Susan Payette

Location: Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Phone: 949-939-7590
Email: sp113fcb4@westpost.net
Objective: to be an integral member of a team where my over 20 years of experien
ce in financial management, strategic planning, team building and leadership, th
rough periods of both rapid growth and economic downturn, is optimized to positi
vely impact the achievement of the organization's goals.
Experience and Key Accomplishments:
12/97-12/10 CONTROLLER - System Pavers, Newport Beach CA
Seller of exterior home improvements with revenues of nearly $85 million; "S" C
orporation comprised of parent company with 8 separate locations in California,
each requiring a separate income statement monthly, and up to 8 subsidiaries req
uiring monthly financials and quarterly consolidated statements. From 2001 thro
ugh 2008 the company also franchised operations in several other states. Direc
t report to CEO.
Major functions: strategic planning, budgeting, financial modeling and analysis,
risk management, consolidated financials, primary contact with CPA for tax and
audit, 401k trustee, internal controls and procedures, external financial report
ing.
* Guided financial growth from less than $10 million annual revenues to nearly $
85 million. Company was on track to top $100 million in 2008 prior to the onset
of the recession.
* Identified cost-cutting measures to help reduce overheads by nearly $300,000 p
er year.
* Negotiated significant reductions in insurance costs through minimizing risk,
saving tens of thousands of dollars in premiums per year.
* Established a team culture within the Accounting department that resulted in c
onsistent achievement of the lowest turnover in the company; grew staff from 2 t
o 14. Created a culture in which my team knew their well-being was top priority
, second only to that of the company.
* Restructured department in 2009 to meet mandated budget cuts without reducing
staff wages.
* Identified additional risk factors and advised CEO to implement changes that s
aved the company in excess of $100,000 in the first year following implementati
on.
* Led the company and the department through two Accounting software conversions
. First converted from Quick Books to Computer Ease in 1997/98 and then from Co
mputer Ease to Foundation Construction Accounting Software in 2007/08. Evaluate
d and selected new vendor. Established chart of accounts, formatted financial s
tatements, created custom reports.
* Managed HR and IT staff until the company grew large enough to establish separ
ate departments in 2007/08. Wrote first employee manual for the company and es
tablished policies and procedures which remain in effect.
6/95-10/97 CONTROLLER - Pan Pacific Plumbing & Mechanical, Irvine, CA
Family-owned union commercial/industrial plumbing contractor handling projects u
p to $10 million, specializing in healthcare, educational, and entertainment fac
ilities.
* I was the first Controller hired in the company's 50-year history. Liaison wi
th CPA and sureties.
* Implemented conversion from AS400 to Maxwell Accounting Software, established
structure and procedures to streamline all accounting processes.
* Established a remote access system to allow staff in North Hollywood to access
the Accounting system located in Irvine.
* Handled IRS and EDD audits resulting in minimal negative findings.
* Calculation of percentage of completion and over/under billings, AIA progress
billings, certified payrolls, union reporting.
* Supervised staff of 4 in two locations.
6/90-6/95 ASSISTANT CONTROLLER - Forest City Development, Los Angeles, CA
Publicly-traded, subsidiary of Forest City Enterprises in Cleveland, OH. Develo
per, builder, owner and manager of high-density multi-family housing and retail
centers.
* Calculated and prepared extensive accruals for monthly closings.
* Analyzed budgets and reviewed work in progress billings, identified subcontrac
tors or suppliers exhibiting potential financial instability; identified and rep
orted on variances from budget estimates. Liaison with lenders.
* Managed staff of up to 8, reported to Controller.
* Created macros to forecast future cash flows and variances on multiple project
s in process.

Education
* MBA with concentration in Finance from University of Central Florida, Orlando,
FL
* Bachelor of Science in Business major in Marketing from Indiana University, Fo
rt Wayne campus
* Additional Accounting coursework completed at L.A. Valley College, Advanced Le
adership training through Construction Financial Management Association.
Other Activities and Interests
* Board of Directors, Construction Financial Management Association, Orange Coun
ty Chapter 2004 to present, officer from 2005 until April 2010. Member of Pro
gram, By-laws, Budget and Strategic Planning Committees and National Student Lia
ison Task Force. Helped to develop one of the largest and most successful chapt
ers of the organization.
* Board of Directors, GALS Charitable Foundation 2009 to present Director of Fu
ndraising. Foundation established in 2008 to raise funds for various charities t
hat primarily benefit the health and welfare of women and children. Increased
donations annually even as the economy worsened. Obtained matching funds for ma
jor fundraiser in 2010, resulting in total raised improving 267% over 2009.
References available upon request