Jo Landers
27 Howard Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027
General Qualifications
- Bookkeeping since 1990, typesetting, layout and design since 1988; print project management since 1995, web site design and development since 1996, PHP/MySQL database development since 2006.
- Software skills including, but not limited to Quark, InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Word, Excel and Quickbooks on both Mac and Windows based computers. Programming experience in HTML, JavasScript, PHP and MySQL.
- Project management skills including the ability to build teams, communicate between clients, vendors and subcontractors, develop budgets and schedules, and complete deliverables.
- A work history demonstrating the ability to handle details, follow-up on tasks, identify and resolve problems, and juggle multiple projects simultaneously without missing deadlines or losing priorities.
Specific Skills
Bookkeeping, Accounting & QuickBooks Training
- Expertise in several versions of Quickbooks on both Mac and Windows platforms
- Experience working with small businesses, not for profits and sole proprietors
- A/P, A/R, bank and credit card reconciliations, budgeting, cash flow management, inventory management and debt reduction
- Full service or client directed online payroll, including direct deposit and accrued time off
- Massachusetts payroll and sales tax reports and payments; Federal payroll tax reports and payments
- Subcontractor classification and workers compensation and liability insurance audits
- Detailed financial analysis, ’what-if’ scenarios and reporting using Excel to expand upon and more clearly present information drawn from QuickBooks
- Preparation of year-end materials for accountant, including preparing questions or scenarios to assist in future financial planning or reduce potential tax liability
- Individualized Quickbooks training & file set-up
Web Site and Navigation Design
- Existing site analysis, testing and evaluation
- New site planning, development, and design
- Site navigation and structural design to allow for logical growth and expansion
- HTML, CSS & JavaScript coding and graphics preparation
- Integrated SEO to provide 'clean' code, relevant text and meta tags and increased visibility to search engines
- Web site hosting
PHP and MySQL Coding and Database Development
- Create and incorporate PHP code into existing websites for specific tasks
- Customize WordPress and Drupal installations
- Design databases and user interface systems, either 'from scratch' or using an existing system as a model
Typesetting and Print Services
- Develop specifications, requests for quotation, production schedules, etc.
- Create print-ready publication and logo design, typography and artwork
- Preflight and troubleshoot work created by others
- Schedule and coordinate between clients, printers and other subcontractors and vendors
- Archive, evaluate and review projects for future reference
Copywriting, editing & proofreading
Data analysis and reporting, data file conversion, and creation of customized database systems
Management, supervisory and staff training experience
Hardware and software maintenance, troubleshooting and upgrading; consultation and training
Professional Experience
Owner
Jo Landers Business Services, Easthampton, MA - 1991 to present
Accounts payable and receivable, payroll, job tracking and client invoicing. Preparation of materials for worker's compensation and liability insurance audits. 1099's, W-2's, monthly and quarterly sales and payroll tax filings and payments. Cost and cash flow analysis, budgeting and debt reduction. Financial record keeping and file maintenance. Quickbooks training and set-up. Vendor and services research and recommendations. Web site design/development and HTML, CSS & Javascript coding. Custom database development using PHP/MySQL. Copywriting and editing. Development of various policies and procedures manuals. Book, catalog and technical manual typesetting and design.
Bookkeeper/Ebay Auctions
Amherst Drop Zone, Hadley MA 2004 to 2005
A/P, reconciliations, year-end accountant materials preparation. Monthly and annual sales tax reporting for MA, NY, NJ. Complete preparation of over 500 Ebay auctions, including photographing products, researching and writing descriptions, creation of custom HTML templates, uploading files, and reviewing potential buyers' questions to modify descriptions of recurring products as necessary. Part-time position.
Bookkeeper
Mad Science of Western New England, Northampton, MA - 2002 to 2003
A/P, A/R, account reconciliations, quarterly reporting and year-end accountant materials preparation. Annual sales tax reporting for MA and CT. Create and/or revise in-house documents and instructor/performer timesheets to improve understanding and ease of use. Assist booking birthday parties/special events. Part-time position.
General Manager
Pedipress, Inc., Amherst, MA - 1996 to 1998
Print project management, specifications development, typesetting and printer coordination for several editions of books and booklets, including retypesetting and re-creating images for new editions of two books that only existed on film. Design/maintenance of customer database and order entry system (FileMaker) and work with outside fulfillment company. Redesign and updates of company website. Bookkeeping, payroll, quarterly reporting and year-end accountant materials preparation. General office management including organization, supplies and service provider research, and staff training and supervision. Hardware and software maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades and purchase recommendations.
Database Designer/Comptroller
The Home Store, Inc., Whatley, MA - 1995 to 1996
Creation of new identity, including logo creation and printer and advertiser coordination. Design/coding of integrated customer order and service database (FoxPro) to generate quotes, schedule construction, provide customer service and support, and create comparative and date-driven reports. A/R, A/P, payroll, job tracking, profit and loss statements, quarterly reporting and accountant preparation. Financial analysis and projections. Tracking and maintenance of subcontractor records for liability and workers' compensation insurance audits. Hardware and software maintenance, troubleshooting and purchase recommendations and training.
Engineering Department Assistant
Physical Plant, Smith College, Northampton, MA - 1993 to 1994
Create and update architectural drawings using AutoCAD and traditional methods. Site visits and field measurements. Create presentation materials for planning and trustee meetings. Provide entry-level Windows software training. College work-study position.
Acquisitions Assistant
Hillyer Art Library, Smith College, Northampton, MA - 1991 to 1994
Maintain artist and geographical files. Link books to records in the computerized 5-college catalog. Assist with gift and reserve books, including creating and maintaining records and processing materials. College work-study position.
Typesetter/Designer, Accounts Receivable
CopyCat, Northampton, MA - 1991 to 1993
Employee DTP training and supervision. Project scheduling, client typesetting, design and layout. Copywriting, design and evaluation of in-house marketing materials. Accounts receivable. Quarterly reporting for Hampshire County purchase contract. Hardware and software maintenance, upgrades and purchase recommendations. Part-time position.
Typesetter/Designer
Publications Dept., Northern Essex Community College (NECC), Haverhill, MA - 1990 to 1991
Publication design, typography and illustration of brochures, flyers and forms. Member of a four-person team responsible for typesetting all college catalogs and other printed materials. Student intern DTP training. Hardware and software maintenance, upgrading and troubleshooting. Stat camera and light table work. College work-study position. Declined full-time permanent position after graduation from NECC due to acceptance at Smith College.
Assistant Manager/Administrative Assistant
Colley McCoy, Windham, NH - 1981 to 1990
Staff and management training, development and evaluation. Customer service. Stock ordering and receiving. Cost and cash control, including sales and cash ledgers, payroll and inventory.
Professional Subscriptions & Affiliations
COSA (Council of Service Agencies of Hampshire County)
Member since 2008
Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
Member since 1997
JK Lasser's Tax Institute Monthly Newsletter
Provides information on the latest IRS rulings, tax developments in Congress, tax court decisions, etc.
Workshops & Conferences
Improve Your Agency's Fiscal Health through Savvy Grant Management:
Cost Allocation, Internal Controls and Other Techniques
Northampton, MA - 2008
Half-day training, sponsored by COSA and the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
PHP and Database Security
Webinar - 2007
Techniques for increasing security and improving data validation when writing PHP user interfaces to access databases.
Envisioning Information
Hartford, CT - 1999 & 2002
Edward Tufte (The Visual Display of Quantitative Information) seminar on the meaningful visual display of complex data, and how to create materials which increase understanding and reduce misinterpretation of data.
nX Level Entrepreneur Training Program
Springfield, MA - 2001
9-week course sponsored in part by the Small Business Association (SBA). Covered business planning, growth management, financing, legal issues and other topics relevant to small and start-up businesses.
The Internet Economy Comes to Main Street
Northampton & Springfield, MA - 2000
Three day conference on the impact of the internet on traditional ’Main Street’ brick and mortar businesses.
Formal Education
A.B. Computer Science; concentration in Architectural Drafting - 1995
Smith College, Northampton, MA
Ada Comstock Scholar; Dean's List; ALIS (Association of Low Income Students) treasurer and chair; Smith College liaison to Hampshire Community Action Commission.
A.S. Commercial Art; Certificate in Computer-Aided Drafting - 1991
Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA
Honors and Awards for Cooperative Education, Academic Achievement and Computer-Aided Drafting; Dean's List, President's List; art and writing published in student quarterly; provided note taking services for hard-of-hearing students, referred to provide tutoring services by two instructors (PageMaker/Graphic Design and Biology).
Andover High School, Andover, MA - 1981
National Merit Awards semi-finalist; Dean's List; chair Ecology Club; student peer counselor.
Community Service
Hilltown Land Trust
Huntington, MA - 2007 to present
In-kind services to provide a complete re-design of website. Ongoing in-kind site maintenance and updates.
Head Start Policy Council
Northampton, MA - February 2004 to February 2005
Served as an HCAC Board representative to Head Start Policy Council. After HCAC closed, served as a community representative under CTI (national Head Start agency) for almost a year.
Hampshire Community Action Commission (HCAC)
Northampton, MA - 1992 to 1997, 2001 to 2004
Board member several years, co-chair one year, served on and/or chaired several committees. Board representative to the Head Start Policy Council during the final year of the agency. Wrote, designed and created board training materials, Executive Director's performance review, and committee and board presentation materials.
Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS) Volunteer
Andover, MA - 1979-1981
Assisted in trail and woodlands clean-up and new trail creation in several protected woodlands and downtown greenspaces.