Benjamin Michels, MBA

• Designed and managed 10+ interactive Power BI dashboards providing real-time insights on financials, staffing KPIs, marketing ROI, and client mapping; acted as firm-wide BI consultant. • Used SQL and Power BI to extract, transform, and load cross-functional data into scalable models. • Documented data models and processes to speed enhancements and adoption. • Improved data quality and trust by collaborating across teams to audit pipelines and resolve BI/reporting issues. • Automated reporting and workflows with Power Automate, Power Query, and RPA, cutting manual effort by up to 90%. • Delivered ad hoc analyses and actionable recommendations to executives, including business case support. • Conducted process audits and presented improvement plans adopted by senior leadership. • Managed $100M+ annual MSP invoicing, ensuring AP/AR accuracy. • Created custom periodic and ad hoc reports for MSP clients, consistently meeting needs and enhancing service. • Partnered with executives on MSP business reviews, providing strategic insights and cost-saving ideas. • Led financial aspects of MSP onboarding and platform migrations, including QA testing. • Gathered business requirements, designed processes, and coordinated cross-functional implementation and testing.

• Partnered with the global internal audit team to design and execute audit plans, strengthening risk posture amid regulatory shifts and a major business transformation. • Identified critical risks and process gaps through analysis of interviews, data, and documentation; influenced senior leaders on strategic remediation to boost compliance. • Delivered executive-level presentations that guided decision-making on audit priorities, findings, and risk responses. • Led Annual Risk Assessment interviews with department heads, shaping the audit roadmap and aligning with evolving business risks. • Conducted audits across high-risk domains (IT, infrastructure, licensing, tax, financial processes), driving stronger controls and improved regulatory readiness.

• Administered access controls across Salesforce, Albridge, and Envestnet, reducing data privacy risks and boosting compliance. • Generated ad hoc and recurring reports from multiple platforms, delivering insights that supported compliance, operations, and strategy. • Tracked advisor AUM in the growing RIA space in collaboration with third-party money managers, enabling leadership to assess growth and market potential. • Key contributor to the Envestnet platform launch—configured systems, migrated $1B in accounts, and led training—earning Team of the Month honors and a Team of the Year nomination. Worked in Agile Scrum environment to push project forward. • Developed report request intake using custom Salesforce workflows, improving efficiency, transparency, and prioritization.

• Built and maintained Questar’s Annuity Center, equipping advisors with tools to match clients with optimal annuity solutions and boost sales effectiveness. • Created a legally defensible product scoring system for DOL Fiduciary Rule compliance—later adopted enterprise-wide by Allianz Life. • Analyzed annuities and alts to refine the product shelf, optimizing performance, suitability, and regulatory alignment. • Reviewed carrier compensation models and helped develop a DOL-compliant structure that balanced fiduciary standards with competitiveness. • Partnered with product managers and strategic stakeholders to advance sales strategy and market positioning.

• Approved account applications, asset movements, and updates with a focus on accuracy and compliance, ensuring smooth onboarding and operational integrity. • Handled account openings, maintenance, and complex transactions across investment and retirement accounts while meeting strict SLAs and regulatory standards. • Collaborated with advisors and compliance teams to accelerate processing, reduce turnaround times, and uphold service and regulatory excellence.

I've gained a valuable education in business economics while becoming well rounded through a host of core classes.