Continuous Scale CFO Sara Dickinson discusses the value she finds in connecting with other consultants via the OdeCloud NetSuite community.
The OdeCloud community will always serve as a way for freelance NetSuite experts and independent NetSuite consultants to discover each other, share knowledge, and collaborate.
Just as OdeCloud founder Osar Iyamu realized after leaving Deloitte Canada, working independently can get old pretty quick. While it’s great being your own boss and having the ability to call most of the shots, genuine and profound human connection can be difficult to find.
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The idea behind the OdeCloud community was to create a platform that would bring together the best NetSuite experts from around the world, giving them the opportunity to connect with one another and be a part of something bigger than just themselves.
After receiving the invitation from Osar, Continuous Scale CFO and NetSuite expert Sara Dickinson has taken full advantage of the experience, taking it upon herself to actively expand her professional network, learn more about the ins and outs of NetSuite, and connect with other consultants on a level beyond just their respective NetSuite work.
“When Osar reached out to me several months back, I knew instantly that I wanted to know him better,” Sara said.
“So in a sense, Osar — as a human — is my ‘why’ for being (in the OdeCloud community) initially, but since then, I’ve found the OdeCloud community to be so much more than just the one person that recruited me.”
“As it turns out, one great human attracts a lot of other great humans, and I just feel really lucky to be a part of this community.”
Sara says that she’s “slowly gotten to know many of these great humans one-on-one,” and she hopes to continue reaching out to other members of the community moving forward.
It’s our greatest hope to have many more members of the OdeCloud community form bonds that completely transcend the work we do with NetSuite.
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Transcription
Angelo Mendoza (00:00):
Being an entrepreneur is basically about being spontaneous and taking those risks. So I mean, to seeing you do what you do and taking that leap of faith; I mean, it’s been so inspiring, so motivational. I’m sure so many people would love to hear your story. Um, but sort of getting in, getting back into, uh, the whole career thing, the whole OdeCloud thing: Um, why exactly did you opt to join the OdeCloud community in the first place?
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Sara Dickinson (00:27):
Yeah, so, uh, so when really Osar, uh, when Osar reached out to me several months back, I knew instantly that I wanted to know him better. And so, in a sense, Osar as a human is my why I, for being here, like initially; but since then, you know, I’ve found the, the OdeCloud community to be so much more than just the one person who recruited me, ’cause it turns out that one great human attracts a lot of other really great humans. And I just feel really lucky to be a part of this community. And, um, I’ve slowly gotten to know many of these great humans, one-on-one, but looking forward to continuing that and uh, both on a deeper level for the people I’ve already had one-on-one time with and for the folks I haven’t met yet.
Sara Dickinson
About
I started my career in Big 4 public accounting with KPMG’s PNW audit practice, where I enjoyed working for many industries and clients, including the firm’s largest SEC filer. I’ve spent the last ~ seven years leading the accounting and finance functions for high-growth venture-backed startups from early seed to IPO – to a successful public company. A few highlights:
– Instrumental to the Apptio Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2016
– Managed accounting diligence in Highspot venture capital raise of $135M in 2019
– Led multiple front-to-end NetSuite OneWorld implementations and QuickBooks migrations
– Grew accounting and finance departments by 300-400% on average during my tenure
– Led and project managed targeted international expansion into 14 countries across multiple companies
My passion for accounting and finance goes hand-in-hand with my love for technology and continuous improvement. I believe that accounting is at the heart of every business, with a commanding responsibility to help drive it forward without delay. And only when empowered with the right technology, processes, and people, can it fulfill its purpose.
Tech Stack: NetSuite, QuickBooks, Xero, Freshbooks, Kashoo, Stripe, Square, Salesforce, SaaSOptics, Coupa, Concur, Bill.com, Xactly, Obero, CapMx, Carta, Charles Schwab, ADP, Gusto, Paylocity, Workday, BambooHR, Zenefits, Tableau, Smartsheet
