Deirdre OConnell

I am a seasoned Controller with extensive accounting management experience across diverse industries. I have strong expertise in all phases of accounting operations and I am very adept at running efficient accounting processes. I am also very experienced with financial reporting and managing timely month-end closings. I have very effective leadership skills and supervisory skills. I am excellent at training junior staff members and yet I am very hands-on with all aspects of accounting. One of my outstanding qualities is providing upper management with the financial information that they require for decision-making. I enjoy providing insightful financial analysis to a company's financial results, identifying key performance indicators and detailed interpretation of financial statements. I get great satisfaction at managing projects and successfully delivering projects to completion on schedule and within budget parameters.

I have a passion for solving problems and I enjoy coming up with solutions to financial related matters for a company - whether it be a client issue or a problem with a vendor. I also have outstanding technical skills, advanced Excel skills and accounting/ERP systems such as Oracle, Navision, and other ERP systems. I am very much a team player who can add value any accounting team.

Marlboro School of Music, Inc./Philadelphia Chamber Music Society

Director of Finance

• Oversaw an $85M+ non-profit music school and box office, including full-cycle accounting, payroll, budget management and compliance across all departments and programs.
• Built and maintained institutional and program budgets in partnership with department heads and leadership; led monthly financial reporting for staff, funders, Finance Committee and Board of Trustees.
• Created systems for tracking and reporting on multi-year, multimillion-dollar grants from U.S. government agencies and foundations, resulting in funder audits with no findings.
• Managed day-to-day operations including A/P, cash flow, reconciliations, general ledger oversight and cross-system tie-outs; ensured internal controls, accuracy and GAAP/FASB compliance.
• Led the annual audit process and 990 prep, delivering clean audits through streamlined processes and transparent reporting.
• Report and reconcile box office sales.
• Supervised and mentored Finance Associate, provided cross-training and built finance onboarding, documentation and SOPs.
• Manage multi-company endowment grants and prepare investment reports for Board Members, reconciling restricted vs. board designated for the first time in company’s history.
• Prepare 1099’s/1042’s for three companies.
• Prepare and report on sales tax on related items.
• Maintain sales tax exemptions for non-profit status.
• HR functions as needed such as enrolling new employees on insurance, TIAA, HSA, etc.
• Prepared year-end 1099’s for 3 companies.
• Prepared amortization schedules for over 70 students with instrument loans and worked with students regarding payments.

St. Peter's College - BS Accounting & Business Administration

Iona College - MBA Finance