Rene J. Zarate has practiced public accounting in the Tampa Bay area since 1980. Prior to joining Rivero, Gordimer & Company P.A., he spent three years with an international accounting firm in the United States.

During his years in public accounting, Mr. Zarate has concentrated on: consulting and business planning for closely held businesses; managing financial forecasts and projections used by management and other end users; valuation of closely-held companies. The businesses have ranged in size from $5MM to $300MM, where he has utilized his experience to assist CEOs and governing boards with areas such as strategic planning, business process enhancements, succession planning and assistance with determining and fulfilling capital investment needs.  He has extensive experience assisting health care providers, as varied as multi-specialty clinics and physicians, home health services, ambulatory surgery centers, revenue cycle technology developers and senior living facilities. Additionally, Mr. Zarate has provided transaction advisory assistance to both buyers and sellers of businesses in industries including contractors, international distributors, healthcare, and professional services. This assistance has included the management of due diligence/Quality of Earnings, as well as assistance with the client and their advisors, regarding negotiating key deal terms and document review. Mr. Zarate has been involved with substantial forensic engagements related to sophisticated corporate frauds both in Bankruptcy and State Courts. He has worked extensively with various financially troubled organizations in the context of reorganizations, liquidations and receiverships. Additionally, Mr. Zarate continues to actively offer consulting services to American companies engaging in commerce in Latin American countries, where his knowledge of the Spanish language and experience are utilized.

For the period from 1989 to 1999, Mr. Zarate worked in private industry as the Chief Operating Officer of a closely held healthcare organization. He maintained that position until he engineered the sale of the company to a national healthcare organization, and managed the subsequent transition. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Zarate was responsible for an organization which employed over 500 people, servicing clients in seven counties of west-central Florida. His duties required his expertise in financial, regulatory, and human resource areas, in addition to a significant commitment to customer relations. In 1999, he resumed his position providing valuation & advisory services for Rivero, Gordimer & Company P.A.

Mr. Zarate is a native of Tampa and graduated from Western Kentucky University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in addition to being a 1992 graduate of the Leadership Tampa program sponsored by the local Chamber. He also has been awarded the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) designation by the AICPA. The ABV designation recognizes CPAs with extensive professional experience in business valuation. The accreditation is granted exclusively to CPAs.

Publications and Presentations

• Industry Peer Groups – A Success
• I Want My CPA to Have Business Sense
• Wealth Management and How CPAs Fit Into the Process

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), American Institute for Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)