Caryn Benoit
New Iberia
Summary
Seasoned Finance Manager with a proven track record in strategic financial planning and budget management. Possess strong skills in financial forecasting, risk analysis, and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements and cost savings while maintaining high standards of financial integrity and control. Committed to delivering impactful results through collaborative leadership and cross-functional team engagement.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Manager
Palfinger Marine
03.2023 - Current
- Led annual budgeting and forecasting processes across business units, consolidating inputs into a cohesive financial plan aligned with corporate strategy.
- Developed monthly variance analysis reports comparing actuals to budget/forecast, identifying key drivers and presenting findings to senior leadership.
- Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with GAAP/IFRS.
- Manage preparation of internal management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and external audit requirements.
- Partnered with department heads to drive financial accountability and improve cost awareness across the organization.
- Implemented KPI dashboards to track business performance and support data-driven decisions.
- Acts as a trusted finance business partner to operations, sales, and executive teams, translating financial data into actionable insights.
- Manage and mentored finance team, fostering a culture of accuracy, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
- Streamlined financial reporting processes by implementing automation tools, reducing close cycle time.
- Led ERP system upgrade projects, improving data integrity and reporting capabilities.
Accounting Controller
Consolidated Services Group
02.2018 - 03.2023
- Spearheaded the centralization of payables processing for 14 locations that reduced processing time by over 50%.
- Accelerated month-end closing process by implementing scheduled error checkpoints, reducing errors found at later stages by 75%.
- Assisted with the implementation of an ERP system.
- Complete journal entries, reconciliations and account analysis to prepare quarterly financial documents and general account management.
- Manage daily financial functions in collaboration with accounting and payroll personnel.
- Prepare balance sheets, cash flow reports and income statements.
- Supervise accurate, efficient and compliant completion of monthly financial reporting packages.
- Complete year-end close processes with CFO through effective supervision financial functions and regular treasury transactions.
- Accurately complete financial statement audits and thoroughly reviewed results.
- Provide treasury and cash management by overseeing reconciliation of banking activity, credit card processing and sales tax returns.
- Calculate salesperson commissions based on established parameters and disburse monthly payments.
- Accurately project monthly cash expenditures through efficient budgeting and detailed document reviews.
- Create and distribute reports on internal and external finances, audits and budgets.
- Work with both internal and external users to create detailed financial reports.
- Work with executives to create annual budget and track actual expenses against projected expenses.
Accountant
M&J Valve Services
07.2016 - 02.2018
- Assisted in developing inventory procedures with 9 locations and brought errors down to near-zero in inventory receiving.
- Facilitate and complete monthly close procedures, preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations and preparation of financial statements.
- Perform assigned account reconciliations of asset and liability accounts associated with accounts receivable, variance analysis, and month-end close responsibilities.
- Prepare and evaluate balance sheet account reconciliations including prepaid operating expenses, accrual expenses, and inter-company transactions.
- Verify credit information with bank references, trade references, Equifax, and D&B.
- Verify and maintain customer sales tax documentation when applicable.
- Reviewing & reconciling of daily inventory purchase order receipts for posting.
- Resolving inventory discrepancies with personnel & vendors.
- Reviewing and posting of all vendor invoice batches.
Accounting Specialist
CLM Equipment Company
02.2011 - 06.2014
- Reported financial data and updated financial records in ledgers and journals.
- Assessed data and information to verify entry, calculation and billing code accuracy.
- Investigated daily variances and corrected errors to resolve discrepancies.
- Analyzed financial information and made proactive adjustments.
- Compiled budget figures by reviewing past budgets, evaluating estimated income and assessing expenses.
- Tracked business revenue and expenditures and reconciled accounts to maintain high accuracy.
- Collected and arranged financial information and entered details into Quickbooks.
- Scheduled payables based on vendor contracts and internal budget.
- Prepared check payments against invoices and deliveries.
Accounting Receivables Supervisor
Synergy Outdoors
- Prepared daily bank deposits and performed cash receipt applications.
- Analyzed discrepancies and proposed ways to curtail the occurrence of discrepancies.
- Reviewed past due accounts with sales team and senior management to determine the best course for resolving late payments.
- Supervised accounts receivable team, provided guidance on resolving collections issues and past due balances.
- Set goals for accounts receivable team and developed strategies to meet departmental goals.
- Prepared credit reports and verified credit with trade references, banks, and credit reporting agencies.
- Set up customer accounts with correct payment terms and credit limits.
Education
High School Diploma -
New Iberia Senior High School
Certificate of Completion - Accounting Fundamentals
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Continuing Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Accounting
Western Governors University
Skills
- P&L Management
- Journal Entries
- Cash Flow
- Financial Reporting
- Sales Tax
- Analytical Skills
- Team Leadership
- Communication
- Process Improvements
- ERP Implementation
- Vendor Management
- Asset Management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Variance analysis
- GAAP compliance
Timeline
Finance Manager
Palfinger Marine
03.2023 - Current
Accounting Controller
Consolidated Services Group
02.2018 - 03.2023
Accountant
M&J Valve Services
07.2016 - 02.2018
Accounting Specialist
CLM Equipment Company
02.2011 - 06.2014
Accounting Receivables Supervisor
Synergy Outdoors
High School Diploma -
New Iberia Senior High School
Certificate of Completion - Accounting Fundamentals
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Continuing Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, Accounting
Western Governors University