Sandra Alonso - Senior Associate Director, Business and Finance Operations, Florida International University

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Work Background

Florida International UniversityFIU Athletics, Senior Associate Athletics Director, Finance and Business Administration

Feb. 2023Directs all financial activities and human resources for the Athletics Department. Manages all financial relationships with the FIU Foundation Office, the FIU Athletics Finance Corporation, and the FIU Office of Business and Finance. Provides leadership in the administration and implementation of Human Resources program to ensure consistent and accurate interpretation of human resources policies and procedures.

Florida International UniversityFIU Athletics, Director of Finance and Accounting

Sep. 2018 - Feb. 2023Miami, Florida, United StatesProvide support and guidance to departmental and organization-wide leadership on day to day activities. Oversee budget targets progress, strategic plan initiatives, cost monitoring and reduction efforts, talent planning, and operations planning to meet profit goals. Direct oversight of a complex financial structure, within four major business units, which include The Ricardo Silva Football Stadium and the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Scope of financials for each unit include, but is not limited to, payroll for over 100 employees, travel, equipment, facilities maintenance and improvement, rentals, food and beverage concessions, and procurement of goods and services for day to day operations.

Florida International UniversityAssistant Controller, Payment Services

May. 2012 - Sep. 2018Direct oversight for the financial, administrative, and human resource management of the Payment Services team, which includes, Accounts Payable, Credit Card Solutions, Disbursements, and Travel and Expense. Advises senior leadership on financial and operational matters by analyzing data and compiling reports. Oversee financial processes to continually improve the operation and make strategic decisions that are in support of the Office of the Controller and Florida International University’s key metrics and goals. •Point of contact for all financial and non-financial related projects. •Assists with the preparation of budget for the department. •Work cooperatively with internal and external auditors as needed. •Work closely with all University departments to ensure policies and procedures are adhered to, while ensuring functional needs are met. This includes developing and performing routine audits to ensure the University Community is adhering to guidelines. •Oversee the planning, improvement, and execution of policy and procedures manuals. •Interprets and maintains policies of Florida International University, other state agencies, the Federal government, and other pertinent agencies in relation to disbursement of University funds. •Prepare financial reports and/or models that provide metrics, financial analyses, and other informational bench-marking as needed •Oversee all Information Systems upgrades and/or implementations within the department. •Established relationships with other universities to further the mission of the university and expand partnerships.

The Ritz Carlton, South BeachSenior Assistant Director of Finance

Mar. 2010 - Jul. 2012•Direct oversight of daily operations and accounting staff consisting of seven associates: Accounts Receivable, Cash Management, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Staff Accountant •Financial liaison to all hotel departments, which involved reviewing departmental budgets, performing variance analysis, meeting with departmental managers to determine their fiscal needs, and assist with establishing strong internal controls and operating fiscal procedures. •Experienced in retail, spa, food and beverage, banquet, catering, housekeeping, and hotel operations and financial management. •Maintained timely and accurate departmental and consolidated financial statements and reports for various levels within the organization and key stakeholders. •Re-worked 90% of the balance sheet accounts to ensure appropriate accountability and re-adjusted business processes to reflect accurate financial transactions routinely. •Oversaw all personnel matters for the department. Led the team through a 70% restructure due to inefficiencies and performance issues. Recruited critical positions and maintained productivity throughout. •Performed and directed staff in accounting and related information system functions, including preparation and reviews of reconciliations, variance analysis, audit compliance, internal controls, planning and budgeting, inventory costing/control, and systems training/development for all departments within hotel. •Developed and maintain month/year end closing procedures. Performed month and year end closing processes within a three day timeframe requirement. •Oversaw the management of all contracts, including terms, renewal dates, and bidding opportunities. •Developed and implemented new financial standard operating procedures. •Point of contact for all financial system upgrades, internal audit, and external auditors. . •Oversaw the Credit Card Program, including reviewing and approving purchases and ensured program compliance for all purchasing card holders.

The Ritz Carlton, Key BiscayneAssistant Director of Finance/Controller

Sep. 2007 - Mar. 2010•Direct oversight of daily operations and accounting staff of ten associates: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Accounting and Reporting, and Payroll •Financial liaison to all hotel departments, which involved reviewing departmental budgets, performing variance analysis, meeting with departmental managers to determine their fiscal needs and assist with establishing strong internal controls and operating fiscal procedures. •Experienced in retail, spa, food and beverage, banquet, catering, housekeeping, and hotel operations and financial management. •Oversaw all personnel matters for the department. •Presented weekly updates on forecast and budget progress along with results of variance analysis, both in verbal and written form, to department managers and executive team. •Responsible for month and year end closing process, within a three day timeframe. •Responsible for the accuracy of all financial records, this includes the preparation of all balance sheet and intercompany reconciliations, and variance analysis reporting as needed. •Fully responsible for management of hotel's cash flow, ensuring 2.5 million dollar debt service, payroll, sales taxes, and owner distributions were fully paid on a monthly basis. •Oversaw successful completion of hotel internal audits. •Point of contact for all financial system upgrades, internal audit, and external auditors. •Responsible for the successful implementation of Labor Management System which transitioned the hotel to focus on staffing and productivity based on business demands. •Reorganized the department after three position eliminations within one year due to budget restraints. Restructured work flow to ensure productivity and employee moral remained constant. •Oversaw the Credit Card Program, including reviewing and approving purchases and ensured program compliance for all purchasing card holders.

Marriott International CALA Regional OfficeSenior Program Specialist

Sep. 2005 - Sep. 2007Assist RVP of Finance, Regional Controller, and Area Directors of Finance Act as a liaison between the Regional Office and the property Director*s of Finance Consolidate and track financial information related to 29 managed and 16 franchise hotel properties. Use Hyperion Retrieve with Excel and Hyperion reporting to create, modify, and produce financial reports. Responsibilities include payroll, accounts payable, and analyzing P&L statements Month end close Balance sheet reconciliations Managed fixed asset expenditures Managed budget for fixed asset expenditure tracking and prepared consolidated reports for all managed properties Conducted internal audits