts and conducted compliance audits.
• Improved operational procedures through financial analysis and staff training.

Staff Accountant at Mississippi State Medical Association (2010-01 – 2014-12)

• Managed AR/AP, prepared tax filings, and produced monthly budget-to-actual reports.
• Ensured compliance with governmental and regulatory reporting requirements.

MBA in Finance – Walden University

BS in Accounting – Jackson State University