Erika Langhans, CPA

Controller

Professional Overview
Erika Langhans is an accomplished financial professional with over 15 years of experience in accounting and financial reporting. As the Controller for the City of St. Petersburg, she oversees the city's financial operations, ensuring accurate and timely reporting, effective internal controls, and strategic decision-making to support the organization's long-term goals.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the Controller for the City of St. Petersburg, Erika is responsible for managing the city's accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, and financial reporting. She oversees a team of financial professionals and collaborates with department heads to provide financial insights and recommendations that drive operational efficiency and cost-savings. Under Erika's leadership, the city has consistently received clean audits, and she has played a key role in implementing new financial systems and processes to enhance transparency and accountability.

Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Erika served as the Financial Reporting Coordinator for the City of St. Petersburg, where she was instrumental in improving the city's financial reporting processes and contributed to the development of the annual comprehensive financial report. Before joining the public sector, Erika worked as a Senior Auditor at CBIZ Kirkland, Russ, Murphy & Tapp, where she gained valuable experience in conducting financial audits and providing advisory services to a diverse client base.

Academic Background
Erika holds a Master of Accountancy degree from the University of South Florida, where she graduated with distinction. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Florida State University. Erika is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and maintains active memberships in professional organizations, such as the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA).

Areas of Expertise

• Financial reporting and analysis

• Budgeting and forecasting

• Internal controls and risk management

• Compliance and regulatory reporting

• Accounting systems implementation and optimization

• Financial team leadership and development

Professional Impact
During her tenure as the City of St. Petersburg's Controller, Erika has played a pivotal role in improving the city's financial operations and increasing transparency. She has led the implementation of new accounting software, streamlined financial reporting processes, and collaborated with department heads to enhance financial planning and decision-making. Erika's commitment to excellence and her technical expertise have been instrumental in maintaining the city's strong financial position and securing clean audit opinions.

Conclusion
With her exceptional technical skills, strong leadership abilities, and deep understanding of the public sector, Erika Langhans is a valuable asset to the City of St. Petersburg. As she continues to drive innovation and financial optimization, she is poised to make a lasting impact on the city's financial management and contribute to its long-term success.