1. Lora A. Ward
43805 Central Station Dr. Apt 327
Ashburn, VA 40147
Cell Phone (815)651-6526
loraaward@gmail.com
OVERVIEW
As a member of your team, I will use my leadership skills to unify departments by adding
respect and compassion to the team while maintaining a high level of professionalism and
accountability. I will develop various procedures that will ensure compliance with
federal, state, and GAAP guidelines. In addition, I will work with other departments to
receive information that affects the accounting department, financial reporting, and other
vital processes. I am proficient with Excel, Word, Power Point, FAS, BNA, Cognos
Controller, Stratton Warren, Great Plains, Lawson and Infinium including AP, GL and
Report Writers. As the Controller, I offer you experience managing staff and the know-
how to create an accounting operation that secures your bottom line and ensures success.
WORK HISTORY
2014-Present Controller, Hollywood Casino Perryville
I manage the accounting, payroll, accounts payable and month end close. I provide
guidance with financial issues to ensure compliance with legal and accounting guidelines.
I have worked to create and implement proper financial processes that help the Casino
understand their current finances better and I help to make tough decisions easier. As a
member of the financial team, I’ve worked with my staff to better train and prepare them
for any issue that may arise within the company. At the Casino, I stepped into the role of
Controller. After several years of little or no guidance, I established SOX procedures to
minimize exposure to errors, fraud and material misstatements. I have developed new
daily procedures to streamline the audit, close and reconciliation processes. I also
cleaned up the Balance Sheet and Income Statement to follow GAAP and SEC guidance.
2004-2014 Accounting Manager, Hollywood Casino Joliet
As the Manager of the Accounting Team, I was responsible for accurately reporting
the financial position of the casino, Hotel, RV Park, Gift shop and eleven F&B outlets to
Management and the Gaming Board. I was directly responsible for the General
Accounting, Casino Accounting, Payroll, AP functions. I performed extensive
reviews of all bank and balance sheet reconciliations; journal entries; and month and
year-end close processes. As Accounting Manager, I was accountable for inquiries by
internal, external, state, and IRS auditors. I implemented an extensive documentation and
review program in support of Sarbanes Oxley. In addition, I have various other
responsibilities including, but not limited to: financial statement preparation, ensuring
compliance with accounting internal controls, research and analysis of GAAP, SEC, IRS,
Illinois State, and SOX legal and accounting guidance.

2. 1999-2004 Accounting Supervisor, Empress Casino Joliet
As the Supervisor of the Accounting Team, I was responsible for accurately reporting the
financial position of the casino to Management and the Gaming Board. I was directly
responsible for the General Accounting, and AP functions. I also had responsibilities,
which include bank and balance sheet reconciliations; journal entries; and month and
year-end close.
1997-1999 Staff Accountant, Crawley Lee, Co PA
My responsibilities included auditing and reviewing private industry, Non-profit, and
local and county governments. Preparation of personal, corporate, and nonprofit state and
federal tax returns were also part of my duties. Some of the financial statements
prepared included Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Equity Statement, and Cash Flow.
I was also involved in maintaining client relationships.
1993-1995 Night Auditor, Holiday Inn- Asheville, North Carolina
Audit responsibilities included daily reconciliation of revenue and cash. As the night
auditor, I also had to perform guest services including all front desk functions while
maintaining a high level of guest satisfaction.
EDUCATION
Bachelors of Science in Accounting, University of North Carolina at Asheville
CPE - Auditing, Personal and Business Income Tax, Financial Aid Audits Seminar
Passed the CPA exam
Employment Laws and Regulations Training
CTRC and SARC - IRS and Department of the Treasury Regulations Training
References available upon request