VERONICA CANNATA, CPA, CFE
Chester,NJ
Summary
Strategic audit leader with 20 years of experience in multinational environments across pharmaceuticals, consumer packaged goods, and telecommunications. Expertise in cultivating trusted relationships with global stakeholders and implementing changes to enhance organizational processes and uncover fraud. Proven track record in team leadership, talent development, and collaboration with executive leadership to meet strategic objectives. Skilled in leveraging data analytics and automation to improve risk management and operational efficiency.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director, Internal Audit – Americas (Global Internal Audit Leadership Team)
MARS, INC.
01.2023 - Current
- Oversee and lead financial, operational, and strategic engagements across all Mars, Inc. segments in the U.S., LATAM, and Canada, covering approximately $31B in NSV.
- Lead investigations in the Americas region through strong partnership with Legal Counsel, Corporate Security, and Associate Relations. Co-led the largest Mars, Inc. fraud investigation leading to potential recoveries of $28 million to Mars and $10 million to the IRS.
- Lead controls breach audits with a fraud investigation lens leading to key changes to commercial, financial, and operational processes across U.S. factories and functions.
- Delivered insights to senior global and regional stakeholders quarterly, enhancing governance and controls culture.
- Conduct Fireside chats, Town Halls, Trainings/ Table Talks, and prepare Hot Topics to promote the speak-up culture and educate on recent fraud cases and audit learnings. Reached over 4,000 Global Snacking Associates through the Procurement Fraud training in 2025.
- Spearheaded Talent and Culture strategic initiative, positioning Internal Audit Associates with critical skills for current and future roles while sustaining Mars culture.
- Actively participate as Ambassador for the U.S. Mars Finance Leadership Program and helped place and assess early talent across various finance roles.
- Strongly partnered with the Global Internal Audit Senior Director, IT on integrated, data analytics, and investigation engagements.
- Led the Global launch of the Fraud and Theft (R25) reporting tool, process, and training to help foster a culture of transparency and accountability consistent with the Five Principles.
- Developed high-performing collaboration team centered on principles, values, and purpose.
- Coached, mentored, and developed 9 direct reports to enhance talent growth and performance.
Senior Manager, Internal Audit – Professional Practices Group (PPG)
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Directed the annual Business Risk Management survey process sent to the top 300 business leaders to gather the enterprise-wide risks for the Audit Committee.
- Developed the department audit methodology that promoted audit standardization, quality, and efficiency consistent with IIA standards.
- Implemented and oversaw Quality Assurance & Improvement Program to enhance audit quality across the department.
- Oversaw the quarterly Internal Audit material preparation and reporting for the Audit Committee meetings.
- Performed quality control reviews that encompassed 15-25% of the annual audit plan.
- Oversaw creation of reporting dashboards to monitor department audit plan performance and ensure quality assurance of audit activities.
- Lead strategic initiatives to drive data-centric auditing and process automation.
- Liaise with the Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance teams to ensure the audit teams obtain emerging risk inputs from the second line of defense.
- Managed the performance of direct reports and groomed them for promotion/career development.
- Oversaw AuditBoard implementation across 170 auditors.
- Prepared meeting minutes for Verizon Management Audit Committee, ensuring clear communication among CFO, Audit Committee, Chief Audit Executive, and business unit CFOs.
- Participated in the Create, Connect, Grow (CCG) leadership program (Finance sharks selected business case).
Senior Manager, Internal Audit – Global Network & Technology/ Wireless
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
01.2016 - 01.2023
- Prepared and executed a risk-based audit plan for the Wireless and the Global Network & Technology business units.
- Oversaw operational, strategic, financial, and special projects/audits across the Wireless, Wireline, and Global Network & Technology business units.
- Defined the audit scope areas and conducted internal risk assessment with the audit teams.
- Managed auditee relationships, defining audit timing and scope collaboratively.
- Communicated audit results and partnered with the client throughout the vetting process.
- Ensured the client was satisfied with the team’s services.
- Conducted second level review of all audit workpapers to ensure compliance with the IIA standards and department methodology.
- Coached and mentored direct reports, fostering talent growth and facilitating promotions.
- Contributed to recruiting activities including identifying and interviewing top talent.
Manager, Internal Audit
ZOETIS, INC.
10.2011 - 01.2016
- Led international audits of Zoetis commercial, shared services, and manufacturing sites to assess the design and operating effectiveness of financial, operational, and compliance internal controls.
- Ensured compliance with Company’s policies and procedures including Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and Global VET.
- Prepared planning scope memo, audit work program, and audit report for all assigned audits.
- Reviewed audit work papers to ensure documentation is in accordance with audit methodology and IIA standards.
- Led walkthrough meetings, addressed internal questions/concerns, and negotiated with key stakeholders on observations and actionable recommendations.
- Developed internal audit risk assessment criteria to establish three-year audit universe and audit plan.
- Developed standard audit work programs used for country audits.
- Supervised seniors and consultants, providing guidance and training to enhance team capabilities.
- Led the SAP Business Process workstream to implement end-to-end process flows and Sarbanes-Oxley Act Risk Control Matrices utilized post-go-live. The Project Management Office role included managing PwC and coordinating with various SAP process owners.
- Interviewed Internal Audit candidates and onboarded new colleagues.
Senior Financial Auditor, Corporate Audit
PFIZER, INC.
10.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed assigned audit process independently in domestic and international locations, and conducted all audits in accordance with US GAAP, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other financial and operational Company policies and procedures.
- Compiled audit reports, ensuring factual findings and actionable recommendations that enhanced business operations.
- Developed and delivered a presentation on updates to the International Anti-Bribery & Anti-Corruption policy, training audit group members on new procedures.
- Evaluated the Zoetis Animal Health Operating Manual, identifying risk areas and potential gaps, and suggesting enhancements prior to its launch.
- Performed substantive audit procedures for the Intercompany AR/AP accounts as part of the KPMG direct assistance program.
Senior Associate, Forensic Services
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP
08.2006 - 09.2011
- Assisted and led remediation audits in various countries for a major medical device company to build and improve its anti-bribery compliance program because of the SEC and DOJ's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act probe in the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. The procedures performed included management discussions, assessment of existing controls and procedures, and testing compliance sensitive general ledger accounts, employee expense reports, and agent/distributor contracts.
- Performed Foreign Corrupt Practices Act post-merger due diligence audits and investigations in international countries for a leading global pharmaceutical company with allegations of potential Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in various countries in Latin America.
- Supervised, coached, and guided Global / U.S. PwC staff that performed transaction testing to evaluate the internal control environment, accuracy of recorded general ledger transactions, and compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
- Managed and supervised a team of four seniors on a document review of a leading agricultural company upon the request of U.S. regulators to verify potential Anti-Money Laundering and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
- Managed licensing reviews for various companies in the retail industry, and analyzed legal licensing contracts, computed gross sales, allowances, net sales, and royalties owed to the licensor.
- Performed and led walkthroughs with management to assess the control environment of a Fortune 500 company’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
- Provided litigation support for a client in the media industry due to a contract breach violation. In addition, provided litigation support for a client in the metal trading industry related to a dispute regarding partnership profits.
- Achievements: We Recognize Great Performance Award, 2009 Market Leadership Award
Education
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Fordham University
New York05-2006
Skills
- Audit strategy
- Fraud analysis
- Risk assessment
- Quality assurance
- Data analysis
- Stakeholder management
- Microsoft Office and G Suite
- Fluent in Spanish
- Effective communication skills
Certification
• NY Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Languages
Spanish, Fluent in written and spoken
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Director, Internal Audit – Americas (Global Internal Audit Leadership Team)
MARS, INC.
01.2023 - Current
Senior Manager, Internal Audit – Professional Practices Group (PPG)
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
01.2016 - 01.2023
Senior Manager, Internal Audit – Global Network & Technology/ Wireless
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
01.2016 - 01.2023
Manager, Internal Audit
ZOETIS, INC.
10.2011 - 01.2016
Senior Financial Auditor, Corporate Audit
PFIZER, INC.
10.2011 - 01.2013
Senior Associate, Forensic Services
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, LLP
08.2006 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
Fordham University