September 19, 2014
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Meet Brandon Whitaker!

Brandon Whitaker
Staff Accountant-Accounts Payable
Finance Department

What are the top job elements you focus on the most—your primary responsibilities?

I focus on many details, such as maintaining internal controls and communicating financial information with my team in the Finance Department. As part of my daily responsibilities, I process payment requests, expenses, and vendor invoices. It’s also my responsibility to track expenses and reconcile general ledger items. I report company sales and use tax on a quarterly basis, as well as federal 1099 forms annually.

One of the most important elements of my job—and our department’s—is attention to detail. It’s essential, and it allows us to provide accurate reporting to APTA committees and to our auditors. It also helps us to stay compliant with federal regulations.
Half of the checks I send out go to vendors who provide all types of services for APTA, such as the company that bills us for printing Passenger Transport! The other half of the checks go to reimbursing members for some of their APTA-related travel expenses. A large part of my job requires me to work with APTA staff in all departments. That’s what makes my job so interesting.

Do you have direct contact with APTA members? If so, please talk about the most recent times you’ve helped out a member.

In my day-to-day duties I do not have direct contact with APTA members, although I have volunteered at APTA events. Last spring I manned the registration desk at the Legislative Conference. I also volunteered at the annual December Capitol Hill reception that members of Congress and APTA members attend.

What initiatives, projects, or programs have you worked on at APTA that you have taken particular pride in completing?

Recently, I collaborated in getting APTA employees set up through our new Electronic Fund Transaction/Automated Clearing House system, which is a benefit to them in that it helps expedite their reimbursements. I have also assisted other Finance Department staff with tracking expenses, preparing for our annual audit, and working on projects related to our annual budget.
Our department’s busiest time is in the late summer when the auditors arrive. So while most staff members are preparing for the Annual Meeting & EXPO this year in Houston, the Finance Department is busy pulling invoices and copies of monthly reconciliations and providing backup materials as needed.

How did you land at APTA? How long have you worked here?

I worked in Washington, DC, in the summer during my college years and made plans to move back there after attending school and working several years in Greensboro, NC. I worked as an accountant for a mattress company and for a publisher of magazines before APTA.

I heard about the position of staff accountant at APTA from a job posting. I interviewed and I really liked the ambience of APTA. I have been working here for almost two years. And I took public transportation often before working for APTA, and I take it all the time now.

What professional affiliations do you have?

I am a member of the National Association of Black Accountants and the Professional Accounting Society of America. I’m also studying for the CPA exam, which I plan to take next fall.

Could you tell us something about yourself that might surprise us?

AI have published two ­fiction books under my pen name, Brandon Sinclair. The first, Gone to Europe Leave a ­Message, is about a young man’s ­travels throughout Europe. My third book is set for release in ­November 2014. In my spare time, I like to paint using oils or acrylics.

I also won APTA’s first chili cook-off last winter with my special recipe from a friend in Jamaica.
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