KARINA M. FERNANDO, CPA
Summary
Driven Certified Public Accountant with 12 years of specialized experience in accounting, auditing, external financial reporting, cost estimation, and budget management for diverse organizations. Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and technical financial literature. Fosters transparency, understanding, and ownership of financial reports and operational metrics. Decisive communicator with proven problem-solving, leadership, and planning abilities.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Cost Chief
U.S. Space Force
04.2021 - Current
- Directs 5-10 member team in conducting cost, economic, and business case analyses to present leadership with decision making support on proposal activity for space system acquisitions valued at $13M-$3B.
- Develop analytical frameworks and data models to support prioritization, scoping and effective decision-making for $2.5B manpower requirements impacting 500+ personnel.
- Propose funding recommendations to executive leaders, integrating multidisciplinary teams to analyze missions, objectives, and capability gaps in developing balanced resource allocations for a 5-year, $7B portfolio.
Comptroller
Special Operations Command Central
10.2021 - 04.2022
- Drove project management of a $17.6M contract consolidation plan by improving funds accountability, validating budgetary requirements, and identifying $2.4M in cost savings.
- Led headquarters-level negotiations securing $1.5M for rapid procurement of operational requirements, solving a 1-year manning gap of four mission critical subject-matter experts.
- Solved $140K logistics barriers, averting mission stoppage of $11K cargo movement and restoring force readiness for a 107-member department.
Financial Services Manager
U.S. Air Force
01.2019 - 08.2019
- Led 13-member customer service team responsible for servicing payroll to a 5K+ military base population, collaborating with human resources and accounting teams to investigate payroll variances, resolve discrepancies, and balance financial records.
- Directed payroll processing for 1K newcomers by streamlining pay record procedures for efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Expedited $8.6M in travel reimbursements, compensating employees faster while averting delinquent payments.
Financial Management & Analysis Manager
U.S. Air Force
11.2017 - 12.2018
- Led 12-member team responsible for planning, programming, and executing an annual budget ranging from $106M-$209M.
- Acted as the CFO’s and CEO’s technical budgetary authority, advising on validity of requirements, effective use of financial resources, and progress of five departments comprising 4.5K global personnel.
- Defended $9.6M in facilities, sustainment, and restoration requirements at the MAJCOM level (directly subordinate to Headquarters, Air Force level), securing additional funds to improve base infrastructure for a 5K+ population.
Senior Revenue Analyst
Symantec Corp, Veritas Technologies Corp
07.2014 - 08.2017
- Reviewed and structured multiple-element sales arrangements ranging from $1.5M-$30M to ensure alignment with company policy and revenue accounting standards under U.S. GAAP.
- Supported the spin-off of Veritas Technologies Corporation through executing enterprise resource planning (ERP) system integration, performing user access testing (UAT), and preparing carve-out financial statements of a $8B de-merger transaction.
- Lead initiative in verifying completeness and accuracy of a financial reporting tool that calculated fair value of 350M transactions/$2B revenue.
Senior Assurance Associate
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), LLP
09.2011 - 07.2014
- Planned strategy and execution of 10-Q reviews, 10-K audits, and SOX 404 internal control risk assessment for client base of private firms and SEC-registered companies earning $100M to $7B in revenue.
- Analyzed client’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Provided clients with reporting guidance pursuant to technical pronouncements and industry standards.
- Managed $1.2M engagement budget and profitability metrics, effectively utilizing offshore business support teams to reduce core audit team hours and to improve engagement profitability.
Education
Master of Science - Cost Analysis, Econometrics
Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH03.2021
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA05.2011
Skills
- General Ledger Accounting
- Financial Controls
- Audit Management
- Financial Reporting
- Budget Preparation
- Financial Data Analysis
- Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)
- GAAP Accounting
- Forecasting
- Cost Estimation
- Team Building Leadership
- Financial Resource Management
Additional Information
- Certifications: Certified Public Accountant; Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst
- Security Clearance: Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) Clearance
Timeline
Comptroller
Special Operations Command Central
10.2021 - 04.2022
Deputy Cost Chief
U.S. Space Force
04.2021 - Current
Financial Services Manager
U.S. Air Force
01.2019 - 08.2019
Financial Management & Analysis Manager
U.S. Air Force
11.2017 - 12.2018
Senior Revenue Analyst
Symantec Corp, Veritas Technologies Corp
07.2014 - 08.2017
Senior Assurance Associate
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), LLP
09.2011 - 07.2014
Master of Science - Cost Analysis, Econometrics
Air Force Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
University of San Francisco
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