Sarah Blake Semendinger

About Sarah Blake Semendinger

Sarah Blake Semendinger is the Controller at The Teaching Company, LLC which markets under the brand name The Great Courses. She has 20+ years of experience in accounting, with expertise in managing corporate accounting departments for middle market companies, leading financial statement audits of private and public companies, and working with business leaders on mergers and acquisitions from both the seller’s and buyer’s side.At The Great Courses, Sarah manages a team that is responsible for the day to day accounting function of this $80+ million business. She is also involved in helping to grow the company through new initiatives such as The Great Courses Plus, a subscription over-the-top digital video streaming service, and through new partnerships with companies such as Audible, Amazon, and Roku. The Company is the developer and marketer of premium-quality media for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. These carefully crafted courses provide access to a world of knowledge from the most accomplished professors and experts.Prior to joining The Great Courses, Sarah worked as the Controller for an electrical contractor overseeing the accounting function on a consolidated basis. She also managed the corporate accounting departments, including AP, Billings, and Payroll. Prior to that, she worked for almost 10 years at RSM (formerly McGladrey) in both the audit department and the transaction advisory services group. Industry exposure included both public and private companies, specifically in government contracting, private equity portfolio companies, for-profit education, technology, and professional services companies.Throughout her career, Sarah has been involved with the Greater Washington Society of CPAs, including previously holding the role of President. She continues to stay involved with the Society, specifically focusing in increasing the Society\'s reach to industry accountants as the Chair of the CFO/Controllers Group and Annual CFO/Controllers Conference. She also currently holds the role as Ethics Chair for the GWSCPA.

Experience

1. Controller

   The Great Courses

   May 2016 — Present · Chantilly, VA, US

   Manage the accounting team and report directly to CFO. This includes being responsible for payroll, cash receipts, vendor payments, customer refunds, revenue recognition, and all monthly close reconciliations.Led accounting team in implementation of Microsoft DAX365 in the Cloud through a multiple year process with go-live in May 2023.Led implementation of UKG payroll and HR system in 2015.Responsible for daily cash management and all cash and debt forecasting.Responsible for overseeing monthly close process.Oversees consolidation of financials into Consolidated Package for the board and bank, including Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated MTD, QTD, and YTD Income Statement, Consolidated Cash Flows, Free Cash Flows, LTM Income Statement, Bank EBITDA calculations, and Income Statements by Segment.Oversees completion of quarterly Management Discussion and Analysis and Compliance Certificate.Partner with the Forecasting Department to ensure historical actuals and forecasts are in line.Work closely with each department head to manage classification of expenses and planning for future expenditures.Key member representing accounting for the Company\'s new initiatives, which in the past included launching our Subscription Service and Fulfillment by Amazon. Currently, new initiatives focus on growing our international business and working with new partners.Manage relationship with outside consultants, including tax and audit.Manage relationship with our bank.Utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 accounting system and Microsoft Office daily.Member of The Teaching Company Investment Committee.

Education

• Vincentian Academy Duquesne University

  high school, International Baccalaureate Diploma

  1996 — 2000

• University of Notre Dame

  BBA, Accounting

  2000 — 2004