LEE CHEN, CPA

Researched and implemented Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards across the Government. Developed and implemented accounting policies based on research.

Provided expert accounting advice and consulting services to the senior management. Prepared accounting opinions, delivered presentations and training sessions.

Contributed to standard-setting by raising awareness of a complex accounting issue not addressed by the accounting standards, preparing research paper and presentation for the National Comptrollers’ Conference, and establishing an internal process for addressing similar issues in the future.

Redesigned and automated the financial reporting process for the General Revenue Fund, resulting in more than 50% in time savings while minimising human errors.

Coordinated with the Office of the Auditor General and all departments to establish year-end task assignments and schedules. Led the team throughout the year-end by monitoring the progress and making adjustments based on the changing dynamics to ensure on-time delivery of the Public Accounts.

Prepared General Revenue Fund and consolidated financial statements and notes, including the consolidation model, segment reporting model, and control assessments.

Evaluated the financial impact, reasonableness and prudence of the proposals submitted by the Cabinet, and prepared reports for the Governor in Council.

Contributed to the Government’s SAP modernisation programme, one of the most complicated system upgrade projects across governments in Canada, by rigorously testing the system functionality, data accuracy and providing debugging feedback to the project team.

Maintained and improved the debt servicing cost and the sinking fund models, which involves complex financial instruments such as derivatives. Worked with the senior management to determine the borrowing programme estimate and sinking fund instalment requirements.

Prepared budget estimates and monthly forecasts. Provided interpretive and thorough variance and what-if analyses to the senior management. Briefed the Debt Management Committee by providing monthly financial summary reports.

Prepared a significant portion of the financial reports published by the Government, including the Public Accounts. Worked with the Office of the Auditor General to complete year-end audits.

Coordinated the daily settlement of trades by working with the custodian. Reviewed and approved significant dollar value transactions and journal vouchers.

Represented the Department at the government career fair. Interviewed, assessed and selected new employees and service providers.

Trained and supervised employees to ensure their tasks are completed accurately and timely; provided them with accounting advice for non-routine transactions.

Developed a business continuity plan for the Division during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain critical government functions through electronic workflows.

Managed the Province’s debt portfolio by preparing monthly cash flow schedules. Ensured accurate and on-time payments by maintaining professional relationships with counterparties, analysing and resolving discrepancies.

Performed accounting, financial analyses and monthly reconciliations, which involves complex financial instruments such as derivatives.

Maintained and improved reports related to the Province’s derivative portfolio, which are part of the debt servicing cost model.

Prepared supporting documentation for the Public Accounts, worked with the Office of the Auditor General to complete year-end audits.

Coordinated the daily settlement of trades by working with the custodian. Reviewed and approved significant dollar value transactions and journal vouchers.

Evaluated the design of the Treasury Management System, provided recommendations to address deficiencies and to improve processes.

Prepared financial statements and regulatory filings for clients, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards (IFRS, US GAAP and Bermudian Statutory).

Worked with external auditors, planned and completed annual audits for clients; ensured on-going compliance with regulations.

Provided financial analyses such as ratio and trend analyses, evaluated profit distribution decisions to ensure liquidity, and discussed findings with clients.

Reconciled cash and investment accounts; tracked and reconciled claim activities; performed annual actuarial adjustments.

Prepared meeting materials, organised and attended clients' AGMs and board meetings.

Supervised co-op students and provided internal training.

Managed accounts receivable by preparing cheque deposits, daily reports and reconciliations. Provided supporting documents to the external auditor.

Supported the daily operations such as quotes, invoicing and customs declarations.

Responded to clients’ inquiries, investigated and resolved outstanding issues.

Performed analyses on a large amount of HR data and presented findings and recommendations to the senior management to help recruit best candidates, to improve the onboarding process and to help retain current employees.

Developed an online talent acquisition strategy which leverages Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), social media engagement and big data to help fill difficult-to-recruit positions.

Represented Bell at career fairs and addressed job seekers’ inquiries.

Performed background checks for potential new employees.

Reviewed the technical accuracy for an online calculator to help clients make informed housing decisions (i.e. rent vs. buy) from net worth and cash flow perspectives.

Performed market research and marketing performance analyses for clients.

Improved a client’s loyalty programme by automating the processes and developing new business partners.

Developed a website according to the User Requirements Specifications (URS) and provided the Content Management System (CMS) training to the client.

Worked with the project team, developed an IT process control to help prevent and detect errors for J&J’s new ERP system.

Based on sales and reporting cycles, simplified the data management process and consolidated databases to benefit the company in the long run.

Conducted testings on the new ERP system to help detect control weaknesses; improved system’s security, reliability, data accuracy and delivered testing reports.

Designed and implemented the training plan for the new ERP system.

GPA 3.94: Graduated with Distinction.

2015 John R. E. Parker Prize in Accounting: Awarded for achieving the highest overall score in accounting courses among all Dalhousie accounting students.

2 In-Course Scholarships and 7 Dean’s Lists.

Exhaustively reviewed the assignment material and the solutions for the textbook as a content expert; provided technical advice to ensure accuracy, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.