Behind the Numbers
Featured in Muncie Power Quarterly, Issue 1, 2017
When it came to selecting a field of study, Senior Accounting Manager Geralyn Bilyeu knew she either wanted to work with numbers or be a teacher. Over the course of her 38 years within accounting, she’s had the opportunity to do both.
“Accounting touches almost every department in one way or another and allows me to teach others about processes, systems, and the potential outcomes for actions taken or not taken,” explained Geralyn.
Since beginning her career at Muncie Power Products in 2001, Geralyn has not only had the opportunity to work with numbers, but to also teach others and grow professionally. Having witnessed significant company growth in her 15 years with Muncie Power, Geralyn has also seen positive changes to a culture that, while evolving, remains true to its core.
“Our culture is changing for the better, concentrating on continuous improvement, developing our strengths, and improving our knowledge base,” Geralyn said.
As she noted, the support of Muncie Power’s upper management has provided a safe environment to learn and try new technologies and thought patterns.
It’s within this kind of environment that Geralyn completes day-to-day responsibilities, while also handling projects and answering questions that can result in significant changes from one day to the next.
“In a nutshell,” said Geralyn, “as senior accounting manager, my team is responsible for timely and accurate reporting of financials, standard cost, inventory accuracy, audit, and systems support in Tulsa.”
When projects and questions arise, it means prioritizing, communicating, and getting feedback from other departments and sharing responsibility, as Geralyn mentioned.
While Geralyn works with her team to handle accounting functions in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there is also another team handling accounting functions in Muncie, Indiana. It is a unique and impressive dynamic as the two teams operate at different locations, and yet together as a holistic department.
“Working together as a team is extremely important to ensure Muncie Power is as strong as it can possibly be,” said Geralyn.
As a result, understanding and utilizing the mix of strengths amongst team members, regardless of location, has been important for Geralyn and the entire accounting department as it continues its ongoing project with IT—to integrate Muncie Power’s financial systems onto its operating system.
A journey that began with a cross-functional team to expand the use of the operating system's capabilities, the integration efforts have been greatly supported by all departments—as Geralyn noted—including those beyond accounting and IT such as purchasing, shipping and receiving, sales, administration, operations, and quality assurance. Once completed, the integration will have a company-wide impact, eliminating manual systems and making resources once tied-up available.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the dedication and teamwork between all of our departments,” Geralyn said. “Not only do our accounting teams work well together, but also our departments company-wide. We could not accomplish our initiatives without their support.”
Each day Geralyn and those from across the company work together to make Muncie Power as strong as it can be—as behind the numbers are Geralyn, a strong accounting department and the support of the entire Muncie Power team.
