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J.R. Miazga

Finance & Governance Leader|Delaware, Ohio (Columbus area)

Helping mission-driven organizations govern complex, decentralized operations through sound controls, decision-ready reporting, and accountable financial leadership.

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About

I'm J.R. Miazga, a finance and governance leader based in Delaware, Ohio. My work centers on stewardship: making sure the people and communities an organization serves can trust how its resources are managed.

Today I serve as Audit & Compliance Manager for the Diocese of Toledo, leading financial governance across 121 parishes and more than 60 schools in 19 counties. My path here ran through public accounting at Plante Moran, controllership in manufacturing and distribution, and running my own fractional controller practice. Before all of that, I spent 16 years in uniform with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

I believe good controls should make work easier, not harder. I focus on clear policy, practical tools, and training that help the people on the front line get it right the first time.

Financial Governance

Policy, approval frameworks, and oversight structures that hold up across many semi-autonomous entities led by non-financial leaders.

Risk & Internal Controls

Risk-based audit programs, segregation of duties, and cash-handling standards built for scale.

Decision-Ready Reporting

Clear reporting for boards, audit committees, and donors, supported by Excel and AI-assisted analytics.

Experience Highlights

Audit & Compliance Manager

2022 – Present

Diocese of Toledo · Toledo, Ohio

  • Lead enterprise audit, compliance, and financial governance for 121 parishes and 60+ schools across 19 counties, most led by non-financial leaders.
  • Redesigned the capital project review and approval process, covering roughly 400 projects.
  • Overhauled reporting for the $65M Living Christ Campaign, including reporting to the Catholic Community Foundation-Ohio board.
  • Rebuilt the diocesan accounting manual into an interactive, searchable governance platform with embedded training.
  • Built a six-year audit rotation and AI-assisted general ledger analytics that direct audit effort to the highest-risk areas.
  • Advise leadership and the audit committee on control effectiveness and deliver annual training.

Owner, Fractional Controller & CFO

2019 – 2022

Spec-Ops Accounting, LLC · Perrysburg, Ohio

  • Founded and ran a fractional controller practice, serving in an acting CFO capacity for small and mid-sized businesses.
  • Delivered monthly close, financial statements, and custom reporting structures; advised owners on budgeting, cash flow, and controls.
  • Redesigned a client payroll process, cutting cycle time from 16 hours to 3.

Assistant Controller

2018 – 2020

Universal Metals · Toledo, Ohio

  • Owned monthly close, reconciliations, and financial reporting for a manufacturing and distribution business.
  • Supervised a seven-person AP/AR team and restructured the general ledger for clearer financial visibility.
  • Concurrently served as controller for two affiliated companies under the same ownership group.

Revenue Analyst

2017 – 2018

Industrial Power Systems · Rossford, Ohio

  • Supported job costing, billing, and receivables for a large regional contractor and advised management on margin improvement.

Audit & Tax

2015 – 2017

Plante Moran · Sylvania, Ohio

  • Performed financial statement audits and evaluated internal controls; prepared corporate and individual tax returns.

Military Service

Sixteen years of service shaped how I lead: clear standards, documented processes, and real ownership of outcomes.

Master Sergeant (E-7)

2005 – 2017

U.S. Air Force Reserve

  • Senior NCO leading six work sections and 31 personnel.
  • Seven deployments across two services, including Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and Oman; coordinated logistics across multiple countries.
  • Trained more than 250 Airmen in field first aid and readiness.
  • Graduate, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
  • Air Force Commendation Medal
  • Air Force Achievement Medal

Electrician's Mate

2000 – 2004

U.S. Navy · USS Constellation (CV-64)

  • Served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.
  • Three deployments, the first of which was underway on September 11, 2001.
  • Managed the division supply budget and worldwide just-in-time parts logistics.
  • Supervised sailors and inventory across five shops.

Education

Executive MBA

The Ohio State University · Fisher College of Business

Expected May 2027

B.B.A., Accounting & Finance

The University of Toledo

Student Veterans of America chapter president; member, Beta Alpha Psi.

Currently pursuing the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation.

Connect

The best way to reach me is on LinkedIn or by email. I'm always glad to connect with fellow finance, audit, and nonprofit professionals and with fellow veterans.

linkedin.com/in/jrmiazga