Raquel Conway

Eden Prairie,MN

Summary

Diligent Controller with expertise in overseeing multi-rooftop financial operations. Proven ability to streamline processes and enhance financial reporting accuracy. Known for fostering teamwork and adapting to dynamic business environments, with strong skills in treasury management, acquisitions, staff development, and software applications.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Controller

Morrie's Automotove Group

05.2016 - Current

Established internal control policies to minimize risk and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
Enhanced financial reporting accuracy by streamlining month-end close processes and implementing automated systems.
Support merger and acquisition activities by assisting with due diligence reviews of target companies financials.
Hands on member of acquisitions team, leading direct accounting implementation and support.
Provide treasury and cash management by overseeing reconciliation of banking activity, credit card processing, and sales tax returns.
Manage budgets, assets, portfolios, accounts payable, and receivable and general financial reporting procedures.
Reduced month-end closing time by optimizing reconciliation procedures and improving collaboration between departments.
Manage team of payroll specialists, providing training and guidance to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing and posting to general ledger.
Championed implementation of new financial systems, ensuring seamless migration from legacy platforms while minimizing disruption to business operations.

Bookkeeper

Feldmann Imports

10.2015 - 05.2016

Maintained accurate records of all transactions, ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
Improved financial accuracy by reconciling accounts and identifying discrepancies in financial records.
Streamlined bookkeeping processes by implementing new accounting processes and continued training of accounting staff resulting in increased efficiency.

Controller

Luther Automotive Group

02.2009 - 10.2015

Successfully performed all roles in the dealership administrative support and office setting including Receptionist, Cashier, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Vehicle Biller, Title Clerk, Bookkeeper, Payroll/HR Administrator, Office Manager, and Controller.
Completed financial statements and expense reports monthly for manufacturer and corporate office.
Handled reconciliation of general ledger.
Performed daily online banking tasks to maximize cash flow and eliminate fraudulent activity.
Management and oversight of all accounting and administrative personnel.
Simultaneously processed payroll for 180+ employees at two different dealerships with 3 different pay frequencies.
Worked with corporate HR to coordinate benefits for employees on the dealership level.
Helped with implementation of new electronic timekeeping system to streamline the payroll process.
Piloted the first instance of the shared services accounting platform in the group where one office took on work for 2 separate dealership entities.

Telecommunications/Reception

Fairview Health Systems

11.2006 - 04.2011

Operated switchboard with high volume of calls in a professional and efficient manner
The switchboard included the main lines to all 5 Fairview hospitals as well over 150 different clinics for which we were the answering service for
Transferred callers of the hospital to patients/doctors/offices as needed
Paged doctors at hospitals and clinics with patient concerns
Coordinated emergency overhead announcements for medical, weather, and miscellaneous emergency situations
Made general overhead announcements to all hospital visitors, patients, and personnel

Vehicle Biller/Title Clerk/Accounts Payable & Receivable/General Office Clerk

Metro Motor Group

08.2004 - 02.2009

Completed vehicle billing process for all new and used inventory sold both retail and wholesale
Processed and submitted all vehicle title and registration paperwork to the state for proper licensing of all vehicles purchased
A/P duties included managing vendor accounts, posting invoices, verifying account statements, and processing payments
A/R duties included posting customer payments and running frequent balance and aging reports to identify past due accounts and begin phone calls and collection efforts as needed
Responsible for electronic vehicle inventory input of all new and used vehicles
Performed daily cash, check, and credit card deposit reconciliation
Managed receptionist/cashier area, including greeting visitors, responding to telephone and in-person requests for information, and assisting customers visiting our service department by furnishing them with loaner vehicles and processing payment once repair services were completed

Skills

Analytical thinking
Prioritization
Accuracy
Communication
Problem solving
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel
Reynolds & Reynolds
CDK
Cash flow management
Payroll administration
Fixed assets management

Accomplishments

May 2016 - joined as Controller for Minnetonka Subaru
Oct. 2017 - asked to transfer to Controller for Mercedes-Benz of St. Paul, a new acquisition. Staff would move from CDK to our Reynolds software day 1.
Jan. 2018 - Accepted role of Group Controller to oversee Controllers for 14 dealerships and 2 body shops.
Jan. 2019 - Assisted HR and led payroll team on transition from Reynolds payroll to Paycom HR/payroll platform. Approx. 700 employees at this time.
Nov. 2019 - New open point dealership add - West Bend Honda (15).
Feb. 2020 - New open point dealership add - Richfield Jaguar Land Rover (16).
June 2020 - Divest Nissan franchise (15).
Sept. 2020 - Sell Chippewa Mazda to partner/owner (14).
Feb. 2021 - Acquire 6 dealership group in LaCrosse, WI. They remain on AutoMate software (20).
July 2021 - Covert the 14 legacy dealerships from Reynolds to CDK software. Revamp to a standard group wide chart of accounts.
Dec. 2021 - Acquire 2 dealerships and 1 body shop in Lansing, MI area (22). It is CDK to CDK conversion but did not update chart of accounts.
May 2022 - Convert the 6 LaCrosse, WI stores from AutoMate to CDK, update to standard chart of accounts.
June 2022 - Acquire 2 dealerships in Forest Lake, MN (24). Reynolds to CDK conversion and chart update day 1.
Oct. 2022 - Convert 2 MI stores to updated standard chart of accounts in CDK.
Nov. 2022 - Hire 2nd group controller to split stores. Market 1 (MN stores) and Market 2 (other states/new acquisitions). I become Regional Controller for Market 2.
Feb. 2023 - Sell the only 3 body shops in the group to Caliber Collision. Separating them from the 3 dealership entities they were attached to.
Mar. 2023 - Consolidate the accounting offices of 7 LaCrosse area dealerships to one shared office hub.
April 2023 - Assist Market 1 Regional Controller with acquisition of 2 stores in MN (26).
Jan. 2024 - Acquisition of 3 store group in Eau Claire, WI area (29).
April 2024 - begin rollout of credit card merchant services change to CDK OnePay platform to all 29 locations.
June 2024 - Acquisition of 2 store group in Peoria, IL (31). They remain on Reynolds but did conversion to our standard chart of accounts.
July 2024 - Begin transition of treasury management services from 2 different banks to a 3rd that will cover all stores moving forward. Includes daily banking and floorplan platforms.
Jan 2025 - Culmination of 9 month process to convert HR/payroll from Paycom to ADP Lyric system. I lead the payroll accounting portion of the transition. At this time over 1700 employees group wide.

Timeline