Marlen Rivera is a highly accomplished accounting and financial management professional with over a decade of experience in bookkeeping, financial reporting, and cost analysis. With extensive expertise in payroll administration, human resources management, and merchant services, she has a proven track record of optimizing financial operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and implementing cost-saving strategies.
Marlen previously served as the Merchant Services Underwriting Director and Managing Partner for Andromeda Pay, where she gained valuable experience in underwriting, client acquisition, and business development. She played a key role in helping companies secure sustainable merchant account placements and optimize payment processing systems while also developing expertise in risk review and management.
She later advanced to Senior Accountant at ECX Management & Franklin Hamilton Insurance, two sister companies, leading a team of 30 employees and overseeing all aspects of financial operations, banking transactions, and strategic cost analysis. During her tenure, she successfully implemented internal controls that improved month-end reporting accuracy by 20% and identified financial discrepancies that resulted in substantial cost savings. Her proficiency spans QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, financial reconciliation, business registration, and regulatory compliance.
After relocating from South Florida to Alabama, Marlen took on the role of Chief Financial Officer at Imperial Designs, where she spearheaded a major cost-savings initiative, reducing expenses by approximately $370,000 in the first year. Additionally, her strategic initiatives increased EBITDA by 1.8%, despite nearly $1 million less in sales compared to the previous year. This success was driven by her implementation of efficiencies across multiple aspects of the company, with a strong focus on inventory control.
Currently, Marlen serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Partner at Phillips Ventures, where she continues to apply her financial expertise and leadership skills to drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Marlen is an alumna of Florida Atlantic University, where she specialized in Accounting and Business Management. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a dynamic leader who values precision, innovation, and continuous improvement. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she now calls Alabama home, where she enjoys spending time in nature. In her free time, she enjoys reading fiction and exploring new business ventures. Fluent in English and Spanish, Marlen is dedicated to fostering financial success and operational excellence in every endeavor she undertakes.
