Victoria Balestro
United States Department of Agriculture
Warminster,PA
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Management Analyst
2 Years 2 Months- Facilitated communication of HR policies and updates, ensuring staff remained informed and leadership could make timely decisions.
- Coordinate workflow within the Center Director’s Office to maintain efficiency across leadership operations.
- Coordinated workflow within the Center Director’s Office, enhancing operational efficiency across leadership functions.
- Prepare and explain accounting reports of allocations and expenses to the director as required and interpret changes to the remaining balances.
- Maintain effective communication of HR policies and updates, enabling staff to stay informed and leadership to make timely decisions.
- Prepared and explained accounting reports of allocations and expenses to the director and interpreted changes to the remaining balances.
- Provide comprehensive administrative support that ensures smooth and efficient functioning of the center and its leadership.
- Assist with high priority tasks such as record management, workspace allocation and coordination of employee recognition awards.
- Supervise Program Support Assistants and monitor assignments in accordance with location objectives and customer needs.
- Supervisor: Sevim Erhan
- Salary – GS-11
- Hours per week – 40
Financial and Budget Technician
2 Years 7 Months- Applied budget guidelines, rules, and regulations when processing transactions in various financial systems such as Financial Management Modernization Initiative (FMMI), CRIS Allocation Tracking System (CATS), Salary Management System (SAMS), and Area Resource Management Plan System (ARMPs).
- Understood federal regulations and policies that govern budgetary processes.
- Reconciles CATS to official accounting reports prior to the development of status of funds reports.
- Gathered data from FMMI to produce reports and queries CATS and other financial mandated systems for creating, modifying, maintaining, tracking, and reporting on appropriated and outside funded accounts within agency mandated timeframes.
- Reviews, analyzes, verifies and inputs data contained in approved financial plans.
- Reviewed and input commitment and obligation documents (e.g.: travel, IAS, agreements, etc.) following data entry guidelines. Initiated modifications and corrections upon receipt of supporting documentation.
- Monitors all transactions by CRIS (or sub-account). At year-end, develops the CRIS Activities Module (CAM) report which reflects all resources dedicated to each CRIS. Ensures this report is accurate and produced to meet the published deadline.
- Revises and updates projections in SAMS and CATS each month based on most recent information.
- Pull reports daily from FMMI to gather data from general ledgers to reconcile.
- Research transactions that remain on the “pending” listing for an extended time (2-3 months) and works with the appropriate personnel to ensure that the transactions are appropriately captured in the official accounting system.
- Managed appropriated and non-appropriated budgets and provided management with quarterly updates.
- Responds to inquiries and advises fund holders on significant changes in financial plans, conditions, etc.
- Supports the location management team with the development ARMP.
- Validates budgetary guidelines for the year and provides financial information that can be used for the development of the Indirect Research and Shared Research spreadsheets.
- Conducts quarterly reviews on un-liquidated obligations for all open fiscal years to ensure open obligations are valid.
- Works with appropriate personnel (purchasing agent, contracting specialist, travel specialist, Financial Management, Travel and Agreements (FMTA) Team Lead) to take appropriate action to either liquidate or de-obligate the transaction.
- Monitors all soft fund accounts (reimbursable, Trust, CRADA, etc.) to ensure obligations do not exceed authority.
- Responsible for reviewing procurement and travel requests for accuracy and ensuring that the funds are available and compliant with policies and procedures.
- Prepares and explains accounting reports of allocations and expenses to the director as required and interprets changes to the remaining balances.
- Reviews repair and maintenance (R&M) CATS entries for accuracy and inclusion in the R&M report on a quarterly basis in accordance with R&M agency policies. Identifies inaccuracies and makes modifications as needed.
- Uses SAMS to create, modify, maintain, track and report on location salary information for base and/or reimbursable accounts and sub-accounts (both current and prior year.)
- Serves as the main timekeeper for all ERRC employees, ensuring timesheets are posted accurately in WebTA and in a time sensitive manner.
- Demonstrates initiative in actively searching for and identifying errors and potential problems and works with Supervisors and Managers to initiate corrected Time & Attendance records through WebTA for adjustments needed and/or takes corrective action, i.e., Transfer Vouchers (B2s), prior to the issuance of the next payroll period.
- Projects salaries, in SAMS, using the guidance provided for the upcoming ARMP cycle, ensuring that within grade increases, promotions, pay cost, anticipated lump sum payouts, awards and any other known variables are incorporated.
- Checks the SAMS projections against manual projections to ensure they are correct and incorporates these projections into ARMPS.
- Extracts data from CATS and SAMS financial accounting systems and presents current and historical information to Management.
- Monitors salaries for soft fund accounts when preparing status of funds and takes the initiative to discuss any deficits with the fund holder to make adjustments prior to the expiration of the agreements.
- Reviews Location budgets to ensure fiscal integrity and that expenditures do not exceed authorized Current Research Information System (CRIS) allocations.
- Manages and reviews budgets, expenses, bills, and payments associated with several types of financial agreements.
- Ensured Research Leaders received accurate Status of Funds (SOF) monthly to facilitate planning of expenditures and prevent over or under obligation of funds before fiscal year end.
- Spots problem areas in advance and provides advice and guidance on resolving any irregularities, including outside funding account management and transfer of funds documentation.
- Ensures that initial allocations and any temporary/permanent adjustments are correctly reflected in current financial plans and that any issues are promptly brought to the attention of the Area Administrative Office (AAO), Financial Management, Travel and Agreements (FMTA) Team Lead for correction.
- Verifies that SAMS updates and salary lapse reports reflect application of current Agency policy.
- Ensures that fiscal Year End (YE) reports and CRIS Activity Module (CAM) rollup are based on accurate financial plan updates and CATS reconciliation procedures.
- Provides reconciled Status of Funds to fund holders by the 25th of the month.
- Maintains accurate records and/or audit trails to document progress and completion status of all deliverables.
- Maintains financial tracking systems to ensure that deadlines are adhered to, and actions are addressed.
- Organizes work and manages time to achieve maximum productivity. All my work assignments are organized and accomplished meeting deadlines.
- Provides administrative support daily to Management to assure the budget is managed timely and properly.
- Plans, executes, and monitors assignments in accordance with Location objectives and customer needs.
- Adjusts work plans and priorities in response to changing circumstances.
- Serves as the AgLearn Administrator for all ERRC employees. Ensures records are accurate and entered in a timely manner. Supports AgLearn users with routine questions and follows up with the AgLearn help desk for updated procedures.
- Enters and monitors information in ARIS including but not limited to foreign travel documents including trip reports, ARS-115’s, and invention disclosures.
- When requested, serves as back-up to management unit (MU) PSAs (vacancies, high workload, etc.)
- Coordinated and processed manuscript documents for scientific journals. using correct structure and format for scientific journals and ARS documentation in ARIS System.
- Enters and maintains information in the ARS Travel Information System (ATIS) and Concur, in accordance with area and local policy and procedures, to provide the Center Director (CD) with accurate information for decision-making and Agency reporting requirements.
- Provides support, when requested for Office of the Center Director (OCD) and MU staff, including but not limited to travel, purchasing, training and portal entries.
- Provided clerical and computer support to enhance office operations. to the CD and Administrative Officer (AO) by compiling general information to incorporate into reports and presentations, as needed.
- Reviews and provides accurate and timely comments on materials presented for review. Completes assigned work by established due dates or requests approval from supervisor to extend deadlines.
- Balances and prioritizes competing and/or conflicting work responsibilities to meet deadlines.
- Establishes appropriate tracking tools to notify CD and unit staff of upcoming due dates, ensuring timely completion of deliverables. (e.g., Outlook Tasks).
- Maintain databases, spreadsheets, and various tracking tools to assist in performing my duties.
- Stays abreast of changes by utilizing our standard procedures and customer service techniques to update our agency procedures and regulations as needed.
- Responsible for creating the agencies biweekly Newsletter by gathering informative information for center employees such as: administrative updates, upcoming training, and Equal Employment Opportunity observances to support a nondiscriminatory work environment.
- Supervisor: Kimberly Sokorai
- Salary – GS-7
- Hours per week – 40
Program Support Assistant
2 Years 6 Months- Served as the National Call Centers timekeeper, ensuring timecards are posted accurately and in a time sensitive manner while ensuring integrity in the process. Conducted briefings and training sessions for new employees and assisted in setting up a quick reference guide to assist the new hires.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for managers and employees, including hotel reservations and travel vouchers, while planning and managing logistics for training events, meetings, and conferences.
- Performed cost analysis on travel accommodations to ensure the government is spending efficiently.
- Applied analytical and research techniques sufficient to conduct fact finding.
- Worked closely with budget analyst to ensure budget allowances have not exceeded for both travel, award, and supply budget accounts. Gathers data from various systems and databases to produce reports for management review.
- Recommended internal reporting and status tracking procedures to ensure adequate control in terms of travel deadlines, progress reports, and follow-up reports.
- Tracked project status and deliverables to ensure responses to deadlines are met for divisional staff and management.
- Served as a supply clerk, utilizing all resources available to purchase products in timely and cost-effective manner.
- Checked supply requisitions for accuracy and filled orders to maintain efficient inventory management.
- Served as the liaison between employees and management by maintaining supply inventory and reporting any purchasing needs to management.
- Delivered reports to management staff that identified limiting factors and program management opportunities, enhancing decision-making regarding equipment availability.
- Assisted in developing and analyzing budgets for the organization’s supply and travel requests.
- Responsible for processing all travel and supply requests in compliance with the rules, regulations, and established procedures, such as Veterans Administrations and Federal Acquisition Regulations.
- Responsible for creating a variety of Division correspondence, such as: spreadsheets, written correspondence, reports, letters, transmittals, personnel actions, budget items, and other similar documents using computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Also, managed and maintained the filing system for the staff. Also, was responsible for reviewing correspondence for accuracy and consistency.
- Developed metrics to assess progress toward unit goals. and measures progress toward accomplishment of unit plans, programs, goals, and objectives.
- Coordinated scheduling of conferences and meetings to ensure effective communication. conferences, preparing agenda, notifying participants, and taking meeting notes as requested. Updates electronic calendar, spreadsheets and data bases for leave, appointments, and meetings.
- Supported management by coordinating interview scheduling and applicant communications. in the hiring process by contacting the applicants via email and phone calls to set-up interviews and coordinates meetings. I also served as the point person for applicant questions and information flow between the organization and the job candidate.
- Assisted with the on-boarding process of new employees, by helping them with completing OPM’s Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) to initiate investigations.
- Assisted new employees with questions concerning completing forms to obtain Personal Identify Verification (PIV) cards. Verified that all the paperwork is completed, and signatures are affixed on the form.
- Guided employees through the process of completing System Account Access Requests. with System Account Access Request (SAARs) to obtain access to various systems.
- Assisted in the processing of personnel actions and personnel actions requests from my manager and supervisors. I also assisted applicants with instructions on setting up their skype meetings for interviews. I have on occasion assisted supervisors with examining applications to ensure the applicants qualify for the position.
- Identified ways to resolve or address issues which directly affect the accomplishment of principal program goals and objectives.
- Researched new or improved business and management practices for application to operating and administrative programs.
- Served as a Quality Review Team member to assist in problem solving issues related to business programs resulting in the development of findings and recommendations based on analysis and work observations, resulting in developing their internal control process.
- Assisted the team lead in preparing and managing the projects of the team. Responsible for reporting out on projects and facilitating group discussions resulting in an improved process so that the team reaches a common goal.
- Proposed alternative solutions to enhance efficiency and address process issues. to problems such as process improvement enhancements.
- Provided technical and administrative program support to the management unit to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their programs.
- Received and processed mail for their section and ensured that all mail was secure and handled properly to protect PII. Also, was responsible for preparing memoranda and documents for employees ensuring information was kept confidential.
- Ensured that all work assignments are organized and accomplished with meeting all deadlines by prioritizing my work and making a to do list.
- Supervisor: Brian Schofield
- Salary – GS-6
- Hours per week – 40
Member Service Representative
1 Year- Directed and assisted members for transactions which include deposits, cash and check withdrawals and transfers by applying rules and regulations to process transactions within the financial systems.
- Handled returned checks and ACH returns, ensuring reconciliation.
- Reviewed members’ accounts and received payments for mortgages and consumer loans.
- Responded to members’ requests, problems, and complaints and directed them to the proper person.
- Explained credit union services, policies, and eligibility requirements for membership, accounts, and loans.
- Provided customer outreach daily to encourage existing and new members of the benefits of the products and services the credit union offers.
- Responsible for preparing and maintaining records for altered/counterfeit checks and distributing reports (using graphs and tables) to other sections for further research.
- Oversaw team operations under Alicia Jordan's supervision
- Earned a wage of $14.00 per hour
- Worked 27 hours each week
Fragrance Consultant
2 Years 4 Months- Served as a subject matter expert on all fragrance products to assist customers effectively.
- Assisted customers in selecting, purchasing, and refunding focused beauty products while always demonstrating excellent customer service.
- Developed strong communication and interpersonal skills with diverse customers and internal staff members.
- Streamlined inventory organization for focused brand merchandise, enhancing accessibility for sales team.
- Compiled and submitted timely sales reports to Supervisor, providing insights for inventory management.
- Supervisor: Marisa Guaglione
- Salary – $17.00 per hour
- Hours per week – 16
Camp Counselor
2 Months- Organized and led a variety of small and large group activities each week, which included crafts, songs, and games.
- Maintained a clean, organized site, promoting a safe and welcoming environment for campers.
- Followed and enforced all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas.
- Assisted in maintaining accurate program records including incident reports, logbook documentation and daily attendance.
- Guided Junior Counselors and camp volunteers, enhancing their skills and ensuring smooth program execution.
- Supervisor: Susan Tomko
- Salary – $13.00 per hour
- Hours per week – 25
Sales Consultant
2 Years 2 Months- Provided excellent customer service skills by effectively answering phones and emails while also handling walk-in requests.
- Opened salon, stocked supplies, balanced cash drawer, and closed salon efficiently.
- Created, organized, and maintained records for new customers, including contact details and updating the records with purchases in the computer.
- Executed general bookkeeping tasks, including invoicing clients, recording cash receipts, making bank deposits, reconciling accounts, and updating accounting software for manager.
- Maintained accounts receivable files and records.
- Supervisor: Bill Esposito
- Salary – $8.00 per hour
- Hours per week – 20
Tanning Consultant
5 Months- Directed clients to the tanning beds and assisted them with questions about their tanning needs.
- Answered telephone and emails promptly to provide exceptional customer service and address client inquiries.
- Supervisor: Jamie Carey
- Salary – $8.00 per hour
- Hours per week – 20
Saleswoman/Cashier
3 Months- Greeted and engaged customers to enhance shopping experience and build rapport.
- Handled merchandise tasks including receiving shipments, replenishing stock, managing fitting room go-backs, processing markdowns, and overseeing price management.
- Processed transactions efficiently while resolving complaints, exchanges, and returns professionally to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Participated in merchandise handling including receiving shipment, replenishment, fitting room go-back, markdowns, and price management.
- Provided excellent customer service by effectively answering phone calls regarding products.
- Supervisor – Amy Dempsey
- Salary – $7.25 per hour
- Hours per week – 20
Support Staff
1 Year 2 Months- Greeted customers, signed them in, and escorted them to tanning bed/booth, ensuring a welcoming experience.
- Answered telephone calls and managed product inventory, supporting smooth operations.
- Reported to Bill Esposito, the supervisor, for daily task coordination.
- Earned a salary of $7.25 per hour for services rendered.
- Worked approximately 20 hours each week to support team operations.
Hostess/Server
2 Years 1 Month- Managed seating arrangements and served customers as Hostess, Server, Runner, and Waitress.
- Reported to supervisor Mike Perello.
- Earned a salary of $7.25 per hour.
- Worked 20 hours per week.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Management
GPA: 3.19
Associates - Accounting
Skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Area Resource Management Plan System (ARMPS)
Oracle Federal Financial
IAS (Integrated Acquisition System)
Financial systems expertise
FMMI expertise
Travel Management
Symitar and Ugenius expertise
Microsoft Office proficiency
Stakeholder Engagement
Business analysis
Business process improvement
Policy analysis
Client management
Requirements gathering and analysis
Process improvement
Project Coordination
Organizational strategy
Requirements analysis
Teamwork
Multitasking
Report Writing
Client Support
Organizational management
Effective communication
Accomplishments
- Received three awards from Jan 2022 to Present for assisting colleagues with additional tasks outside my normal duties.
- Received an Achievement Award for the month of November 2021.
- Proactively organized the forms/letters database by identifying frequently used forms/letters. This streamlined the forms process saving time and resources.
- Received a You Make a Difference Award on my performance in May 2019.
- Received an Outstanding Award for my Yearend Performance Rating in October 2019.
- Received an Outstanding Award for my Yearend Performance Rating in October 2020.
- Successfully conducted a process improvement initiative/project, assigned by a project manager that resulted in consolidating over 120 employee leave calendars into one centralized location. Due to the in-depth planning and scheduling, the project improved efficiencies and integrity of the timekeeping process.
- Successfully reached Combined Federal Campaign’s (CFC) goal as a volunteered Keyworker by supporting and promoting the cause and assisting others in the pledging process.
- Successfully conducted a study of the work processes and operational procedures of the onboarding hiring process and made recommendations for improvement to my supervisor. I created this Standard Operating Procedure for the process by utilizing analysis, studies, and research techniques to produce a quality product.
- Actively took on the responsibility of learning the Cisco IP Communicator application to assist employees in setting up their computer voice and video calls. This resulted in the reduction of workload for our short-staffed IT department.
Availability
- Job Type – Permanent
- Work Schedule – Full-time
Personal Information
Availability: Job Type – Permanent; Work Schedule – Full-time
Timeline
Management Analyst
United States Department of Agriculture
08.2024 - CurrentRead More
Financial and Budget Technician
United States Department of Agriculture
01.2022 - 08.2024Read More
Program Support Assistant
Department of Veterans Affairs
03.2019 - 09.2021Read More
Member Service Representative
American Heritage Credit Union
03.2018 - 03.2019Read More
Camp Counselor
Upper Southampton Camp
06.2017 - 08.2017Read More
Fragrance Consultant
CoWorx Staffing Services
11.2015 - 03.2018Read More
Sales Consultant
Tan Topia
07.2013 - 09.2015Read More
Tanning Consultant
Island Sun Tanning
02.2013 - 07.2013Read More
Saleswoman/Cashier
Victoria Secret
11.2012 - 02.2013Read More
Support Staff
Tantopia
04.2011 - 06.2012Read More
Hostess/Server
Ann’s Choice
04.2010 - 05.2012Read More
Bucks County Community College
Associates from Accounting
Read More
Stockton University
Bachelor of Science Degree from Business Management
Read More