JAMES C.

SZERSZEN CPA
3116 W. 79th Terrace
Prairie Village, Kansas 66208
(913) 387-4432 (Home)
(847) 636-0162 (Cell)
js8680e6@westpost.net

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WINTRUST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 4/04- 4/10

fka Professional Mortgage Partners, Inc, Downers Grove, Illinois - prior to 12/2
008
Mortgage Banker/Broker - processing loans throughout the United States
Accounting Manager, AVP/Controller(PMP)
-Implemented Accounts Payable system to improve timely payments to vendors.
-Interfaced credit card processing with general ledger system, QuickBooks, which
improved the tracking of customer application fees.
-Manage and develop support staff that has grown from 3 to 5 due to company grow
th.
-Key individual for mid-year transfer of 401k plan.
-Manage all accounting operations and benefits.
-Company has grown from processing $500+ million loans in 2004 to $3.6 billion i
n 2009.
RATIONAL COOKING SYSTEMS, Schaumburg, Illinois 3/01 - 4/04
Combi-Steamer Ovens & Related Food Equipment Distributor
Accounting and Administrative Manager
-Improved month-end close process and financial reporting to three business days
with parent company in Germany.
Accounting software in Schaumburg through March 2003 was Solomon. Part time st
aff of two.
-Implemented credit and collection policies that reduced DOS from 95 to mid-60s
within one year.
-Developed procedures to improve the payment (by mid-month) of sale representati
ves' commissions.
-Team member for the conversion from Solomon to SAP (April 2003), thus improving
process and data flows with parent company.
-Controlled 2002 operating expenses to a 16% reduction over 2001. For 2003, mai
ntaining same spending levels as in 2002.
-Improved benefit enrollment process by utilizing on-line and website access of
benefit providers.
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, Schaumburg, Illinois 3/00 - 3/01
Not-for-Profit Medical Association
Accounting Manager
-Implemented Ceridian check detail module enabling the creation of payroll repor
ts, downloads and access to information previously
not available. Saved 16 to 24 man-hours per month.
-Automated 403(b) reporting process via payroll check detail information with do
wnloads to Excel thus saving 4 to 5 hours of manual
input every pay period.
-Developed methodology to import overtime hours from time system; this saved 2 t
o 3 hours per pay period.
-Support staff of five; three professional and two clerical.
ARJO INCORPORATED, Roselle, Illinois 10/96 - 3/00
Patient Lifting Devices/Hygiene Products
Assistant Controller (Accounting Manager 10/96 to 3/98)
-Implemented procedures to process credit card sales via ERP system. Eliminated
need for PC system saving 4 to 6 man-hours per
week.
-Improved sales commission reporting within new ERP system, limiting future manu
al adjustments.
-Team member for the process design and conversion (10/99) to a new ERP system (
Movex/AS400).
-Support staff of three; have supervised up to seven. Employee of the Month - S
eptember, 1999.
Page Two JAMES C. SZERSZEN CPA

AFCO PRODUCTS/UNIVERSAL AUTOMATIC CORPORATION, Des Plaines, Illinois 2/94 - 6/96

Screw Machine-Job Shop/Custom Machine Manufacturer
Controller
-Automated/integrated accounts receivable/payable, payroll, billing and journal
entries to general ledger; generated monthly financial
reports. Replaced manual ledger cards.
-Negotiated/established AFCO's first-ever working capital credit line of $500,00
0.
-Implemented a Section 125 Plan that reduced both payroll expenses and employee
s' taxes.
-Coordinated amending of the company's profit sharing plan to include a 401K pla
n; handled transfer of
existing profit sharing funds to a new trustee and investment advisor.
-Started a collection program that improved AFCO's day's sales outstanding from
55 days to 49 days
-Reduced business insurance expense by 15% while improving/increasing current co
verage.
BAXTER HEALTHCARE CORPORATION, Deerfield, Illinois 8/74 - 6/93
Finance Manager 1/90 - 6/93
I.V. Systems Division - E.I.S. Finance
-Developed and managed first ever operating budget in excess of $160 million for
sales, gross profit and operating expenses for the
-Electronic Infusion Systems Strategic Business Unit.
-Supervised support staff of two.
Senior Financial Operations Analyst 12/86 - 1/90
I.V. Systems Division - General Office Finance
-Coordinated/implemented sales and gross profit budgets in excess of $200 millio
n for specific product lines.
-Developed a product code level price/volume/mix analysis model to report varian
ces on actual sales results versus budget and
prior period, resulting in improved accuracy of sales data and a 3% sales incre
ase.
Project Manager 10/85 - 12/86
Product Services Division
-Created a billing matrix (interdivisional and retail) used in the Fieldwatch Sy
stem resulting in a savings of 5 days in compiling
information for billing purposes. Managed a data-entry staff of five.
Business Analyst 3/85 - 10/85
-Targeted and tracked the accounts receivable performance. Implemented a progra
m to identify problem accounts that improved DSO
by 10 days.
Consolidations/Senior Staff Accountant/Sr. Financial Analyst 8/74 - 3/85
Corporate Accounting/Treasury Department
-Performed various duties in Corporate consolidations, reporting, capital accoun
ting and credit.
BERNARD A. RUBIN & COMPANY, Chicago, Illinois 9/71 - 8/74
CPA Firm-Staff Accountant/Auditor
-Conducted compilations, reviews and audits (monthly, quarterly, yearly); Prepar
ed income, sales and payroll tax returns.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT-Illinois 1996
MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 1983
Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING 1971
University of Illinois, Chicago