Karisa Zacarias
Valparaiso
Summary
Accomplished finance and audit professional with over 12 years of experience in financial management, audit, and accounting. Proven track record of success in directing finance functions, leading audit engagements, and driving process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Skilled in strategic financial planning, budgeting, with a focus on mitigating risks. Strong leadership abilities, adept at managing cross-functional teams and fostering a collaborative work environment. Strong communication skills with a proven capability to establish and sustain professional relationships.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Finance
Porter County Community Foundation
Valparaiso
02.2021 - Current
- Manage the entire accounting process, which includes maintaining accounting records, preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financials in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, IRS regulations, and FASB standards, creating and managing the foundation’s budget, conducting financial analysis, and balancing bank and investment statements
- Provide strategic guidance to leadership on financial decisions and risk assessment
- Facilitated transition and integration of systems resulting in a successful conversion
- Develop and implement financial controls and procedures to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and compliance
- Streamline financial processes and systems to improve productivity and efficiency
- Process and maintain accounts receivable, accounts payable, grants payable and associated records ensuring timely distribution of checks
- Authenticate all contributions to guarantee deposited with the appropriate investment manager or financial institution, allocated to the correct funds, and administered in accordance with the fund agreement
- Assist with external audits and tax filings
- Verify individual fund accounts, generate quarterly fund statements for fund representatives, and manage administrative fee evaluations and collections
Corporate Internal Audit Manager
White Lodging Services
Merrillville
04.2014 - 05.2020
- Developed audit work papers using Excel
- Prepared and distributed audit reports
- Worked with hotel management to find solutions to internal control deficiencies
- Conducted follow-up testing based on control deficiencies noted during internal control reviews
- Examined internal control self-assessments and aided in devising a plan to validate outcomes
- Assisted Director of Internal Controls on various projects/investigations
- Managed three direct reports
- Set-up controls for new openings/takeovers
- Trained property level personnel on Accounting Best Practices and Accounting Software
- Prepared monthly sales and occupancy taxes, reviewed daily revenue reports, processed payments for management and royalty fees, and managed the accounting records for a full-service hotel, including the full accounting cycle
Internal Auditor
White Lodging Services
Merrillville
04.2012 - 04.2014
- Contributed to corporate audit processes
- Conducted internal audits to evaluate control environment
- Provided recommendations on control deficiencies noted on audit with hotel management
- Trained hotel level management on internal controls
Education
bachelor of science - Business Administration
Indiana University Northwest
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY -
Purdue University Northwest
Skills
- Critical & strategic thinking
- Problem solving
- Leadership
- Risk assessment
- Process improvement
- Focus under pressure
Certification
Candidate for the Uniform CPA Exam, 09/01/25, Completed education requirement of 150 hours and two years of experience
Hobbies and Interests
- Cooking
- Gardening
- Yoga
- Travel
Personal Information
Title: Director of Finance
Timeline
Director of Finance
Porter County Community Foundation
02.2021 - Current
Corporate Internal Audit Manager
White Lodging Services
04.2014 - 05.2020
Internal Auditor
White Lodging Services
04.2012 - 04.2014
bachelor of science - Business Administration
Indiana University Northwest
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY -
Purdue University Northwest