Sandra Mitzi Giani Kipnes, CPA, CMA, MBA

Over 20 years of accounting experience in various industries such automotive (8 years) , engineering (9), restaurant (16), and manufacturing (4). Honed leadership skills began in teenaged years from being elected to Student Council to volunteering as a candy striper and YMCA junior camp counselor; and continued through board memberships and roles for various organizations such as the Optimist Club of Green Bay, Institute of Managment Accountants, WP Carey Arizona State University MBA Alumni Council, Economic Club of Phoenix, Executive Women's Golf Association, and Graduate Women in Business.

By combining accounting, business and leadership skills with information systems (databases), I provide excellent reports and guidance for executive management to make well-informed strategic business decisions. In addition, through database development and software implementations, I supply increased efficiencies and information reporting in regards to daily operations.

I enjoy contributing decision-oriented information (bench marking, ratios, metrics, drivers) to assist in strategic planning. Love being a team player and taking on new challenges. I am definitely are rare accountant that likes to give presentations and is a "people person."

Sandra Mitzi Giani Kipnes, CPA, CMA, MBA’s Specialties:

CFO/Controller/Accountant services; financial statement preparation (departmental vs consolidated); management, accounting, and leadership classes; accounting software implementations; database development; business plan development; Department of Defense (DCAA) audits with cost-plus contracts; business drivers, bench marking, and production metrics

Sandra Mitzi Giani Kipnes, CPA, CMA, MBA’s Experience

Sr. Corporate Controller

Forensics Consulting Solutions

(Privately Held; Legal Services industry)

February 2009 — Present (10 months)
Associate #1191168

Univera Life Sciences

(Health, Wellness and Fitness industry)

March 2006 — Present (3 years 9 months)
CFO & Owner, CPA, CMA, MBA, MAIS

Arizona Business Angels

(Accounting industry)

March 1998 — Present (11 years 9 months)

We provide part-time CFO services as well as a full range of accounting assistance to small- and mid-sized companies (largest currrent client is $30 Million) within an expansive realm of industries including restaurant / engineering / real estate / manufacturing / automotive.

We love to leverage my Master of Accountancy and Information Systems in order to help with accounting software / database conversions and implementations. I have designed and developed over 30 databases and have numerous accounting software conversions / implementations under my belt (Axium/Timberline, Solomon, MYOB, Peachtree, Quickbooks).

As a wonderful side offer, we assist with setting up Arizona LLCs from the operating agreement to hand-delivering paperwork to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Director of Accounting

White Chocolate Grill Inc

(Restaurants industry)

March 2008 — November 2008 (9 months)

Consultant through Arizona Business Angels. Worked closely with the two owners on this upscale casual dining concept to expand from 2 restaurants to 4 (Scottsdale, Las Vegas - Henderson, (new) Chicago - Naperville, and Denver -Lone Tree-Park Meadows Mall) to many throughout the U.S. along with 2 casual Italian Cinzetti's restaurants (Denver & Kansas City) - re-organized chart of accounts and set up new companies and created consolidated financials.
Controller

Life Success Productions

(Professional Training & Coaching industry)

June 2007 — March 2008 (10 months)

Work closely with Bob Proctor and all his companies. Reorganized and built a centralized accounting department. Assisted with various seminars and coordination of a 7-day cruise to Mexico with various authors in the Author Mentorship Progam along with wonderful motivational speakers such as Mark Victor Hansen and Michael Beckwith. Became a part-time role through Arizona Business Angels
Director of Accounting

Coe & Van Loo Consultants Inc

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Civil Engineering industry)

June 2002 — June 2007 (5 years 1 month)

Oversaw Accounting and Human Resources for corporate accounting department of 13 people. I was involved in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People program and Toastmasters. I administed the 401k plan, coordinated the PWC audits, and maintained banking relationships and health insurance benefits. The best thing that came out of my job there was the relationships that were built. It was also a fabulous feeling when you are told by over half of you team that you are, by far, the best boss they ever had.
Adjunct Professor

Arizona State University

(Educational Institution; Computer Software industry)

August 2001 — January 2002 (6 months)

Taught 3 Computer Informaton Systems 201 lab classes - nominated for John Teets' Outstanding Teacher Award
MBA Intern Accountant

Agilent Technologies

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; Computer Hardware industry)

May 2001 — August 2001 (4 months)

Worked in Colorado Springs for summer internship - recommended streamlining depreciation over all the cost centers and researched the effects to earnings and shareholders.
Business Manager

Automotive Testing Laboratories, Inc

(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Research industry)

June 1996 — January 2000 (3 years 8 months)

Oversaw Accounting, Human Resources and Contract Management. Refiled all Defense Contract accounting reports and collected over a million dollars in additional monies on previously terminated EPA contracts. Implemented and sponsored 401k and Profit Sharing Plan. Worked with Panoz, BMW, Land Rover, Saleen and various other car manufacturers with regards to meeting EPA and Californian emission standards.
DBE Certifier

Applied Business Concepts, Inc., Phoenix, AZ

(Government Administration industry)

January 1996 — March 1997 (1 year 3 months)

Arizona Department of Transportation government contract to review applications for certifications of Disadvantaged and Woman-Owned Business Enterprises. Reviewed company structure, by-laws, articles, operations, etc. to verify DBE/WBE status.
Accounting and Car Sales

Advanced Auto Body and Sales, Green Bay, WI

(Automotive industry)

January 1989 — August 1991 (2 years 8 months)

This is where I built my first database! Using DataPerfect, I had a way to look up who was looking for vehicles and what they were willing to pay, while my boss/owner would be in Chicago at the auto auction. We'd know what to bid on and when to stop bidding! We were an awesome team. On top of doing old-school green ledger accounting and selling cars, I would work on insurance claims and assist in anyway I could with the autobody shop. This is when I fell in love with the automotive industry. I left Green Bay to finish my undergradute degree at ASU.