Kelly Walker Benton
About Kelly Walker Benton
Kelly Walker Benton serves as the Vice President and Controller at Saia Inc., where she has contributed to significant revenue growth through financial process automation. With a background in accounting and extensive experience in leadership roles at Ernst & Young and RaceTrac, she has a proven track record in enhancing business performance and collaboration.
Work at Saia Inc.
Kelly Walker Benton has served as Vice President and Controller at Saia Inc. since 2022. In this role, she has played a crucial part in automating financial processes and systems, contributing to over 30% revenue growth for the company. Her responsibilities include overseeing financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls, ensuring that the organization maintains effective control environments and mitigates risks.
Previous Experience at Ernst & Young
Before joining Saia Inc., Kelly Walker Benton worked at Ernst & Young for nine years, from 2002 to 2011, in Atlanta, Georgia. During her tenure, she held various positions, including Assurance Senior Manager, Assurance Manager, and Assurance Senior. Her experience at this Big Four accounting firm equipped her with technical expertise in establishing effective control environments and risk mitigation strategies.
Role at RaceTrac
Kelly Walker Benton served as Vice President of Accounting at RaceTrac from 2011 to 2021. In this position, she focused on enhancing business performance through effective data capture, management, and reporting. Her leadership contributed to improved financial insights and operational efficiency within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Kelly Walker Benton earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Accounting from Wofford College, where she studied from 1993 to 1997. Her educational background laid the foundation for her extensive career in accounting and finance. She has also gained proficiency in various technology systems, including Workday, PowerBI, ServiceNow, JD Edwards, Concur, PDI, OnBase, and Allegro.
Professional Networking and Collaboration
Throughout her career, Kelly Walker Benton has established internal networking groups aimed at increasing cross-functional collaboration and innovation. These initiatives have fostered a culture of teamwork and communication within the organizations she has worked for, enhancing overall operational effectiveness.