Gary Larson

E X P E R I E N C E     S U M M A R Y Profile Background encompasses extensive professional experience in the following key positions of responsibility:   Owner (Financial Services), Deputy Associate/Assistant Secretary for Financial Operations, Chief Financial Payments and Accounting Policy, Financial Officer, VA Data Processing Center, Systems Accountant for Finance Services, and Finance Officer VARO Fiscal Accounts Supervisor for the Department of Veterans Affairs Proven experience in:   management/administration; providing financial /strategic expertise on marketing of integrated financial management systems for use by federal agencies: conducting independent quality assurance reviews of financial systems, identifying and pinpointing potential advance problems with recommendations solutions as appropriate. Demonstrated abilities in:   conducting strategic assessments of market sectors, market voids and new business opportunities in selected markets; preparing business plan and implementation strategy; lecturing on financial policy development, financial systems development and implementation. Member of Interagency Committees for:   EBT, DD/EFT, Treasury's System 90 Project, Treasury's Check reclamation project, Electronic Commerce. Skilled in overseeing financial and accounting operations: developing payment and accounting policy, maintaining financial controls; maintaining contacts with other agencies on disbursing issues; utilizing knowledge of Bowe systems. Accomplishments Received Department of the Treasury's Distinction in Financial Management Improvement Award for technological advances and internal processing efficiencies in improving VA Treasury related disbursing operations. Received Vice President Gore's "Hero's of Reinvention" Hammer Award for improving VA's Financial Operating Systems. Received Department of the Treasury 20th Anniversary for Electronic Payments Commemoration Award as a leader in the Federal Government's effort to promote the use of electronic payments. Office of Operations received Vice President Gore's "Hero's of Reinvention" Hammer Award for promoting the Federal Government's use of the purchase card. Implemented project for VA to use Zip Plus Four software; researched project by reviewing Postal requirements. Project Director for implementing with DOD a benefit system for paying Chapter 32 Vietnam era education benefits. Developed and installed mini-computer system for processing VA check claims including an accounting input system; prior system was card input based. Developed first VA Strategic Plan for Electronic Commerce including 26 projects for improving operations within the VA. Developed and installed the first Federal Web Site for processing financial transactions between the Austin National Finance Center and the Philadelphia Insurance Center; transactions consisted of check claim requests entered via AOL access to an on-line check claims system. Employment Chronology GR Larson Financial Services  1/99 – Present Greer, South Carolina Position Held:  Owner Established GR Larson Financial Services, offering financial management consultative services. Project: (3/99-Present) Entered into a consultative services agreement with J.D. Donahue and Associates, Inc. to assist with the implementation of Bowe 155/2 Turbo inserting system at Treasury's Austin Regional Finance Center and to plan an implementation strategy for further expansion of it's use by Department of Veterans Affairs for additional programs: contacts include VA, IRS, and SSA. Department of Veterans Affairs   1990-1998 Washington, DC Position Held: Deputy Associate/Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Operations Responsible for the operations of a VA Central Office Financial Operation, the National Finance Center in Austin, Texas and all VA financial operations including all Departmental actions with the Department of the Treasury. Responsibilities included all regulatory and legislative requirements associated with Treasury disbursements. The National Finance Center is responsible for all the VA's administrative payments and receivables. Department of Veterans Affairs   1984-1990 Washington, DC Position Held: Chief, Financial Payments and Accounting Policy Division Responsible for developing payment and accounting policy for the financial operations associated with maintaining financial controls within the VA's systems applications including benefit payments, payroll operations, hospital administration, etc. Department of Veterans Affairs   1979-1984 Washington, DC Position Held: Financial Officer, VA Data Processing Center Responsible for the accounting and financial operations of the Center and of the operations of several large VA nationwide benefits pay systems including Compensation, Pension, and Education. Department of Veterans Affairs   1976-1979 Washington, DC Position Held:  Systems Accountant Developed accounting systems and financial policy for VA Financial Systems. Department of Veterans Affairs   1974-1976 Washington, DC Position Held:  Finance Officer, VARO Managed the Finance Division including Accounting, Operations and Budget Sections for the Regional Office Department of Veterans Affairs   1971-1974 Washington, DC Position Held:  Fiscal Accounts Supervisor Responsible for the daily accounting and reporting operating system maintenance. E D U C A T I O N     &    C E R T I F I C A T I O N S Bachelors of Arts, Accounting University of South Carolina, 1971   MILITARY United States Airforce, 1965-1969 Accounting and Finance