Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Jessica Brooker

Charlotte

Summary

Results-driven Finance Director with over 17 years of progressive leadership experience in financial management, compliance, grant administration, and strategic planning across public, private, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams, streamline financial operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive fiscal accountability. Seeking new opportunity to contribute deep financial expertise, strategic insight, and collaborative leadership to a mission-aligned organization.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Director of Finance

Catawba College
10.2024 - 04.2025
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial regulations, including those related to higher education (Title IV, IRS 990, and IPEDS reporting).
  • Supervised and mentored 11 accounting staff, fostering a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement and professional development in alignment with Catawba’s values of integrity, service, and excellence.
  • Supported the implementation and optimization of financial systems and processes, including ERP and other software tools. (Banner, Blackbaud, etc.)
  • Oversaw the preparation and distribution of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), to all Board member and Executive leadership members.
  • Developed and implemented department and institutional policies that are compliant with all Federal and State laws and regulations.
  • Developed and maintained a strong system of internal controls to ensure integrity in financial reporting and prevent fraud or misappropriation of institution funds.
  • Collaborated with the Director of Budget and Department leaders on the annual budgeting process.
  • Monitored performance against restricted and unrestricted budgets and provided variance analysis with recommendations for corrective actions.
  • Provided department leaders with financial reports, training, and support to ensure responsible budget management.
  • Managed the general ledger and all accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and grant accounting.
  • Oversaw the reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts monthly.
  • Implemented and ensured accurate and timely month-end and year-end close processes.
  • Monitored and updated the institution’s chart of accounts and accounting structure to support organizational needs.
  • Oversaw banking relationships and managed banking services, including investments, endowment tracking, and lines-of-credit.
  • Supported the CFO in managing long-term investments and debt obligations in alignment with institutional policies and strategies.
  • Ensured proper accounting, tracking, and reporting of grants, donor-restricted funds, and other designated funds.
  • Collaborated with grants administration and development staff to ensure financial compliance with funding agency requirements.
  • Acted as a key advisor to the CFO and senior leadership team on financial matters, institutional risk, and long-term financial planning.
  • Participated in Board of Trustees meetings, including Finance and Audit Committee sessions, as needed.
  • Fostered a culture of transparency, accountability, and service, ensuring the finance team is a trusted and responsive campus partner.

Accounting Compliance Manager

Luxer One Corporation
08.2023 - 10.2024
  • Compliance Management: Develop, implement, and maintain effective compliance programs and controls to ensure adherence to relevant financial regulations, accounting standards, internal policies, and sales operations review. Monitor changes in regulatory requirements and proactively assess the impact on the organization's accounting practices.
  • Regulatory Reporting: Oversee the preparation and submission of accurate and timely regulatory reports in compliance with industry-specific regulations. This includes regulatory filings, surveys, and other reporting requirements as mandated by regulatory bodies.
  • Internal Controls: Establish and maintain robust internal controls over financial reporting to ensure compliance and accuracy. Review existing control processes and recommend enhancements to mitigate risks and improve compliance effectiveness. Collaborate with internal audit teams to address any identified control deficiencies.
  • Financial Audits: Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors during financial audits. Coordinate audit activities, provide necessary documentation and explanations, and address any audit findings or recommendations related to compliance and accounting matters.
  • Policies and Procedures: Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and sales operations review. Communicate and train relevant stakeholders on accounting policies and procedures, fostering a culture of compliance within the organization.
  • Risk Management: Identify and assess financial compliance risks, both internally and externally, and develop risk mitigation strategies. Monitor and report on key compliance related metrics to senior management, highlighting areas of concern and recommending appropriate actions.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including legal, finance, operations, and sales, to ensure alignment on compliance initiatives and sales operations review. Provide guidance and support to internal stakeholders regarding compliance-related matters, serving as a subject matter expert.
  • Sales Operations Review: Conduct regular reviews of sales operations processes and procedures to ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and sales.

Financial Controller

Johnson C Smith University
07.2022 - Current
  • Oversee business and finance operations, including general accounting, financial reporting, auditing, cash and investment management, auxiliary services, and other operations assigned by the Senior Vice President.
  • Supervise 8 direct reports within Business & Finance and Student Accounts; providing training and promoting educational growth for career advancement; providing performance reviews for staff, identifying strengths and areas for growth.
  • Assist with the financial reporting needs of additional campus departments to include, IT, Facilities Management, Campus Police and Post Office.
  • Manages the operations and staff of the Business Office including General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Student Accounts, Budgeting, the University Cashier and any other business units in conjunction with the Senior Vice President.
  • Prepares University financial reports; internal monthly & quarterly financial statements; annual external financial statements, and footnotes.
  • Corresponds with auditors, providing the requested documentation for the completion of fiscal year end audits; Responds to audit findings; etc.
  • Communicate with various banking institutions to include Fifth Third Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank and BB&T/Truist, all of whom the university utilizes, reviewing contracts, rate of return, investment opportunities, and best ways to manage University funds.
  • Performs financial analysis, including budget to actual variance analysis and forecasting, analyze/interpret data and make recommendations on resolution of any variances or discrepancies noted.
  • Provides leadership and overall direction to implement financial systems that are effective, efficient, and integrated to support the University’s financial function.
  • Identify areas of weakness within compliance, provide and implement recommendations to strengthen University policies and procedures.
  • Plans, recommend, and direct the formulation and implementation of budgetary procedures needed to protect the resources of the institution and to achieve maximum efficiency in operations; identifies cost savings; prepares a budget for review by the Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration, and prepares both internal and external budget reports to be presented to the board.
  • Assists with managing University cash flow; completing reimbursement requests and drawdowns of Federal and State grant funds monthly; ensures that grants are invoiced appropriately; monitors grant payments received and completes funds transfers as necessary to maintain appropriate cash levels in restricted bank accounts.
  • Oversees the student accounts function to ensure accurate and timely posting of student tuition, fees, credits, and collection.
  • Assists the Senior Vice President, the Board of Trustees, and its committees in the development of future financial and business plans for the University.

Accounting Supervisor

Department of Financial Services, Mecklenburg County
05.2019 - 07.2022
  • Analyze, reconcile, and validate a variety of financial data and information for multiple departments to include Health Department and Criminal Justice Department; monitors and analyzes programs with Federal and State funding for fiscal compliance.
  • Prepares, reviews, analyzes, and submits a variety of complex and special financial reports, reconciliations and work papers monthly, quarterly and annually.
  • Prepares annual accrual journal entries to reconcile balance sheet accounts and accurately report revenues in all grant units for the successful year end closeout.
  • Assembles monthly management reporting including balance sheet, income statement by department/division for Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payable, projected billing, payroll expenses, etc.
  • Ensure all financial reports to include balance sheets, cash flows, income statements, etc. are prepared in accordance with GAAP.
  • Assigns the completion of journal entries to staff for any revenue or expense reporting errors noted during weekly review of all departments monitored.
  • Communicates with internal departments and external agencies providing financial reporting revenue and expenses and providing training to staff as needed.
  • Provides support to County departments by resolving financially related problems and reviewing internal controls.
  • Organizes, prepares, and reviews budget for possible errors, realignment of funding by service categories to ensure adequate revenue coverage for expenses, for several grants to include but not limited to the Ryan White Grant, Smart Start Grant, Ending HIV Epidemic Grant, Addressing Health Disparities Grant, Advancing Health Literacy Grant, Office of Violence against Women Grant, NC Department of Public Safety funding, BJA Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant and others; determines revenue and expenditure coding; reviews expenditure and fund requests; reconciles budget proceeds.
  • Serves as Supervisor to lower-level staff of 5, which includes: prioritizing and assigning work; training staff on work methods and procedures; providing feedback through quarterly and annual performance reviews; performing other related activities.
  • Liaison with various department directors, program managers and supervisors both internally and externally.
  • Resolves complex reconciliation and account analysis problems requiring in-depth research.
  • Audits, compiles, calculates, and analyzes a variety of financial data and transactions.
  • Participates in developing and implementing financial procedures related to data accumulation, reporting, and archiving in order to improve efficiency and accuracy.
  • Prepares financial projections and conducts related forecasting for future project needs for the County; understanding governmental accounting systems and the flow of transactions between various accounting systems in order to extract and manipulate data for required monthly and annual reports.

Accountant

NC Department of Administration, Fiscal Management
01.2016 - 04.2019
  • Prepare the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the North Carolina Department of Administration and various agencies including, State Board of Elections, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, along with all Internal Service Funds within the Department of Administration. Assist with all duties associated with the completion of CAFR including obtaining financial information from various agencies, analyzing data, completing worksheets and year end journal entries as necessary.
  • Assist with annual 1099 reporting.
  • Prepare the Office of State Budget and Management Fee Report.
  • Maintained, prepared and completed the EAGLE (Enhancing Accountability in Government through Leadership and Education) internal control program for HUD Section 8 Housing, by obtaining information, analyzing accounts, completing spreadsheets and updating/uploading information onto the EAGLE website.
  • Ensure that all financial reporting is accurate and completed within the specified timeframe and submitted to managers, supervisors, state agencies and the Office of State and Budget Management (OSBM).
  • Communicate with various departments for supporting documentation to financial transactions for the month end reconciliation procedures.
  • Ensure all monthly, quarterly and annual State and Federal reporting are accurate and deadlines are met.
  • All financial reporting duties required research, examination, auditing and preparation of written findings following the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and/or other applicable accounting guidelines. All findings were to be presented to management with recommendations and supporting documentation.
  • Perform Monthly Bank Reconciliations between the NCDST Core Banking System and Financial report from XTND, for Agencies Department of Administration and Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.
  • Perform monthly Interest Allocations for all related accounts for Department of Administration and State Board of Elections; Prepare the corresponding journal entries to record Interest Earned; and Input all journal entries into the NCAS System.
  • Review, analyze and perform Interest Allocations for various agencies monthly.

Financial Analyst

NC Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Internal Auditor
09.2013 - 06.2016
  • Review Yellow Book and A-133 Audits for instances of non-compliance and coordinate resolution of financial reports submitted in accordance with OMB Circular A-133 and North Carolina General Statute 143C-6-23, for non-governmental subrecipients receiving Federal funding in excess of $750,000 annually, administered by the divisions and offices within the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Ensure all audits submitted have been completed in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Standards and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
  • Maintained knowledge of both Red Book and Yellow Book practices.
  • Ensure compliance of internal controls of each identified federal program as well as compliance over financial reporting.
  • Review all year end reports submitted from nongovernmental entities receiving Federal funding through various North Carolina agencies including, Division of Aging, Division of Social Services, Department of Public Health, Division of Vocational Rehab, etc., for accuracy; and ensure compliance with all reporting requirements stated in the N.C. GS 143C-6-23 have been met.
  • Ensure DHHS staff conduct follow-up reviews of outstanding audit findings on Financial Reporting and/or Internal Controls and proposed corrective action plans.
  • Prepare audit responses and management closeout letters to subrecipients receiving Federal funding in excess of $750k annually.
  • Provides technical assistance and training to divisions and non-governmental Organizations on GS 143C-6-23 reporting requirements.
  • Perform Risk mitigation and audit monitoring procedures for multiple federally funded grants that pass through DHHS divisions.
  • Provide recommendations and guidance to DHHS divisions on how to maintain compliance and mitigate risk within subrecipient monitoring of federally funded grants.

Accounting Specialist (Temp)

Sentara Life Care
05.2013 - 09.2013
  • Assist with the collection process for delinquent patient accounts for residents of Sentara life care. These procedures include contacting residents via telephone and establishing payment arrangements as approved by my billing Supervisor.
  • Prepare monthly billing statements for residents of Sentara life care as well as Investigate and rectify billing issues identified in patient accounts.
  • Research and rectify data entry errors associated with the billing and payments of residents of Sentara life care.
  • Promotes good customer service by ensuring that any questions or concerns from patients/residents of Sentara Life Care, are addressed and resolved in a timely and courteous manner.

Staff Accountant

Myers & Stauffer PLLC, CPA
04.2009 - 01.2011
  • Perform Medicare/Medicaid audits, reviews and consulting services for the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) on healthcare facilities including Acute Hospitals, Nursing facilities, State Psychiatric Hospitals and various clinics.
  • Analyze facilities Year End financial documentation to assure accuracy and report findings to Supervisors.
  • Developing and implementing training procedures for Medicaid Reimbursement Settlement adjustments.
  • Prioritizing various audits while meeting budgetary requirements.
  • Provide regular and ongoing updates to supervisor, managers and accompanying staff on assignments by providing ideas and feedback on ways to improve efficiency and quality.
  • Conduct assessments with clients and other team members regarding material and immaterial facts and conclusions made during the audit.
  • Signing off on completed audits I have been in charge of as well as signing off on adjustments prepared for audits I’ve been requested to review.

Accounting Associate

Clifton Gunderson LLP
06.2008 - 04.2009
  • Perform Health Care audits, reviews and other assurance services for the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) on various healthcare facilities with an emphasis on Medicaid and Medicare Reimbursements.
  • Work on a variety of client engagements using analytical ability and judgment to identify potential problems, determine possible causes, compare relevant information, and draw logical conclusions.
  • Work with a variety of staff including Senior Associates, Managers, Senior Managers and Partners on assigned projects.
  • Review Medicare cost reports in reference to reimbursement issues, make proper adjustments and sign off on completed audits.

Education

Master of Science - Accounting And Audit

Kaplan University
Davenport, IA
05-2017

Skills

  • Access
  • Citrix and CICS, Banking Software programs
  • Hospital Financial System (HFS) Cost Report software
  • Pro System FX Audit Software
  • NC Grants, website for grant reporting
  • NCAS, North Carolina Accounting System
  • XTND, Financial Reporting program
  • Sharepoint, NC Gov website
  • CGI Advantage Accounting System
  • Careware, Federal grant budget reporting by provider/recipient
  • Government Accounting Procedures
  • Federal, State and Local laws and regulations per each grant funding awarded
  • Proficient in financial analysis and financial reporting
  • Qualitative and quantitative analysis
  • Criminal Justice Grants Management System
  • Jenzebar
  • Banner
  • Blackbaud
  • Month-end and year-end closings
  • Non-profit accounting
  • Internal controls development
  • Financial strategy management
  • Executive leadership advisement
  • Tax compliance
  • Budget development
  • Cash flow management
  • Process improvement
  • Policy development
  • Variance analysis
  • Compliance enforcement
  • Financial information systems
  • Financial management
  • US GAAP proficiency

Affiliations

  • Institute of Internal Auditors, Raleigh Chapter
  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Timeline

Director of Finance

Catawba College
10.2024 - 04.2025

Accounting Compliance Manager

Luxer One Corporation
08.2023 - 10.2024

Financial Controller

Johnson C Smith University
07.2022 - Current

Accounting Supervisor

Department of Financial Services, Mecklenburg County
05.2019 - 07.2022

Accountant

NC Department of Administration, Fiscal Management
01.2016 - 04.2019

Financial Analyst

NC Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Internal Auditor
09.2013 - 06.2016

Accounting Specialist (Temp)

Sentara Life Care
05.2013 - 09.2013

Staff Accountant

Myers & Stauffer PLLC, CPA
04.2009 - 01.2011

Accounting Associate

Clifton Gunderson LLP
06.2008 - 04.2009

Master of Science - Accounting And Audit

Kaplan University

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Jessica Brooker