Welcome to the first episode of our cyber security series! In today’s interconnected world, the need for strong cyber security measures has never been greater. From small businesses to large corporations, every organization is at risk of cyber attacks that can lead to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and even legal liabilities.
Juan C. Rivera, CPA is currently the Tax Division Principal and has over 18 years of public accounting experience gained in both international and local accounting firms. During this time, he has acquired expertise in tax compliance, where he regularly advises businesses on a variety of compliance issues within examinations with PR government agencies and the Internal Revenue Service. He has participated in special projects assisting clients in the analysis of their internal processes and functions in order to improve efficiency and quality.
During his years of experience, Mr. Rivera has been responsible for the preparation of Federal and PR Tax returns for both corporate and individual clients, as well as, for estates, trusts, partnerships and other types of entities.
With more than two decades of immersion in the dynamic world of information technology, Mr. Pérez stands as a paragon of innovation and strategic foresight. His profound 20-year journey through the IT landscape has been marked by pivotal roles in infrastructure management, where he has orchestrated the robust foundations that businesses rely upon. In software development, he has translated complex needs into seamless functionality, delivering solutions that drive industry forward.
Mr. Pérez has streamlined the lifecycle of systems development, ensuring that integration and delivery are as smooth as the technologies he employs. His strategic approach to disaster recovery is not merely about planning; it’s a comprehensive safeguard, a promise of resilience in an era of digital vulnerability.
His niche knowledge in the sectors of insurance, banking, and corporate governance infuses each project with an unparalleled depth of insight. With every engagement, he brings not just technical acumen, but a wealth of sector-specific wisdom, ensuring that solutions are not only innovative but also intricately tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of these industries.
Josue is a certified as Security+, tech-savvy IT professional with more than 8 years in the Information Technology (IT) field who started his career in areas such as, data center and operations, systems administration and, IT project management. Josue later transitioned his IT knowledge and applied it into IT auditing, compliance, risk management, and advisory services during his tenure at a Big Four company. During his career Josue has served clients across multiple industries within banking, payment processing, insurance, supply chain management, etc. However, he is very passionate and specializes in clients who are innovators within the Payments Processing, Technology and Telecommunication sectors.
His brand focuses in being a client-centric IT Advisor who can fluently communicate and translate complex IT topics while assisting them to understand risk management and compliance aspects of IT processes, their controls design and operating effectiveness execution in order to add value to their business.
Ms. Eyla Marquez is a proven leader with more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, specifically in the areas of individual and corporate taxation. Her consulting background includes providing Puerto Rico income tax advice to local and international clients in a wide array of industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceutical, retail services, real estate, food services, and financial services, among others. Mrs. Márquez focuses on both inbound and outbound Puerto Rico and US federal tax matters. Eyla has also assisted clients with complex transactions developing tax-efficient structuring strategies, obtaining tax incentives, and advising on corporate acquisitions as well as local taxation issues such as property, municipal license and sales and use taxes, among others.
Before joining Driven Advisors, Eyla worked for the corporate tax group of PwC in Puerto Rico. She spent her last two years at PwC assisting clients with federal and state income tax compliance issues in the US Asset Management Division for the PwC New York office, dealing with hedge funds and private equity funds. She also worked for Kevane Grant Thornton and Deloitte. Additionally, Eyla was a consultant at the Internal Revenue Area of the Puerto Rico Treasury Department.
Eyla, a Certified Public Accountant since 2000, holds a Cum Laude Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus.
Financial professional, former big four accountant, and internal auditor with nearly twenty years of experience in finance and accounting, external audit, internal audit, consulting, and compliance for private and governmental entities. Extensive background in accounting cycles and Sarbanes Oxley. Vast experience leading, managing, and supervising teams in governmental finance and accounting functions and external and internal audits performed domestically and internationally, with experience running projects in locations such as: United States, Spain, Norway, Argentina, China, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and Korea. Managed cash flows and line of credits with funds over the hundred million of dollars and make investment decisions to maximize the use of public funds. Public accounting and consulting experience in various industries such as: manufacturing, financial services, and healthcare. Fully bilingual (Spanish and English). Harry has both the CPA and CIA certifications. Also is a former CFO and his key areas of expertise being as follows: Internal Audit, SOX, Risk and Compliance. Harry directed a practice of over ten professionals with projects over the banking industry. Finally, he has served at several Board of Directors appointed by past Governors.
Antoine Yamín, CPA, CGMA is an Assurance Senior Manager at Driven, PSC. He has over twelve (12) years of progressive professional experience, including ten (10) years in public accounting. Mr. Yamín commenced his public accounting experience in PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (also known as “PwC”). Mr. Yamin experience working in public accounting include clients in financial services, manufacturing, distribution, retail, wholesale, and real estate industries. Mr. Yamín experience include audit of financial statements, integrated audits, SOX, HUD Chapter 6 & 7, statutory audits, among other services.
Alejandra has more than 7 years of public accounting experience, in addition, she has more than 9 years of experience in accounting in the private sector. She has managed and performed external assurance engagements and other attestation services for several industries. Her work includes auditing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP and STAT basis, AICPA Standards, US GAAP, STAT and PCAOB Standards for both publicly traded and privately held companies. Prior to joining Driven, Alejandra worked for the Big 4 international accounting firm of Deloitte. Alejandra has experience in industries such as Manufacturing, Retail, and Advertisement and Publicity, Automotive and Real Estate; with significant experience in Wholesale/Distribution, Insurance, Financing, Hotels, Investments and Cannabis.
Henry Hicks Bracho has more than 3 years of Public Accounting experience. He has been responsible for conducting external assurance engagements and other attestation services for several industries. His work includes auditing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP and AICPA Standards, including ensuring compliance with federal laws and regulations such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Additionally, he is proficient in key technical areas including GAAP and GAAS. During his years within the Company, he has worked in performing financial statement audits for the manufacturing, real estate, rental & leasing, retail, construction industries, benefit pension plans, among others.
Wigberto Marcano Vázquez, CPA is an Assurance Services partner and has over 25 years of public accounting experience. He has extensive experience in pension plans, forensic accounting, insurance claims, compliance audits and in the public sector. In the public sector, he has led the audit of the financial statements, as well as participated in the preparation of the budget of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. At Driven, P.S.C., its main role is to conduct audits and advisory work with the highest quality standards.
Wigberto is characterized by cost-effective recommendations that simplify accounting processes, maintaining an adequate internal control structure, this is especially important in those organizations where the internal audit department does not have the appropriate size or training to have the proper evaluation of internal controls. Among his industries of expertise are, Hotels, Colleges and Universities, Government, Pension Plans regulated by the Federal Department of Labor, Real Estate, among others. Also, he has extensive knowledge in accounting issues related to human resources and International Financial Reporting Standards. And, he has participated in forums and committees of the Puerto Rico Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Chapter of Internal Auditors of Puerto Rico.
Antonio J. Pérez is a Semi-Senior Associate in the Assurance Services department. He has over four (4) years of public accounting experience serving a broad range of industries. During his years of experience, he acquired expertise in the manufacturing, financial insurance services, federal laws compliance, real estate, rental leasing, retail, and construction industries, including benefit plans, among others. Antonio is proficient with key technical areas. In his years within the Company, he has assisted in conducting financial statements audits from diverse industries such as manufacturing companies, rental leasing companies, and retail companies. He has two majors, in Accounting and other in Finance, and a Master degree in Management.
Mrs. León Rivera is a Business Services and Outsourcing Senior Manager at Driven PSC. Nivea oversees a team of talented professionals that provides clients customized solutions in the areas of bookkeeping, payroll processing, and tax returns preparation. In this role, Nivea draws on over 25 years of experience performing auditing, accounting, payroll and tax services for a variety of businesses. Her diverse industry experience includes Services, Distribution, Manufacturing, Non-profit, and Real Estate, among others. Prior to joining Driven, Nivea worked as an Audit Manager and Accounting Supervisor at a local accounting firm.
Robert Christianson is an audit manager with over 20 years of public accounting experience across a broad range of public and private companies and employee benefit plans. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has participated in providing services to industries such as, airlines, distribution, retail, pharmaceutical, education not-for-profit and qualified pension plans. He also oversees the preparation of financial statements and recommendations regarding his clients’ internal controls and meets with clients’ management personnel. Since 2010 Robert has lead MAPR’s audit teams.
Zulma has more than nine (9) years of public accounting experience serving a broad range of industries. She has been responsible for conducting external assurance engagements and other attestation services for several industries. Among her areas of expertise are reviewing accounting policies and procedures manuals, and suggesting value added improvements, preparation and review of financial statements, including referred disclosures to ensure they are in accordance with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and other regulatory requirements.
Zulma is proficient with key technical areas, including GAAP and GAAS. In her years within the Company, She has performed financial statements audits from diverse industries such as hospitality, distribution, rental of construction equipment and professional servicing industries.
Jonathan has more than six (6) years of public accounting experience serving a broad range of industries. He has been responsible for conducting external assurance engagements and other attestation services for several industries. His work includes auditing financial statements in accordance with US GAAP and AICPA Standards, including ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations such as: Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and NCUA Regulations. Jonathan is proficient with key technical areas, including GAAP, GAAS, and PCAOB matters, and the Sarbanes Oxley Act. During his years of experience, he acquired expertise in the manufacturing, financial & insurance services, real estate, rental & leasing, retail, and construction industries, including benefit plans, among others. In his years within the Company, he has performed financial statements audits from diverse industries such as manufacturing companies, private equity funds, rental & leasing companies, financial & insurance services, construction, and pension plan audits.
Mario Sánchez, CPA, CGMA is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with more than fifteen (15) years working in public accounting. Mr. Sanchez experience mainly developed around government entities providing direct assistance on the preparation of financial statements, identifying risk, conduct the efforts proposed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in accordance with all Federal Agency accounting, quality assurance guidelines and regulations.
He specialized in management and compliance related to Federal Grants and establishing correction plans to remove “High Risk” grantee designations. He also has provided direct assistance on the preparation of Indirect Cost Rate proposal in compliance with Federal Regulations. Mr. Sanchez also have experience in Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics related consulting projects of clients in the Private Sector.
Jeyliza has been certified as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls (CRISC), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). With more than eight (8) years of experience, Jeyliza has worked at management level or as advisor within the banking, insurance, health, tire, liquified gas, transportation of derived petroleum products (gasoline and fuels), and logistics & distribution industries. She specializes as a Security & IT Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Advisor assisting clients with assessing preparedness, reliability & suitability of the process and controls design and operating effectiveness execution.
Additionally, Jeyliza has been leading the technology business advisory services team by developing methodologies, standards, and procedures over design and control operation for Clients to comply with regulatory and operational requirements of their pertaining risk component over non-traditional assessments, risk & compliance, security and cybersecurity, process enhancement / disruption, disaster recovery / business continuity, and processes documentation.
CPA Alexis Otero has over 15 years’ experience in private and public accounting, acquiring experience in the professional services, retail, real estate, non-profit and construction industries. Mr. Otero has gained experience in the following areas: supervising the full accounting cycle, payroll processing and monthly accounting closing procedures; preparation of financial statements, financial statement analysis and cost reconciliations and a variety of accounting functions including audit testing and evaluation and documentation of accounting systems.
Mr. Otero has experience in federal and state tax preparation. Mr. Otero graduated from University of Puerto Rico in 2003 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting. In addition, in 2006 he became a member of Puerto Rico Society of Certified Public Accountants.
José Luis Villafañe Ramos, MBA is currently a Senior Manager in the Business Services and Outsourcing department with over twenty years of experience in government accounting, including Finance, Budget, Audits, Grant Management, Compliance, and other Administrative Fields. Mr. Villafañe evaluates internal processes and procedures, detects performance levels, and provide recommendations for improvement. Address concerns with the strategy, structure, management, and operations of the organization, identified options for the organization and suggest recommendations for change as well as helping with additional resources to implement solutions.
Also, he specialized in management and compliance related to Federal Grants, finance, budget, retirement systems, compliance with State and Federal regulation. And provided direct assistance on the preparation of Indirect Cost Rate proposals in compliance with Federal Regulations.
Guardin Sosa, Esq. is a Manager in DRIVEN’s Tax Advisory practice with more than 15 years of experience in the field serving local and international clients. His expertise and focus of attention are on the design of practical and tax efficient structures to help clients accomplish their goals in an ever-evolving marketplace. Mr. Sosa multi-industry experience includes the Communications, Distribution, E-commerce, Education, Financial Services, Government, Healthcare, Insurance, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Natural Resources, Non-Profit, Real Estate and Retail sectors. In addition to experience in the preparation and review of tax returns for corporate and individual clients, Guardin has been engaged in numerous and diverse assignments on matters ranging from structuring mergers and acquisitions, negotiation of tax decrees, design of current and deferred compensation plans for key executives, asset protection plans, tax accounting and FIN 48 risk analysis, among others.
Early in his career, Mr. Sosa worked in the Assurance and Business Advisory practices that afford him a thorough operational vision for his clients beyond tax law theory. Guardin is a member of the Puerto Rico Bar Association and served in the Board of Directors for the Puerto Rican Notarial Institute.
Kristy recently joined Driven. She has 6 years of Big Four firm public accounting experience and 5 years of experience in local Accounting Firms, including significant experience with Expatriates Individual Taxation, serving many industries (such as Pharmaceuticals) that transfer employees to other countries for temporary special assignments or permanent relocations. In addition, Kristy has extensive experience with the Act 20 and Act 22 Industry as she has managed and performed tax and advisory services in this field since the commencements of her professional career. Furthermore, she has vast experience in managing Corporate Taxation for industries such as pharmaceuticals, insurance, banks, manufacturing, hospitals and non-for profits entities, among others.
Kristy graduated from University of Puerto Rico (Rio Piedras campus) in 2007, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Major in Accounting (Magna Cum Laude honors). She is currently pursuing her Public Accountant Certification (CPA).
Limarie Cuevas, CPA is a manager in the tax compliance department and has more than twelve years of experience in tax compliance matters, including significant experience in Puerto Rico, federal and state taxation for individuals and entities. Mrs. Cuevas has experience in different industries including the following: professional services, real estate, not for profit, manufacture, technology, education services, Act 20/22, among others.
Cristian Rivera, CPA is an Assurance Senior Manager with over nineteen (19) years of experience working in public accounting in the auditing department. His work includes expertise with financial audits, Securities Exchange Commission filings, due diligence, and compliance with regulatory bodies. His focus has been working with financial audits, regulatory compliance audits, providing internal audit outsource services to financial institutions and other sectors, and providing advisory services in a wide range of engagements such as restatement of financial statements, consolidation procedures, and reparation and filling of 10-Q and 10-K Forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He has experience in performing SOX-404 procedures, risk assessments, and merger and acquisition transactions.
Cristian has a multi-sectorial experience in industries such as construction, distribution, services, education, financial services, mortgage banking, waste management, healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality and leisure, real estate, and retail. Also has experience auditing governmental clients like the Puerto Rico Industrial Development (PRIDCO), Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (AFI), and Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (“PREPA”), among others.
José Canales has more than 18 years of public accounting experience serving a broad range of private and publicly held clients in a variety of industries. His experience includes planning, performing, and supervising a wide array of financial statement audits, analyzing internal controls and policies, writing accounting policies and procedure manuals, interfacing regularly with audit committees, providing both governance insight and commentary on adequacy of the client’s accounting function, SOX 404 procedures documentation and testing.
He has extensive experience auditing defined contribution and defined benefit plans ranging from small-sized, simple plans to large-size and complex plan structures. José has experience in the following industry market segments: Financial Services, Insurance, Technology and Tele Communications, Government and Public Sector, Gaming, Services, Employee Benefit Plans, Real Estate, Manufacturing, Education & Non-Profit, Healthcare, and Construction.
José has over ten (10) years of public accounting experience serving with large, complex clients across a broad range of industries. During his years in the “Big 4” international accounting firm Ernst and Young PR, LLC, he acquired expertise in the insurance, manufacturing, and government industries. José is proficient with key technical areas, including GAAP, GAAS, and accounting for governmental entities, PCAOB matters, and the Sarbanes Oxley Act. He is currently an active member of the Technology Committee for the Assurance Department.
As of September 2017, the Technology Committee designated José as the Technology Champion responsible for training the department in using the audit software for executing our integrated risk-based audits and assisting resources in understanding the firm’s methodology. As of June 2018, José leads the EBP Practice Initiative that is aimed at improving audit quality, increasing operational effectiveness and efficiencies, and developing assurance professionals. He also is engaged in the firm’s intern program and staff acceleration program, where he serves as a mentor and instructor for trainings related to the use of audit tools, methodology, and various other courses.
Jessica has over 20 years of experience in private and public accounting. While working at the Firm, she has been in-charge of the audit team for the University of Puerto Rico, one of Puerto Rico’s most complex and important institutions. She has led audit and advisory engagements such as: accounting closing procedures, account analysis, subsidiaries reconciliations and has been a liaison between external auditors and management as well as performed financial statements audits, single audits, and internal audits. Jessica’s experience includes auditing a wide variety of sectors, including manufacturing, retail, commercial real estate, tax-exempt organizations, school systems, government, associations, and foundations, among others.
Compliance auditing for organizations receiving significant federal funding from many different agencies in accordance with the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 Subpart F (previously known as OMB Circular A-133). Jessica is highly qualified in the field of accounting and auditing in general and her contribution as a professional to large and important public and private companies has resulted in better control and high performance for them.
Juan José Díaz Rifas, CPA, CFE is the Assurance Services Principal and has over 30 years of experience including clients in insurance, retail, wholesale, construction, manufacturing, higher education, not-for-profit and public sector. His relevant experience includes auditing a wide variety of industries including insurance, manufacturing, real estate, and construction in addition to governmental entities. He has significant experience handling organizations with multiple for-profit and non-profit entities, employee benefit plans, and governmental component units, with Federal and non-Federal grants.
His work includes expertise with, bond offerings, and compliance with regulatory bodies and has led and performed compliance audits. Juan José’s focus is always on quality-oriented work. He can evaluate risks, assess sufficiency of controls, identify process improvement opportunities, and effectively communicate areas of risks and opportunities to top management. He has also provided service on several internal quality control inspection teams previously as part of the “Big Four” international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche.
Harry E. Alemán, CPA, CPA, CIA, CGAP, CICA, CFS, CRMA, MBA is the Outsourcing Services Principal and has over 20 years public accounting experience providing services to clients in the industries of government, retail, wholesale, and not-for-profit, among others. Harry is the partner in charge of the Business Services and Outsourcing department that provides services to clients in areas of bookkeeping, compliance, payroll, and other accounting matters.
Emanuel Reyes Diaz has more than 4 years of Tax Compliance experience in Puerto Rico and US Tax Returns. He works primarily in the tax preparation and review of returns of business entities and individuals. He has 3 years of experience in the preparation of Fiduciary Income Tax Returns and Retirement Plans. In addition, he has previously worked on bookkeeping and outsourcing services.
Samantha De Jesus has more than 2 years of public accounting experience. She started as an assurance intern and has develop her professional career in such way that has allowed her to grow withing the firm and become senior associate. She specializes in industries such as: distribution, manufacturing, waste management, non-performing loans management and servicing, risk management and other services. As part of her auditing experience, Samantha has performed multiple audits for branch established in Puerto Rico. In the industries that Samantha has worked, she has been able to also audit under the provision of different acts such as: Act 20: Export Services Act and Act 273: International Financial Center Regulatory Act. Ms. De Jesus also has experience auditing employee benefit plans.
Amelia A. Nieves Garcia has more than 2 years of public accounting experience. She started as an assurance intern and has develop her professional career in such way that has allowed her to grow within the firm and become a senior associate. Amelia has formed part of several audit engagements of clients from various industries. Some of the industries she has worked with are health care, distribution, retail, waste management, education, advertising, among others, and has also audited employee benefit plans. Mrs. Nieves has been in-charge of performing financial audits and the preparation of the financial statements for clients. Additionally, she has been part of some due diligence projects for the Business Advisory department.
A very well diversified CPA, driven and successful entrepreneur who started his business ventures very early, and now has over 25 years of experience in public accounting, financial institutions management and privately-owned enterprises. Sigfredo has extensive experience leading audit and business advisory engagements for mutual funds, employee benefit plans, mortgage bankers and financial institutions, waste management, retail and distribution, real estate, services, and manufacturing sectors. He served as Vice President and Sub Director of Santander Trust (2004 – 2006) where he oversaw the operations, compliance, and reporting of a banking unit with $4 Billion in assets under management, having the oversight of employee benefit plans, corporate trusts, mutual funds administration, and IRA accounts, among others. During this time, Sigfredo gained hands-on experience in complex operations, such as: the administration of public debt issuances and collateralized debt instruments, mutual funds pricing, electronic and physical custody of financial instruments, among others bringing experience of the operational side of the funds.
He was also in charge of the transfer agency and paying agent functions operations for the First PR Family of Funds and performed collateral quality verifications for the Santander Funds. Also, he started his professional career in Price Waterhouse (now PwC), San Juan office, where he spent 6 years, from entry-level until manager promotion in 2002. And, while at PwC, Sigfredo also served as national instructor for the PwC Learning and Education Team in Puerto Rico, Boston, and New Jersey.
Ryan Marín, CPA is currently the Managing Shareholder and has more than 25 years of accounting, advisory and audit experience. Mr. Marín is a proven leader and motivator with vast experience managing large accounting and advisory firms. Ryan has an extensive experience leading a wide range of engagements in the Private, Non-for-Profit and Public sectors. He has led several audit and audit support engagements such as: financial and performance audits, compliance and performance reviews and OIG Support.
In the Business Advisory line of business, he has also participated in strategy and operational review, policy/process review, budget development and execution, among others. His client portfolio includes, financial institutions, real estate, retail and distribution, construction and development, technology, healthcare, among others.
Wallace Rodríguez Parissi, CPA, CMA, CFE, CGFM, FCPA, CICA is an Assurance Services partner and has over 28 years of public accounting experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Government Financial Manager, Forensic Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Controls Auditor who has an extensive experience leading a wide range of engagements in the public sector.
Wallace has led major engagements with a wide range of complex governmental organizations such as: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Government Development Bank for PR, Municipality of San Juan, Municipality of Caguas, Office of Management and Budget, PR Department of Education, PR Department of Family, PR Department of Labor, PR Industrial Development Company, PR Employees Retirement System of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Judiciary, Additional Lottery System, Lottery of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority. He started his career in the “Big Four” international accounting firm of Deloitte acquiring expertise in in many industries, such as retail, wholesale, manufacturing, services, government, higher education, not for profit, real estate management, among others.
Patricia A. Wangen, CPA, ESQ. is the Tax Services Partner and has over 28 years of public accounting experience gained in both international and local accounting firms. Patricia has managed and performed tax core and advisory services in the areas of accounting for income tax, international tax, Puerto Rico tax credits, and mergers and acquisitions, for industries, such as banking, distribution, real estate, education, natural resources, insurance, non-profit, and services. She has taught courses for employees including income tax provision computations, presentations on Puerto Rico Tax Code amendments, and various other courses.
Also, Patricia has experience working Puerto Rico tax matters not only with the financial sector industries, but also in service, real estate, manufacturing, and telecommunications. And, she has assisted clients with establishing operations in Puerto Rico, tax decree negotiations, tax due diligence work as part of mergers and acquisitions, estate tax planning, and tax return preparation.
