María Colón
Wyandanch
Summary
Driven sales representative and accounting skilled in customer engagement, product demonstration, and inventory management. Committed to enhancing customer satisfaction and driving sales through tailored recommendations and effective transaction processing.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Representative
Bloomingdale's
Garden City
07.2022 - 02.2025
- Engaged customers to assess their needs and provide tailored product recommendations.
- Demonstrated merchandise features and benefits to enhance customer interest.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure product availability and presentation standards.
- Processed transactions efficiently using point-of-sale systems to maintain accuracy.
- Collaborated with team members to create an inviting shopping environment.
- Resolved customer inquiries and concerns promptly to ensure satisfaction.
- Assisted in visual merchandising efforts to highlight seasonal promotions effectively.
Manager
Homeland Security US Department
09.2017 - 05.2022
- Led operational planning for emergency response initiatives and preparedness programs.
- Coordinated training sessions for staff on security protocols and compliance measures.
- Developed policies to enhance organizational efficiency and public safety standards.
- Evaluated risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities within security operations.
- Facilitated collaboration with local agencies to improve community safety strategies.
- Implemented best practices for resource allocation in emergency management activities.
- Monitored staff performance and addressed issues.
- Enforced customer service standards and resolved customer problems to uphold quality service.
- Coached, mentored and trained team members in order to improve their job performance.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Trained employees on additional job positions to maintain coverage of roles.
- Assigned tasks to associates to fit skill levels and maximize team performance.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, industry standards.
- Led team meetings and one-on-one coaching sessions to continuously improve performance.
- Created monthly reports for senior management summarizing operational performance metrics.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
Controller
MC Tax Accounting
Ponce de Leon
01.2012 - 09.2017
- Managed financial reporting and compliance for diverse client portfolios.
- Oversaw budgeting processes to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Analyzed tax regulations to provide strategic advice to clients.
- Coordinated audits and liaised with external auditors for accuracy.
- Developed internal controls to improve financial operations and reduce risks.
- Mentored junior accounting staff on best practices and professional development.
- Streamlined financial processes using accounting software and tools effectively.
- Reviewed financial statements for accuracy and compliance with standards.
- Monitored accounts receivable and payable activity to ensure proper reconciliation of accounts.
- Oversaw month-end closing process, prepared financial statements and managed advanced reconciliations.
- Maintained general ledger and chart of accounts, performed complex accounting functions such as journal entry preparation, account analysis, balance sheet reconciliation and preparation of quarterly financial statements.
- Reviewed journal entries for accuracy and completeness.
- Provided support during audits conducted by outside agencies or internal audit teams.
- Created financial reports for senior management, board of directors and external auditors in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
- Developed annual budget and compared actual expenses against projected budget.
- Analyzed financial data and generated accurate financial statements on a monthly basis.
- Developed and implemented effective internal control systems to ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies and procedures.
- Monitored accounting, payroll and financial reporting activities.
- Oversaw financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, asset coordination, account management, and budgets.
- Administered payroll for employees and oversaw corporate payroll reconciliation and tax activities.
- Identified areas for improvement within the finance department operations and processes.
- Developed strategies to improve profitability by analyzing current trends in revenue and expenses.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and reporting requirements such as SEC filings.
- Coordinated timely collections with appropriate project managers and customers to manage cash flow.
- Established controls and reporting systems to optimize governance structure.
- Evaluated potential investments and acquisitions from a financial perspective and recommended appropriate action plans.
- Produced financial reports and audit documentation to facilitate internal and external auditing.
- Improved billing and month-end reporting processes.
- Created internal controls and corrective actions to reduce risk or deficiencies.
- Designed and formatted financial reports for internal and external users.
- Controlled revenue collection systems to maintain information quality and integrity.
- Used US GAAP to shape technical accounting policies and procedures.
- Coordinated timely dissemination of internal and external financial statements, annual audits, and annual budgets.
- Advised executives on contracts with significant financial implications.
- Coordinated financial statement reviews to coordinate variance reporting, analysis of year-to-date and forecast performance against expectations.
- Collaborated with program leaders and staff to provide education and training on finance and accounting procedures.
- Modified comprehensive financial reporting package to reflect growing organizational complexity and managed financial reporting processes to validate internal and external financial results align with GAAP.
- Managed cash flows to optimize year-end tax benefits.
Professor
Instituto de Banca y Comercio
Mayaguez
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Developed course materials in Mathematics and accounting for diverse student populations.
- Facilitated engaging discussions to encourage critical thinking among students.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance curriculum and academic standards.
- Mentored junior faculty in teaching methodologies and academic advising.
- Organized workshops and seminars to promote professional development within the institution.
- Advised students on academic issues and career paths.
- Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension.
- Supervised graduate students in their thesis research projects.
- Mentored and motivated students to increase class participation.
- Maintained students' attendance records, grades and reports in strict confidence.
- Engaged with colleagues in scholarly activities at professional conferences.
- Provided instruction in a variety of courses, including lecture and laboratory classes.
- Advised students in personal matters, driving academics, attendance and behaviors.
- Assisted in the recruitment of new faculty members into the department.
Fundraiser and Controller
AmeriCorps VISTA- Alianza Agricola de PR and USDA
Yabucoa
01.2009 - 12.2011
- Developed fundraising strategies to support community-driven projects and initiatives.
- Organized events to engage donors and promote charitable causes effectively.
- Collaborated with local organizations to expand outreach and fundraising efforts.
- Fostered relationships with stakeholders to enhance partnership opportunities for funding.
- Managed financial reporting and compliance for diverse client portfolios.
- Analyzed tax regulations to provide strategic advice to clients.
- Developed internal controls to improve financial operations and reduce risks.
- Mentored junior accounting staff on best practices and professional development.
- Developed crop management plans to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
- Coordinated training sessions for farmers on modern agricultural techniques and best practices.
- Collaborated with local agencies to promote community-based agricultural initiatives and programs.
- Researched new technologies to enhance farming operations and increase efficiency in production.
- Coordinated with government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture to provide resources for farmers.
- Created educational materials about sustainable farming practices for distribution among local communities.
Education
Master of Science - Criminology
Pontifical Catholic University
Ponce, Puerto Rico05-2016
BBA - Public Relations
Sagrado Corazon University
San Juan, Puerto Rico05-2010
BBA - Public Accounting
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico
Ponce, Puerto Rico05-2009
Skills
- Customer engagement
- Product demonstration
- Transaction processing
- Visual merchandising
- Inventory management
- Customer relationship management
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting processes
- Tax regulation analysis
- Internal controls
- Risk assessment
- Compliance management
- Strategic planning
- Payroll processing
- Budget development
- Intercompany transactions
- Office workflow improvements
- Policy planning
- Project accounting
- Financial controls implementation
- Expense control
- Tax compliance
- Statement reconciliation
- Purchase tracking
- Cost accounting
- AP/AR invoicing
- Bookkeeping
- General ledger accounting
- Account reconciliation
Languages
English
Professional
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Sales Representative
Bloomingdale's
07.2022 - 02.2025
Manager
Homeland Security US Department
09.2017 - 05.2022
Controller
MC Tax Accounting
01.2012 - 09.2017
Professor
Instituto de Banca y Comercio
01.2012 - 12.2012
Fundraiser and Controller
AmeriCorps VISTA- Alianza Agricola de PR and USDA
01.2009 - 12.2011
Master of Science - Criminology
Pontifical Catholic University
BBA - Public Relations
Sagrado Corazon University
BBA - Public Accounting
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico