Rafael E. Rivera Rodríguez
CPA, CVA, CFE, CFF, CGM
Credentials
Background
- Graduated with honors from the University of Puerto Rico in 1967 with a B.S. in Business Administration
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certified Valuation Analyst
- Certified Fraud Examiner
- Certified in Financial Forensics
- Certified Global Management Accountant
- Arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association.
- Worked as Senior Audit Manager in the audit department of Peat Marwick, Mitchell & Co., CPAs in San Juan, Puerto Rico from June 1967 through 1978.
- Opened own practice in 1978. Founded Rivera-Rodríguez & Co. in 1982, and now is known as BAKER TILLY PUERTO RICO CPA’S, PSC which Firm is rated as a Top Nine in Puerto Rico (1982-2008).
- Founder and Former President (1997-2012) of Creative Financial Staffing of Puerto Rico, PSC, a temporary and permanent placement financial company founded in 1997, which is rated as the leader in Puerto Rico within the specialization.
- Founder and Former President of Creative Web Solutions-Puerto Rico Division in (2004-2009), an internet consultancy Company providing Web Design, Web Hosting, E-commerce, Merchant Services to small to medium size business.
- Founder and President (2011-Present) of Creative Full Staffing of Puerto Rico Corp., a permanent placement Company ,which is fastly growing , in Management positions other than financial and Accounting.
- Founder and President (2008-Present) of Rivera CPA Group, Inc., a CPA Firm specialized in Litigation Support, Business Valuations, Fraud Examinations and other Financial Forensic matters.
Professional Associations
- Member of the Association of Certified in Financial Forensics of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- Former member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA)
- Member of NACVA (National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts)
- Member of ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners)
- Former Member of the American Arbitration Association
- Member of the Puerto Rico College of Certified Public Accountants.
- Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
- Former member of the NLSSA (National Litigation Support Services Association)
- Former member of the Association of Government Accountants.
- Former member of the Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association (Corporate Member).
- Former member of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (Corporate Member).
- Former Member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration.
Experience Highlights
- Has been in public accounting for over forty years. The industry exposure is varied including, among others, banking, construction, insurance, manufacturing, retail and wholesale, cooperatives, leisure, construction and government (audit of federal funds), non-for profit organizations, litigation support, business valuations and fraud examinations.
- 1967 to 1977 – Senior Audit Manager – KPMG.
- 1978 to 2008 – President – Baker Tilly Puerto Rico, CPA’S PSC
- 1997 to 2012 – Former President – Creative Financial Staffing of Puerto Rico, PSC
- 2004 to 2009- Former President- Creative Web Solutions-Puerto Rico Division.
- 2006 to 2013- Arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association
- 2011 to Present – Creative Full Staffing of P.R. Corp.
- 2008 to Present – President – Rivera CPA Group, Inc., a CPA Firm specialized in litigation support and business valuations
- Arbitrator of the American Arbitration Association from 2006 thru 2013. Participated as Arbitrator in various cases, including Chairing the Panel of 3 Arbitrators on a large claim which was concluded in February, 2013
Work Specialties
- Litigation Support and damages valuation
- Financial Forensics and Business Valuations
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404 –Implementation / Documentation
- Government Accounting and Compliance
- Fraud Examinations
- Business Valuations
- Management Information Systems
- Internal Controls Structure Design / Implementation
- Personal Financial Planning
- Manufacturing / Distribution
- Retail and Wholesale
- Insurance specialist
- Service Corporations