Amber Blake

Energetic, Strategic and Accredited Accounts Payable Manager known for results, change management, and accuracy in managing a wide-variety of projects in a multiple entity environment.

Accounts

Payable career spans over 30 years with experience in gaming, government, IT, real estate, food and beverage, retail, construction and other industries.

Accounts Payable Manager - 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians

(2025-03 - 2025-08)

Key Results

• Direct a department of 6 AP Specialists and 3 Billing Coordinators (purchase requisitioners) under a shared services platform.
• Manage timely payment processing, including checks, wires and ACHs for multiple entities including Tribal Government, construction, fuel/travel center, cannabis dispensary and two casinos.
• Resident expert for internal and external customers, including auditors with a proven positive track record in timely issue resolution.
• Stakeholder in setting up and implementing system improvements and new applications, including D365, MissionGov and Red Rock.
• Submits annual 1099 to Vendors and IRS.

Accounts Payable Manager - Belkin International

(2023-07 - 2025-03)

Key Results

• Directs a department of 7 offshore employees including 1 AP Manager, 1 T&E Manager and 5 AP Specialists, under a global shared services platform.
• Controls timely payment processing, including checks, wires and ACH, Foreign Exchange, international and domestic for multiple entities.
• Resident expert for internal and external customers, including auditors with a proven positive track record in timely issue resolution.
• Stakeholder in setting up and implementing system improvements and new applications, including, but not limited to, corporate customer refund platform automation, Knowledgelake, Oracle, USBank corporate travel program.
• Support and assist AP staff in adopting additional software to input invoices, while finding solutions to simplify and automate import into our ERP, for accurate payment processing.
• Submits annual 1099 to Vendors and IRS.
• Established and maintain corporate P-Card program alongside Director of Global Compliance.
• Works with Accounting/Finance on setting up and meeting deadlines for month end, quarter end and year end.
• Ensures the timely reporting of accruals, cashflow projections and other requested ad hoc reports.
• Create, implement, track and enforce department and company policies, SOPs and KPIs.

Procurement Manager - San Manuel Band of Mission Indians

(2021-10 - 2023-02)

Key Results

• Directs a department of 13 supply chain experts under a shared services platform.
• Experience in RFPs and RFQs, contract evaluation, requisitions, negotiations and purchase order execution.
• Resident expert for internal and external customers, including auditors with a proven positive track record in timely issue resolution.
• Utilized Lawson, Eatec and YellowDog for sourcing and inventory.
• Established SMARTSHEET tracking tool to work with logistics on maintaining communication with regards to orders and delivery issues.
• Established and maintain corporate P-Card program alongside VP of Procurement.
• Create, implement, track and enforce department and company policies, SOPs and KPIs.
• Collaborate with Logistics, Accounts Payable, General Ledger on executing a smooth P2P (Procure 2 Pay) process.
• Responsible for all staffing within the Procurement Department including hiring and reviews.

Accounts Payable Manager - San Manuel Casino

(2015-08 - 2021-10)

Key Results

• Directs a department of 19 including 2 Supervisors, 12 AP Specialists, 2 Data Entry Clerks and 2 File Clerks under a shared services platform, serving the entire enterprise.
• Experience in Gaming, Real Estate, Hospitality, Food and Beverage, Retail, Government and Construction payables while adhering to the strict guidelines in compliance with Quality Control, Gaming Commission and Governmental Regulations.
• Controls timely payment processing, including checks, wires and ACH, for multiple entities.
• Resident expert for internal and external customers, including auditors with a proven positive track record in timely issue resolution.
• Stakeholder in working with IT on setting up and implementing system improvements and new applications, including, but not limited to, Yellow Dog, Eatec, Lawson and Singlepoint.
• Support and assist AP staff in adopting additional software to input invoices, while finding solutions to simplify and automate import into our ERP, for accurate payment processing.
• Submits annual 1099 and 1042 reports to Vendors and IRS.
• Ensures timely payment of 945 and 1042 taxes, meeting deadlines and being proactive during holidays to prevent penalties.
• Manages quarterly 592 tax reporting on Entertainers and Independent Contractors.
• Established and maintain corporate P-Card program alongside VP of Procurement.
• Works with General Ledger on month end, quarter end and year end.
• Ensures the timely reporting of accruals, including slot accruals, to maintain compliance with our California Compact Agreement.
• Partner with VP of Accounting, Controllers, Assistant Controllers, Financial Transformation Department, IT, Procurement and other departments with ad hoc projects.
• Create, implement, track and enforce department and company policies, SOPs and KPIs.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Logistics, General Ledger on executing a smooth P2P (Procure 2 Pay) process.
• Partner with Deloitte, USBank, SMBMI Treasury department and the Financial Transformation Department on automation within AP for invoice tracking, invoice matching, payment processing and approval simplification.
• Responsible for all staffing within the Accounts Payable Department including hiring, directing responsibilities, mentoring, setting expectations and reviews.

Accounts Payable Manager - Spruce Grove, Inc.

(2010-12 - 2015-07)

Key Results

• Hands on payables supervision for a centralized AP Department with multiple entities throughout the US including apartment complexes, hotels, resorts, spas, commercial office buildings, retail strip center, winery, vineyards and a storage facility-40+ separate entities.
• Experienced in California/Texas tenant refund guidelines, lien releases, preliminary notices, CAMS and tenant improvements.
• Managing member in setting up and implementing new paperless workflow program with DocuSource/OnBase.
• 1099/1096 year end process.
• Assist Controller, Assistant Controller and CFO with ad hoc projects.
• Manage American Express program.
• Team leader of a team of 4 accounts payable clerks, 1 receptionist and 1 admin assistant.
• Create and implement department/company processes and procedures.
• Assist owner with processing tax payments for his companies, personal and trust accounts.
• Experienced in assisting with the transfer of accounts payable processes to newly acquired properties, adding them to our centralized accounting team.

Accounts Payable Manager - Real Estate Development, LLC - Irvine, CA

(2007-06 - 2010-01)

Key Results

• Hire, mentor and train staff.
• Supervise a centralized AP department with 10 accounts payable clerks and 1 file clerk.
• Set and manage weekly and monthly deadlines with regards to payments, accruals and reporting.
• Assist General Accounting Manager, Controller and Sr. VP of Accounting with special projects.
• 1099 year end process, 1096 submissions.
• Assist all departments with accounts payable issues and requests.
• Review all payables for 8 active companies-ensuring accuracy.
• Create and implement processes and procedures.
• Track and pay commissions for real estate agents.
• Manage the American Express spend and process payment.
• Process banking transfers and domestic and international wire transfers.
• Month end process, including matching A/P with the G/L and reconciling any discrepancies.

Accounts Payable Manager - Claim Jumper - Irvine, CA

(2007-03 - 2007-06)

Temporary Position

Corporate Accounts Payable Manager - William Lyon Homes - Newport Beach, CA

(2006-09 - 2007-03)

Key Results

• Cut and mail checks for all divisions weekly. Anywhere from 1200 to 1800 checks per week.
• Supervise one accounts payable clerk.
• Responsible for 1099 and 1096 submission.

Accounts Payable Manager - MBK Homes - Irvine, CA

(2000-01 - 2006-09)

Key Results

• Hire, train and maintain a successful AP team.
• Always meet deadlines without compromising internal/external (SOX) accounting guidelines.
• Review all preliminary notices, releases, contract and general payables batches for accuracy and timely payment.
• Manage a high volume of payments for over thirty past, present and future projects.
• Resolve any potential lien issues on projects currently in due diligence, construction or customer service phases.
• Research and resolve vendor concerns or discrepancies.
• Work closely with VP of Finance, purchasing, construction and other departments on special projects.
• Assist Accounting Manager with monthly accrual and journal entries.
• Manage and prepare annual 1099 reporting.
• Process loan draw data for two banks monthly.
• Was a key member on the beta test team for the Masyc Group allowing MBK Homes be the first homebuilder to go live on JD Edwards new software, 'One World'.
• Create and submit annual reviews for staff.
• Assisted in implementing a 'wrap' insurance program for the homes division, to help with the hardships of the current insurance rates for sub.