Maria Couso
Miami Beach,FL
Summary
Finance professional with extensive experience in overseeing financial operations and strategic planning. Known for fostering collaborative team environments and driving results within dynamic settings. Proven abilities in financial analysis and compliance management, along with strong leadership and adaptability.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting
W South Beach
05.2023 - Current
- Spearheaded annual budget preparation, collaborating with executive team members to ensure accurate forecasts and alignment with strategic goals.
- Reduced budget variances by conducting thorough analysis, identifying discrepancies, and working with department heads to align spending.
- Mentored junior finance staff members providing guidance on best practices in financial management leading to improved overall department performance.
Accounting Manager
W South Beach
05.2022 - 05.2023
- Streamlined month-end closing procedures resulting in reduced processing time without compromising accuracy or completeness of the reports generated.
- Led a team of accounting professionals in achieving department goals while fostering a positive work environment.
Staff Accountant
W South Beach
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations and accrual journal entries for month end closing
- Maintain clearing and suspense accounts with zero reconciling items increasing accounting accuracy by 35%
- Perform monthly bank reconciliations and GL account analyses for assets worth 20M+
- Supervise and coach newly hired general accountants on accounting principles and company values, creating higher employee retention
- Partner with third party auditors in verifying financial information and procedures for hotel's owner.
Payroll Administrator
W South Beach
11.2020 - 12.2021
- Managed payroll and time keeping for over 400 employees with impeccable attention to detail
- Gross payroll ranged between $500K to $600K biweekly
- Reconciled commissions, service charges, and gratuities with accounting data, increasing payroll efficiency by 20%
- Processed payroll manually for all hotel employees for three months due to timekeeping system outage, working 16+ hours, six days a week to meet deadline
- Conducted weekly labor meetings focusing on earned hours according to the company's labor standards vs
- Actual hours worked, thus decreasing overtime expense by $10K in a two-month period.
Income Auditor
W South Beach
11.2020 - 12.2021
- Verified daily legitimacy of complementary services, adjustments, discounted checks, and room rates, and maintained backup documentation for audit compliance purposes
- Recovered $400K in credit from short paid points reservations from the Marriott loyalty program
- Eliminated cash discrepancies by daily monitoring of cash over/short account and by training employees on the correct process
- Audited and reconciled banquet and catering distros against general ledger accounts, to make sure revenue was recorded according to the General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Accounts Receivable
W South Beach
01.2020 - 11.2020
- Analyzed AR aging report on a weekly basis to track payment of status of accounts
- Collected 85% of payments within 30 days of invoicing
- Responded rapidly to charge back inquiries and provided support to back initial charge, thus saving hotel on average $30,000 monthly
- Reduced 50% of billing mistakes by organizing regular meetings with operation managers and department leaders to address billing issues affecting guests
- Conducted monthly credit meetings, discussed open folios, group cancellations, direct bill statuses, and areas of improvement to maximize the focus on collections and procedures.
Guest Experience Expert/Concierge
Marriott Stanton South Beach
07.2017 - 01.2020
- Interacted with more than 30 hotel guests daily, booked city tours and managed restaurant reservations
- Reported customer issues and room defects to engineering and housekeeping departments for faster resolution and to ensure customer satisfaction
- As a result, received 97% positive feedback on customer service.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Finance
Florida International University (FIU)
Miami, FL08.2024
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Florida International University
Miami, FL07.2018
Skills
- GAAP Accounting
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Assistant Director of Finance and Accounting
W South Beach
05.2023 - Current
Accounting Manager
W South Beach
05.2022 - 05.2023
Staff Accountant
W South Beach
12.2021 - 05.2022
Payroll Administrator
W South Beach
11.2020 - 12.2021
Income Auditor
W South Beach
11.2020 - 12.2021
Accounts Receivable
W South Beach
01.2020 - 11.2020
Guest Experience Expert/Concierge
Marriott Stanton South Beach
07.2017 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Florida International University
Master of Business Administration - Finance
Florida International University (FIU)
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