Cathy Robertson
Oceanside
Summary
Senior finance executive with 35+ years of progressive experience leading finance and accounting functions for multi-entity, multi-industry organizations including biotechnology, manufacturing, retail, automotive, and professional services. Proven success partnering with executive leadership and boards to drive profitability, improve cash flow, strengthen internal controls, and support growth initiatives. Deep expertise in financial strategy, FP&A, GAAP compliance, audit readiness and business transformation.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner, CEO
Benz Bookkeeping, LLC
01.2022 - Current
- Provide outsourced Director of Finance and Controller leadership to small and mid-sized organizations, with a focus on turnaround, scalability, and financial discipline.
- Serve as senior finance partner to owners and executives in multiple industries, advising on cash flow, pricing, capital structure, and operational efficiency.
- Rebuild accounting infrastructures and internal controls for multiple distressed organizations, restoring profitability.
- Designed and implemented company-wide SOPs across accounting, billing, payroll, and HR.
- Produce executive-level financial reporting packages including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and forecasts.
- Lead audit preparation, regulatory filings, and GAAP compliance across diverse industries.
- Full-cycle accounting, multi-entity consolidations, AP/AR, payroll, benefits, tax coordination, operations, asset and fleet management.
- Systems leadership across QuickBooks Desktop/Online/Enterprise and payroll platforms (Paychex, ADP, Coastal Payroll).
Director of Finance and Operations
Vala Sciences, Inc.
01.2021 - Current
- Lead all finance and accounting operations for a biotech and grant-funded organization, supporting executive leadership, board reporting, and investor readiness.
- Restructured EIDL loan with the Bureau of Fiscal Management, reducing payments from $20,714/month to $250/month and eliminating $300K+ in penalties.
- Reduced accounts payable from over $1M past due to current, materially improving vendor relationships and liquidity.
- Strengthened cash flow forecasting and implemented revenue enhancement strategies.
- Supported investor readiness through creation and management of a comprehensive financial data room.
- Own financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and monthly/annual close.
- Lead grant related accounting, submissions, and compliance (NIH, eRA Commons, PMS).
- Manage audits (NIH, workers’ compensation, tax) and serve as primary liaison to external auditors and agencies.
- Oversee payroll, benefits, HR compliance and internal controls.
Finance and Operations Manager
Merry Maids
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Drove 136% revenue growth within 12 months and 46% growth in the first 90 days through improved financial controls, pricing, and operational efficiency.
- Managed end-to-end finance, payroll, HR, scheduling, sales reporting and marketing. Conducted monthly financial reviews with ownership to ensure full transparency and understanding of P&L performance.
- Supervised a team of 15 cleaning staff and 1 office assistant, implementing team-building initiatives and performance-based contests to strengthen morale and foster healthy competition.
- Used Salesforce to gauge profitability, maximize teams and pricing, communicate with customers and compare month to month numbers
- Implemented innovative pricing and marketing strategies that drove significant revenue growth
- Established structured customer intake and verification procedures to strengthen internal controls, reduce fraud exposure, and enhance financial security
Owner / CEO
Desert Elite Auto
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Founded and scaled an automotive dealership from the ground up.
- Managed daily business operations
- Full financial reporting monthly, as well as month end closure in Quickbooks
- Managed all financial loan funding to ensure the best deal for both the customer and the business
- Inventory and inventory flooring management
- Handled all sales tax collections, reporting and payments
- Managed a small staff, implementing competitions and games to steer sales and increase profits
- DMV licensing, reporting and payments
- Social media marketing to increase revenue and brand recognition
Operations Manager
Instyle Motorcars
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Oversaw accounting through financial statements, payroll, reconciliations, inventory, and sales operations.
- Ensured that the dealership was in compliance with local laws and DMV requirements, operational policies and guidelines
- Handled all financial transactions, including cash and finance
- Controlled all flooring transactions, ensuring prompt payment at the time of sale and the original vehicle purchase
- Oversaw inventory, maintaining the transition each month from inventory to COGS
- Handled all sales tax collection, payment and reporting
- Managed a small staff, ensuring that their duties were being performed quickly and efficiently
Education
Reseda High School
Reseda, CASkills
- QuickBooks (Desktop, Online, Enterprise)
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced), Microsoft Word, Office Suite, MM360, Salesforce and G-Suite
- Inventory Management and Control
- Social Media Marketing
- Payroll Systems (ADP, Paychex, Coastal Payroll)
- ERP & Financial Reporting Systems
- Forecasting & Budgeting Tools, Data Room Creation
- Risk Mitigation
- Strategic Leadership
- Financial Strategy
- Business Transformation
- Risk Management
- Audit & Compliance
- Treasury & Cash Management
- Process Optimization
- Mentorship & Team Development
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | CORPORATE CONTROLLER
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- FP&A
- Operational Excellence
CORE LEADERSHIP & FINANCIAL EXPERTISE
- Financial Strategy & Executive Advisory
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Long-Range Planning (FP&A)
- GAAP & Regulatory Compliance
- Multi-Entity & Consolidations
- Cash Flow Optimization & Treasury Management
- Revenue Recognition & Cost Accounting
- Audit Management & Risk Mitigation
- Internal Controls & SOP Development
- ERP & Financial Systems Implementation
- Grant & Government Accounting (NIH)
- Board & Investor Reporting
- Cross-Functional Leadership (HR, Ops, IT)
Timeline
Owner, CEO
Benz Bookkeeping, LLC
01.2022 - Current
Director of Finance and Operations
Vala Sciences, Inc.
01.2021 - Current
Finance and Operations Manager
Merry Maids
01.2018 - 01.2020
Owner / CEO
Desert Elite Auto
01.2015 - 01.2018
Operations Manager
Instyle Motorcars
01.2012 - 01.2015
Reseda High School