PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Steven Higgins, MBA, CIA, CFE

Steven Higgins, MBA, CIA, CFE

Financial professional with demonstrated track record of results in world-wide auditing, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and financial management. Hundreds of audit recommendations issued by me have been implemented saving companies and organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars. Experience with multinational Fortune 500 companies, Federal and State governments, banking, education, high-tech, food and beverages, venture capital, and real estate business environments.

SPECIALITIES

  • Auditing, USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Japan, & Australia
  • Accounting, GAAP & International.
  • Budgeting, Forecasting, Analysis, Reporting, Financial Reconciliations
  • Financial Planning & Cost Control
  • Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Hired to reconcile a Multi-Billion dollar critical government program operating in 13 countries for 10 years which had never been reconciled and represented one of the Federal Reserve’s biggest challenges due to repeat audit findings.
  • Directed a team of 10 senior executives
  • Developed recommendations to improve the reconcilement process
  • Communicated project status to Federal Reserve in Washington & stakeholders on a weekly basis and wrote report on results and recommendations at conclusion of project which was successfully completed ahead of schedule and on budget.

  • Asst. Vice President, Internal Audit Citistreet 12/2007-10/2008 (Purchased by ING IN 2008)

  • Conducted financial, operational, and compliance audits of organization with over $230 billion in assets under management. Responsible for auditing all aspects of Anti Money Laundering (AML) activities and issuing reports to executive management.

  • Responsible for supervising staff and conducting audits performed at company Headquarters and ensuring compliance with corporate policies and procedures under US GAAP accounting standards.

    Chief Financial Officer, Quincy College (Contract Position) 9/2004-6/2007

  • Responsible for all financial operations and the integrity of reported results
  • Designed and implemented an improved annual budgeting process.
  • Improved reconciliation controls and implemented a monthly reporting & forecasting system
  • Responsible for providing all annual A133 audit information to external auditors
  • Provided monthly financial reporting to the Finance Committee and Board of Governors

  • Involved in all purchase requisitions and contracts

    Massachusetts Department of Revenue2/1992-8/2004

    Manager of Reconciliations 2/2002-8/2004

  • Reconciliation of 50+ bank accounts with annual deposits exceeding $18 billion
  • Prepared and reported financial data for the Department’s Annual Report

  • Official liaison with the State Auditor’s Office, as well as internal auditors and external auditors, during Department’s annual audit

    Manager of Special Projects 10/1999-2/2002

  • Reported to Chief Financial Officer
  • Strengthened internal financial controls
  • Coordinated federal, state, and internal audits
  • Financial/operational reviews to identify weaknesses and recommend improvements.

  • Designed program to develop new, and update existing, procedures for approx. 100 employees.

    Senior Internal Audit Manager 2/1992-10/1999

  • Planning, organizing, and conducting operational, financial, and compliance audits
  • Identified and resolved a billing error of $1.5m involving state and federal accounts
  • Conducted audits within the Department and also regional offices and external agencies

  • Identified and resolved overbilling issues pertaining to disability insurance involving over 100 employees and over $100k. Received commendation from Commissioner

    Millipore Corporation (Fortune 500 Company ) 1981-1991

    Positions held include:

    – Senior Corporate Auditor, Millipore Corporate Headquarters.

    – Headed up financial audits completed in USA, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

    Manager Budgeting & Forecasting, Waters Chromatography Division

    – Manager of Worldwide Financial Reporting, Waters Chromatography Division

    – Manager of International Finance, Controller, Pacific Region, Waters Chromatography Division

    – Senior Financial Analyst, and Senior Research & Development Analyst, Waters Chromatography Divisio

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS/AFFILIATIONS:

  • MBA Finance, Suffolk University, School of Management, Boston, MA
  • BS, Accounting (Cum Laude), Suffolk University, Boston, MA
  • Certified Internal Auditor(24 yrs now not renewed/ Certified Fraud Examiner
  • Certified Public Purchasing Official in Mass.
  • Massachusetts Real Estate Broker’s License/ Private Pilot’s license/FINRA REG REP SERIES 6 LICENSE
  • Massachusetts Life & Health Insurance License
  • Authored and published three books on AMAZON.

  • Last 15 years:

Owned and operated my own companies involved in COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE since I have held my Massachusetts Real Estate Brokers License for 45 years. Mass license # 100217.