02 August 16  |  Clubhouse   |  

Meet Suzie Silvestri, Golden Ocala’s New Controller

You can be an accountant just about anywhere. But imagine, if you will, using your accounting skills to work at a fabulous place like Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

That’s just what Suzie Silvestri is doing in her new role as Golden Ocala’s new controller. As such, she’s using her 15 years of professional accounting experience to manage all financial aspects of the country club.

This includes everything from accounts payable (paying all the vendors) to receivables (collecting all the monies, dues and fees paid to the club.) This also includes payroll, annual membership fees, membership accounts at the club, and revenues generated from club facilities and services like golf, restaurants, the salon, spa, fitness center and tennis pro shop. She oversees the club accountant, who helps with a variety of tasks including billing clients, making deposits and more.

“I’m excited to be here,” she said. “I hope I can add value to this great company, providing everyone here the information they need to help run their departments.”

Golden Ocala uses Jonas, an accounting software made specifically for golf and country clubs. The software has various modules – like a banqueting and catering module and club management module –along with those for food outlets, the pro shop, spa and more. Pulling information from all those modules, it puts it into useable data in the financial statements and reports the club uses.

“It really does what a country club needs,” she said, “as opposed to a traditional customer driven business.”

Suzie is originally from Boston, but grew up in Boca Raton. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Florida. After college, she went to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Chicago, one of the big four global accounting firms. She worked there as an auditor for several years before moving into the mergers and acquisitions department.

Next, she worked for Boart Longyear, a global mineral exploration company headquartered in Salt Lake City.  There she worked in the mergers and acquisition department to help consolidate the company’s global presence. She also worked on the treasury side in financial planning and analysis.

Golden Ocala's new controller Suzie Silvestri

Prior to beginning work as Golden Ocala’s new controller, she worked for about 18 months at a regional accounting firm in Gainesville.

Suzie is married to Paul, who works for the University of Florida’s Athletic Department. The couple lives in Gainesville with their two children, Claire, 6, and Ty, 4. Framed photos of her family adorn her desk, along with great artwork created by her children.

The family enjoys going to sporting events and spending time in their pool. They also are looking forward to doing more outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking in the North Central Florida area.

Moving  back to Florida was a good move for the family, she said. “I’ve enjoyed living in other parts of the country. And I’ve always found a positive about everywhere I’ve lived. But Florida feels like home to me.”

What she likes best about working at Golden Ocala is the variety of departments and the busy pace. “There is always something going on here every day of the week in every department,” she said. “It is run so well here. Everyone has such a great focus on their individual department and what they need to do for the members.”

And then there are the perks, which include being able to work out at the state-of-the-art Fitness Center and being able to dine at the club’s great restaurants.  This is not your typical workplace cafeteria, for sure.

While Suzie plays an important role in managing the financial aspects of the club, the position is not one that includes lots of interaction with club residents and members.

“I’m not as highly visible but I want to let our members know I am here if they ever want to talk about their accounts,” she said. “I am accessible to our members if they ever need anything.” You can email Suzie here.

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