1. SANDRA RIVERA – Financial Manager / Accountant/ Auditor
7026 Appletree Loop Colorado Springs, CO 80925 Phone: 719-323-9697 Email: sandraivetterivera@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Intellectual and progressive Financial Management/Accounting Professional
Quality driven, client-focused professional with over twenty years of dedicated experience in the financial and accounting
industry gained through dedicated military service and as a Business Owner for a national tax service organization. Proven track
record of transforming operations, personnel and resources to manage change, increase productivity and leverage talent. Highly
respected, hands-on manager who leads by example; take charge leader with a passion for service excellence. Effective Program
Manager – decisive; make difficult decisions and excel in high-tension deadline-driven environments.
Available to travel; Bilingual [English/Spanish] - seasoned experience in culturally diverse international locations.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Supervision & Leadership MS Office/QuickBooks/Tax Software Accounts Payable/Receivable
Expert Trainer/ Instructor/ Briefer Fiscal Responsibility/ Accounting Human Resources/ Recruiting/ Hiring
Payroll / Troubleshooting Profit & Loss Analysis Database Management/ Data Entry
Resource and Personnel Utilization Project/ Report Documentation Military Pay Operations/Financials
Operations Management Collections/ Debt Management Tax Laws/ Federal Regulations
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• Fiscal Management: Drove revenues for a single-location national franchise from $50k to over $400k in six years of
operations. Strategically employed exceptional customer relation management efforts; increased client base from 400 to
3,000 in under six years.
• Spearheaded the implementation of a network system with innovative software and Point of Sale for the franchise.
Aligned franchise operations with H&R Block headquarters, Internal Revenue Service, and banks offering refund
anticipation loans. Increased clientele by offering quicker availability of refunds.
• Tax Preparation Expertise: Led, helped and trained and soldiers with complex Federal tax returns, including small
business and Puerto Rico tax returns, happening for the first time at the Fort Carson Tax Center (Tax
Professional/Advisor).
• Personnel Recruiting/Retention: Created a new system that kept Senior Leaders up-to-date and involved on the
reenlistment process, choosing the best candidates and making career recommendations. Renovated and implemented
the bar to reenlistment process.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER EXPERIENCE
ACCOUNTANT | SENIOR TAX ADVISOR 2016
Norman Taylor, CPA, P.C.
Manages and prepares general ledger, balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and all accounting cycle related matters.
Advises and assists clients with all accounting, law, audits, and tax preparation affairs. Guides accounting staff by
coordinating activities and answering questions.
 Prepares asset, liability, and capital accounts entries by compiling and analyzing client’s financial information.
 Recommends and advises financial actions by analyzing accounting procedures options.
 Prepares all year-end tax accruals and reconciliations of the financial statements for tax return preparation.
 Prepares individual, partnership, non-profit and corporate income tax returns.
 Assists and advises with the financial projections, interstate taxation and business valuations.
TECHNICAL ENGINEER MANAGER | TAX ADVISOR 2009 to 2014
LOGISTICS MANAGER | RECRUITING & RETENTION MANAGER
United States Army, Fort Carson, CO
TECHNICAL ENGINEER MANAGER
Planned, directed, inspected, and performed site-development activities with oversight on production of accurate reports;
designing and reviewing of drawings. Managed equipment in excess of $500K.
 Supervised and directed Soldiers conducting operations in support of construction projects to include surveying, soil
analysis and mobility functions.

2. SANDRA RIVERA
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Professional experience continued
SPECIAL ASSSIGNMENT – TAX ADVISOR | ACCOUNTANT
Tapped by Senior Leadership - due to subject matter expertise, experience, and performance - for special assignment as Tax
Preparation Specialist at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center for an installation serving over 30,000 military
personnel, family members, and retirees.
 Sought out as subject matter expert by staff and clients regarding tax preparation assistance/questions.
 Prepared over 400 federal/state tax returns. Ensured compliance with Internal Revenue Service standards.
 Played pivotal role in saving clients over $62K in tax preparation fees. Cited in 59 customer service comment cards for
“professionalism, demeanor, and excellent customer service”.
 Hand selected by Senior Leadership to review over 500 tax returns for accuracy and compliance.
 Expert Trainer: Developed and conducted training for Tax Preparation Specialists to include specialized services such
as: health savings accounts, cancellation of debts and Puerto Rico filings.
 Efforts resulted in achieving high quality control standards with consistent and accurate application of tax laws across
the organization. Ensured team was IRS Certified to prepare tax returns, which prompted Soldiers to achieve their most
advanced certifications.
 Established, enforced, and maintained security protocols to safeguard clients’ sensitive tax information.
 Facility Manager: Held 100% accountability for personnel, security of systems and $150K in equipment.
RETENTION MANAGER for Battalion
Personally selected to serve as Retention Manager; oversaw and managed organization Retention Program for over 950
personnel. Meticulously managed $15K Retention Budget with zero discrepancies.
 Mentored and provided direct support to over 600 Soldiers in the areas of career progression; career
assistance/planning, and decisions to extend service commitments through reenlistment.
 Achieved organizational retention mission goals of 100% in all identified categories.
 Controlled/processed administrative documents for reenlistment to include: reenlistment contracts and bars to
reenlistment. Processed/maintained 52 bars-to-reenlistment. Monitored compliance across five companies.
 Trained and assisted five Retention Managers; efforts resulted in all five meeting established goals.
 Instrumental in providing assistance to Retention Non-Commissioned Officers to meet identified goals.
 Conducted refresher training for Commanders that reviewed the Army Retention Program. Pivotal player in assisting
Commanders with retaining their best Soldiers.
 Dedicated personal time to the development of service members and their families, both personal and professionally by
actively supporting the organization’s Family Readiness Group.
LOGISTICS MANAGER
 Developed/managed procedures of the Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss. Meticulous attention to detail
and efforts resulted in recovery of over $300K in lost, damaged or destroyed property.
 Controlled/managed centralized inventory functions with oversight on inventory control, storage, cataloging/supply
identification, property utilization, and accountability to include automated or manual supply accounting systems.
 Administered and applied regulations, policies, procedures, and instructions applicable to specific assignments.
 Responded to specialized inventory requests: conducted extensive searches and provided support for activities requiring
specialized or unique supplies, equipment, or parts.
“Dynamic Leader; actively encouraged collaboration between Soldiers,
creating an effective team with strong cohesion.” -1SG J. Conner
H&R BLOCK MANAGER / FRANCHISE OWNER / SENIOR TAX ADVISOR / ACCOUNTANT
1994 to 2008
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Managed a staff of 15 preparing/reviewing tax documents and filings for personally-owned national franchise.
Oversaw/coordinated all major functions conducted in the daily operation of a service retail organization.
 Drove gross revenues to over $400K annually. Championed brand recognition; developed and implemented
successful marketing initiatives to increase awareness in local community.
 Hired/trained employees; built a talented and versatile staff. Trained staff on correct procedures and laws for completing
tax preparation. Provided leadership; ensured compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Reviewed/evaluated individual/team performance. Held ultimate accountability for accuracy.

3.  Controlled human resource processes: interviewed, hired, trained, counseled, evaluated, and terminated employees.
 Provided fiscal oversight: managed all accounting matters; reporting, sales, P&L, A/P, A/R, collections, payroll, and
taxes.
 Led strategy and execution that provided exceptional levels of customer service delivery. Relied upon to maintain
discretion and confidentiality of clients.
SANDRA RIVERA
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Education and Awards
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Masters of Science in Taxation – Expected Graduation – December 2016
University of Colorado Denver Business School, Denver, CO
Masters of Business Administration with concentration in Accounting – June 2014
Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO
Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting – 1996
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla, PR
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Training Program
Internal Revenue Service
Military Training: Mobile Retention Course / Warriors Leader Course / Technical Engineer Course / Combat Lifesaver/ First
Aid Course, Family Readiness Leadership Course / Treasurer Course
AWARDS
Army Achievement Medal (2) Army Good Conduct Medal Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal