JAMES E. THIES, MBA Schaumburg, IL 60193 (630) 697-7698 james.e.thies@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/jamesthies/

SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST Military veteran and MBA, with Excel mastery, including experience and knowledge in SAP.ERP, Oracle R12, MS SQL Server 2012, and Hyperion Essbase with Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & HONORS

Reduced process time 87% by elimination of unnecessary steps in daily project.

Scored 95% competence as an Expert/Strong in Excel, highly proficient in pivot tables and v-lookup.

Increased Unit’s performance from 61% to 82% by leading continuous improvement and identifying success metrics through analytical problem solving.

Improved accounting procedures by implementing extensive Excel projects for use by cross-functional departments impacting various financial protocols (payment tasks, positive pay and reconciliation)

Drove efficiencies through analytical support by creating data and payment measurements.

Received Bronze Award for Finance & Insurance Automation Conversion – 2011.

Named Employee of the Month for exceptional customer partnership – 1999 & 2000.

COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE: Governance, Operational Control, On-Time Project Completion, Strategic Planning, Tactical Execution, Trend and Variance Analyses, User Manual Creation (DLPs and SOPs)

COMPUTER SKILLS (OTHER): Microsoft: Word, Excel (Advanced: V-Lookup, pivot tables, macros, modeling), PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Lotus Notes, Crystal Reports, SnagIt, RUMBA, JD

Edwards, Triad Vista Cognos, Symantec ACT; Military Systems: DMO, DJMS, Aramp, AKO

WORK EXPERIENCE

UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES, Northbrook, IL 2014 Senior Financial Analyst (Contractor)

Worked on the FUS (Follow-Up Services) Pricing Redesign Project within Oracle. Transferred to a project as part of a team of 18 analysts; identified, documented, and corrected a

backlog of $96 MM in outstanding A/R account issues from an imperfect Oracle R12 implementation. Worked with A/P representatives from Fortune 500 client companies, resolved outstanding A/R

issues, secured payment, and worked to implement long term process improvements for IT solutions.

ZURICH AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY, Schaumburg, IL 2007 - 2012

Senior Accountant

Developed tracking tool for management of expenses for review of actual spend versus budget. Collaborated with SAP IT team for resolution to enhancements for process implementation. Analyzed and resolved EFT Returns and Positive Pay issues (combined average of 30 per month)

with SAP, for Zurich and Farmers, in conjunction with the financial institutions’ online system . Executed $625MM ACH/Wire and check payment runs per month, including Farmers Insurance, by

collaborating with the Treasury department, thereby meeting company guidelines.

Successfully implemented impactful Excel projects utilizing pivot tables, v-lookups and recognized for streamlining the accounts payable processes for future referencing and time efficiencies.

Resolved issues by developing extensive Excel Reports for compiling data retrieved from SAP.

U.S. ARMY RESERVE (Honorably Discharged in May 2011) 2004 - 2011

Mobilized / Deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005 - 2006 Finance Specialist (2004 – 2007) and Repairs & Utilities Engineer (2007 – 2011)

First Lieutenant ranking (1LT), Repairs & Utilities Engineer

Finance Specialist, Sergeant (NCO), selected by Commissioning Board for a direct commission in the engineer branch in 2007.

Performed exemplary work while disbursing over $1.5MM, with 100% accountability. Paid contracts in excess of $800K under commercial vendor services through Contracting Officer. Secret security clearance inactive.

JAMES E. THIES, MBA 630-697-7698 james.e.thies@gmail.com CONSULTING OPPORTUNITIES 2001 - 2005

Financial Analyst Consultant supporting firms of up to $7 Billion

Triple Canopy, Inc. - Verifying and implementing general ledger corrections for proper input of journal entries charged to the correct department’s expenses and fixed assets accounts . Reviewed and

analyzed the timesheets of the different project teams for accuracy and completion, by task and location. Created a monthly management tool for review of expense fixed assets management reports to

ascertain the capitalization of items for the company.

Rectified and reconciled amounts in the fixed asset categories to record all activities and items contained on the invoices minimizing errors and discrepancies.

CNA Insurance, Inc. - Reviewing and analyzing the balance sheet accounts of various commercial casualty insurance plans in accordance with company and industry procedures to check for discrepancies.

Improved accuracy by determining proper coding of accounts allowing the correct funding to post to the correct ledger account.

Reviewed account descriptions, suggested corrections, and maintained supporting documentation,

which reduced the amount of uncategorized balances. Coordinated reconciliation and validation performance with various internal audit groups achieving

compliance.

First Alert – BRK Brands, Inc., - Reporting and analyzing the week ly co-op expense/trade promotions and advertising activity. This CoAms analysis enabled management to effectively plan and budget.

Positively impacted forecast of future business models, creating monthly reports of customer activity, analyzing trends, variance and activity progression across customer base and by product line.

Presented report data and conclusions information to senior management utilizing Triad Vista Cognos

Powerplay, Crystal Reports and Internet research. Developed ad-hoc analysis reports for customer review and implemented special projects.

Navistar, Financial Group, International Truck Corporation - Creating an Access database of the

various features of the vehicles in the Used Truck inventory. Compiled information into one electronic location so that the department manager could for reporting

the data to effectively track and resolve inventory issues.

CORPORATE EXPRESS, INC., Woodridge, IL 1997 - 2001

Sales Analyst Compiled and analyzed business and gross margin/profit activity related to budget goals.

Increased business activity in excess of $750,000 by preparing business review presentations of the sales activity of current Fortune 500 customers.

Analyzed complete customer activity: spend, order frequency, products ordered, order method and service initiatives reached, activity variance using MS PowerPoint in order to set new service goals.

Collaborated with the sales leadership regarding the budgeting and forecasting of annual sales.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

MCSA Program New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Chicago, IL, 2014 Includes: MS Access 2010, Crystal Reports 2008, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, MS Excel

2010 (Level 4), MS SQL 2012 – 5 classes, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (exam passed/project to complete)

SAP.ERP Business Intelligence (SAP BI) Advanced Computer Training (ACT), Glenview, IL, 2014 SAP.ERP Financial Accounting and Controlling (SAP FICO)

Advanced Computer Training (ACT), Glenview, IL, 2014

MBA Degree, Finance Keller Graduate School of Management, Oak Brook, IL, 2001

BA Degree, Sociology Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, 1996