Robert W Ditmer Financial Support
Professional Bookkeeper ● Payroll Professional ● Writer/Editor
Over the past 45 years I have had a wide range of experience. The following is a summary of my professional history.
With a Master of Science in Library and Information Science I began my career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the Director of the company library for the landscape architecture and land planning firm of Rahenkamp, Sachs, Wells & Associates. In a short time I built up the library to become a national resource for design professionals. As the Director of Information Resources for the RSWA Planning Library, I was also involved in numerous research projects and collaborated with the President of RSWA, John Rahenkamp, in writing articles for publication. My activities included directing a research study for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on the subject of innovative zoning and planning techniques.
However, in 1980 my career took a new direction when RSWA reorganized as John Rahenkamp Consultants, Inc. I was asked to become the corporation's bookkeeper and payroll administrator. After additional training and a couple of year's experience, I was promoted to the position of Comptroller, so financial administration became the focus of my career from that point on. Over the years I have worked as Controller or Financial Manager for five different corporations, and I have been involved in the financial management of numerous other businesses on a part-time or temporary basis. In addition, since 1991 I have also operated my own part-time consulting business, RWD Financial Support Service.
During the late 1990s I also began writing again on various subjects related to the areas of payroll, payroll taxes, and bookkeeping. As a member of the American Payroll Association and a Certified Payroll Professional I became a regular contributor to the APA's forum for members, as well as contributing articles for publication in the APA's official publication, PAYTECH. As a result I received the 2003 Citation of Merit from the APA for contributions to Membership Publications and Advancement of the Payroll Profession.
Prior to 2000 I was also engaged part-time as an instructor or tutor helping others to learn the basics of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Quickbooks, and payroll administration. Between 2001 and 2006 I shared in various conferences as a speaker on the subjects of payroll taxes and employee fringe benefits.
Over the years I have continued to work extensively as a writer. In addition to writing articles for printed publications, I have also been a regular contributor to various websites. These articles have been aimed at different audiences, depending on the type of website, so I have contributed materials directed to payroll professionals, business owners and employers, or the general public. Businesses have also benefited from my writing skills because I have prepared a number of financial administration handbooks, employee manuals, payroll manuals, and employee benefit policy documents.
Please take a few moments and review my areas of expertise. I am still a strong believer in education, so my website includes links to articles I have written. If you are interested in more information, please feel free to contact me.