Sandra Kurash Zandlo Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Minnesota, United States

Spearheaded general ledger governance, allocation, and consolidation processes while implementing process improvements and change.  Created the Workday Foundation Data Model, providing the building blocks for implementation of new Workday general ledger system. Ensured all governance, allocation, and consolidation processes were in place to facilitate mid-year spin-off of Ameriprise Property Casualty with no impact to Ameriprise reporting, supporting the unique requirements of the buyer’s transition services agreement. Directed integration process to add Indian and European subsidiaries onto a single instance of the PeopleSoft general ledger, eliminating complexity and increasing control over financial data. Created automated process to support tax transfer pricing (cost allocation across foreign subsidiaries) and meet BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Sharing) requirements, eliminating exposure of foreign government audits. Spearheaded implementation of multiple accounting standards and accounting changes including the revenue recognition standard, lease accounting standard, segment realignment, bank launch, wind down of the bank, and multiple business acquisitions. Led and developed team of 5 employees responsible for the governance, allocation, and consolidation processes, fundamental in meeting the 5-day monthly close schedule. Collaborated with business-facing finance teams and financial application support team, identifying and resolving operational and financial reporting issues including segment alignment and reporting.

Minnesota, United States

Implemented updated PeopleSoft general ledger operating system to create a streamlined ledger, minimize customizations, and allow for easier periodic updates. Leveraged control background to ensure new system had strong control infrastructure, simultaneously working on realigning business segments to simplify reporting and meet analyst needs when evaluating the company. Established the general ledger governance pilot, providing foundation for the new general ledger governance process. Contributed significantly to development of a best-in-class Chart of Accounts and Code Block.

Minnesota, United States

 Created Sarbanes Oxley 404 methodology that was implemented at Ameriprise after spinning off from former parent company, customizing methodology implemented prior to spin off for multi-faceted financial services organization. Developed quarterly certification and entity-level control processes, engaging process owners and business groups to support mandatory process required to meet the regulation.

Minnesota, United States

Oversaw monthly reporting for 7 product lines (Mutual Funds, Direct Investments, Wealth Management Services, Personal Trust, Non-Proprietary Mutual Funds, Strategic Portfolio Services, and Retail Retirement Plans), meeting reporting needs of both the corporate reporting group and line-of-business owners. Transitioned reporting function in Minneapolis to consolidated reporting center of excellence in Phoenix, Arizona, ensuring necessary knowledge transfer occurred while supporting team of 6 in determining next steps in career paths. Served as Finance representative on multiple cross-organizational projects such as new product launches, changing the deferred acquisition policy for the Life Insurance company, and redesigning allocation of marketing costs across legal entities.