Joann Defosche

JoAnn Gianini DeFosche

Fairfield CT 06604

203-400-8034  joanndefosche@aol.com​
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Twenty years’ experience with multi-million-dollar commercial construction and residential construction as Controller & Cost Accountant, demonstrating consistent record of and increasing profit throughout tenure. Instrumental in reducing overhead and contributing to operational goals and personnel relations.  Strengths include general ledger, financial statements, financial analysis, budgeting, cash management, and internal and external reporting. Extremely strong in budgeting and job costing.  Showing where costs should be adjusted to make money.  Also, know about all aspects of human resources, payroll and laws pertaining to such.   Member of SHRM and Association of Professional Bookkeepers.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting Southern Connecticut University

WORK EXPERIENCE

CONFIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY MONROE,CT

CONTROLLER August 2019 – Present

• Responsibilities include financial management, project accounting, and contract administration. I
• Interact with owners, clients, project managers, subcontractors, vendors, architects, insurance agents, and loan brokers.
• Financial management, financial statement preparation, financial reporting, bank and account reconciliations, general ledger closings, and audits.
• Prepare/perform the following functions: American Institute of Architects (AIA) billing invoices, union payrolls and benefits, nonunion payroll, prevailing wage payroll and reports, and certified payrolls, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), payroll, financing packages, credit applications, project cost estimates, budgets, and procurement of supplies/services.
• Perform project administration, which includes the preparation of subcontractor agreements, change orders, purchase orders, submittals, and financial analysis to determine actual vs. budget spending for all construction projects.
• Identifying opportunities for improvement. WIP reports. Executed accounts receivable reporting enhancements and reconciliation procedures.
• Managed accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.
• Evaluated accounting requirements during discovery meetings with potential clients.
• Performed debit, credit and total accounts on computer spreadsheets/databases, using specialized accounting software.
• Received, recorded, and banked cash, checks, and vouchers as well as reconciled records of bank transactions.
• Completed monthly, quarterly and annual bank reconciliations for 4 separate company accounts at a single time.
• Addressed and resolved non-routine, complex and unexpected variances.
• Guided firm reconciliation, payroll, annual bonus, pension funds, annual reporting, and management of investments.
• Provided reliable and timely project by project expense, capitalization, amortization and spend data for all departments.
• Reviewed accountants book entries to ensure accuracy of the G/L.
• Worked with management to document and offset unusual expense variances in their respective areas.
• Assisted in the creation of vendor contracts for outside vendors.
• Assisted the owner with the production of the monthly financials, and management reports.
• Coordinated the approval or rejection of lines of credit and commercial, real estate and personal loans.
• Maintained confidential information, such as pay rates, bonus targets and pay grades, and all aspects of Human Resources.
• Prepared monthly and annual expense forecasts, including any necessary recommended action required to manage costs to achieve budget and financial institutions.
STEVEN WINTER ASSOCIATES, NORWALK, CT

Financial Analyst December 2017 to August 2019

• As a Senior Financial Analyst, I am responsible for compiling and analyzing financial information to guide the finance team and CEO in business decisions.
• Responsible in assisting each department with budgetingand forecasts.
• Responsible for month end and year end close processes.
• Building financial models and prepare financial reports.
LGE SERVICES LLC, WEST HAVEN, CT                                                                                      Controller, August 2015 –December 2017

Step Up Inn (Female Sober Living House) West Haven, CT                                               Controller, Marketing &Administration, August 2015-November 2017

This position is concurrent with LGE Services

• All Phases of Accounting & managing accounting department.
• Maintains administrative staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees; maintaining a safe and secure work environment; developing personal growth opportunities.
• Accomplishes staff results communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; initiating, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures.
• Provides supplies by identifying needs for reception, mailroom, and kitchen; establishing policies, procedures, and work schedules.
• Provides communication systems by identifying needs; evaluating options; maintaining equipment; approving invoices.
• Purchases printed materials and forms by obtaining requirements; negotiating price, quality, and delivery; approving invoices.
• Completes special projects by organizing and coordinating information and requirements; planning, arranging, and meeting schedules; monitoring results.
• Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing filing and retrieval systems. Improves program and service quality by devising new applications; updating procedures; evaluating system results with users.
• Achieves financial objectives by anticipating requirements; submitting information for budget preparation; scheduling expenditures; monitoring costs; analyzing variances.
• Maintains continuity among corporate, division, and local work teams by documenting and communicating actions, irregularities, and continuing needs.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; benchmarking professional standards; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks.
• Administrative Manager Skills and Qualifications: Tracking Budget Expenses, Staffing, Quality Management, Managing Processes, Organization, Coaching, Communication Processes, Disciplining Employees, Motivating Others, Promoting Process Improvement, Reporting Skills.
• Won a bid award by writing an 80-page professional bid/prequalification for ABH (State funded housing for woman on the assistance program).
CARLSON CONSTRUCTION INC AND LEO CONSTRUCTION INC, BRIDGEPORT, CT                                  Controller, May 2010- November 2017

• Responsibilities include financial management, project accounting , and contract administration, and auditing of all financials and accounts. Interact with owners, clients, project managers, subcontractors, vendors, architects, insurance agents, and loan brokers.
• Financial management, financial statement preparation, financial reporting, bank and account reconciliations, general ledger closings, and audits.
• Prepare/perform the following functions: American Institute of Architects (AIA) billing invoices, Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) billing, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), payroll, financing packages, credit applications, project cost estimates, budgets, and procurement of supplies/services.
• I perform project administration, which includes inception to completion of projects as well as the preparation of subcontractor agreements, change orders, purchase orders, submittals, and financial analysis to determine actual vs. estimated.
• Track budget spending for all construction projects. Identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Executed accounts receivable reporting enhancements and reconciliation procedures.
• Managed accounting operations, accounting close, account reporting and reconciliations.
• Performed debit, credit and total accounts on computer spreadsheets/databases, using specialized accounting software.
• Received, recorded, and banked cash, checks, and vouchers as well as reconciled records of bank transactions
• Completed monthly, quarterly and annual bank reconciliations. Addressed and resolved non-routine, complex and unexpected variances.
• Guided firm reconciliation, payroll, open shop payroll, prevailing wage, certified payroll, and reports, annual bonus, annual reporting, and management of investments.
• Provided reliable and timely project by project expense, capitalization, amortization and spend data.
• Reviewed accountant book entries to ensure accuracy of the G/L.
• Worked with management to document and offset unusual expense variances in their respective areas.
• Reconciled bank statements to clients’ books and prepared financial statements from client documents.
• Assisted in the creation of vendor contracts for outside vendors. Prepared monthly financials, management reports, and job cost reports.
• Prepared audits for CHFA funded project.
 

JNJ ARCHITECTURAL METAL & GLASS STRATFORD, CT                                                              Owner/CFO July 2001- May 2010

• Analyze glazing blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates. Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors.
• Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
• Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project. Assess cost effectiveness of projects, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
• Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
• Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data and effect cost reduction.
• Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, owners, and general contractors.
• Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations. Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services needed to complete glazing projects.
• Confer with engineers, architects, owners, and general contractors, on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
• Consult with clients, vendors, and foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
• Direct and coordinate organization’s financial and budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
• Confer with organization officials, and staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
• Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company and its staff in meeting objectives and to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
• Direct, plan, and implement policies, objectives, or activities of organization to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on projects and to increase productivity.
• Prepare budgets, including those for funding and projects.
• Direct and coordinate activities of company concerned with production, pricing, and completion of projects on time and on budget.
• Negotiate and approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, federal or state agencies, owners and/or general contractors.
• Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.
• Appoint department heads or managers and assign or delegate responsibilities to them.
• Direct human resources activities, including the approval of human resource plans, the selection of high-level staff, and managers.
• Preside over management committees, or other governing boards. Prepare reports concerning activities, expenses, budgets, government statutes or rulings, or other items affecting business.
• Establish departmental responsibilities and coordinate functions among sites.
• Implement corrective action plans to solve problems.
• Coordinate the development or implementation of budgetary control systems, recordkeeping systems, or other administrative control processes.
• Direct departments, such as advertising, purchasing, credit, or accounting. Interpret and explain policies, rules, and regulations, individual management.
• Make presentations to owners, general contractors, or state/federal officials regarding project budgets.
• Direct or conduct studies or research on issues affecting areas of responsibility.
• Attend and participate in meetings of municipal councils or council committees.
• Represent organization, and promote their
AFFORDABLE GLASS & MIRROR  Stamford CT

ACCOUNTING MANAGER. May 1992 – July 2001

• Implemented a document system of accounting policies and procedures
• Took company from paper to computer system
• Financial management, financial statement preparation, financial reporting, bank and general ledger reconciliation
• Monthly close process and auditing
• AIA billing, Accounts Payables, Accounts Receivable,Payroll
• Prepare finance packages, credit applications
• Project costing, budgeting, actual vs estimated costing