Confidential Resume of:
DENISE M. STEFANO, CPA CGMA MBA
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC OFFERING A SKILL BASE ENCOMPASSING:
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE LEADERSHIP, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING, REPORTING AND ANALYSIS,
BUSINESS PLANNING, PROCESS IMPROVEMENT, COST CONTROL, AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND
MOTIVATION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL CONTENT AND
QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL
CONSULTANT
SmartPros, Ltd.
2005 - Present
2003 - 2005
Hawthorne, New York
Oversee production of the company’s skills-based, online, CPE training (for Certified Public
Accountants) product line. Review course content for technical accuracy and facilitate required
revisions and updates. Draft technical support material for courses including question and answer
component. Identify relevant course topics for course development. Secure and maintain
relationships with authors and other content providers. Provide technical review and authorship to
several of the company’s live training programs (through its live training division, Loscalzo
Associates), and technical support to sales force and clients. Assist with preparation of
impairment testing and deferred tax analyses to support SEC filings.
• Selected and secured technical content for over 300 new courses for SmartPros Advantage
product line; completed and released approximately 150 new courses, and 60 course revisions,
over a seven-year period; expanded course offerings in the following topical areas: accounting
and finance, ethics, human resources, legal, and information technology.
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
FINANCIAL CONSULTANT
Resources Global Professionals, Inc.
(formerly a division of Deloitte & Touche, LLP)
2002- 2005
2001 - 2002
Stamford, Connecticut
Provided finance and accounting project-based consulting services to vast client base with
concentration on Fortune 500, multinational organizations. Developed and maintained key
business relationships with senior client management. Identified and pursued new opportunities
for additional consulting projects in the accounting, finance, information management, human
resources, and internal audit service areas. Designed internal management and consultant CPE
training program for Tri-State region.
•
(As Director of Business Development): Built, managed, and maintained a portfolio of
approximately 15 clients and 25 consultants, with revenues totaling approximately $4.5
million. (As financial consultant) Consulting projects completed (for multinational food
and beverage company): Participated in re-engineering of consolidated cash flow
reporting process and methodology; integrated financial data of newly acquired entities
into corporate financial reporting process; designed and modified key financial reports
for senior executive management; implemented newly issued accounting
pronouncements.
DENISE M. STEFANO, CPA CGMA MBA
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Touchstone Applied Science Associates, Inc.
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1999 - 2001
Brewster, New York
Appointed by and reported to corporate Board of Directors. Served as member of Board of
Directors for several of the Company’s subsidiary entities. Directed all corporate accounting and
finance department activities. Established relationships with investment bankers, commercial
banking institutions, vendors and stockholders. Conducted financial presentations at corporate
board meetings. Drafted 10K, 10Q, press releases and other SEC-related reports. Established
operational processes to assist in the reduction of direct and overhead costs. Developed budget
and forecasting models. Performed due diligence reviews of potential acquisition candidates.
Assumed human resource responsibilities and restructured various benefits plans. Collaborated
with MIS department to enhance financial and operational reporting. Served as direct liaison with
external auditors and attorneys.
•
Accomplishment Highlights: Secured multi-million dollar credit line; improved cash
management process by merging banking activities among subsidiaries; consolidated finance
and accounting activities and restructured sales commission plans, resulting in an annual cost
savings of $400,000; established a more formal cash collection process, reducing DSO from
approximately 70 to 55 days.
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
ASSISTANT CONTROLLER
Empire Office, Inc.
1998 - 1999
1990 - 1995
New York, New York
Managed corporate accounting and finance activities, which included the preparation and review
of financial statements and analyses, the drafting of financial statement footnotes, and designing
financial and operational reports. Developed relationships and conducted negotiations with
commercial banking institutions and vendors. Created and managed affiliated business ventures.
Trained, supervised, and developed accounting staff consisting of 10 employees. Formulated
budgets and forecasts. Developed policies to monitor and maintain control over operational costs.
Evaluated corporate insurance policies. Reviewed and issued customer credit terms. Prepared
payroll, sales and corporate tax returns. Collaborated with external auditors and attorneys.
•
Served actively on Corporate Executive Committee organized to promote operational
efficiencies; instituted freight damage claims department, collecting over $300,000 in past
due monies; coordinated affiliated company manual books conversion to computerized
accounting system.
SENIOR AUDITOR & BUSINESS ADVISOR
Arthur Andersen & Company, LLP
1995 - 1998
New York, New York
Spearheaded planning, organization and coordination of audit activities. Performed external
audits of both public and private firms and conducted audits of defined benefit and contribution
plans. Identified and researched critical audit and accounting issues. Prepared client management
recommendation letters. Analyzed financial statements and assisted clients with the preparation of
related footnote disclosures. Reviewed 8K, 10K, 10Q and other SEC-related reports for SEC
compliance. Trained, developed, and evaluated staff. Interfaced with senior client
management to develop loyalty and expand business relationships.
•
Industries of audit expertise included advertising, publishing, automotive, healthcare,
manufacturing, and retail / distribution. Supervised and directed the IPO engagement of
a multi-subsidiary automotive client.
Previous positions include:
ACCOUNTING MANAGER – Rockland Motors Corporation - West Nyack, New York • 1987 - 1990
STAFF ACCOUNTANT - Classic Automobiles, Inc. - Tuckahoe, New York • 1982 - 1987
DENISE M. STEFANO, CPA CGMA MBA
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ACADEMIC/TEACHING EXPERIENCE
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSON
2012 - Present
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND GRADUATE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
2011 - 2012
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
2006 - 2011
ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTOR (Professional Associate)
2004 – 2006
FINANCE & ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTOR (Adjunct Faculty)
2003 - 2004
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Direct and oversee the operations and administration of both accounting Bachelors and Masters
degree accounting programs. Instruct a variety of finance and accounting-related courses at both
the undergraduate and graduate levels with primary course concentration in Principles of Business
Finance, Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Intermediate
Accounting I and II, Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Topics
from Professional Examinations in Accounting, Accounting Information Systems, Global
Financial Statement Analysis, and Advanced Cost Management. Developed Global Financial
Statement Analysis course curriculum for graduate program, and Accounting Information
Systems, Government and Not-For-Profit, and Topics from Professional Examinations in
Accounting course curriculums for undergraduate program. Maintain accounting department
course coordinator responsibilities for several of these courses. Serve on College's Faculty Senate,
Academic Standards, and Multi-Year Contract Committees, and School of Business Curriculum,
and Faculty Search Committees. Administered and coordinated Financial Literacy Program during
the 2010 – 2011 academic year in connection with College’s grant from the New York Stock
Exchange. Teach on campus CPA Examination preparation course with concentration on
Financial Accounting and Reporting section of the Uniform CPA Examination.
ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER
INSTRUCTOR
Kaplan CPA Review
BeckerConviser CPA Review
2011 - Present
2005 - 2009
New York, New York
2003 - 2004
White Plains, New York
Instructed CPA candidates on various Financial Accounting and Reporting-related topics in
preparing for the Uniform CPA Examination. Conducted presentations at local colleges,
universities, and corporate organizations to introduce course content and format, and discuss CPA
Examination process. As a member of the Kaplan CPA Review Academic Advisory Board, assist
with development and technical review of course materials.
ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTOR (Adjunct Faculty)
Fordham University
Iona College
2004 - 2008
Bronx, New York
2002 - 2004
New Rochelle, New York
Instructed accounting courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels with primary course
concentration in Financial Accounting and Reporting and Managerial Accounting.
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DENISE M. STEFANO, CPA CGMA MBA
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN FINANCE/FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
2002
(With Honors)
Iona College
New Rochelle, New York
GPA 3.96 • Major GPA 4.00 • Graduate Class Commencement Speaker •
Inducted: Beta Gamma Sigma
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
1995
(Summa Cum Laude)
Iona College
New Rochelle, New York
GPA 3.93 • Major GPA 4.00 • Gold Medal for Excellence in Business Administration •
Bronze Medal for Excellence in Accounting •
Inducted: Delta Epsilon Sigma and Alpha Sigma Lambda
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT • NOTARY PUBLIC
CERTIFIED GLOBAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT
New York State
AICPA Designation
OTHER ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, FINANCE, AND BUSINESS-RELATED COURSES
Research Methods • Initial Public Offerings • Mergers and Acquisitions
Fundamentals of Financial Planning
Rutgers University (Non-matriculated in Ph.D. Program)
Newark, New Jersey
New York University (Certificate Program)
New York, New York
COMPUTER SKILLS, USES, & FAMILIARITIES
MS Excel • Word • PowerPoint • ADP & Ceridian Payroll • Hyperion
Quicken/Quickbooks • ADP/R&R Automotive Systems • MAS90 • RealWorld
JD Edwards • Solomon IV • Peachtree • MS Dynamics Great Plains
PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Financial Management Association
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants:
Board Member, Westchester Chapter (2004 – Present)
Past President, Westchester Chapter Board (2013 – Present)
President, Westchester Chapter Board (2012 – 2013)
President-Elect, Westchester Chapter Board (2011 - 2012)
Vice President, Westchester Chapter Board (2010 – 2011)
Treasurer, Westchester Chapter Board (2009 - 2010)
Secretary, Westchester Chapter Board (2009)
Member, Statewide Membership Committee (2011 – Present)
Chapter Trustee Representative, Statewide PAC (Political Action Committee) (2010 – Present)
Member, Statewide Higher Education Committee (2009 - Present)
Member, Statewide Quality Enhancement Policy Committee (2008 - 2009)
Co-Chair, COAP Advisory Board (2010 - Present)
Member, COAP Advisory Board (2005 - 2009)
Member, Accountants in Industry Committee (2002 – Present)
Board Liaison, Accounting & Auditing Principles Committee (2004 – 2006)
Chair, Accounting & Auditing Principles Committee (2003 - 2004)
Member, Accounting & Auditing Principles Committee (1999 – 2000 & 2002 - Present)
Chair, Accounting Careers Committee (2004 – Present)
Member, Accounting Careers Committee (2002 – Present)
Member, Scholarship Committee (2005 – Present)
DENISE M. STEFANO, CPA CGMA MBA
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PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS (Continued)
Treasurer, Malaria No More (2012 – Present)
Academic Advisory Board Member, Kaplan CPA Examination Review (2010 – Present)
Scholarship Committee Member, Broadway Training Center (2005 - Present)
Board Member and Treasurer, Lakeland Children's Center (2010 - Present)
Board Member and Treasurer, Canterbury Crossing Condominium Association (2008 - Present)
Board Member and Treasurer, Hudson Chapter Adoptive Parents Committee (2003 – 2007)
Volunteer, Blythesdale Children's Hospital Kindergarten Class (2007)
Class Volunteer, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School (2007 – 2011)
REFERENCES FURNISHED UPON REQUEST