Susan L. Howell
Des Peres
Summary
Accomplished financial systems leader with expertise in global Hyperion and Oracle applications, financial consolidation and reporting, process optimization, audit and compliance oversight, project management, and team leadership.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Financial Systems
Emerson
01.2014 - Current
- Manage a global team providing functional support for 1,700+ users across Emerson’s financial consolidation and reporting systems.
- Oversee Hyperion applications including HFM, FDMEE, FRS, BI+, Hyperion Planning, Essbase, and Smart View.
- Lead and support consolidation and reporting processes, ensuring system stability and user satisfaction.
- Developed custom Hyperion planning applications to replace Excel-based long-range planning and corporate budgeting processes, including metadata, business rules, calculations, and training materials.
- Served as system lead for lease accounting software implementation, including system setup, training, and user support.
- Project managed the replacement of Emerson’s Global Consolidation System with HFM, managing both internal and external resources.
- Built and managed a global support model for financial applications with onshore and offshore teams, including team training and process documentation.
- Currently participating in the transition to Oracle Cloud Consolidation and Planning systems, coordinating GL integrations, metadata/business rule development, and historical data migration.
Senior Financial Analyst
Emerson
01.2005 - 01.2014
- Analyzes trade working capital across 60+ divisions and consolidates monthly divisional operating results, preparing reports for Senior Management. Provides support to the Senior Vice President through ad hoc reporting, presentations, and special projects.
Accounting Manager
Global Healthcare Exchange
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Oversees all aspects of month-end close, prepares monthly financial statements, calculates financial metrics, and supervises accounts payable, accounts receivable, and staff accountants. Serves as main contact for audits and tax preparation, participates in budgeting, supports revenue forecasting, and provides functional support for Oracle financial system users while managing system upgrades and implementations. Recognized with “Exceptional Performer” and “Outstanding Individual Performance” awards for redesigning the month-end close process and reporting packages, improving analysis, reconciliations, and procedures, resulting in timely, accurate reporting with no audit adjustments.
Accounting Supervisor
Relera Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Joined a telecom startup as one of the first accounting employees, building the accounting department, including staffing, systems, policies, procedures, reconciliations, and analysis. Led the implementation of Oracle Financial System 11i General Ledger, performed general accounting duties, supported special projects and financial reporting, and supervised a team of four accountants.
Supervisor of Mergers and Acquisitions
Emerson
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Performs due diligence reviews, supervises financial closing audits, supports special projects, and completes annual training on due diligence and business valuation.
Senior–Internal Audit Department
Emerson
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Plans and conducts financial audits, leads audit teams, manages training and development of staff accountants, and prepares audit reports for management.
Staff Accountant
Price Waterhouse, LLP
01.1993 - 01.1996
- Audit and Business Advisory Services Group- Gained broad audit experience across multiple industries and managed engagements from planning through audit report issuance.
Education
BS - Accountancy
University of Illinois
Urbana/Champaign, IL01.1993
Skills
- Troubleshoot and resolve functional and technical issues in financial systems
- Support monthly close, reporting processes, and system maintenance cycles
- Develop, maintain, and test technical components of Hyperion applications (HFM, FDMEE, Planning, Essbase, FRS, BI, Smart View)
- Analyze system change requests, develop specifications, enhancements, testing plans, and procedures
- Conduct complex systems analysis and design, recommending performance and design improvements
- Build and modify reporting systems, creating complex reports for global users
- Maintain user accounts, security, and coordinate change management processes
- Lead global system implementation and upgrade projects (Hyperion HFM, Oracle Cloud, lease accounting systems, Siebel time-tracking)
- Manage integration of general ledger data, metadata, and business rules during system migrations
- Provide functional support and training for users across global financial applications
Timeline
Director of Financial Systems
Emerson
01.2014 - Current
Senior Financial Analyst
Emerson
01.2005 - 01.2014
Accounting Manager
Global Healthcare Exchange
01.2001 - 01.2005
Accounting Supervisor
Relera Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2001
Supervisor of Mergers and Acquisitions
Emerson
01.1998 - 01.2000
Senior–Internal Audit Department
Emerson
01.1996 - 01.1998
Staff Accountant
Price Waterhouse, LLP
01.1993 - 01.1996
BS - Accountancy
University of Illinois