Darlene Richardson
Towson,MD
Summary
Meticulous Accounting Professional bringing over 25 years of experience in the field. Methodical and analytical with excellent mathematical skills and knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles. Well-developed expertise in administration and compliance. Initiative-taking analytical person with excellent communication and organization skills.
Experienced coordinator with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Skilled in project management, communication, and problem-solving. Known for flexibility with changing needs and reliability in delivering outcomes. Prepared to make significant impact in dynamic environment.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Scholarship Coordinator
Towson University
Towson, MD
07.2025 - Current
- Manage college, state, and federal regulations in areas of scholarships and Title IV (Federal Student Aid) program requirements, awarding, disbursing, recalculation and reconciliation of student and program accounts.
- Facilitate the scholarship application process, review eligibility, and support selection committees.
- Advise applicants, host workshops, and notify recipients.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date databases for all scholarship recipients and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Managed project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones were met and deadlines were adhered to.
- Improved customer satisfaction through application of superior conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
Scholarship Advisor
Towson University
Towson, MD
04.2023 - 07.2025
- Assisting students with identifying relevant scholarships, reviewing essays, and organizing application materials.
- Processing scholarship applications, verifying documentation, and determining eligibility.
- Ensuring all applications and awards adhere to regulations and maintaining accurate, confidential student records.
- Serving as a liaison between students and departments, providing advice on budgeting and managing tuition payments.
- Conducting sessions to educate students on scholarship strategies.
- Established partnerships with campus departments to enhance interdisciplinary support for students' needs.
- Developed strong relationships with clients through regular communication and excellent customer service.
Bursar Associate
Towson University
Towson, MD
09.2019 - 04.2023
- Internal auditor for the Bursars Office
- Download daily reports in Touchnet and Wells Fargo to retrieve records of returned payments
- Process and record all returned check payments
- Audit all 405 reports for accuracy
- Audit the Payment Center’s posting of scholarships, third party payments, private scholarship contracts and MD 529 check payments to student’s account
- Audit Salesforce refunds requested by other departments
- Review and post Financial Petitions to student’s account
- Answer phone calls and emails from former, current, and prospective students, parents, faculty, and staff
- Post transactions to students’ accounts
- Create debit and credit invoices
- Serve as liaison between the Bursar’s Office and the International Students’ Office
- Sort and distribute mail as needed
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving complex issues and providing exceptional service at all times.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating effective communication across departments and teams.
Accountant/Budget Assistant
Towson University
Towson, MD
05.2010 - 09.2019
- Reconciled all company accounts, including credit cards, employee expenses, credit and debit invoices, commissions, and royalties
- Entered daily revenue into the PeopleSoft Financial System and the University Store’s Point of Sale System (MBS)
- Prepared all daily deposits for pick-up
- Prepared and requested change orders
- Provided key clerical and administrative support to the Director and Assistant Director as well as the senior accounting staff
- Communicated with publishers to reconcile invoice payments and resolve order discrepancies
- Investigated daily variances uncovered with MBS and PeopleSoft reports and corrected errors to resolve discrepancies
- Represented the University Store in events and conferences
- Streamlined accounting and reconciliation process by updating procedures
- Assisted with budget forecasting and preparation
- Answered phone calls and emails from internal and external customers
- Played a key role in assisting with the textbook buyback program
Revenue Field Auditor
Comptroller of Maryland
Baltimore, MD
05.2002 - 05.2009
- Audited the records of local businesses to ensure compliance with Maryland’s Sales and Use Tax laws
- Interviewed business owners, explained audit scope, and conducted exit interviews of audit findings
- Prepared working papers, reports, and supporting documentation for audit findings
- Presented auditing findings to upper management
- Represented the Comptroller’s Office in the appeals process
- Generated more than $1,500,000.00 in sales tax revenue
- Used Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements
- Conducted comprehensive audits ensuring compliance with state regulations and policies.
- Analyzed financial statements to identify discrepancies and recommend corrective actions.
- Collaborated with various departments to resolve audit findings and implement corrective measures.
- Facilitated presentations of audit results to senior management, driving informed decision-making.
- Worked closely with management to develop appropriate corrective actions for identified issues, ensuring timely implementation and resolution of concerns.
- Improved client satisfaction with timely and accurate completion of assigned audits, demonstrating strong attention to detail.
- Built strong rapport with clients, fostering trust and open communication that facilitated the completion of successful audit engagements.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and best practices for field auditing, ensuring consistent application across all engagements.
Accountant I
University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD
05.1997 - 05.2002
- Managed and reconciled several revenue accounts
- Posted entries into the general ledger
- Researched and ensured that all deposits were made, transfer of funds recorded, and federal drawdowns moved into proper accounts
- Entered cash receipts into the State of Maryland’s Financial Accounting System
- Verified all cash deposits made by the Bursar’s Office
- Prepared and maintained financial records for review
- Assisted with the monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing process
- Transferred funds between accounts
- Developed detailed spreadsheets to calculate, monitor, and reconcile payments and receipts of all funds between the University of Baltimore’s financial accounting system and the State of Maryland’s financial accounting system
Education
Master of Arts - Apologetics & Cosmogony
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA05-2026
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
Towson University
Towson, MD05-2021
Master of Science - Professional Writing
Towson University
Towson, MD08-2004
Master of Science - Public Administration
University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD05-2002
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD12-1997
Skills
- Account Reconciliation
- Data organization
- Problem-Solving
- Strong Communication
- Analytical
- Counseling/Mentorship
- Spreadsheets
- Administration
- Presentation
- Summary Reports
- Data Entry
- Teaching
Accomplishments
- Achieved [Result] through effectively helping with [Task].
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
- Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
Certification
- Evangelical Teachers Association – 1993 & 2005
- American Grant Writers Association - 2015
- Towson University Leadership Exploration Program - 2019
Timeline
Scholarship Coordinator
Towson University
07.2025 - Current
Scholarship Advisor
Towson University
04.2023 - 07.2025
Bursar Associate
Towson University
09.2019 - 04.2023
Accountant/Budget Assistant
Towson University
05.2010 - 09.2019
Revenue Field Auditor
Comptroller of Maryland
05.2002 - 05.2009
Accountant I
University of Baltimore
05.1997 - 05.2002
Bachelor of Arts - Philosophy
Towson University
Master of Science - Professional Writing
Towson University
Master of Science - Public Administration
University of Baltimore
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of Baltimore
Master of Arts - Apologetics & Cosmogony
Regent University