Maria Couso
Miami,FL
Summary
Finance professional with strong foundation in budgeting, financial analysis, and strategic planning. Proven ability to optimize financial operations and support key initiatives. Valued for collaborative approach and adaptability, ensuring reliable performance and alignment with organizational goals.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Assistant Director of Finance & Accounting
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
02.2025 - Current
- Strengthened internal control systems and procedures, achieving highest historical score of 96% in 2025 summary risk assessment.
- Implemented strategies that resulted in a green score in accounts payable KPIs in 2025, enhancing operational compliance and risk management.
- Directed cross-departmental collaboration on financial forecasting to align with owner net profit goals and Marriott’s 100% house profit target.
Assistant Director of Finance & Accounting
Marriott International, Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
05.2023 - 02.2025
- Partnered with Finance and Residences Directors to formulate 2025 budget for shared facilities, overseeing $19 million in allocations.
- Assisted in achieving compliance with federal tax laws by accurately submitting 1099 reporting and 1042 withholding documentation. Supported implementation of 1042 withholding practices across 10 Marriott hotels with residences nationwide.
- Developed and executed strategies focused on team engagement, achieving a notable rise in employee satisfaction reflected by a leadership index growth from 83% to 99% in 2024.
Accounting Manager
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
05.2022 - 05.2023
- Coordinated license and permit renewals by collaborating with city and state officials, ensuring 100% regulatory compliance and zero financial penalties.
- Discovered and resolved a LightSpeed system glitch that resulted in over $200,000 in unprocessed credit card transactions. Worked with our credit card processor to ensure prompt recovery and processing of all affected batches.
Staff Accountant
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Performed monthly balance sheet reconciliations for 25 accounts with accuracy and zero unreconciled exceptions, ensuring financial integrity.
- Analyzed and resolved issues within Marriott Bonvoy receivable account, recovering $400,000 by addressing missing certificates and incorrect payments, thereby minimizing bad debt exposure.
Payroll Administrator
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
11.2020 - 12.2021
- Oversaw payroll and time-keeping operations for over 350 employees, ensuring timely and accurate payroll submissions.
- Maintained employee payroll operations for two months amidst timekeeping system failure, dedicating 16-20 hours of overtime weekly to ensure timely and accurate employee compensation.
Income Auditor
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
11.2020 - 12.2021
- Audited 10 daily reports, including complimentary rooms, guest folio adjustments, discounted checks, and room rate changes, to verify the legitimacy of exceptions and ensure compliance with Marriott policies.
- Analyzed and verified room and food & beverage revenue reports against the general ledger, ensuring all data and associated statistics were accurately recorded.
Accounts Receivable
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
Miami Beach, FL
01.2020 - 11.2020
- Proactively managed accounts receivable by conducting weekly analysis of AR aging reports, maintaining Days Credit Sales Outstanding (DCSO) at 35 days or less.
- Resolved chargeback disputes by promptly compiling documentation and maintaining a 24-hour response time, minimizing revenue loss and protecting transaction integrity.
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
- Internal controls
- Tax compliance
- GAAP accounting
- Cash flow forecasting
- Financial forecasting
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Budget planning
- Technology-savvy
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Sr. Assistant Director of Finance & Accounting
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
02.2025 - Current
Assistant Director of Finance & Accounting
Marriott International, Inc. (W South Beach)
05.2023 - 02.2025
Accounting Manager
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
05.2022 - 05.2023
Staff Accountant
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
12.2021 - 05.2022
Payroll Administrator
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
11.2020 - 12.2021
Income Auditor
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
11.2020 - 12.2021
Accounts Receivable
Marriott International Inc. (W South Beach)
01.2020 - 11.2020
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Administration And Management
Florida International University
Master of Business Administration - Finance
Florida International University (FIU)