Santiago Martinez , CPA

Experience

• 

  Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLP

  Apr 1993 - Apr 1999

  Audit Manager

  Audit Manager for a national audit firm managing clients representing public and private companies across the US. In addition, prepared corporate and individual income tax returns as well as conducted corporate and individual tax planning. Provided training, mentoring and development for audit staff on audit procedures and technical literature.

• 

  PSEG Americas

  Apr 1999 - May 2003

  Assistant Controller

  Assistant Controller for a US energy company engaged in acquisitions and operations in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Managed the USGAAP and equity in earnings for a portfolio of electric generation companies in LAC and integrated two newly acquired hydro-electric generation companies in Argentina and Peru. Managed all aspects of US GAAP, IFRS and statutory reporting for the region; local GAAP to USGAAP reconciliations, intercompany and balance sheet stewardship for all legal entities. Acted as the main liaison with external auditors. Coordinated all planning, timelines and deliverables with external auditors. Show less

• 

  Southern Homes

  May 2003 - May 2004

  Controller

  Corporate Controller for a regional commercial/home developer/builder. Led the accounting department operations, monthly close, audit and tax return compliance and controls. Reviewed monthly general ledger activity, AR, AP, Payroll, accruals, reconciliations and compliance with accounting principles.

• 

  Mastercard

  May 2004 - now

  Led the enterprise and operational risk function designed to oversee and mitigate risks for the region. • Created a comprehensive risk management strategy that marries both strategic and operational risks integrating risk awareness across all business lines and functions while fostering a robust risk culture. • Identified, assessed and managed risks to align strategic objectives to enhance decision-making and optimizing resources. • From an operational risk perspective, recognized risks related to processes, systems, people and external factors that could potentially impact the company and company objectives.• Created an LAC Risk Dashboard with critical metrics on enterprise and operational level risks, list of customers on watch status, detailed remedial actions, due dates and timelines. Show less Managed planning and forecasting, operational metrics/KPIs, financial stewardship, internal controls, compliance, Board presentations / reporting and cash forecasts and funding for MFSH, a Belgium SPRL with subsidiaries in US, Peru, and Brazil. Finalized a liquidation of the organizational structure in June 2024.• Dual-hatted in addition to the Risk Management, Business Development Finance, and Region Controller roles.• Dual hatted role in addition to leading Risk Management, Business Development Finance, and Regional Controller. Show less Led a dedicated finance team in Latin America and Miami to support business development by protecting existing business and winning new deals. • Structured customer business agreements designed to win new business and drive issuing volumes and transactions targeting global, regional, and local financial institutions, FinTechs, airlines, and large merchants across LAC that issue/accept Mastercard cards.• Responsible for approving complex business models and incentives structures and aligning with corporate strategy, tailored product placement for Debit/Credit/Prepaid/Cobrands and Data and Cyber security products/services, while ensuring profitability and safeguarding company assets. • Presented financial models and business cases to senior leadership, seeking internal approval up to the Mastercard CEO for significant business deals.• Provided training to sales teams to ensure deals were protected with a focus on attractive IRRs.• Developed a Global Business Case Model to facilitate the creation of scalable, profitable deals. The model generated key financial drivers and KPIs, deal profitability and sustainable growth and the protection of company assets - received a CFO award.• Implemented a “Deal in a Day” business case model for use by the sales teams to fast-track and launch new business with Mastercard Direct customers in one Day - received a Presidents Award. Show less Managed the accounting close, USGAAP, internal controls, SOX, financial stewardship, statutory audits and adherence to company policies and procedures for LAC• Led and managed the month-end financial close process and preparation of GAAP financials: Statement of Income, Balance Sheets and Statement of Cash Flows• Designed processes to support detailed journal entries / Accelerated the month-end close to improve reporting and forecasting accuracy• Prepared monthly analyses and account reconciliations• Ensured compliance with internal control policies in a SOX compliant environment. Provided quarterly SOX compliance attestation to CFO prior to signing 10Qs/Ks• Managed all aspects of US GAAP, IFRS and statutory reporting for the region; local GAAP/USGAAP reconciliations, intercompany, balance sheet stewardship for legal entities• Prepared technical memorandums supporting complex contracts to ensure consistent application of GAAP• Complied with required tax and other regulatory filings• Acted as main liaison with external auditors. Coordinated all planning, timelines and deliverables with external auditors• Led the development of recurring reporting requirements and ad hoc requests for information• Responsible for providing information to outside tax consultants• Supervised and developed accounting and financial analysis staff• Provided quarterly attestations for customer agreements to corp. evidencing compliance with commitments• Implemented Rev Rec Topic 606 as well as performance monitoring for +400 customer agreements• Implemented controls for contracts language to align with approved business models• Supported internal audits ensuring all findings are timely remediated• Worked with the region general counsel to capture commitments under ASC 450• Prepared equity in earnings and impairment testing for joint ventures under ASC 323• Provided training for account managers to help align accounting of deal structures with budgets and forecasts Show less

  • Head of Risk Management, LAC

    Oct 2019 - now

  • Dual-hatted role: Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Mobile Financial Services Holding (MFSH)

    Jan 2015 - Jun 2024

  • Head of Business Development Finance, LAC

    Jun 2016 - Oct 2019

  • Region Controller for Latin America & the Caribbean

    May 2004 - Jun 2016