Gwen Hess Hess

About Gwen Hess Hess

A highly skilled and results-driven Legal Financial Practice Management professional with a deep understanding of Aderant Expert software. For over 20 years, I have leveraged my technical expertise to optimize financial workflows and enhance efficiency at leading law firms and within the software company itself. I am passionate about finding innovative solutions that bridge the gap between finance and IT and am adept at translating complex technical information into actionable insights for executive leadership. I am a confident communicator and a proactive leader, committed to delivering exceptional results while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Experience

1. Director of Financial Systems

   Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP

   Jan 2021 — Present · Walnut Creek, CA, US

   Strategic leader responsible for the vision, implementation, and management of all financial technology systems and solutions within the law firm. Applying a deep understanding of both legal finance and technology best practices, with a focus on optimizing efficiency, data accuracy, and user experience. Lead a high-performing Agile team of application support specialists, developers, data analysts, and data integrity experts. Responsible for ensuring seamless system operation, data accuracy, and continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs of our dynamic legal environment in tandem with the operations of a law firm as a thriving business.STRATEGIC PLANNING & LEADERSHIP- Develop and implement a comprehensive technology roadmap for the finance department, aligned with the firm\'s overall strategic goals- Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement- Collaborate with firm leadership to define technology priorities and secure necessary resources.SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION, DATA ANALYTICS & MANAGEMENT- Oversee the implementation, maintenance, and optimization of core financial systems- Ensure seamless integration between various systems and data sources- Manage vendor relationships and negotiate contracts- Develop and implement data analytics strategies to provide insights into financial performance, operational efficiency, and client profitability- Promote user adoption of new technologies and features.TEAM LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT- Lead and mentor a team of technology professionals, including application support specialists, developers, data analysts, and data integrity specialists- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team.

Education

• University of Minnesota

  BS Studies - no diploma, Biology and Chemistry

  1998 — 2000

• University of Minnesota

  N/A, Pre-Veterinary Program

  1993 — 1995

• University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

  Zoology/Animal Biology

  1996 — 1998

Skills

• Customer Service
• Training
• Budgets
• Outlook
• Microsoft Office
• Process Improvement
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Word
• Project Management
• Data Entry
• Event Planning
• Bank Reconciliation
• Sql
• Software Documentation
• Aderant
• Troubleshooting
• Ssrs
• Accounts Receivable
• Databases
• Billing Systems
• Accounts Payable
• Invoicing
• Analysis
• Spreadsheets
• Data Analysis