Sarah Walker-Hicks
Chula Vista,CA
Summary
With over 20+ years of experience I have most recently become the most proficient Hybrid Group Controller, CFO, and Compensation Director of one of the largest automotive groups in San Diego. Throughout the years i have been extremely successful at overseeing all aspects of the automotive business operation in every department, including Human Resources, Payroll, Variable and Fixed Operations. I pride myself with high integrity, a strong work ethic and great leadership skills. Meticulous, to say the least, and resourceful, with proven success in leading successful teams, controlling budgets, networking to drive growth initiatives, and marketing to maximize brand outreach, even in subprime areas of San Diego or in challenging, unpredictable economic times. The most accomplishing aspect of my career has been the people I have been able to professionally and personally grow alongside a more profitable, efficient company.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Group Controller/CFO/Compensation Director
Sunroad Automotive
San Diego, CA
03.2023 - Current
- Managed the preparation of financial reports for 9 roof tops with 11 brands, in accordance with company policies and regulations.
- Completed month-end and year-end closings, including month 13, kept records audit-ready and monitored timely recording of accounting transactions.
- Developed or analyzed information to assess current or future financial status of each dealership.
- Implemented cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality standards.
- Coordinated preparation of external audit materials and external financial reporting for Moss Adams.
- Provided guidance on budgeting strategies to optimize profitability during annual business plan meetings.
- Monitored daily banking, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, and banking activities.
- Analyzed financial data to identify trends and areas of improvement.
- Oversaw month-end closing process, prepared financial statements and managed advanced reconciliations including internal Standard Operating Reporting Packages consolidating all 9 dealerships, 11 brands into one.
- Maintained general ledger and chart of accounts for all 11 brands, performed complex accounting functions such as journal entry preparation, account analysis, balance sheet reconciliations, and all other setup functions in all departments including all forms and sales tax settings, and installed implementation of credit card surcharge.
- Conducted research into new accounting software solutions to streamline processes within the department and to go digital.
- Monitored compliance with applicable laws pertaining to wage and hour regulations being based in California, including major focus in ISE.
- Created reports summarizing current pay practices, highlighting areas of improvement or cost savings opportunities and adjusting wealth targets accordingly.
- Administered payroll systems, including tracking of bonuses and other incentives for Executives.
- Oversaw merit, sales commission and bonus programs with monthly, quarterly and annual payouts including catch-up clauses.
- Assisted HR team in developing job offers that include competitive salary packages and wealth targets.
- Advised managers on issues such as overtime pay, vacation time accrual, sick leave policies, and meal penalties.
- Provide guidance and designed incentive plans to reward performance-based outcomes and drive business behavior desired to meet financial goals.
- Collaborated with legal counsel regarding any potential disputes related to wages or benefits, and collaborated on all preparation of pay plans for all positions.
- Developed systems to protect company assets and report accurate financial results.
- Managed company-wide budgets, payroll, accounting and other financial operations.
Office Manager
Volvo Cars San Diego/Palm Springs Subaru
San Diego
06.2022 - 03.2023
- Training to take over for the current controller
- Maintained a daily bank reconciliation for both stores
- Reviewed all schedules for both stores weekly
- Processed all payrolls, including semi, biweekly, and draw for both stores
- Put new more efficient procedures in place for all desks
- Completed all compliance for OSHA, including work comp and COVID related items
- Process all onboarding and new hires to both stores in timely manner
- Maintained safety and other training requirements for all employees
- Maintained all pay plans for each position and department
- Maintained all vacation and sick accruals
- Completed work comp audit
- Coordinated open enrollment for all benefits
- Completed multiple integrations on different platforms for efficiency
- Organize and pay all Real Estate items for the trust
- Any and all Human Resource items daily, annually, monthly
- Main advisor in guiding the DMS switch from CDK to Tekion
Office Manager
Del Amo Motorsports Of South Bay
CHULA VISTA, California
03.2022 - 06.2022
- Supervised teams of three people with focus on increasing efficiency on a consulting basis only for small time frame
- Trained both promoting from AP to Office Manager, and parts receivables to AR and Contracts
Finance Manager
Volkswagen Kearny Mesa
San Diego, CA
11.2020 - 02.2022
- Offered vehicle financing and insurance needs to customers
- Provided an explanation of all aftermarket products available for their vehicle purchase
- Constantly seeking new lending institutions and maintaining good working relationships to secure competitive interest rates and financing programs, while still favoring the captive brand finance institution
- Processing finance and leasing deals with extreme accuracy while understanding and complying with all federal, state and corporate guidelines
- Maintain an efficient PRU at or above National VW average, as well as above my co-workers, along with a balanced portfolio of product penetration, with a CIT of less than three days
Business Manager
Cumming Chevrolet
National City, CA
10.2014 - 03.2021
- Managed daily dealership operations for all departments
- Completed and submitted the monthly financial pages to the factory
- Reviewed all accounting schedules for each individual business office desk including inventory, DMV, factory incentives, contracts, etc
- Completed Sales Tax Returns
- Completed all hazardous and environmental state returns
- Completed and submitted all 8300 IRS Forms
- Complied information annually for the corporate tax return requested by the CPA
- Managed the yearly company Holiday Party and monthly employee luncheons
- Reviewed all annual benefit plans including medical and 401K
- Reviewed all annual insurance including garage and work compensation plans
- Reconciled the banking operations daily
- Reconciled monthly paid bank reserves for finance department
- Maintained all custodian of record duties including being served, processing the legal documents request, and the yearly purge of aged documents
- Managed all legal claims against the company
Office Manager
Ron Baker Chevrolet
National CIty, CA
01.2010 - 10.2014
- Processed payroll for 4 times during the month
- Completed all Payroll Tax Returns
- Completed all W2's, 1099's, 1095 Forms
- Reconciled the bank daily
- Reconciled the business office accounting schedules weekly with each office staff
- Maintained all personnel schedules
- Processed and reconciled the 401K contributions
- Signed up all new hired employees
- Reconciled the medical billing
- Processed all work comp claims
- Signed all checks
- Approved any POs requested
- Process the property and fixtures return yearly
- Covered any office desk during vacation, leave, or lunch break including cashiering, receptionist etc
- Greeted and maintained positive professional relationships with customers and employees
Internet BDC and Sales Associate
Ron Baker Chevrolet
National City, CA
10.2008 - 01.2010
- Maintained all online inquires
- Maintained and promoted all CSI Surveys
- Sold New and Used Vehicles
- Number 1 Sales Associate August 2009
Front Desk Supervisor
Hotel Del Coronado
Coronado, CA
05.2008 - 10.2008
- Checked in and out all hotel guests
- Maintained the front desk schedule
- Assisted guests in all desires during the stay
- Promoted Beach Village Membership
Office Assistant
Ron Baker Chevrolet
National City, CA
07.2002 - 10.2008
- Filed any and all dealership forms including service RO's, hard/soft copies, Parts Tickets, Deal Jackets, etc
- Maintained all files and prepped for yearly purge
- Performed Cashier Duties
- Receptionist
- Cut checks for DMV fee refunds or payoffs
- Called for payoffs
- Sent and organized contracts to banks for payment
- Posted contracts into accounting while clerk was on vacation
- Performed parts inventory every October and monthly vehicle inventory
- Tent Sale Greeter
Waitress
Costa Azul Coronado
Coronado, CA
05.2007 - 05.2008
- Waitress
Sales Associate - Seasonal
Banana Republic
San Diego, CA
10.2006 - 05.2007
- Maintained all clothing on sales floor
- Assisted customers in purchases with sizing or fitting rooms
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA05.2008
Skills
Extremely Efficient in the Microsoft Programs including word and excel
Familiar with most DMS systems, ADP, DCI, ERA, fluent in CDK
Proficient in staff training and moral, recruiting and hiring then maintaining
Able to maintain a healthy customer and vendor retention base
Accountable and passionate about my job
Highly loyal to a company
Able to schedule and manage in respect to California employment laws that directly affect daily business
Prepare cost savings and solutions to any department or situation
Accomplishments
Miss Coronado 2006-2007
Certification
NADA Dealer School Graduate September 2019
California Public Notary
Timeline
Group Controller/CFO/Compensation Director
Sunroad Automotive
03.2023 - Current
Office Manager
Volvo Cars San Diego/Palm Springs Subaru
06.2022 - 03.2023
Office Manager
Del Amo Motorsports Of South Bay
03.2022 - 06.2022
Finance Manager
Volkswagen Kearny Mesa
11.2020 - 02.2022
Business Manager
Cumming Chevrolet
10.2014 - 03.2021
Office Manager
Ron Baker Chevrolet
01.2010 - 10.2014
Internet BDC and Sales Associate
Ron Baker Chevrolet
10.2008 - 01.2010
Front Desk Supervisor
Hotel Del Coronado
05.2008 - 10.2008
Waitress
Costa Azul Coronado
05.2007 - 05.2008
Sales Associate - Seasonal
Banana Republic
10.2006 - 05.2007
Office Assistant
Ron Baker Chevrolet
07.2002 - 10.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Point Loma Nazarene University
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