DEBBIE WILLETO YAZZA
Maricopa
Summary
Finance professional prepared for senior-level responsibilities in project accounting. Brings depth of experience in overseeing financial operations and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Emphasizes collaboration and delivering results while adapting to evolving project requirements. Known for analytical skills and attention to detail.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Project Accountant
Gila River Indian Community
10.2021 - Current
- Contributed to successful completion of high-profile construction and renovation Community projects through strong financial management, timely processing of project documentation and assessment of project project budgets, material lead times and construction timelines.
- Enhanced communication between GRIC accounting, Owner's Team members and project management teams with regular financial updates and collaborative meetings.
- Monitored project costs, developed job cost forecasts, managed cash flow reporting for Community-use and developed project budgets with hard costs, soft costs and contingencies.
- Ensured compliance with accounting standards, regulations and contract terms through meticulous review and documentation practices.
- Established a clear chain of accountability for project expenses by working closely with project teams to develop detailed cost breakdowns.
- Provided journal entries and performed accounting on accrual basis. Ensured compliance with GAAP and other relevant regulations through diligent documentation and internal controls.
- Completed bank reconciliation for the Community Per Capita account, loans and bonds. Set-up loan accounting and principle, interest and fee automatic payments.
- Prepared the Community Audit Investment worksheet for inclusion in the Community's Annual Financial Statement and Financial Footnotes.
Senior Accountant
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)
02.2011 - 10.2021
- Reconciled and booked activity for the Community’s investment accounts including interest, dividends, fees, capital gains/losses, changes to fair market value, foreign tax, and complete reports on all investing activities for Community Council review and approval
- Prepared daily cash reports on all revenues received and payments made from and to Community entities, vendors, federal or state funding sources. Used report data to provide recommendations for investment purposes based Community policy and/or resolutions.
- Successfully provided construction project accounting for a high-stakes Community Casino project concurrently with regular duties assigned while consistently meeting deadlines and maintaining exceptional financial management.
- Completed bank reconciliations for Community’s benefits accounts, Community loans, and TED bonds
- Prepared the Community Audit Investment worksheet for inclusion in the Community's Annual Financial Statement and Financial Footnotes.
- Assisted in the preparation of the annual financial research and responses, Indirect Cost proposal and other Community financial reports.
Project Accountant
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)
03.2007 - 02.2011
- Maintained the strong fiscal accounting for (2) High Profile Community Casino construction projects and provided timely processing of construction documentation to ensure adherence to construction deadlines.
- Provided contract management for all CEOT contracts and bank escrow accounts.
- Contributed to successful and timely financial data analysis for informed decision-making processes by completing quarterly reports, cash flow reports, project loan & planning budgets and budget forecast reports.
- Built working relationships with general contractors, subcontractors, GRIC departments, and other local agencies in order to keep the project within the construction timeline and to insure timely payments to all vendors.
- Processed payroll for CEOT employees and employee benefits.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility. Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- CEOT Board secretary duties as needed
Supervisory Accountant GS11.2
Indian Health Service
08.2005 - 03.2007
- Supervised (3) staff in the receiving and processing of 3rd party payments (Private Insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare) in the IHS-Accounts Receivable Module either by manual or electronic methods for (7) IHS service units to meet monthly and yearly department monetary goals.
- Prepared and verified adjustments/refunds for all (13) area office service units.
- Completed revenue reports to assure all payments were processed (batched and posted) in accordance with the internal control policy.
- Actively worked denials by submitting required documents/information to private insurance companies and state agencies.
- Researched payment posting software fixes to assist with posting of payments to improve efficiency.
Temp Program Accountant / Program Accountant II
Gila River Indian Community
02.2005 - 08.2005
- Maintained general and subsidiary ledgers for fund accounting for federal, state, and tribal gaming accounts in accordance with proper federal, tribal or state governmental accounting procedures.
- Examined, prepared and approved program budgets, budget revisions, and modifications for fiscal compliance.
- Provided fiscal approvals for expenditures and contracts in accordance with applicable to federal OMB circulars/rules/regulations, state regulations, and tribal policies and procedures.
- Responsible for monthly and yearly close outs of assigned accounts.
- Completed quarterly & annual reporting requirements for contracts and grants for GRIC, Federal, State and Local Agencies.
Budget Analyst
Washoe Tribal TANF Program
04.2004 - 01.2005
- Handled fiscal oversight of all expenditures and budget for the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grant for compliance to federal OMB circulars/CFRs, State of California statues, Tribal TANF program plans (TFAG), and the Washoe Tribal TANF program policies and procedures
- Created TANF budgets using historical program client statistics and expenditures, prepared budget modifications, and developed planning & projected budgets for the new Phase II (Bay Area Region) development
- Observed, reviewed and implemented fiscal internal controls in response to previous audit findings
Program Accountant I/Program Accountant II
Gila River Indian Community
08.2002 - 05.2004
- Maintained general and subsidiary ledgers for fund accounting for federal, state, and tribal gaming accounts in by the accordance with proper governmental accounting procedures
- Examined, prepared, and approved program budgets, budget revisions, and modifications for fiscal and program compliance
- Provided fiscal approvals for expenditures and contracts in accordance with applicable to federal OMB circulars/ rules/regulations, state regulations, and tribal policies and procedures
- Processed drawdown of funds and completed drawdown reports for federal and state accounts
- Completed monthly, quarterly & annual reporting requirements for contracts and grants for GRIC, Federal, State and Local Agencies
Accountant I/Acting Program Director/ Contracts & Program Compliance Officer
Navajo Division of Social Services
10.1993 - 08.1999
- Responsible for department and fiscal oversight/accounting functions for federal and state contracts and grants; Child Development Fund Program; Arizona Title XX Program; New Mexico Title XX Program; Little Miss Muffet Day Care Center; Chinle Day Care Center; and Shiprock Day Care Center pursuant to federal OMB circulars/regulations and Tribal fiscal policies/procedures.
- Prepared monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for tribal, state and federal reporting purposes.
- Created annual budgets and budget modifications.
Acting Program Director/ Contracts & Program Compliance Officer
Navajo Division of Social Services
05.1995 - 08.1995
- Administered and implemented the new Navajo Nation Child Care & Development Block Grant Program (NNCCDF), which included the development of required program forms, client eligibility requirements based on tribal plan/federal regulations, processing of client applications, payment procedure, and the development of the policies and procedures.
- Managed and monitored program compliance of all contracts and grants pertaining to the NNCCDF program, the Child & Adult Food Program, and Tribal Day Care Centers to tribal, state and federal regulations.
- Developed subcontract, resolutions and draft RFP notices, organized Request for Proposal review teams, completed RFP matrixes and presented subcontracts to the respective Navajo Nation Council oversight committees for approval, coordinated grant award/denial notifications and reviewed subcontractor invoices for fiscal/program compliance
- Assisted in the development of the three-year NNCCDF program tribal plan and prepared the annual NNCCDF funding applications for submittal to the Department of Health & Human Services.
- Submitted annual program reports to the federal agency, Navajo Nation Council and Committees and other funding agencies.
- Supervised (10) employees; provided guidance and work assignments.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Accountancy
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ01.2002
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Dine’ College
Tsaile, AZ01.1998
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Munis
- Fundware
- RPMS (Hospital)
- Project Management
Accomplishments
- Dean's Honor List, Fall 1992
- Dean's Honor List, Spring 1993
- Dean's Honor List, Fall 1999
- Dean's Honor List, Spring 2000
Timeline
Senior Project Accountant
Gila River Indian Community
10.2021 - Current
Senior Accountant
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)
02.2011 - 10.2021
Project Accountant
Gila River Indian Community (GRIC)
03.2007 - 02.2011
Supervisory Accountant GS11.2
Indian Health Service
08.2005 - 03.2007
Temp Program Accountant / Program Accountant II
Gila River Indian Community
02.2005 - 08.2005
Budget Analyst
Washoe Tribal TANF Program
04.2004 - 01.2005
Program Accountant I/Program Accountant II
Gila River Indian Community
08.2002 - 05.2004
Acting Program Director/ Contracts & Program Compliance Officer
Navajo Division of Social Services
05.1995 - 08.1995
Accountant I/Acting Program Director/ Contracts & Program Compliance Officer
Navajo Division of Social Services
10.1993 - 08.1999
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Dine’ College
Bachelor of Arts - Accountancy
Arizona State University
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