ARLENE BRIDGETTE JOHNSTON, CPA

33 Dorothy Lane 631-366-0952

Kings Park, NY 11754 aj106c12a@westpost.net

CONTROLLER
Highly Experienced Accounting Professional combining cross-functional competenci
es in all areas of general and cost accounting, taxation, staff training, manage
ment and information systems. Auditing Specialist groomed by Big 4 managers and
trained in current auditing techniques. Extensive experience in both the public
and private sectors in a wide range of industries. Proficient in designing, prep
aring and-or reviewing the full spectrum of financial statements; and the contro
ls associated with their preparation, using staffing and technology efficiencies
. Expertise conducting financial statement audits, managing accounts payable an
d receivable, payroll and IRS audits. Identifies accounting and operational iss
ues; determining appropriate solutions. Pro-actively promotes beneficial bankin
g arrangements and relationships.
Corporate Tax Compliance * Auditing * Reconciliation * Cost Control * Asset Mana
gement
Automated Accounting Information Systems * Financial Reporting * Corporate Accou
nting
Process Improvement * Business Development * Strategic Planning * Budget Forecas
ting

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
* Created and implemented accounting test as part of hiring process to improve p
roductivity of new hires.
* Promoted communication, respect, compassion and team spirit. Resulting in a 5
0% reduction in turnover.
* Developed investment strategy for Schenk Trebel Corp., generating 15%16% retur
n on investment.
* Improved organization and retrieval of financial information for Systemaxs for
eign entities, reducing the budget preparation process from 6 weeks to 2 weeks.
* Developed corporate closing calendar reducing close by 1 week and have develop
ed, adopted procedures, which streamline processes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Own Account / Professional Student 2009Present
Developing small business clientele. Ongoing Continuing Professional Education (
CPE). Regularly attend seminars and on-line training in the areas of current GAA
P, FASB Pronouncements, Tax Law, Auditing Practices, effects of Healthcare Refor
m and Financial Strategies; provided by the NYS Society of CPAs, FAE, National C
onference of CPA Practitioners and access to the entire Bisk Publishing Company,
. Accounting and Tax Library
Controller - Modern Italian Bakery of West Babylon, Oakdale, NY 20062009
Member of top management responsible for Financial Statement preparation and the
accompanying extensive financial analysis, banking relationships and loan acqui
sitions, business models and development, labor costing for price structure, was
te calculations, weekly sales and cash flow analysis, budgeting and strategic pl
anning, for a high volume, baking company with annual revenues of $3M. Trained a
nd cross-trained staff to improve productivity and morale. Evaluated internal co
ntrols and introduced accounting policies and procedures. Strong knowledge and h
eavy use of Excel.
* Saved more than $10K in computer consultant fees by maintaining server and ass
isting other departments with software issues.
* Reduced closing period 1 week by increasing speed and accuracy of financial re
porting from all departments to accounting department.
* Utilized forensic accounting abilities and used Excel and Peachtree Premium to
organize 7-years of records and work papers.
* Established controls and developed procedures to produce accurate and verifiab
le financial data for the first time in company history.
Director of Financial Reporting/Management Consultant - Robert Half Mgmt. Resour
ces, Hauppauge, NY 2006
Provided financial expertise and acted as liaison with outside auditors for priv
ate sector companies. Worked closely with Mortgage Warehouse (Melville, NY) and
United Business Media (Lake Success, NY). Reported directly to upper management
and designed financial reports using company software. Offered permanent positio
ns by both companies during the project.
* Led major multi-year accounting cleanup project in preparation for Initial Pub
lic Offering (IPO) and multi-year-end audits as part of that process.
ARLENE BRIDGETTE JOHNSTON, CPA aj106c12a@westpost.net

Controller/Tax Manager - CLK Management Corp., Great Neck, NY 2005

Employed by private real estate Management Company with annual revenue of $100M.
Managed closing process, corporate returns, facilitated IRS audits, and respond
ed to all penalty notices and assessment audits with beneficial outcomes, ensuri
ng all penalties were dismissed.
* Successfully prepared closings and corporate tax returns for more than 100 com
panies without staff assistance and without general ledger tax-linking software.
* Introduced general ledger tax-linking software to CLK which they now use. The
ir tax returns are now filed timely and they no longer receive late filing notic
es or assessments.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Audit & Tax Accountant 20022005
Post 9/11, rehired as a full-time employee, during Controllership search for the
following CPA Firms:
* Horowitz, Waldman, Berretta & Maldow, LLP, Hauppauge, NY
* Shalik, Morris & Co., LLP, Westbury, NY
Assistant Controller - Systemax Inc., Port Washington, NY
20002002
Improved the budgeting and financial information download process for the foreig
n offices of Systemax by identifying software interface improvements with these
locations and shared that knowledge with all divisions, affording faster, easier
and more accurate financial data downloads. The enhanced foreign offices budge
t data downloads made it possible to complete the entire corporate budget in rec
ord time and it was more accurate.
Senior Audit & Tax Accountant Manager responsibilities; worked unsupervised 198
62000
Year-round Per Diem subcontractor, 5-6 days per week, concurrent positions, for
the following CPA Firms:
* Shalik, Morris & Co., LLP, Westbury, NY (3 years)
* Joseph Conway, CPA, Woodbury, NY ( 5 years)
* Horowitz, Waldman, Berretta & Maldow LLP, Woodbury, NY (3 years)
* Arnold Goldstein, CPA, Jericho, NY (3 years)
* Scott Singer, CPA, Jericho, NY (5 years)
* Adams & Becker, Huntington, NY (2 years)
Accounting Manager 19801986
Schenk Trebel Corp., Deer Park, NY (3 years)
Perma Alloys, Inc., Bethpage, NY (3 years)

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Excel * Oracle * JD Edwards * Hyperion * Peachtree Premium * Crystal Reports *
PCFAS Bakers Dozen 90 Financial Reporting & Report Design * BJ Murray * ATB * Lo
tus Creative Solutions * FRX
On Point Audit * Pro FX * Lacerte * MRP * BNA * MAS * Go System * RIA * Ultra Ta
x
One Write Plus * QuickBooks * Axcent * Accpac * Skyline * PPC Guideware

EDUCATION & AFFILIATIONS

M.S. in Taxation & Finance, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY
B.S. in Accounting Cum Laude, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY
Member, New York State Society of CPAs
Member, National Conference of CPA Practitioners
Member, Accounting & Tax Institute of Long Island University