Michael Almaraz joined the retail group at Newmark Robinson Park in 2003, specializing in shopping center leasing and tenant representation. He began his career in 1992 as an auditor in the Entrepreneurial Services Group of Ernst & Young LLP, Dallas, Texas. As an audit associate, he was responsible for reviewing and testing to varying degrees, all areas of corporate financial reports. In addition to reviewing financial statements and footnotes, other responsibilities included 401(k) plan audits, State and Local Tax compliance reviews as well as the completion of individual, partnership, and corporate tax returns.
After leaving Ernst & Young in 1994, Almaraz worked in the Internal Audit department of the Metromedia Restaurant Group; a $1.2 billion restaurant operating and franchising corporation. His responsibilities involved planning and coordinating all phases of audit work, including development of work programs, budgets, resolution of material financial statement issues, and execution of corporate audits. In addition to monthly franchise royalty reviews, other duties involved the training, supervision, and evaluation of corporate audit staff.
Professional Affiliations
- International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
- Commercial Real Estate Council of Oklahoma City (CREC)
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Texas State Bar Association
Personal Affiliations
- United Way
- Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Foundation
- Junior Achievement of Oklahoma
Education
After four years of audit service, Almaraz entered the Law School at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1996. His law school course work focused predominantly on Federal taxation. Since completing law school in 1999, Almaraz has served in the tax services practice of both KPMG and Deloitte & Touche. His tax service responsibilities included preparation and review of individual, trust, exempt organizations, corporate, and partnership federal and state income tax returns. Other duties included FASB 109 tax provision preparation and numerous research projects involving investigation of complex tax issues as well as the implementation of tax savings strategies.