Luwita Benson

Detail-oriented Staff Accountant with 5+ years of general accounting experience spanning month-end close, journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, and accounts receivable/accounts payable management across multi-entity and retail-adjacent environments. Skilled in preparing and reconciling cash, revenue, and AR accounts, supporting audits with zero findings, and applying GAAP fundamentals including accrual accounting. Proven ability to manage repetitive processes with accuracy and efficiency, partner cross-functionally with operating teams, and contribute to systems and automation improvements that strengthen internal controls.

NetSuite proficient with advanced Excel skills.

Senior Accountant — Contract - The Health Management Academy - Arlington, VA

(2025-12 - 2026-05)

• Prepared monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP, including accrual-based adjusting entries.
• Led and supported the full monthly close process, including journal entry preparation, review, and approval.
• Performed general ledger and balance sheet account reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Analyzed financial results and prepared variance explanations for leadership review.
• Managed multi-state payroll processing, benefits and deduction reconciliation, payroll journal entries, and accrual calculations to ensure timely, audit-ready close.
• Reviewed and coded employee expense and reimbursement submissions to appropriate GL accounts, ensuring policy compliance and timely disbursement.

Staff Accountant - Washington Spirit - Falls Church, VA

(2024-09 - 2025-11)

• Led month-end close activities including journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting schedules for multi-entity operations.
• Owned project-level revenue and expense accounting for game day (retail/event) operations, tracking revenue, cost of services, and event-specific accruals by project code to support profitability analysis.
• Prepared audit-ready schedules and served as key point of contact during annual audits, achieving zero audit discrepancies.
• Partnered cross-functionally with operating teams to support budget tracking, forecasting, and variance analysis — improving forecast accuracy by 20%.
• Performed monthly bank and account reconciliations, resolving reconciling items in a timely manner.
• Supported AP, revenue accounting, and payroll functions, ensuring timely processing and policy compliance.
• Identified inefficiencies in reimbursement and expense workflows and implemented improved tracking systems, enhancing internal controls.

Staff Accountant - Valcourt Building Services - Virginia

(2022-12 - 2024-09)

• Executed monthly close including revenue and cost recognition and detailed balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring GL and sub-ledger alignment.
• Prepared and reviewed journal entries related to accruals, reclassifications, and adjustments.
• Developed and implemented workflow improvements that increased payroll processing accuracy by 30%.
• Supported statutory audits and year-end reporting, coordinating documentation and delivering schedules ahead of deadlines.
• Strengthened internal controls by auditing AP transactions and monitoring credit card activity, recovering $5K in questioned expenses.

Staff Accountant - Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids - Washington, DC

(2021-06 - 2022-11)

• Managed payment processing and wire transfer operations, ensuring accurate and timely disbursements in compliance with internal controls.
• Maintained fixed asset schedules, depreciation records, and related balance sheet reconciliations in compliance with GAAP.
• Managed lease accounting and amortization schedules, posting recurring journal entries and supporting reporting requirements.
• Assisted with monthly financial reporting packages, providing analysis and explanations for senior leadership.
• Documented accounting policies and procedures to improve consistency and control effectiveness.

Finance Associate - DCI Enterprises - Washington, DC

(2019-06 - 2021-05)

• Supported general ledger maintenance, month-end close, and preparation of GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Managed AR/AP functions, invoice review and approval, collections, and cash application, improving cash flow efficiency by 10%.
• Automated AP workflows using Bill.com, reducing invoice cycle time by 10% and strengthening vendor relationships.
• Assisted with annual audits, ensuring regulatory compliance and contributing to zero audit findings.

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Nnamdi Azikiwe University (2010-09 - 2014-07)