Treasury Management Association of Chicago: TMAC March Newsletter - Treasury Management Association of Chicago

Job Description:

I recently joined Grant Thornton LLP, an accounting firm headquartered in Oakbrook Terrace, as the Manager of Cash and Accounting. Grant Thornton LLP is the United States member of a worldwide affiliation of firms using the GT name. We have member firms in Dubai, Mozambique and Guam, to name a few of the more exotic locales. My primary responsibilities include daily cash positioning, short term debt, and managing the accounts receivable function. I'm also learning the risk management function, which I haven't been involved with before. I manage two accounts receivable staff and one treasury analyst.

Getting to Know You:

I'm a Chicago native, raised on the South Side (GO SOX!!). I attended Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, and spent two years at College of St. Francis in Joliet before deciding to major in business. I came home and commuted to DePaul's downtown "campus", which at that time consisted of one building at 25 E. Jackson. My first job was working for the treasurer of a foodservice distribution company. The banks were just introducing the concept of "cash management" - centralizing cash and providing information necessary to manage it. My boss embraced the idea and was rolling it out to our divisions. He put me in charge of the administrative tasks and gradually let me take over getting the daily cash information and working with the banks. We used to call our bank every day and speak to a real live person to get balance information and make wire transfers. PC's and dial up modems were a quantum leap forward. I remember receiving boxes and boxes of punch cards from the bank - one for each check - that were used to reconcile our controlled disbursement account. I learned how to read and correct bad punches so that checks wouldn't kick out. Eventually, I was named the company's first cash manager. Subsequently, I've worked for several other companies in the Chicago area, including Waste Management and Dean Foods.

Down Time:

My husband Ed and I live in Hinsdale with our two Springer spaniels and two classic British sports cars - an MGB and an Austin Healey (aka the original Barbie car). I mention this because Ed and I met at a Healey Club picnic, and he now makes his living distributing parts for and restoring these same cars. When we have time, we like to take long weekends to attend some of the many car shows that are held spring through fall throughout the Midwest. We've been to many interesting places and met some great people. Hinsdale is a quiet suburb, with mature trees and beautiful gardens. We have a quaint downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In summer, the Chamber of Commerce sponsors "Uniquely Thursdays" where a downtown street is blocked off, tents sell food and beverages, and everyone enjoys a free concert. We have excellent schools, are only a short train ride to Chicago and are about equally close to both airports. While Hinsdale is known for its tear-downs, there are still quite a few older homes with lots of character. The ongoing debate between preservationists and developers makes for great reading in our local paper. Politics aside, it's a strong and safe community blessed with residents who are involved and committed to making it a good place to live.

Fun Facts:

On a whim a few years ago, I auditioned for a community theater production and since then have performed with groups in Hinsdale and Oak Lawn. I love the teamwork involved in bringing a play to life.

Back to Business:

I've always appreciated the broad range of educational sessions offered at our meetings. The group has maintained its focus on providing timely information from knowledgeable speakers. I have also found my TMAC membership extremely valuable when job hunting. Having just gone through a job search, I extend my sincere appreciation to all of the members who passed on referrals, recruiter contacts, and encouragement. I found my last two jobs as a direct result of TMAC connections. I hope all of our members will continue to support each other as we work our way through this crisis economy.

Joining TMAC:

I've been a member of TMAC since.... 1992? Can it be that long? I joined for the education programs. Since my job focus back then was domestic cash, I knew I needed to learn about international cash management, risk management, and other areas that I wasn't exposed to. However, I didn't become an active member until around 2000, when I first served on the program committee for Windy City Summit. Working on the committee in subsequent years has helped me to get to know other members and I've enjoyed my membership much more since that time.