Derren Clark Adams

Dynamic State and Local Tax (SALT) Manager specializing in multi-state sales and use tax consulting; voluntary disclosures (VDA's). Strong client-facing background with expertise in complex technical research, tax policy review, and guiding teams through multi-jurisdictional audits. Proven background managing multimillion-dollar receivables portfolios, overseeing credit and collections operations, evaluating creditworthiness, resolving complex billing and sales tax discrepancies, and improving financial processes.

Experienced in managing accounts receivable aging exceeding $100 million, approving credit applications up to $1 million, implementing credit policies, and supervising finance personnel.

Sales Tax Manager - OliveTreePeople, Inc./Oliveda International Inc. - Santa Monica, CA

(2024-05 - 2026-09)

• Established the Sales Tax Department and developed processes for managing state and local sales and use tax compliance.
• Prepared, reviewed, and filed monthly, quarterly, and annual sales and use tax returns across multiple U.S. jurisdictions.
• Managed end-to-end sales and use tax audits, compiling transaction data from Shopify and coordinating directly with state auditors.
• Prepared Voluntary Disclosure Agreements (VDAs), filed fee waiver requests, and achieved a 90% fee waiver approval rate.
• Oversaw sales tax registrations and economic nexus compliance across applicable jurisdictions.
• Negotiated tax assessments, handled tax audit appeals, and conducted self-audits to identify overpayments and pursue refund claims.
• Reconciled sales tax liability accounts to verify taxes collected against amounts remitted.
• Used Avalara, TaxJar, and tax research tools to support compliance, audit management, and tax analysis.
• Analyzed large transaction datasets using advanced Excel (PivotTables) and ERP systems, i.e., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, and AS/400.
• Supervised staff accountants and associates, overseeing work related to sales tax compliance and reporting.
• Advised Sales, Product Management, and Operations on day-to-day tax matters and sales tax system implementation needs.
• Maintained general ledger accounts and performed account reconciliations to support accurate financial records.
• Processed weekly payroll for 30+ warehouse employees and maintained related payroll records.

Senior Accounts Receivable Clerk - DCX-CHOL Enterprises, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA

(2023-08 - 2024-05)

• Contacted corporate customers regarding overdue accounts, followed up on outstanding balances, and supported timely payment collection.
• Researched and resolved account disputes, billing discrepancies, and payment issues to maintain accurate customer accounts.
• Prepared and issued customer invoices, ensuring accurate billing and timely processing.
• Provided customer service by addressing billing inquiries, resolving account concerns, and following up on outstanding issues.
• Monitored accounts receivable aging reports to identify past-due balances and prioritize collection efforts.
• Reconciled bank accounts, credit card accounts, general ledger accounts, and subsidiary ledgers on a daily and monthly basis.
• Prepared and posted journal entries, maintained fixed asset and prepaid expense records, and recorded depreciation and amortization.
• Assisted with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing procedures to support accurate financial reporting.
• Processed complex vendor invoices, verified supporting documentation, and coordinated vendor payments.

Accounting Specialist 1 - UC Regents/U.C.L.A./ASUCLA - Los Angeles, CA

(2022-07 - 2022-12)

• Supported grant administration and contract compliance by reviewing documentation and following established procedures.
• Processed and audited daily requisitions, entered general ledger journal entries, and corrected invoice discrepancies.
• Set up new vendors and maintained vendor records to support accurate payment processing.
• Managed accounts payable for vendors and students, monitoring transactions and resolving payment issues.
• Prepared daily cash and check deposits and processed cash applications.
• Assisted with quarter-end closing activities and related accounting tasks.
• Communicated accounting policies and procedures to student employees to support consistent processing practices.
• Escalated accounting and payment issues and recommended appropriate corrective actions.
• Retrieved mail and collected checks from vendor locations to support timely payment processing.

Senior Associate, Credit & Collections - Ansell Sandel Medical Solutions - Chatsworth, CA

(2021-06 - 2022-07)

• Prepared and processed daily customer invoices; applied and posted customer payments; and sent past-due invoices and account statements to customers to support collections and account resolution.
• Resolved sales tax and freight discrepancies on customer invoices through adjustments and corrections.
• Researched short payments, overpayments, and account discrepancies to determine appropriate resolutions.
• Processed credit memos to correct billing errors and adjust customer account balances.
• Maintained accurate financial records, reports, and supporting documentation.
• Contributed to special projects supporting credit, collections, and accounts receivable operations.

Senior Chargeback Analyst - Brandable - Beverly Hills, CA

(2019-10 - 2020-03)

• Contacted major retailers, including Target, Walmart, CVS, and Kohl’s, to resolve chargebacks and disputed deductions.
• Filed and managed disputes through retailer ERP systems, independently challenging and negotiating deductions.
• Reconciled customer accounts and investigated discrepancies related to chargebacks and deductions.
• Prepared weekly Excel reports for senior management, summarizing chargeback activity and account issues.
• Provided Sales with chargeback claim summaries by reason and explanation to support review and verification.
• Coordinated communications among internal teams, account managers, customers, banks, and vendors to resolve account issues.
• Supported client relationship management and month-end closing activities.

Credit and Collection Specialist - PCM Inc. - El Segundo, CA

(2018-01 - 2019-07)

• Managed a $20M accounts receivable portfolio, overseeing daily collections, aging, and account reconciliation activities.
• Prioritized collection efforts, contacted customers regarding past-due balances, and generated statements and aging reports.
• Analyzed delinquent accounts, identified high-risk exposures, and recommended actions to resolve outstanding balances.
• Processed/verified invoices, reconciled account balances, and initiated customer credits and adjustments within company policies.
• Monitored cash receipts and payment applications, resolving misapplied payments and account discrepancies.
• Maintained bad debt and recovery records and monitored receivables to support accurate financial reporting.
• Identified credit policy violations and provided analysis and recommendations to support credit risk management.
• Communicated collection trends, problem accounts, and receivables updates to Sales, Sales Operations, and Accounting.
• Partnered with Accounting to resolve cash application issues, payment reconciliations, and withholding tax discrepancies.
• Prepared territory and quarter-end account summaries to support receivables reporting and review.

Accounts Receivable Manager - Nelson Miller, Inc. - Los Angeles, CA

(2013 - 2017)

• Managed accounts receivable collections for past-due commercial accounts, ensuring timely payments of outstanding balances.
• Reviewed and approved credit applications, performed creditworthiness assessments, and conducted financial analysis for corporate and government accounts.
• Researched and resolved payment discrepancies, posted customer payments, processed account adjustments, and reconciled bank statements and accounts receivable balances.
• Prepared accounts receivable aging reports, financial statements, and month-end reports while collaborating with management and accounting teams to improve collection processes.

Credit/Collection Analyst - Fox Interactive Media, Inc./MySpace - Los Angeles, CA

(2008 - 2011)

Credit & Collections Manager - ARC Machines, Inc. - Pacoima, CA

(2005 - 2007)

Accounts Receivable Associate/Accountant - The Macerich Company - Santa Monica, CA

(2004 - 2005)

Accounts Receivable Supervisor - Simplex Grinnell/Tyco (Fire and Safety) - Glendale, CA

(2003 - 2004)

Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Minor in Business Administration - Morehouse College