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Hi! My name is Susan Daley and this is my supplemental resume.

The purpose of this site is to provide additional information so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not I would be a good fit for your needs.  It's not fancy, but I'm not looking for work as a website builder.


Please check out the 'Your Questions Answered' section and don't hesitate to contact me if you’d like further information.

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER


SUMMARY


I am an experienced finance leader with over 25 years of expertise in corporate and production accounting across Canada, the USA and the UK. I specialize in full-cycle accounting, payroll administration and financial management within the entertainment industry, encompassing publishing, live events, tours, and film and television production.


(Note: all skills are transferable to any other industry.)


Demonstrated success in overseeing complex budgets, ensuring multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance, and guiding finance teams in high-pressure, deadline-oriented environments. I am a skilled collaborator with a track record of aligning financial operations with organizational and creative objectives.


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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED


Q. What are your rates?

A. That depends on the type of employment; Employee, Independent Contractor, Single Project... For budgetary purposes minimum hourly rate is $55. A steal!

 

Q. Are you a CPA or working towards that designation?

A. No, I am not. I realize that is disqualifying for some, but as I was Director of Production Finance for a publicly traded, international conglomerate and didn’t require the designation, I did not pursue it.


Q. Will you work on-site

A. If you are located in Montreal I would be happy to do a hybrid situation.  I have a dedicated room in my home that serves as my office for the work from home days.


Q.  Are you bilingual

A.  I took the French Equivalency Test and I am level C, Advanced Knowledge. I use translation tools for proofreading and am knowledgeable enough to know when they are wrong - I also use language apps everyday to sharpen my skills.


Q. Your experience seems to be exclusively in the entertainment industry, how does that apply to my business?

A. Accounting is universal, all accounting skills are transferable to any industry and I can guarantee that there’s not much I haven’t seen. I feel confident in my ability to provide the same excellence in service no matter the industry.


Q. Are you legally allowed to work in Canada?

A. Yes, I was born and raised in Montreal


Q. Do you prepare and file corporate tax returns?

A. All except Income Tax, I will prepare everything for the Income Tax accountant but that is not my specialty. Of course I will prepare and file GST, Payroll, CNSST/WCIB, NR5, T4’s, RL 1s, etc.


Q. What if my books are a mess and I just need someone to fix them up?

A. I actually love playing detective. I could clean them up, get them up to date and create a system for your company to follow going forward.


Q. How would you describe your personality?

A. Hmm like Kim Wexler from ‘Better Call Saul’ until she becomes morally flexible. I don’t compromise when it comes to a company’s financials. I’m more like Judge Judy in that regard but nicer.


Q. What accounting software are you proficient in?

A. I have experience with many but have been using QBO exclusively for the last 4 years. With the integration of AI I am quite sure all have gone through significant changes, but I’m highly adaptable.

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SME & STARTUPS

Day to Day Transaction Recording

  • Record  all business transactions (sales, purchases, receipts, payments)
  • Maintain accurate general ledger entries
  • Classify expenses and revenues appropriately

Accounts Payable (AP Management)

  • Enter and process supplier invoices
  • Schedule and process payments to vendors
  • Reconcile supplier statements and resolve discrepancies
  • Maintain accurate records of due and paid invoices

Accounts Receivable (AR) Management

  • Generate and send customer invoices
  • Track incoming payments and follow up on overdue accounts
  • Apply payments to customer accounts
  • Maintain customer account records 

Bank & Credit Card Reconciliation

  • Reconcile bank statements against the general ledger
  • Match credit card statements with expense records
  • Identify and resolve any discrepancies or unrecorded transactions 

Payroll / Human Resources

  • Employee Onboarding
  • Collect and record employee timesheets or hours
  • Process payroll (or coordinate with payroll provider)
  • Ensure proper recording of wages, deductions, and employer contributions
  • Maintain employee payment records 

Financial Records Management

  • Organize and maintain supporting documents (receipts, bills, tax documents)
  • Ensure accurate digital or paper filing of financial data
  • Keep transaction records up-to-date for audits or compliance 

Bank Financial Reporting

  • Generate trial balances, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets for review
  • Support the Finance Manager or accountant in monthly/quarterly closings
  • Provide reports on overdue invoices, payment due dates, and expense summaries 

Tax & Compliance Assistance

  • Prepare data for GST/QST filings (if applicable)
  • Track and report taxable and non-taxable transactions
  • Assist with end-of-year data preparation for tax filing or audit
  • Maintain compliance with record-keeping regulations

Coordination & Support

  • Provide financial data for other departments when required
  • Help with ad hoc tasks such as vendor setup, invoice queries, or report formatting

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CORPORATE  GENERAL

FFinancial Planning & Budgeting

  • Create practical, short- to mid-term financial plans aligned with business goals
  • Develop and manage operational budgets with a focus on cost-efficiency
  • Forecast cash flow and working capital needs accurately
  • Perform break-even and ROI analysis for key decisions

Cost Control & Resource Optimization

  • Monitor daily spending and enforce cost-saving measures
  • Identify areas of waste or overspending and recommend improvements
  • Analyze supplier contracts and negotiate better terms
  • Track overhead and variable costs to improve margins

Financial Reporting & Analysis

  • Generate clear and timely monthly P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements
  • Conduct simple yet actionable variance analysis against budget
  • Use dashboards or spreadsheets for quick financial snapshots
  • Present insights in a way non-financial stakeholders can easily understand 

Cash Flow & Liquidity Management

  • Prioritize cash flow forecasting and daily monitoring
  • Ensure timely customer collections and manage payment terms
  • Plan for seasonal or irregular cash flow cycles
  • Maintain a buffer for emergencies or slow revenue periods

Banking & Fundraising Support

  • Manage day-to-day banking relationships
  • Support owner/CEO in preparing materials for investors or lenders
  • Keep track of repayment schedules and debt obligations

Compliance & Adherence

  • Ensure compliance with local tax laws, GST/QST, payroll, and corporate tax
  • Work with external accountants to prepare Corporate Income tax returns 
  • Stay informed of SME tax reliefs or incentives
  • Avoid penalties through timely filings and accurate reporting

Internal Controls 

  • Set up basic but effective internal controls (e.g., approval workflows, segregation of duties)Monitor for fraud, errors, or misuse of company funds
  • Document simple financial procedures and policies
  • Ensure accountability even in a lean team

Team Coordination & Outsourcing

  • Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, or consultants
  • Train non-finance staff on basic financial literacy (e.g., budgeting, expense tracking)

 Systems, Tools & Automation

  • Set up or manage affordable accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books)
  • Automate recurring tasks (e.g., invoicing, payroll, bank reconciliation)
  • Ensure backups and secure storage of financial data

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JURISDICTIONS

PAST CUSTOMERS / EMPLOYERS (select)

NOTE to Web Designers: While I appreciate your interest in improving my website, I am not interested and will therefore not be responding to emails pitching improvements or making suggestions - thank you

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