Omar Palacios
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Multinational business experience Operational management experience Skilled at handling technical and analytical matters Strong decision-making, and negotiation skills Ability to assume leadership and team roles Proven record working with management teams Fluent in Spanish Passed certified public accountant’s examination in Argentina
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Controller
Animal Health Partners LLC
Las Vegas, NV
02.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: A private equity-backed start-up focused on acquiring animal hospitals
- Established all accounting policies and processes
- Set up and configured the financial books, including the chart of accounts, for over nine different entities
- Developed new processes for inventory control and addressed other operational weaknesses in the acquired hospitals
- Set up all accounting policies and procedures for all Animal Hospital Acquisitions
- Assist in the due diligence process to acquire new animal hospitals
- Prepare and analyze financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements
- Conduct variance analysis to identify trends, discrepancies, and areas for improvement
- Ensure compliance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements
- Provide insightful financial analysis to support strategic decision-making
- Lead efforts with External Audit
- Prepare financial forecasts based on historical data and market trends
- Monitor budget performance and provide recommendations for cost control and optimization
- Conduct financial modeling to evaluate potential business initiatives or scenarios
- Establish and maintain effective internal control procedures to safeguard company assets
- Conduct risk assessments and implement risk mitigation strategies
- Monitor compliance with State and Federal Tax Agencies
- Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings
- Manage cash flow, liquidity, and banking relationships
- Prepare 13 weeks cash flow model
- Develop and implement cash management strategies to optimize working capital
- Monitor and forecast cash requirements to ensure adequate funding
- Evaluate and recommend investment options to maximize returns while minimizing risks
- A private equity-backed start-up focused on acquiring animal hospitals
Financial Controller for LATAM, USA and Canada
Interblock USA
Las Vegas, NV
09.2022 - 11.2023
- Conducted an internal audit that uncovered an overpayment of sales tax spanning several years
- Successfully re-filed the returns for the most recent three years, resulting in a credit of over $2 million
- Identified and filed for Employee Retention Credit (ERC) for the first time, securing $2.7 million for three qualifying quarters in 2020 and 2021
- Implemented new treasury processes and procedures to facilitate fund transfers between LATAM and the US
- Led one of the most successful financial external audits conducted by a major firm
- Assisted in processes and procedures regarding transfer pricing accounting between multiple international jurisdictions and other tax-related matters
- Prepared and analyzed financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements
- Conducted variance analysis to identify trends, discrepancies, and areas for improvement
- Ensured compliance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements
- Provided insightful financial analysis to support strategic decision-making
- Lead efforts with External Audit
- Assisted and managed the annual budgeting process, collaborating with various departments
- Prepared financial forecasts based on historical data and market trends
- Monitored budget performance and provided recommendations for cost control and optimization
- Conducted financial modeling to evaluate potential business initiatives or scenarios
- Established and maintained effective internal control procedures to safeguard company assets
- Conducted risk assessments and implemented risk mitigation strategies
- Monitored compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as legal and regulatory requirements
- Coordinated internal and external audits and ensured timely resolution of audit findings
- Managed cash flow, liquidity, and banking relationships
- Developed and implemented cash management strategies to optimize working capital
- Monitored and forecast cash requirements to ensure adequate funding
- Evaluated and recommended investment options to maximize returns while minimizing risks
- Led and managed a team of finance professionals, providing guidance and support
- Fostered a collaborative and high-performance work environment
- Developed training programs and mentored staff members to enhance their skills and knowledge
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback
- Reported to Global CFO any areas of concerns and development
President & CFO/ Board of Directors Member / Managing Partner
Zephyr Partners
Las Vegas, NV
10.2009 - 07.2022
- Contributed to its growth over a decade from a company with 450 employees and annual revenues exceeding $75 million in the telecommunications and software development sectors
- Successfully raised capital, maintained investor relations, and implemented all accounting and financial processes
- Negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts with major hotel chains in cities such as New York, Miami, Chicago, and the Caribbean
- Led efforts and negotiations for the sale of the company
- Developed and implemented financial strategies aligned with the company's goals and objectives
- Provided financial analysis and recommendations to support strategic decision-making
- Oversaw the budgeting and forecasting process, ensuring accuracy and alignment with business objectives
- Evaluated investment opportunities and performed due diligence on potential acquisitions or partnerships
- Prepared and presented accurate and timely financial reports, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements
- Conducted in-depth financial analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) and provided insights to drive business performance
- Ensured compliance with accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and reporting standards
- Established and maintained effective internal control systems to safeguard assets and ensure compliance
- Identified and evaluated financial risks, implemented strategies to mitigate and manage them
- Oversaw the internal and external audit processes, ensuring timely completion and resolution of findings
- Developed and maintained insurance and risk management programs to protect the company's interests
- Managed cash flow, liquidity, and banking relationships
- Developed and implemented cash management strategies to optimize working capital
- Monitored and forecast cash requirements to ensure adequate funding
- Evaluated and recommended investment options to maximize returns while minimizing risks
- Managed relationships with investors, analysts, and financial institutions
- Developed and executed investor communication strategies, including quarterly earnings releases and investor presentations
- Oversaw capital structure and financing activities, including debt and equity issuances
- Evaluated and recommended capital allocation strategies to maximize shareholder value
- Provided strategic leadership to the finance team, setting clear goals and expectations
- Fostered a high-performance culture and developed talent through coaching and mentoring
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive business initiatives and ensure financial alignment
- Recommended investments and acquisitions
- Negotiated company multimillion dollar contracts
- Acted as a trusted advisor to the CEO and the executive team, providing financial insights and guidance
CFO/ COO
Heli USA Airways
Las Vegas, NV
01.2001 - 10.2010
- Joined Heli USA as a controller and was quickly promoted to Chief Financial Officer and later Chief Operating Officer
- Managed a budget of over $25 million and successfully reduced expenses by negotiating better rates with helicopter engine manufacturers and other major vendors
- Secured bailout funds during the 2001 terrorist attacks, which severely impacted the aviation industry
- Prepared monthly financial statements for this multi-location enterprise for submission to board of directors of Heli USA Airways and three affiliates
- Negotiated all company contracts/insurance/loans, etc
- Supervised accounting staff responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll
- Responsible for the cash management function
- Prepared balance sheet analysis and related reconciliations
- Prepared cash projections and other supporting analyses
- Operations Management of daily business activities and supervision of around 190 staff
Assistant Controller/Head Auditor
Thrifty Car Rental
Las Vegas, NV
05.2000 - 01.2001
- Oversaw the accounting departments for the San Diego, Las Vegas, and Orange County offices, including the preparation of financial statements for the three locations
- Assisted the controller in annual budgeting and forecasting
- Prepared business tax and sales tax schedules
- Performed various audit procedures to ensure proper accounting and revenue recognition
- Promoted in August to function as controller over San Diego operations
- Recommended and implemented BNA software to establish a system to track fixed assets and maintain records for both GAAP and tax purposes
Staff Accountant
Bradshaw, Smith & Co., LLP
Las Vegas, NV
11.1999 - 04.2000
- Participated as an engagement member on various internal and external audits for gaming and non-gaming clients
- Served gaming clients and gained an understanding of the minimum internal control standards
- Performed general accounting work and tax preparation
General Manager and Director & Owner
Top Net Corp.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Company Overview: Obtained international business experience with the dry-cleaning franchise
- Managed two stores as owner and supervisor with an average of 12 employees
- Selected new marketing strategies to increase sales
- Attended domestic and international trade shows to acquire international techniques and promote services
- Supervised bookkeeping and preparation of the annual financial statements and handled all accounting ledgers
- Obtained international business experience with the dry-cleaning franchise
Accountant, Manager, and Head Auditor for Regional Supervisors
C.O.P.I.J.S.U.D. Ecclesiastic Property Management
, Argentina
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Performed analysis and reconciliation of all accounts
- Analyzed costs by special “cost centers”, reconciling amounts between the general ledger and supporting sub ledgers
- Responsible for audits of physical facilities in Argentina, including expense audits of over $15 million per year
- Functioned as an advisor in budgeting and administrative procedures
- Traveled to different locations for training and management of area supervisors
- Supervised a staff of 24
Accounting Analyst for Accounts Payable Department
Philip Morris, Inc.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Responsible for all aspects of control and receipt of invoices
- Prepared reports for sales tax payments and income withholdings
- Maintained supporting documentation and responsibility for the payment of income tax, reporting this information directly to the CEO
- Attended to several training seminars at headquarters in Ryebrook, New York
- Supported different sectors for the correct use of JD Edwards systems
- Supervised staff of six
Education
CPA -
California
California, USA01.1999
CPA -
Buenos Aires, Argentina01.1994
Accounting -
Buenos Aires, Argentina01.1993
Skills
- JD Edwards
- QuickBooks
- Netscape
- Excel/ Word
- PowerPoint
- Internal controls development
- Executive leadership advisement
- Month-end and year-end closings
- Accounting management
- Financial policy development
- US GAAP proficiency
- Financial planning
- Corporate finance
- Internal control management
- Pricing and costing
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Financial Controller
Animal Health Partners LLC
02.2024 - Current
Financial Controller for LATAM, USA and Canada
Interblock USA
09.2022 - 11.2023
President & CFO/ Board of Directors Member / Managing Partner
Zephyr Partners
10.2009 - 07.2022
CFO/ COO
Heli USA Airways
01.2001 - 10.2010
Assistant Controller/Head Auditor
Thrifty Car Rental
05.2000 - 01.2001
Staff Accountant
Bradshaw, Smith & Co., LLP
11.1999 - 04.2000
General Manager and Director & Owner
Top Net Corp.
01.1996 - 01.1999
Accountant, Manager, and Head Auditor for Regional Supervisors
C.O.P.I.J.S.U.D. Ecclesiastic Property Management
01.1996 - 01.1998
Accounting Analyst for Accounts Payable Department
Philip Morris, Inc.
01.1994 - 01.1996
CPA -
California
CPA -
Accounting -
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