Sarah Hayden

About Sarah Hayden

I thrive at the intersection of continuous learning and practical application. My approach combines deep analytical thinking with a genuine investment in developing others, whether I\'m mentoring team members or collaborating on complex finance projects.What drives me? Understanding how systems work, gathering insights from diverse sources, and creating environments where people can do their best work. I\'m energized by diving into new subjects, finding elegant solutions to complex problems, and building relationships grounded in trust and mutual growth.I bring harmony to teams by finding common ground and creating consistent, fair processes that help everyone succeed. My colleagues know me as someone who follows through, thinks deeply about challenges, and naturally sees how all the pieces fit together.Outside of work, I\'m passionate about continuous improvement in all area, whether that\'s optimizing my fitness routine, mastering new dance techniques, or staying current on finance and tech trends. The same analytical, growth-oriented mindset I bring to the gym and the dance floor shows up in how I approach professional challenges.

Experience

1. Director of Finance and IT

   Classy Llama

   Oct 2021 — Present · US

   Oversee all financial operations and IT helpdesk services, driving strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization\'s financial standing and technology support infrastructure. Lead cross-functional collaboration between finance, operations, and technology to deliver solutions that scale with business growth.Key Responsibilities & Achievements:Strategic Systems Leadership: Successfully led enterprise-wide migration from QuickBooks Online to Certinia ERP in 2025, orchestrating complex sequencing of data conversion, user training, and process optimization to ensure seamless transition with zero financial reporting disruption.IT Helpdesk & Collaborative Problem-Solving: Oversee helpdesk operations and collaborate closely with VP of Operations and IT to identify, prioritize, and implement technology solutions. Apply analytical approach to troubleshooting and strategic planning for infrastructure improvements.Financial Management: Direct all accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting using Certinia ERP and integrated systems. Ensure compliance with financial regulations while maintaining accuracy across all reporting functions.Team Development & Leadership: Lead and develop internal teams across finance, business planning, HR, payroll, and billing administration. Foster collaborative environment that prioritizes continuous learning, consistent processes, and individual growth.Cross-Platform Integration: Leverage Salesforce for CRM and strategic data management, Google Sheets for financial modeling and ad-hoc analysis, creating cohesive technology ecosystem that supports data-driven decision making.Process Optimization: Design and implement standardized workflows that ensure consistency, improve efficiency, and create fair, transparent systems across departments.

Education

• Missouri State University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, Finance

• College of the Ozarks

  Bachelor's Degree, Accounting and Computer Information Science, Summa Cum Laude

  2013 — 2017

Skills

• Microsoft Office
• Leadership
• Html
• Public Speaking
• Sql Server Management Studio
• Visual Studio
• Business Analysis
• Java
• Microsoft Word
• Stakeholder Management
• Small Business
• Leadership Development
• Teaching
• Time Management
• Teamwork
• Quickbooks
• Management
• Team Building
• Critical Thinking
• Fundraising
• Accounting
• Accounts Payable
• Monthly Closing
• Customer Service
• Student Counseling
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel