Corporate Controller / CFO

Maria Guerra DeFrenza

*** ***** ****** ****** **** Ridge IL 60068

Cell: (847) 494 – 0089 *****.*.********@*****.***

SUMMARY

Financial executive with extensive background in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and manufacturing. Deep experience in the areas of strategic planning, risk management, treasury and working capital management, FP&A, standard product costing, process improvements, transfer pricing, internal controls, and tax strategy and compliance. Skilled at collaborating with international ownership in Europe and Asia, as well as daily management of operations in North and South America.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sunstar Americas, Inc., Schaumburg, IL 1994 – Present

Global family-owned Japanese company, headquartered in Switzerland, focused on oral care consumer products and specialty industrial manufacturing.

Chief Financial Officer 2024 – Present

North and South America segments focused on oral care with both manufacturing and distribution, representing approximately 15% of total global revenues. Staff of 19 with four direct reports. Collaborate closely in six countries, operating with the Sunstar Americas, Inc. President, board, and senior leadership to guide critical business decisions through comprehensive financial analysis and insight.

Eliminated internal silos between North and South American manufacturing teams, reduced costs by increasing total volumes, outsourced manufacturing and derisked significant third-party suppliers in Asia.

Directed and streamlined the FP&A process for annual budget and quarterly forecasts, focused on expense management, headcount, working capital and automated manual processes.

Refocused internal management reporting to highlight results of operations excluding corporate overhead.

Reduced third party interest expense by 40% by implementing arms-length intercompany loans versus bank debt.

Member of leadership that evaluated a new ERP system to replace an antiquated and hard to maintain ERP system.

Led transfer pricing and service allocation study that achieved 25% global tax efficiency.

Corporate Controller 2020 – 2024

Staff of 11 with three direct reports. Supervised all accounting, financial reporting, treasury, internal controls, transfer pricing, receivables and payables, tax planning and compliance, cost accounting, and payroll. Oversaw the financial close for six entities with six currencies, ensured accurate and timely reporting across the Americas region.

Secured a fully forgiven PPP loan, ensuring full employment and continuous operations.

Created KPIs focused on inventory turnover, DSO, DPO, market share, quality metrics, customer-imposed penalties, and distribution efficiency.

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Drove continuous improvement in financial processes that implemented automation and eliminated repetitive tasks, resulted in enhanced timeliness and accuracy in monthly close and financial reporting.

Substantially improved the 12-month cash flow projection, enhanced forecast accuracy and liquidity management.

Experienced in all aspects of GAAP vs IFRS reporting, including revenue recognition and leasing, and ensured that capitalizable aspects of a new ERP system complied with GAAP and IFRS standards.

Directed multiple system conversions in the areas of general ledger, fixed assets, taxes, and payroll, resulted in substantially improved reporting capabilities.

Streamlined and automated the Americas budgeting process, reduced staff time in both field and corporate teams, allowed more time for value added analysis.

Significantly improved manufacturing activity-based costing which refined standard cost per unit.

Moved the entire US banking relationship to another US bank and obtained a formerly unavailable unsecured line of credit, as well as swept all North American banking onto one platform.

Tripled inventory turns in Colombia by focusing on the top 20% of SKU’s and reduced inventory of slow-moving items.

Increased receivables under 30 days to 96% by creating an automated customer notification process.

Preserved gross margins by restructuring customer sales incentive programs to flag/eliminate low margin deals prior to fulfillment, while ensuring the sales force offered only approved programs.

Recovered a seven-figure amount of previously paid duties, and established a process for automatic reclaims.

Reduced audit and tax fees by 10% by leveraging internal staff to take on more work.

Led IRS tax audits over a 10-year period with negligible amounts due.

Reduced monthly close from 15 days to 2, implemented vendor ACH payments, introduced paperless employee expense reporting, and purchase cards with company rebates.

Modified existing and learned new corporate provided systems to comply with a revised annual reporting package.

Americas representative on the global internal control team, developed and documented internal controls.

US Controller, Assistant Corporate Controller 2011 – 2020

Assistant Controller 2001 – 2011

Accounting Manager 1996 – 2001

Senior Accountant 1994 – 1996

International Accountant 1994 – 1994

Grant Thornton, Chicago IL Auditor 1992 – 1994

EDUCATION

DePaul University, Chicago, IL BBA, Accounting 1992

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