Mason, Ken

Kenneth R. Mason

ADVISORY SERVICES Director

Ken Mason is an experienced finance leader and consultant and a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ken offers over 40 years of financial experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and in serving local governments, tribal governments and tribal entities, encompassing client advisory services (including financial management and accounting, financial planning and analysis, forecasting, turnaround management, and business process improvement) and compilation and pre-audit services.

His services to tribal and government entities includes financial staff training in audit, pre-audit, contract management, and grant management.

In the News ...

Walker & Armstrong LLP

Lost Revenue Alert: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)

By Ken Mason • 22 Apr, 2022
Government entities that received funding from the Coronavirus State and Local Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program may just be learning about a very important deadline that is the topic of this alert. The final rule offers a standard allowance for revenue loss of $10 million, allowing recipients to select between a standard amount of revenue loss or complete a full revenue loss calculation. Recipients that select the standard allowance may use that amount – in many cases their full award – for government services, with streamlined reporting requirements.
Walker & Armstrong

Ken Mason named Advisory Services Director

By Walker & Armstrong LLP • 15 Mar, 2022
Ken Mason has been named director of Walker & Armstrong's Advisory Services department. A graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania and for several years the manager of the firm’s Advisory Services practice, Ken offers over 40 years of financial experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors and in serving local governments, tribal governments and tribal entities.
Ken Mason

Coronavirus Relief Fund for Tribes: "Subrecipient" vs. "Beneficiary" and Compliance Topics

By Ken Mason • 31 Mar, 2021
Tribes should follow authoritative guidance from the federal government in reporting recipients of pass-through CRF funding.
Ken Mason

Good News for Tribes: One-Year Extension of Coronavirus Relief Fund

By Ken Mason • 21 Jan, 2021
In extending CRF availability by 12 months, the federal government gave Tribes and other CRF recipients and subrecipients precious breathing room for completing CRF-funded projects and providing valuable services to their constituencies.
Ken Mason

The Coronavirus Relief Fund for Tribes: Administrative Leave

By Ken Mason • 20 Jul, 2020
The new Treasury Guidance has opened a door for Tribes to continue providing for their employees’ financial needs without having to deplete their reserves.
Ken Mason

The Coronavirus Relief Fund for Tribes: July 8 Update

By Ken Mason • 08 Jul, 2020
This article discusses the new Guidance and explore in greater depth the assistance to Tribal businesses and related parties. We will continue with a discussion of procurement and cost principles.
Ken Mason

The Coronavirus Relief Fund for Tribes

By Ken Mason • 01 Jun, 2020
As Tribes await receipt of the final 40% distribution of Fund proceeds, now is the time to focus on eligible expenditures that will deliver lasting benefits to Tribal members.
Ken Mason

CARES Act Funding for Tribal Governments

By Ken Mason • 13 May, 2020
The sheer size of the Coronavirus Relief Fund will have a significant impact on major fund determination for many Tribes’ audited financial statements.

Certifications

Certificate of Professional Development - Revenue Forecasting and Analysis

Certificate of Professional Development - Financial & ERP System Acquisition

Certified Public Accountant (Inactive)

Education

B.S., Economics (Concentration: Accounting), Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania

Areas of Practice

Advisory Services

Business Processes

Internal Controls

Financial Modeling and Reporting

Government Finance

Grant Financial Management

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

CARF Accreditation

Forecasting and Budgeting

Payroll and Prepaid Cards

Turnaround Management

Professional Experience

Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tucson: Controller, Senior Accounting Manager

Gila River Health Care, Sacaton, Arizona: Assistant Controller

Hopi Tribe, Kykotsmovi, Arizona: Interim Finance Director

Assisteo, Phoenix: Senior Finance Professional

META Services, Inc., Phoenix: Chief Financial Officer

Gila River Indian Community, Sacaton, Arizona: Assistant Finance Director - Planning

Goodwill Industries of Long Beach (CA) & South Bay: Director of Finance and Information Technology; Finance Manager

Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram: Budget Manager

Major Projects

Tribal Governments

  • Provided audit preparation services that helped the client submit three annual audits to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in less than nine months
  • Prepared Indirect-Type Contract Support Costs proposal and partnered with Tribe’s attorney to negotiate a self-determination contract with Indian Health Service
  • Drafted Financial Management Code and provided training to Tribal Council that led to adoption of the Code
  • Drafted Financial Policy and Procedure Manual and provided training to Tribal Council and financial management staff
  • Provided training to financial management staff on Single Audit, key internal control concepts, grant financial management, audit preparation and other accounting topics
  • Developed in-house capabilities to prepare GASB 34 financial statements and indirect cost proposals using FundWare, IDEA and AuditVision, saving 40% on professional fees
  • Designed and implemented systems and processes for Community members to be approved for and receive per capita payments
  • Provided guidance for Tribal leaders and staff on COVID-19-related strategic planning and fiscal accountability, including CARES Act funding and Coronavirus Relief Fund for Tribes

Not-for-Profit Entities

  • Reconstructed 18 months general and subsidiary ledger activity to prepare financial statements for audit
  • Integrated MAS90 accounts payable and receivable modules into general ledger; implemented and integrated sales order module to support new business initiatives
  • Obtained proposals and selected new provider for voice and data communications at a net 33% cost savings from existing voice service.
  • Implemented time & attendance solution with interfaces to payroll and human resources software.

Private Industry

  • Reviewed and documented the internal control environment for business process improvement and internal audit
  • Led conversion to Collier-Jackson pay-by-mail subscription and general ledger, including conversion and mapping of chart of accounts

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