JOB OPENING - CONTROLLER

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Join Our Team Today!

CONTROLLER Job Discription 

*****Email resume to: BNichols@SERVPROKankakeeCounty.com

Position Summary / Purpose 

Provide leadership and coordination of company financial planning, debt financing, and budget management functions. Ensure that company accounting procedures confirm to generally-accepted accounting principles. 

Assist in managing the profitability and cash flow of the business that will assure the continued liquidity and growth of the company and the financial well-being of its stakeholders. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

• Direct and coordinate the company financial planning and budget management functions
• Manage the preparation of financial reports and forecasts
• Monitor and analyze monthly operating results against budget
• Oversee daily operations of the Finance department
• Design the organization structure for the Finance department, staff positions with qualified employees, and continually train and develop employees in order to effectively accomplish the department’s goals and objectives
• Ensure compliance with local, state/provincial, and federal reporting requirements
• Work with other department managers, executives, and owners to develop and execute the strategic plan
• Direct and coordinate debt financing and debt service payments with external agencies
• Direct financial planning, procurement, and investment of funds
• Recommend benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance of departments and divisions
• Direct financial audits and provide recommendations for process and procedure improvements
• Determination of depreciation rates to apply to company capital assets
• Establish and implement short and long-range departmental objectives, policies, and operating procedures
• Advise owners / management regarding property and liability insurance coverage needs
• Accurately prepare and file required tax forms

Additional Duties and Responsibilities 

• Assist in collecting overdue receivables
• Represent the company to external media, funding agencies, government agencies, and the general public
• Provide accounting policy orientation for new staff

Decision Rights and Authority 

• Hiring, development, and termination decisions for finance department employees
• Creation of financial forecast and budget portion of strategic plan based on input from owners and department managers
• Determine when borrowing from existing line of credit is required

Working Relationships and Scope 

• Regular communication with owner(s) and CEO regarding company performance and strategic issues
• Maintain communications and relationship with banking and lending organizations.
• Coordination with all department managers regarding budgets, operating performance, and strategic direction.

Performance Competencies 

• Integrity–Ironclad. Does not cut corners. Puts the interests of the business above self. Earns trust of co-workers. Intellectually honest, doesn’t play games.
• Oral Communication–The individual speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Effective in one-on-one, small groups, and in public speaking contexts. Adaptable and able to think on his / her feet. Demonstrates a command of the language. Easily articulates ideas and standards.
• Written Communication–Writes clear, precise, well organized letters, proposals, and emails. Uses proper grammar and punctuation. Demonstrates appropriate vocabulary and correct word usage.
• Team Building–Achieves cohesion and effective team spirit with subordinates. Ability to motivate teams to produce quality output within tight timeframes and to simultaneously manage multiple projects. Sustains a climate characterized by open, honest relationships where differences are constructively addressed rather than ignored, suppressed, or denied. Treats subordinates fairly and shares credit.
• Sound Judgment and Decision Making–Demonstrates consistent logic, rationality, and objectivity in decision making. Driven by the financial well-being of the business and its stakeholders
• Planning and Organizing–Plans, organizes, schedules and budgets in an efficient, productive manner. Effectively contributes to the long-range planning activities. Focuses on key priorities. Pays attention to details. Manages personal time well.
• Money Management–Demonstrates sound fiscal habits. Employs a disciplined approach to spending. Tracks expenditures. Works from a budget.
• Excellence–Sets high, ‘stretch’, standards of performance for him / her self and their organization. Demonstrates low tolerance for mediocrity. Encourages individual initiative. Maintains a level of intensity sufficient to achieve long-range goals.
• Technology–the individual uses typical communication devices to effectively speed communication and appropriately utilizes company-approved estimating, customer contact management, and standard word processing and spreadsheet software tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy of work performed.

Qualifications-Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business or related field plus CPA certification. (MBA or Master’s degree in finance or accounting is preferred but not required). Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in senior-level accounting or finance positions with similar sized and larger organizations. 

• Finance, Accounting, Budgeting, and Cost Control

Extensive knowledge of the principles and concepts and significant experience in these areas – including generally accepted accounting principles. Knowledge of federal and state/provincial financial regulations. Ability to analyze financial data, prepare financial reports, statements, and projections. Working knowledge of short and long-term budgeting and forecasting. 

• Strategic Skills

Proven ability to identify clear opportunities and threats. Accurately assesses the company’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Comprehends the big picture. 

• Mathematical Skills

Possesses strong mathematical skills. Able to quickly compute rate, ratio, and percentages and to interpret financial reports, analyze performance changes and trends. Recognizes inconsistencies across multiple reports and sets of data. 

• Constructive Confrontation

Has the ability to solicit, process, and integrate inputs and ideas from subordinates, peers, and executives. Recognizes areas of conflict or disagreement and deals with them through open and honest dialogue. Effectively provides feedback. Willing to stand their ground based on sound principles and experience, in the face of opposition by owners and other executives. 

• Software

Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems. Effectively operates accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks, Peachtree) and understands how to make changes to ledgers, accounts, and reports to reflect the needs of the business. 

• Computers and Electronic Technology

Demonstrates intermediate to advanced skill in the use of computers, the internet, PDAs, and other digital technology specific to the job as well as MS Word, Excel, and other industry-specific software. 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 10 pounds. 

Working Conditions 

• Controller’s work is typically carried out in an office environment. Occasionally traveling to and meeting with customers and clients at their facilities is required.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

***Email resume to: BNichols@SERVPROKankakeeCounty.com

Lightning Hazards

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Lightning Hazards

Although lightning is seemingly random, there are some things you can do to minimize if you are caught in the open during a thunderstorm.

IF OUTDOORS:

Avoid water, high places such as lifeguard towers, cliffs, dunes and open spaces 

Avoid all metal objects, including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, flag poles etc. these objects mayretain water and more easily conduct an electric current.

 Avoid contact with two separate objects. Your body may serve as a conduit if the objects are struck by lightning. 

Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees.  Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle, such as a car, truck or van.

Avoid proximity minimum of 15 feet to other people. This will allow the current to go to ground more easily and making it less likely for multiple people to be injured.

 Avoid being the tallest object. Seek ditches, trenches or the low ground. 

Get as low as you can, but don’t lie prone to the ground. Instead, kneel with your hands on the ground in your head low.

 Avoid being near fences, light poles and powerlines that lead into areas where lightning is occurring. And electrical charge and travel along the wires and jump to you or cause an injury if you touch live wires or an energized fence. 

 You do not have to be directly hit by lightning to be affected. Lightning can travel along the ground from a nearby strike to you. You can also jump from nearby objects that are struck. 

 Don’t plug or unplug anything electrical during a storm. 

 Don’t use corded telephones. Phone use is the number one cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States. 

 If a person is struck by lightning, call 911 and care for the victim immediately. You cannot be harmed by touching the victim after they have been struck. 

SWIMMING POOLS:

Swimming pools, indoor and outdoors, are connected to a much larger surface area with underground pipes, gas lines, electric and telephone wiring. Lightning strikes to the ground anywhere on this metallic that work making shocks elsewhere.

 At the first sign of lightning or thunder, swimming pools and beaches should be evacuated. Seek shelter inside the main building, or in a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows rolled up .

 Get out and off the water if there are signs of lightning. 

IF INDOORS:

 Large, enclosed buildings tend to be safer than small gazebos or open eating areas. 

Stay away from doors and windows. 

Do not use the telephone.

 Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, and TV sets. 

Avoid use of showers or other contact with water. Because water may travel through and on pipes and tubing, lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, including shocks to inside equipment.

Fully enclosed metal vehicles such as cars, trucks and vans with windows rolled up to provide good shelter.

Have an ESCAPE PLAN!

4/5/2019 (Permalink)

Have an ESCAPE PLAN!

Plan Ahead!

If a fire breaks out in your home you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.

SAFETY TIPS

1.  Make a Home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.

2. No at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.

3. Have an outside meeting place like a tree, light pole, or mailbox. Make sure it is a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.

4. Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home at least twice a year.

5. Practice using different ways out.

6. Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.

7.  Close doors behind you as you leave. 

IF THE ALARM SOUNDS...

1. If the smoke alarm sounds get out and stay out! Never go back inside for people or pets.

2. If you have to escape through spoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.

3. Call the fire department from outside your home.

FACTS

! A closed door may show with the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms inside every sleeping room and outside each sleeps area.  Install alarms on every level of the home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.

! According to an NFPA survey, Only one of three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

! While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it.

! 1/3 of American households call made an estimate thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their own home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% set their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.

50 Ways To Practice Fire Safety

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

50 Ways To Practice Fire Safety

SERVPRO of Chicago Heights - Crete- Beecher would like to share with you these 50 Ways To Practice Fire Safety 

50 Ways To Practice Fire Safety

• Stay away from things that can burn you
• Never play with matches or lighters
• Ask your parents to install a smoke detector on every floor of your home
• Learn the sound of smoke detectors
• Help your parents test detectors monthly
• Remind them to replace smoke detector batteries every six months
• Check your home for fire hazards
• Keep flammable materials away from heat sources
• Check for frayed or worn electrical cords
• Don’t overload extension cords or electrical outlets
• Check that small appliances are unplugged after use
• Put sturdy screens in front of fireplaces
• Keep an eye on food while it’s cooking
• Tell adults to turn pot handles inward when they cook
• Keep towels and other clutter away from the stovetop
• Use a microwave only when an adult is present
• Never put anything metal in a microwave
• Read directions on food packages before using the microwave
• Never use water to put out an electrical or grease fire
• Run cold water over a burn
• Post emergency numbers by every phone
• Tell your parents to keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen, garage and fireplace
• Ask them to keep fire extinguishers fully charged
• Remind your parents to remove dead trees and leaves from your yard
• Tell them to build campfires away from trees
• Post your home address clearly on your house or mailbox
• Keep all exits clear
• Close your bedroom door at night
• Make a family fire escape plan
• Learn at least two ways out of each room
• Choose a family meeting place in case of fire
• Learn how to report a fire
• Practice your escape plan with your family at least twice a year
• Don’t fear firefighters in gear
• If you hear a smoke alarm or smell smoke, get outside quickly
• Don’t stop to take anything
• If there’s smoke, crawl low under it
• Test doors with the back of your hand before opening them
• If a door feels hot, use another exit
• Crawl backwards down stairs if there’s smoke
• Get out through a window only if it’s safe
• If a window is unsafe to climb out of, wave something light-colored and yell for help
• Never use an elevator in a fire - look for stairs
• Don’t go back inside for any reason
• If your clothes catch on fire, STOP, DROP AND ROLL
• Once you are outside, stay out
• Go to your family meeting place and wait for your family
• Call the fire department when you are safely outside
• Never call in a false alarm
• BE FIRE SMART EVERY DAY!

The Twice a Year Fall C. E. (Continuing Education) Class Is Open for Registration

7/20/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Chicago Heights / Crete / Beecher's C.E. Classes Registration Form

SERVPRO Will Host These C.E. Classes in September

Since we are a group of three local SERVPRO franchises, we can reach out and offer these C.E. Classes to a large number of insurance agents. By providing this twice a year instruction, we feel we are helping our local agents in their pursuit of excellence and professionalism. The more that we can cooperate and interact with our related industries, the better the public is served.

As pictured to the right, these Two Continuing Education Classes will be held on consecutive days towards the end of September 2016. Click on this link for Class registration. Todd Davis, one of SERVPRO Corporate instructors, will travel from our Corporate Headquarters to instruct these two classes as he did during the last Spring session. This SERVPRO franchise is offering a free breakfast and a free lunch to all the agents that attend. Like us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SERVPRO.kankakee/posts/1604976036499463 The required Ethics Class will be followed by an informative class on "Understand Mold in the Restoration Industry.” Mold remediation in Chicago Heights can be a difficult subject to deal with properly for insurance agents, homeowners, and our highly trained AMRT, Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians. Knowing how to grapple with mold infestations can limit liability claims, and costs while protecting the rights and mitigating potential health effects of home and business owners.

SERVPRO of Chicago Heights / Crete /Beecher is well positioned to remediate any mold infestation or loss from fire or flood; that may occur to your property. Please call or fax us for your registration for the C.E. Classes or restorative services for your home or business. (708) 747-9925