Claudia Lee Barahona
Montreal,QC
Summary
Dynamic and goal-driven professional seeking a position within a progressive company committed to fostering growth, learning, and a supportive work environment. Eager to leverage technical expertise and personal attributes to contribute effectively to organizational success.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Financial Control and SOX Compliance Manager
Novartis Colombia S.A
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Led Financial Control & Compliance processes at Novartis Colombia, ensuring alignment with global standards.
- Conducted scoping, risk assessments, and audits, following COSO 2013 guidelines.
- Managed SOX audit program, collaborating with external auditors to enhance efficiency.
- Analyzed financial proposals and business plans for regulatory and reporting impacts.
- Presented audit findings and remediation activities to executive leadership and SOX Steering Committee.
- Prepared SOX certification for CEO and CFO signatures and reports for Audit Committee.
Sarbanes-Oxley Financial Leader SAP4 HANA Project
Avianca S.A
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Designed and developed internal control environment in compliance with SOX requirements for financial processes, Administrative Purchasing and logistics, Human Resources, and Customer Experience.
- Achieved secure financial system (SAP4HANA) to minimize risks.
- Identified risks in financial processes and implemented manual and automatic internal controls.
- Successfully delivered processes with designed and executed controls.
Sarbanes-Oxley Financial Leader
Avianca S.A
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Executed SOX Financial Control processes for Avianca Holding, defining process risks and controls.
- Documented, maintained, and updated control matrix.
- Supported various areas in defining and executing SOX controls.
- Conducted and coordinated internal audit processes and supported Audit Committee.
- Led implementation project of GRC Risk Governance and Compliance program at Avianca Holding.
Financial Leader AMOS project
Avianca S.A
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Led the financial area of the AMOS system implementation project.
- Designed, parameterized, implemented, and developed financial processes including purchase-to-payment of inventory, fixed assets, and services, as well as material consumption.
Costs and Budget VP of Maintenance and Engineering
Avianca S.A
01.2004 - 01.2013
- Prepared and analyzed the administrative and operating budget for the VP of Maintenance and Engineering.
- Presented explanations for variations in financial statements to the Board of Directors.
- Provided cost information for the company's profitability model.
- Calculated maintenance costs for each fleet and depreciation/provisions for major components.
- Calculated cash flows and analyzed forecasts for the VP of Maintenance and Engineering.
- Achieved recognition and appointment as project leader for systematizing financial and accounting processes in the AMOS system (logistics) due to excellent performance and experience in maintenance costs.
Financial Auditor
Avianca S.A
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Planned and executed specific audit work, including compliance, organizational, and management audits.
- Developed audit programs for financial information within assigned areas.
- Documented audit work in accordance with established standards and prepared corresponding audit reports.
- Monitored time spent on implementation and reported on it, and followed up on action plans resulting from audits.
- Reviewed taxes such as withholdings, VAT, ICA, income, magnetic media, and reports to regulatory authorities.
- Led the elaboration of petty cash and travel expenses procedure manuals.
- Investigated fraud charges at various airports, resulting in insurance claims for the company.
- Conducted a survey of income control processes and made recommendations for improvement.
- Created an audit procedure for tax review and reporting to regulatory authorities.
Financial Auditor
Deloitte & Touche
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Planned and executed audits, including compliance, organizational, and management audits.
- Prepared and documented work papers using tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ACL.
- Communicated and discussed suggestions for management letters with work group, ensuring accuracy by corroborating information with clients.
- Provided crucial evidence to support administrative decisions and improve management.
- Conducted management audits in financial sector for various entities such as Banco de Crédito, Banco Colpatria, Banco Superior, MEGABANK, Banco Unión, Multifinanciera, Coltefinanciera, among others.
- Conducted financial audits for companies including Avianca, Maersk Colombia, Inversora Pichincha, Almacafe, Guy Carpenter, Delima Mercer, and Forever Living.
- Reviewed taxes including withholding at source, VAT, Industry and Commerce Tax (ICA), income tax, magnetic media, and reports to regulatory authorities.
Education
MBA in Project Management -
EUDE Bussines School
Spain01.2020
Bachelor's Degree in Public Accounting -
La Salle University
Colombia01.1998
Skills
- Excel VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)
- AMOS
- SAP4HANA
- SAP HANA
- Oracle12
- Office 365
Accomplishments
- Proven track record of delivering exceptional customer service, ensuring client satisfaction, and fostering positive relationships.
- Demonstrated proficiency in time management and task prioritization, consistently meeting deadlines and achieving objectives.
- Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, facilitating effective collaboration and conveying complex information clearly.
- Committed to delivering high-quality results, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
- A collaborative team player with the ability to work independently, contributing effectively to team goals while also demonstrating self-motivation and initiative.
Certification
- Diploma and Certificate in IFRS,
Externado de Cundinamarca University, Colombia
- Fiscal Audit Certificate,
La Salle University, Colombia
- Advanced Excel VBA Programming,
Computer Learning Center, Colombia
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
French
Full Professional
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Financial Control and SOX Compliance Manager
Novartis Colombia S.A
01.2021 - 01.2022
Sarbanes-Oxley Financial Leader SAP4 HANA Project
Avianca S.A
01.2019 - 01.2021
Sarbanes-Oxley Financial Leader
Avianca S.A
01.2017 - 01.2021
Financial Leader AMOS project
Avianca S.A
01.2013 - 01.2017
Costs and Budget VP of Maintenance and Engineering
Avianca S.A
01.2004 - 01.2013
Financial Auditor
Avianca S.A
01.2002 - 01.2004
Financial Auditor
Deloitte & Touche
01.2000 - 01.2003
MBA in Project Management -
EUDE Bussines School
Bachelor's Degree in Public Accounting -
La Salle University
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