Improver Spotlights: Sara Jop, Financial Analyst
iTexico, an Improving Company is always striving to attract the right talent: driven and skilled individuals in their field who are passionate about asking the right questions and solving the right problems, in order to help our clients achieve digital innovation and business transformation.
The Improver Spotlight series aims to highlight the talented individuals who work here, and today we’re covering our Financial Analyst: Sara Jop, who has been with the company since 2016.
How would you describe your job in 4 words?
Challenging, driven, impactful, and ever-changing.
Explain what your job consists of.
I basically manage and analyze the cash position of Improving Mx, so mainly I take care of all the numbers on this side of the company: invoicing, accounting, collections, cash planning, forecasting, expenses. So it’s basically taking care of the cash flow.
How does a workday look like for you?
My workday really depends on the challenges we are facing at that moment. That’s what I love about my job, it changes constantly. A week is never like the other. It depends if it’s the beginning of the month, end of the month, tax season, etc. But the day usually starts with a briefing with my manager to see what the needs are and the urgency for that specific week, and then work towards it. So a day is never like the other because I have different challenges every time.
What motivates you to get up and go to work?
Being able to give my 100% everyday to the company. I’ve been learning so much throughout my career here at Improving, so that’s my main goal, give my best effort everyday.
What’s your favorite benefit at the company?
I would have to say my career path, just because I’ve grown so much within the company.
Why was iTexico, an Improving company, your decision to continue your career? And how has your career grown since then?
I chose iTexico, an Improving Company, because I got a recommendation to apply to an admin position as a contractor, and I had already heard about the amazing company culture. When I went to my first interview and actually looked at the offices, that’s when I knew that was my place. The overall environment and the people drew me in.
My growth within the company has been great: I started to work here as a contractor because the company was growing so fast and they needed more admins to take care of everything. I was told I needed to create my position from scratch, which was both very appealing and scary at the same time. After about 8 months I was finally hired as a full-time Improver. I was originally based in the Guadalajara offices, but after a year and a half I was asked to come to the Austin office temporarily, which was also really scary because it changed my environment completely and meant moving to a new country and reporting directly the CEO. And I actually became so interested in learning more about the financial structure of this region of the company, that I told the CEO I was in no rush in getting back to Guadalajara, and so after some time Improving offered me a position in Austin that I could not say no to.
How has iTexico, an Improving company nurtured your development in the professional landscape?
It has allowed me to create and expand, to suggest change, and to go further than I ever thought I would. Nothing in my role is written: we are in a fast-paced company, in a fast-paced industry, and the operations of the company have to be equally innovative as the software we deliver in order to sustain and support all this great talent that provides solutions to our customers. It’s all about thinking outside the box, learning new things while delivering results, but I’ve also had great guidance and flexibility, and most of all I’ve had trust put in me and the encouragement to believe that even though I may not be experienced at something I can still learn, grow, and achieve great things.
I actually remember when I left Guadalajara, one of my managers told me “fake it till you make it” and those words kind of lingered in my head. So here I am, trying, and trying, and learning and delivering.
What has been your favorite project so far?
I don’t have a specific project, so far every milestone that Improving has achieved has been my favorite. From budgeting for the new offices in Guadalajara and Aguascalientes, to tax season, or knowing that we crossed over 300 employees in Mexico. Or when we reached the first 5, then 10, then 15 millions in revenue. It’s all about realizing the results of collaboration and financial planning behind it that really makes me love my job.
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Definitely moving to a different city and country, where I knew nothing and no one. Simply coming to a different set up and reporting directly to the President of the company. But I also had a great support system in Improving that really encouraged me to keep going and not throw in the towel. Also the amount of things I was learning on this side of the company really helped me to stay focused and motivated.
What do you consider most unique about your expertise?
I consider myself an expert of the financial operations between a parent company and a subsidiary in different countries, and I consider myself to be the link between Improving Austin and Improving Mexico.
What’s your next step? What are some goals you’d like to accomplish in life or at Improving in the next few years?
The main goal that I would like to achieve at Improving is to become a financial manager, just because I really love numbers. I like how the planning and execution goes when you really plan and budget, and it’s something I would like to pursue and learn more about.
“One of the main reasons I would give to someone looking to join this company would be the career path that the company has to offer. It has a lot of opportunities for growth, although of course the company alone can only get you so far, the rest is on you and how much courage and dedication you put into it. But Improving has a great platform to choose where to go. Also the culture and the people are awesome, just having that makes your day to day simply amazing.”
We are actively looking for talented and driven individuals in many software development tech stacks who are looking to become a part of our Improving family. If you are up for a challenge and want to become part of our team, head over to our careers section and see if there’s a spot open for you.
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