Elizabeth M. Van Denburgh

evandenburgh@earthlink.net

 

Professional Experience

 

Van Denburgh Consulting

October 2002 through current

 

Managing Principal

 

Providing results-based, objective consulting for So. California based service companies and non-profit/governmental entities.  Focus is on back office strategy development, cost/benefit analysis, requirements and RFP (product, services) development and evaluation, reengineering (business process improvement leveraging systems’ functionality) for effectiveness (using measurable goals) and implementation planning and execution including Program Management Office (PMO).

 

·        Worked with a 15 entity hospital system to identify the current cost of maintaining entity specific HR/Payroll configurations and outlined options to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the HR/Payroll applications’ and processes.  Completed an enterprise-wide design for the Payroll function and selected HR processes with respect to application usage, as well as designed an enterprise-wide data framework.

·        Performed a quality review of the global ERP implementation with a focus on the process and people components for Project Accounting, Finance, Human Resources and PMO for a Fortune 500 Design, Build and Operate company.  Emphasis was on identifying design and development issues prior to user testing/training and implementation.  Established and utilized evaluation criteria at start of project to clarify the objectives of the quality review.

·        Worked with a So. California utility to address scope, cost/benefit and path forward for integration of portal, EAI and identity management systems.  Developed, working with company’s IT and general procurement group, to develop an RFP for products with a structured, rapid evaluation approach.  Products were selected on a timely basis.

·        Worked with a public/private sector foundation to improve management reporting through use of a balanced scorecard and “snapshot reporting” and improve effectiveness of accounting, contracting and procurement functions.

 

 

Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, El Segundo, California

January 2000 through September 2002

 

 Support and Shared Services Leader, Energy Practice

Principal

 

Provided support and shared services consulting, systems integration and managed services to several large energy (utility and oil) companies.

 

·        Directed services on a global implementation of standardized financial and procurement processes using JD Edwards OneWorld as the common technology platform for an international energy company.  Preliminary focus was on defining and developing the global standards for the processes and reporting for the financial and procurement functions.  The CGE&Y team provided oversight on the development of the process and technology changes and worked with a client team to plan and implement the project over a 3-year timeframe.

·        Managed an operational excellence and transformation support and shared services project for a $13 billion utility.  The project was a one-year effort to reduce costs by 20%, improve management information provided to operations and improve customer focus.

·        Worked with Ernst & Young LLP to support their subject matter advisor needs in the area of Support and Shared Services in Southern California.

·        Led project to define and facilitate discussion with executive team around the business model for a new shared services organization for a utility.  Focus areas included efficiency, customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. 

·        Supported project to define and develop an ABC costing/pricing methodology for the products and services for the Shared Services of a Northwest utility.  Utilized Oros software to develop the ABC pilot model.

·        Directed a project to benchmark the finance function for the international business unit of an Exploration & Production company as well as develop an overall strategic information system framework including application, technical and organizational architectures

·        Directed project to define, develop and implement a global, web-based travel and expense application for an international engineering, procurement and construction company. 

·        Acted as quality advisor for the build phase of a financial center to outsource financial processes and systems of 3 divested chemical businesses to Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.

·        Prepared business plans, developed budgets and managed performance of the Energy Support and Shared Services practice.

 

 

Ernst & Young LLP, Los Angeles/El Segundo, California

October 1995 to January 2000

 

Principal, Business Performance Improvement and Energy Practices

 

Provided business performance improvement consulting (focus on accounting, human resources and IT improvement) and systems integration services to various industries with a growing focus on the energy industry.

 

·        Directed a project to assist two merging utilities in evaluation and selection of existing suite of systems for the NewCo.  Working with client teams that included technical and functional personnel, we developed an overall approach for selection of system suites across the enterprise, criteria and a change management approach to quickly move through the selection of systems for the enterprise in a 4-month effort.

·        Directed a client and Ernst & Young team to improve and select new systems (via RFP process) for the financial and materials management functions of a So. California based diversified utility.  The project focused on best practices, performance measurement, activity based costing, general ledger, sundry billing/accounts receivable, fixed assets, project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, taxes, accounts payable, inventory and purchasing.  Current state process documentation, future state visioning, requirements, scripted demonstrations and gap analysis were performed.  Short-list of vendors included SAP, Oracle and PeopleSoft.

·        Directed client and Ernst & Young team to design, develop and implement the accounting function for the corporate and shared services business units of a large regional healthcare organization. Project included working with the SAP implementation team to integrate and finalize procedures, policies and resourcing of the accounting processes.

·        Directed project of a combined client and Ernst & Young team to define, design, develop and implement a global shared services within a 7-month timeframe.  Functions included: finance, human resources and payroll, information technology, real estate, office services, administrative procurement and facilities, safety and value creation services.  Project included current state assessment against benchmarks, vision development, blueprint development by function, service menu development with costing/pricing, quick hits and improvement development portfolio of operating and capital improvements, tactical plans for implementation, customer model, billing definition and development, communication and organizational change management plan and execution and employee/customer training.

·        Coordinated project using real-estate advisors to determine requirements, analyze cost/benefit and determine decision criteria for relocation of a multi-site US shared services group to a single, low-cost shared services site.

·        Directed the effort of a combined Ernst & Young and client who using the Focused Improvement methodology identified process, system and organization improvements for the import purchasing process for the consumer products division of a major studio.

·        Directed the effort to develop a capital budgeting framework and menu-driven Excel spreadsheet for the filmed entertainment division of a major studio. The client and Ernst & Young developed new policies and procedures for the process.

·        Directed a project to assess the current state of financial and material management systems for a large gas company.  The analysis provided the CFO a concise picture of these systems including technical and functional issues.

 

 

Arthur Young & Company, Los Angeles, California

September 1981 to September 1995

 

Senior Manager, Business Performance Improvement Practice (October 1989 to September 1995)

 

Led the Business Performance Improvement Practice in the area of Finance improvement.

 

·        Managed project with a combined client and Ernst & Young team to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the financial operations of a multi-billion dollar engineering and construction company. Our review covered over 1,000 employees and more than $50 million in annual costs. Our findings and recommendations focused on cost reduction, improvement and innovation of financial operations' processes, systems and organization. The team identified potential long-term cost reduction/avoidance opportunities of $5 - $10 million annually.

·        Participated in the development of a strategic information system plan for a computer manufacturer.  The project consisted of interviews of top management, sessions with functional areas to identify opportunities, threats, key information needs and critical success factors.

·        Directed a project to assess and improve the operating equipment process for a large utility company. This project, including documenting the client state, working with client team members to identify issues/problems, providing leading practices and performing benchmarking and developing action plans. We have assisted the steering committee assigned to improve this process with implementation of these action plans.

·        Led a review of finance leading practices with a utility that is undergoing strategic changes. Directed the management team in the development of a finance vision and a high-level review of all financial processes to identify issues, recommendations and action plans.

·        Directed client and Ernst & Young team to document and analyze current state processes and metrics of accounts payable and general ledger for five regional functions. The team then designed the future state processed, organization and systems framework for a centralized accounts payable and general ledger function for a billion dollar home healthcare company. Developed a high-level implementation plan including cost/benefit analysis and high-level staffing plan to support the transition and future states.

·        Directed effort at an international insurance brokerage firm to reengineer risk management, claims, analytics, and prospecting processes. A combined client and Ernst & Young team identified improved processes, technology, and human resource enablers, and developed a long-range implementation plan.

 

 

Consultant, Senior Consultant, Manager, Financial Planning and Controls Practice (October 1981 to September 1989)

 

·        Joined the Consulting Practice in Los Angeles following graduation from UCLA Graduate School of Management.  Enrolled in the firm’s Audit-Trained Consulting Program.

·        Worked on the Audit Staff during busy season (fall/winter) in 1981 and 1982 to obtain audit hours for certification, and on consulting assignments during the spring and summer.

·        Passed CPA exam in 1983, received certification in California in 1983

·        As a consultant with Arthur Young, assisted with the third-party audit by Arthur Young of the Ernst & Whinney’s implementation of the AMS financial applications for the City of Los Angeles

·        Specialized in financial analysis, procedures, controls and systems.  Projects included: improvement of multiple accounts payable processes, development of a large County’s RFP for new financial systems, improvement of the time and attendance system for a state’s Department, better cost accounting information for an Waste Management Program, development of cost accounting policies and procedures for California in-house labor uses for public projects, design and implementation of an cost accumulation/billing system for a hazardous waste engineering company, project manager for the implementation of Maintenance, AP and Purchasing System for a County Transportation District, development of general ledger, financial reporting and budget preparation requirements for a biotechnology company, directed an employee empowered team to improve human resources and payroll and multiple other engagements for cities, counties, school districts and state departments.

 

Education

 

University of California, San Diego – BA, Economics, 1978

University of California, Los Angeles, Graduate School of Management – MBA, Finance, 1981

 

Professional Certifications and Training

 

Certified Public Accountant, State of California, 1983

Trained Facilitator (Ernst & Young) - Train the Trainer program

Business Process Improvement Training (Ernst & Young): Reengineering Techniques and Tools, EXPRESS, Focused Improvement, Business Process Innovation, Facilitation, Performance Measurement, Improvement Portfolio Improvement (IPD)

 

Memberships/Publications/Presentations

 

·        Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

·        Member of California Society of Certified Public Accountants

·        CFMA, Reengineering the Financial Process, 1996.  Spoke at national conference on topic.

·        Electric Perspectives, Shared Services: Doing More with Less, 2000

·        Presented on financial improvement at FEI and CFO Conferences.

 

Practice Development and Enhancement

 

·        Headed up UCLA recruiting for undergraduate/graduate levels (1996-2002)

·        Led an internal team to improve engagement economics and billing practices.  So. California practice consistently held revenue days to under 45 days from 90 revenue days.

·        Counseling team had one of the highest retention rates in the practice.  I received above average evaluation in my role of counselor on a consistent basis.

 

References

 

·        Upon request, I would be happy to provide references of colleagues (people I have worked for, with and reported to me) and previous clients.