Armando Montero Benavides
Financial Manager
San José
Summary
Results-driven Financial Supervisor with proven expertise in financial oversight, compliance, and process optimization. Adept at leading teams with strong analytical and decision-making skills to ensure accuracy and integrity in financial reporting. Skilled in researching accounting discrepancies, enforcing compliance, and implementing robust quality control measures for financial transactions. In-depth knowledge of accounting policies, GAAP, and statutory requirements. Combines strategic communication, negotiation, and resource allocation expertise to drive operational efficiency and financial accountability.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
2025
2025
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Controllership and process improvement Supervisor
Amazon Costa Rica Financial Services
08.2021 - 07.2024
- Audit Leadership: Led the Ring-Brilliance subsidiaries audit, identifying 25 material findings in the migration process, enhancing compliance and risk mitigation
- Initiative Founder: Established and led the 'Controllership Task Force' in Costa Rica, resolving $5.2M in items within the first quarter, driving process efficiency
- Training & Development: Developed 4 training programs to strengthen risk assessment capabilities, realigning the team to achieve green metric status
- Process Optimization: Consolidated and monitored accounting metrics, reducing stale items by 40% through proactive tracking and resolution
- Quality Assurance: Designed and implemented a 5-month quality review for new accounts, uncovering 25 findings and preventing KPI disruptions
- Knowledge Sharing: Launched a peer review program to foster cross-team collaboration, identify controllership gaps, and enhance best practices
- Risk management: Spearheaded the implementation of a comprehensive risk management framework, resulting in a 25% reduction in operational discrepancies and strengthening compliance with internal control standards across financial processes
Revenue Accounting & Subs Migration Lead- Senior accountant
Amazon Costa Rica Financial Services
02.2020 - 07.2021
- System Migration Leadership: Supported the successful launch of Amazon Care Business outside core systems by facilitating the transition from Quick-Books to Oracle, ensuring seamless financial operations
- Process Efficiency: Spearheaded the journal reduction initiative, decreasing organizational journals by 25%, streamlining financial reporting and compliance
- On-boarding Innovation: Led the on-boarding team committee and developed a two-way feedback model to enhance communication, engagement, and process improvements
- Revenue Recognition validation: Integrated additional controls to revenue recognition processes, utilizing internal reporting tools, which decreased reporting errors by 30%
Financial Planning & Analysis
Amazon Costa Rica Financial Services
12.2018 - 02.2020
- Budget Management: Oversaw finance operations budget for 200+ team members, ensuring optimal resource allocation and cost efficiency
- Financial Forecasting & Analysis: Conducted headcount (HC) and Opex reviews and forecasts (R&O-OP) with a 1% deviation, while adapting productivity strategies in response to Covid-19 disruptions
- Process Optimization: Developed a unified HC tracking file for multi-location requests and transfers, streamlining workforce planning and reporting
- Strategic Operational Planning: Created operational plans for future periods and supported the AWS AR launch in Brazil vs
- Costa Rica, conducting cost-benefit analyses to guide decision-making
- Reporting & Decision Support: Revitalized manager reporting to deliver monthly insights, enhancing leadership's ability to enhance data-driven decisions
- Cost Control & Allocation: Managed budget transfers and cost center maintenance, ensuring accurate financial tracking and proper consolidation of Amazon Costa Rica costs
United Kingdom Accounting coordinator
Equifax Costa Rica
12.2017 - 12.2018
- Strategic Accounting Leadership: Managed the UK Accounting Organization, overseeing a team of professionals while ensuring accuracy and compliance across all financial reporting
- Process Excellence: Spearheaded the creation of SOPs, SLAs, and KPIs for all accounting processes, driving a 20% improvement in operational metrics and standardization
- Team Development & Career Growth: Fostered a high-performance culture by designing career paths for team members, enhancing retention and professional growth opportunities
- Innovation Champion: Launched the 'Low Hanging Fruit' program to identify and implement quick-win process improvements, boosting team efficiency and engagement
- On-boarding & Talent Development: Established a structured ramp-up plan for new accountants, reducing on-boarding time and accelerating productivity
- Risk Mitigation & Compliance: Redesigned the upstream account certification process to enforce segregation of duties, strengthening internal controls
- Organizational Transformation: Led the restructuring of the Accounting Department from a geographic to a process-driven model, improving scalability and cross-functional alignment
Financial Supervisor
Hewlett Packard
08.2016 - 10.2017
- Financial Operations Leadership: Managed a high-performing team of 4 Financial Analysts and 1 Account Specialist, overseeing deposit and prepaid accounting while ensuring accuracy and compliance
- Business Continuity Champion: Led the local BCP (Business Continuity Plan) implementation for all roles under supervision, enhancing operational resilience and risk preparedness
- Process Standardization & Compliance: Mapped SLA frameworks for historical and current team activities, ensuring full compliance and accountability across workflows
- High-Performance Team Leadership: Recognized for exceptional BSR (Balance Sheet Review) leadership, delivering high-quality, timely results under tight deadlines
- Problem Resolution & Financial Impact: Directed the team to resolve $30M+ in unsolved issues stemming from incorrect amortization schedules (HPE-HP Inc), correcting financial discrepancies and improving reporting integrity
- Efficiency Optimization: Redesigned a critical reporting tool, saving 120+ hours annually and enhancing team productivity through automation
Financial Analyst Specialist
Hewlett Packard
10.2014 - 08.2016
- Data-Driven Process Leadership: Led Balance Sheet Reviews (BSR) with a zero-defect approach, achieving 100% on-time, high-quality delivery through rigorous analytics and process controls
- Risk Mitigation & Compliance: Executed flawless FX variance reporting for 2+ years with zero SOX audit findings, ensuring precision in financial controls and regulatory adherence
- Large-Scale Migration Excellence: Spearheaded the migration of 200+ accounts into the organization with a 99% success rate, minimizing risk through meticulous validation and testing protocols
- Financial Integrity During Transition: Cleared 90% of owned accounts with full proper allocation and zero write-offs during the HPE-HPI separation, demonstrating superior reconciliation accuracy
Treasury Auditor
Intel Corporation
08.2009 - 09.2014
- Global Treasury Oversight: As Treasury Confirmations Global Owner, ensured 99% accuracy in trade confirmations across Costa Rica and Malaysia teams, exceeding performance benchmarks while maintaining strict adherence to financial controls
- Regulatory & Internal Compliance: Audited 100% of global treasury transactions, guaranteeing alignment with SOX, internal policies, and international financial regulations-zero material findings
- Process Automation & Efficiency: Led the testing and implementation of 2 new Treasury tools, enabling touch-less processes that reduced manual work by 50%, while enhancing control reliability
- Team Development & Risk Mitigation: Trained and mentored 5 entry-level contributors on compliance protocols, ensuring error-free execution and reinforcing a culture of control adherence
General Accounting
Intel Corporation
03.2007 - 08.2009
- Balance Sheet Integrity: Executed monthly reconciliations and in-depth analysis for 20+ key accounts, ensuring 100% accuracy and compliance with closing deadlines
- Close Process Leadership: Owned end-to-end month-end close activities, including journal entries (JE), account monitoring, and BSR support,reducing close cycle time by 15% through streamlined workflows
- Global Accrual Governance: As L2 Worldwide Accrual Owner, implemented a standardized Accrual Checklist, ensuring 100% policy compliance and reducing audit adjustments by 25%
- Audit Readiness: Maintained a
- Process Optimization: Redesigned processes for 30+ new accounts, improving efficiency by 20% and reducing manual errors
- Technology-Driven Savings: Tested and deployed next-gen reconciliation tools, enabling an end-to-end automated process that cut reconciliation time by 40%
- System Integration Leadership: Spearheaded SAP Financial Module integration, boosting data accuracy and reducing manual effort by 35% through automation
Education
Executive Master Business Administration -
OBS Business School /Barcelona University
L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, BarcelonaBachelor and Licenciate Degree - Public Accounting
Universidad de Costa Rica
San Pedro Montes de Oca, San JoséM.E.P. Graduate - undefined
Saint Claire High School
Skills
- Financial oversight
- Team performance optimization
- Collaborative leadership
- Change management
- Accounting policies (IFRS, US GAAP, SOX Controls)
- Development of control frameworks
- Effective interpersonal communication
- Effective written communication
- Effective verbal communication
- Effective negotiation
- Customer-focused approach
- Strategic resource management
- Expense monitoring
- Financial cost analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Websites
Surfing, running, reading and hiking
Outdoor enthusiast with a passion for adventure—constantly exploring new horizons through hiking, surfing, and cross-country road trips
Timeline
Controllership and process improvement Supervisor
Amazon Costa Rica Financial Services
08.2021 - 07.2024
Revenue Accounting & Subs Migration Lead- Senior accountant
Amazon Costa Rica Financial Services
02.2020 - 07.2021
Financial Planning & Analysis
Amazon Costa Rica Financial Services
12.2018 - 02.2020
United Kingdom Accounting coordinator
Equifax Costa Rica
12.2017 - 12.2018
Financial Supervisor
Hewlett Packard
08.2016 - 10.2017
Financial Analyst Specialist
Hewlett Packard
10.2014 - 08.2016
Treasury Auditor
Intel Corporation
08.2009 - 09.2014
General Accounting
Intel Corporation
03.2007 - 08.2009
Bachelor and Licenciate Degree - Public Accounting
Universidad de Costa Rica
M.E.P. Graduate - undefined
Saint Claire High School
Executive Master Business Administration -
OBS Business School /Barcelona University
Similar Profiles
IVÁN LEÓN MURILLOIVÁN LEÓN MURILLO
D2AS Support Associate at AMAZON SUPPORT SERVICES COSTA RICA S.R.L.D2AS Support Associate at AMAZON SUPPORT SERVICES COSTA RICA S.R.L.
Fabian HerreraFabian Herrera
Account Executive at Amazon Business Costa RicaAccount Executive at Amazon Business Costa Rica
Hector Cheves FernandezHector Cheves Fernandez
Human Resources / Case Manager at Amazon Costa RicaHuman Resources / Case Manager at Amazon Costa Rica