Karen Allen

Karen Allen, SHRM-SCP - • 847-542‐8178 www.linkedin.com/in/karen-allen-shrm-scp- W Mohave Street Tolleson, AZ 85353 Experienced Accounting Professional with over 18 years of comprehensive financial management expertise across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Proven track record in overseeing full cycle accounting operations, including accounts payable/receivable, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. I am skilled in using data analytics to drive financial insights, identify cost-saving opportunities, and support strategic decision-making. Adept at streamlining processes, enhancing reporting accuracy, and collaborating cross-functionally with leadership teams. Demonstrated success in managing audits, vendor relations, payroll, and event/conference budgeting. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a strong commitment to financial integrity and operational efficiency. Skills Full-Cycle Accounting Budget Development & Management Payroll Administration Financial Reporting & Statement Preparation Data Analysis & Financial Forecasting Expense Tracking & Cost Control Accounts payable & receivable Month-End and Year-end Closings Audit Preparation & Compliance Vendor & Contract Management Nonprofit & For Profit Accounting Practices Association Management System (AMS) Financial Integration Microsoft Dynamics Compensation & Benefits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Data Governance & Compliance Agile Project Management Auditing & Tax Financial Statement Generation Talent Acquisition Change Management & End-User Enablement Team Leadership & Mentorship HR Generalist Cross-Functional Collaboration Regulatory Compliance H1B Visa Management & Processing Professional Experience Veras Retail, Phoenix, AZ June 2021-Present Human Resource Business Partner and Accounting Manager HR and Accounting Strategy: Established the foundational HR and accounting structures for a rapidly growing IT POS provider, including policies, procedures, and best practices to support scalability and align with the organization’s vision and goals. Global HR and Accounting Management: Managed HR and accounting responsibilities for teams in the US, Philippines and India, ensuring compliance with local regulations, seamless operations, accurate financial reporting, and cultural alignment across regions. HR and Accounting Technology Strategy and Roadmap Development: Designed and executed a comprehensive HR and accounting systems strategy, including implementing and upgrading HRIS and financial tools, ensuring scalability to support organizational growth. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnered with leadership to assess, streamline, and automate HR and accounting processes, driving digital transformation initiatives that improved data integrity, reduced processing time by 30%, and enhanced financial reporting accuracy. Leadership and Staff Training Programs: Designed and delivered leadership and staff training programs to enhance skills, align with company objectives, and foster a culture of continuous learning, financial awareness, and professional development. Strategic Planning Support: Collaborated with the owner and leadership team to develop and implement strategic HR and accounting plans, ensuring alignment with long-term organizational goals and business objectives. Team Leadership and Development: Led the HR and accounting teams, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment focused on mentorship, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Delivered training to expand team capabilities and strategic alignment. HR and Accounting Systems Optimization: Directed the design, configuration, and optimization of ADP HRIS and accounting systems to improve data accuracy, compliance, financial reporting, and employee experience by aligning system features with organizational objectives. Data Governance and Compliance: Established robust protocols to ensure data security, compliance with HR and financial regulations, and integration of these principles into all operational initiatives. Change Management and Enablement: Championed user adoption of HRIS and accounting updates through comprehensive training and change management efforts, achieving a 90% adoption rate among end-users and enhancing operational effectiveness. Fenestration And Glazing Industry Alliance (Non-Profit Trade Association), Schaumburg, IL 2005 – June 2022 Accounting, Human Resource & Operations Manager Merger & Acquisition Support: Assisted with the merger and acquisition of two Canadian non-profits, overseeing due diligence for accounting, HR, membership, and operations. Ensured seamless integration of systems and processes across both countries. HR and Accounting for US and Canada: Managed HR and accounting responsibilities for both US and Canadian operations, ensuring compliance with local regulations, financial accuracy, and cross-border alignment in HR practices. System Implementation and Process Improvement: Led designed and implemented of a custom database to streamline processes across all departments, enhancing data accessibility and improving reporting capabilities for informed decision-making. Digital Transformation Initiatives: Assisted in leading a successful merger integration by standardizing HR technology and processes, delivering a unified and scalable system across multiple locations. Talent Management and Retention: Developed comprehensive training programs and succession planning strategies, increasing staff retention and fostering a stable and highly engaged workforce. Employee Satisfaction and Tenure: Created a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritized employee satisfaction, leading to long-term tenure and a strong sense of loyalty among staff within the non-profit organization. Operational Excellence: Utilized data-driven decision-making to ensure financial accuracy, optimize resource allocation, and align HR functions with the organization's strategic goals. Starbucks Coffee Company, Schaumburg, IL 2017 – 2019 Barista Responsible for providing the Starbucks experience to all guests, creating customer connections to ensure long-term sales. Collaborated with team members to raise customer service scores. Other duties include building beverages to the Starbucks standard, merchandised display cases, diligently promoting prepared foods to drive business revenue, memorized official and off-menu preparations to serve all customer beverage needs, restocked counter and customer areas to maintain adequate items levels for expected needs. Protecting customers by regularly cleaning and sanitizing work areas and equipment and addressing and resolving customer concerns. Contributed to customer satisfaction and team cohesion, earning two Partner of the Quarter nominations. Education Bachelor of Arts Arizona State University Pursing degree in Human Resources Management to be completed May 2026 Certifications Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM - SCP)