Renee R Cornelius

2611 Bens Branch Drive, #1710

Kingwood, TX 77339
Phone: (317) 696-1065
Email: rcb36962@westpost.net

OBJECTIVE
Highly organized, results-focused Accounting & Project Manager with extensive ba
ckground in legal field that includes in-depth business analysis and systems adm
inistration experience.
SKILLS
Project Manager (Intermediate Level, 7 Years Exp)
Accouting Manager (Expert Level, 21 Years Exp)

EXPERIENCE
Ice Miller LLP - Indianapolis, IN
Accounting & Project Manager
09/1994 to 09/2010
▪ Directed financial accounting processes for diversified law firm with ap
proximately 300 timekeepers across four locations; oversight included partner ta
xes, general ledger, financial statements, accounts payable, banking, and payrol
l.
▪ Supervised four professionals including payroll coordinator, staff accou
ntant, AP clerk, and database administrator.
▪ Hired and trained AP clerk and payroll coordinator.
▪ Provided direction to staff regarding integrity of database information
such as client, matter, timekeeper, and vendor data.
▪ Trained entire accounting department of 20 on efficient use of Elite acc
ounting system, including process improvements.
▪ Managed technology initiatives related to financial systems, specificall
y leveraging current software while evaluating additional software needs; sought
ways to automate processes and systems in order to meet managing partnerâ s and COOâ s go
als of increasing technology efficiency and keeping head count steady as company
grew.
▪ Spearheaded implementation of financial systems upgrades, maintaining up
-to-date understanding of software updates.
▪ Liaised between accounting and information technology teams to develop s
cope and goals for each project, identify potential vendors and team members, an
d gain approval for suppliers and schedule from upper management.
▪ Managed costs of each project, administering budgets up to $500,000, kee
ping management apprised of progress against benchmarks, and facilitating traini
ng.
▪ Maintained excellent record of completing projects on time and within bu
dget.
▪ Maximized effectiveness and efficiency of Elite accounting system by inc
reasing utilization of systemâ s capabilities and demonstrating its benefits, overcom
ing widespread desire to revert to older, less effective system.
Woodard Emhardt - Indianapolis, IN
Accounting Analyst
01/2002 to 09/2004
▪ Evaluated internal accounting procedures; developed and implemented proc
ess improvement strategies to better utilize Elite accounting software at law fi
rm with 60 time keepers, including 32 partners.
▪ Restructured general ledger numbering system to organize numbering schem
e more logically and deepen level of detail; created general ledger interface wi
th billing and AP systems.
▪ Automated receipt of FedEx transactions and foreign payments.
▪ Eliminated manual steps from billing process.
▪ Imported bank reconciliation items into Elite.
▪ Authored comprehensive accounting procedure manual and conducted trainin
g for accounting staff.
▪ Brought on board as permanent employee after one year of functioning as
consultant.
Locke Reynolds LLP - Indianapolis, IN
Controller
01/1987 to 12/2001
▪ Directed all accounting functions, including file opening and conflicts
departments, while managing staff of 10 at law firm that grew from 50 time keepe
rs to 125.
▪ Collaborated with director of administration and managing partner to dev
elop and maintain firm-wide accounting procedures.
▪ Created accounting department policies and procedures and gained familia
rity with all aspects of legal accounting.
EDUCATION
Indiana University - Bloomington, IN United States
Finance; Accounting
09/1982 to 12/1986

JOB PREFERENCES
Desired Job Type: Permanent or Telecommute
Desired Status: Full-time
Desired Salary: $95,000/year
OTHER DETAILS
DATE AVAILABLE: 01/15/2011
WILLING TO RELOCATE: Yes
LOCATIONS WILLING TO WORK: Kingwood, TX; Houston, TX

WILLING TO TRAVEL: up to 20%

WORK AUTHORIZATION: US Citizen
US SECURITY CLEARANCE: No/Not Current
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 23
CURRENT CAREER LEVEL: Management
DESIRED CAREER LEVEL: Middle Manager
HIGHEST EDUCATION LEVEL: Bachelor of Science (BS)
I AM SEARCHING: Actively