Melanie Brayden
978.766.3509 • melanie.brayden@yahoo.com
Senior Director of Accounting and Finance
Proven success in utilizing strengths in leadership, strategic planning, financial administration, and effective
communication to achieve corporate objectives
Seasoned business leader acknowledged throughout career for the capacity to cultivate strategic relationships and build trust, while simultaneously steering positive bottom-line results. Combine expert strategic planning and finance qualifications with strong analytical acumen, business development, transaction structuring/negotiation, human resource management, and leadership skills. Delivered strong and sustainable financial gains in a highly-competitive business markets nationwide through expertise in cost reduction, revenue growth, and profit improvement. Decisive leadership style is underscored by fiscal acuity, an appreciation for the power of teams to excel, and a genuine commitment to transparent communications with vendors, staff, and clients. Proven expertise in managing multi-geographical locations.
Highlights of Expertise:

 Business and Operations Management
 Advisory and Consultancy
 Accounting and Financial Planning
 Client Relationship Management
 Human Resources
 Budget Management
 Strategic Planning
 Procedure Development

Professional Experience
Virtual, Inc
Senior Director of Accounting and Finance for Professional Societies, 2018 – Present
Provide executive-level leadership with full accounting and financial accountability for all financial activities in including designing senior management presentations and reports, variance analysis, quality control results, and board presentations. Oversee a team of 7 Staff Accountants, 5 Accounting Coordinator, numerous AP/AR representatives, and a regulatory Payment Processing Center of 10 employees. Work closely with other members of the accounting, finance and business teams to provide timely accounting advice and support as issues arise. Perform HR functions including hiring, training and termination decisions.
Key Achievements:
 Spearhead development for over 90 different sets of QuickBooks files and metrics independently and through the oversight of the accounting team. Create a positive work environment that fosters team and individual performance while enhancing accountability.
 Function as the expert with regard to GAAP, accounting for new programs, expense accruals/cutoff management, and overall understanding of accrual and cash base accounting depending on the client’s need.
 Enhance current financial reporting processes and controls with a specific focus on analytical review, scalability, and automation. This include ensuring accuracy and timeliness of accounting practices including the booking of adjustments and other journal entries as part of month/year-end closes.
 Collaborate with peer leadership to provide business leaders with strategic evaluations of fiscal issues and accurate guidance on cost-saving opportunities, with an emphasis on operational efficiency.
 Conduct risk assessments and quality assurance reviews to evaluate compliance and identify potential gaps in policies and procedures reducing potential audit liability and proposed solutions aligning with corporate priorities. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements, including VAT, 990’s and 1099’s.
 Develop short and long-range plans and objectives for budgeting, profit analysis, accounting systems, reporting, and internal auditing.
BaneCare Management, LLC
Accounting Manager, 2014-2018
Managed all aspects of accounting including ledgers, and reporting systems for a portfolio of 4 long term care facilities including 329 beds and 450 employees ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. Generated accurate and timely financial reporting and data analyses to appropriate internal and external management including all Month End, Quarter End, and Year-End financial packages. Prepared monthly financial and cash flow statements in the coordination of BOM’s, Regional AR Managers and senior leadership. Controlled and reconciled cash and banking activities. Processed and managed all A/R, A/P, and J/E entries.
Key Achievements:
 Successfully completed yearly Medicare Cost Report, Medicaid Annual Report, Form 855, while working with CPA on the yearly audit.
 Applied excellent leadership attributes to motivate, mentor and manage accounting staff member.
 Developed systems of organization to manage with the utmost efficiency all responsibilities and deadlines. Ensured operational audits and controls were met by working closely with external auditors, CFO, COO and VP of Operations.
 Accomplished yearly budgets for three nursing facilities and assisted living.
Tristar Worldwide
Finance Manager, 2012-2014
Coordinated financial strategic planning, analysis, and reporting activities for the department and its operating units. Created and maintained the company’s financial statements and reports. Analyzed cost findings and make recommendations to reduce cost. Assisted in the month-end and year-end close process. Prepared, reviewed and analyzed monthly financial statements.
Key Achievements:
 Corrected inefficiencies in accounting processes that resulted in increased office support and aided in revitalizing the relationship between the corporation and key clients.
 Implemented new processes in account reconciliation between business and client resulting in an increase in the accuracy of financial reports.
 Successfully worked with staff in improving the knowledge base and skills sets to create competences in overall workload and time management.
 Optimized team performance and increased morale by establishing regular team meeting which provided an open forum for team members and management to openly discuss policy and procedural changes.
 Played an integral role in reducing aging by 120 days and executed a sound collections process.
 Improved productivity by developing and retaining qualified staff, conducting extensive training to trained 8 new staff annually, including 3 remote employees.
 Streamlined operations by completing all month end procedures including calculating and preparing monthly New York state tax, Travel Agent Commission and monthly close package and draft.
Additional Experience
Business Office Manager/Human Resource Generalist  Golden Living Center- Lexington
Human Resource Generalist – Corp/Business Office Manager  Aviv Centers for Living
Business Office Manager  Harborside Healthcare Wakefield/Wakefield Care and Rehab

Education
Medical Terminology/Coding, Emmanuel College/Southern New Hampshire University GPA 3.8