Sarkis Avanian

acrf2a@r.postjobfree.com 323-***-**** or 323-***-****

**** ***** ***** ***. *** Angeles, CA 90038

CAREER OBJECTIVE

To obtain a challenging position with a dynamic organization that offers opportunities for personal and professional growth and contribution, with long-term advancement.

PROFILE HIGHLIGHTS

Extensive business experience with focus on financial services, relationship building, and providing exceptional client care.

Business consulting acumen with acute understanding of legal structures, economic and environmental conditions, accounting and financials, SWOT analysis, company culture, and tax implications.

Accomplished project manager with assertiveness to direct others with desired results on tight deadlines, performing effectively in high-pressure, fast paced environments.

Seasoned analyst with competencies to quickly identify goals, challenges, and solutions to achieve objectives within constraints of time, resources, and other variables.

Driven, business-minded, and constantly seeks methods for optimizing efficiencies and the bottom line.

Exceptional team builder and manager with outstanding ability to develop trust and lead effectively in time sensitive, highly productive environments.

Fast-study creative thinker who loves challenges and problem solving with resourcefulness and innovation.

Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Excellent communicator who works well independently and as a dependable, contributing group member.

Detail oriented and skilled multi-tasker, with proven ability to quickly and easily adapt to challenging conditions.

Ability to interact comfortably with all levels of management.

Ability to assign priorities to multiple requests for information, while ensuring integrity, accuracy, completeness and timeliness of data.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Independent Business Consultant Sep 2006 – Present

SARKAVAN Inc. Los Angeles CA

Preform thorough reviews of the business structure, accounting procedures, including financial systems, records and operations by reviewing, testing and analyzing financial records in order to determine if there are any discrepancies/deficiencies and provide recommendations for corrections if necessary.

Review business assets, fixed and variable cost, variable cost allocation for each business unit or product/program development, payroll and non-payroll expenditures, cash expenses, etc. as part of the fiscal review in order to determine business goals implementation and compliance

Interacts with a variety of individuals (e.g., contractors, outside consultants, vendors, tax advisors, business counsel and others industry specialist by emailing, meeting in person, participating in conference calls, etc. in order to discuss business progress, reports, findings and recommendations.

Encourages business owners to adapt from manual record keeping to computerized processing by recommending the collection and integration of manual records into computer programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, Microsoft money, Quicken) in order to keep records maintained efficiently

Serves as an outside consultant to business owner, management and all level technical and non-technical staff by providing guidance and technical expertise to employees; aligning work products with work priorities; monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating work products; and training.

Provides business owners with a high level review and evaluation of asset portfolios and financial services including investment securities, retirement plans, insurance contracts and related products.

Proficiencies in cash flow and balance sheet analysis, stochastic technical analysis, qualitative and quantitative data analysis of investable securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds).

Identifies areas of underperformance and concern, provides strategies, solutions, and action plans to optimize performance and minimize risk.

Owner/Operator Nov 2009 – Dec 2012

Java Central (SARKAVAN Inc.) Chatsworth CA

Oversaw daily business operations, including negotiation of vendor and equipment contracts, leases, marketing.

Financial management, including A/R, A/P, Payroll, quarterly tax filings, W-2s, 1099s and bank reconciliations.

Responsible for HR duties including staff management, onboarding, and training.

Branch Operations Manager May 2006 – Sep 2006

Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. Los Angeles CA

Managed branch operations and coordinated functions between the Advisory team and Operations Department.

Supervised Operations and Client Service staff of 18, and Administrative and Cashiering personnel.

Acting liaison between operations and financial advisory divisions; primarily responsible for conflict resolution and problem solving of complex operational issues.

Financial Advisor Jan 2004 – Aug 2005

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Glendale CA

Managed client base of $250+million in combined assets, and assisted self-directed traders with firm’s trading and investment platforms.

Reviewed and analyzed investment portfolios, identified financial goals and objectives, provided appropriate investment advice and asset allocation.

Financial Advisor Mar 2003 – Dec 2003

Crowell Weedon & Co. Inc. Encino, CA

Designed customized portfolios and programs for a diverse client base, with responsibility for wealth management of $7.7+ million in investable assets.

Performed and attributed analysis, on customer's risk tolerance, investment goals and investment exposure.

Conducted market research, identification of new investment opportunities (both internally and externally).

Initiated and implemented personalized financial plans, estate plans, and wealth transfer strategies.

Assistant Branch Manager Jan 2001 – Nov 2002

Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. Burbank, CA

Managed 43 Financial Advisors and Adviser Trainees, and responsible Liaison between Branch Manager and Advisory staff in day-to-day operations.

Developed, implemented, and managed cost-efficient in-house programs for team building and cross training.

Provided clients and staff with hands-on troubleshooting, service assistance, and immediate issue resolution.

Financial Advisor/Retirement Planning Specialist Jan 1995 – Jan 2001

Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. Burbank, CA

Evaluated investment portfolios and performed analysis of needs, objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Analyzed portfolio holdings to develop complex estate plans and long term transition strategies for simplified, tax efficient asset transfer to designated beneficiaries.

Conducted daily, monthly, quarterly and annual reports to review, analyze and report on portfolio performance.

Developed customized plans for capital preservation, and strategies for targeted growth with attainment of goals.

Management responsibility for $18+ million in investable assets and over 200 household accounts.

Multiple Titles/13 Year Tenure Jul 1981 – Dec 1994

Merrill Lynch Inc. Los Angeles, CA

Promoted into increasingly responsible positions throughout a thirteen year tenure. Roles included Paralegal, Lead Controller, Security Bond Controller, Lead Controller, Security Activity Analyst, Muni Bond Specialist, Assistant Supervisor, and Client Service Rep.

Developed proficiencies in securities and portfolio analysis, investment strategies and asset allocation, accounting procedures and reporting, company product and service capabilities, trading operations and policies.

EDUCATION & SKILLS

B.S., Business Management – Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA 2000-2003

A.A., Liberal Arts – Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles, CA 1998-2000

Bilingual - English and Armenian

Software & Social Media Competencies: MS Office, QuickBooks, MACD, Parabolic SAR, Stochastic Oscillator, Morningstar Histogram, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter

REFERENCES

Available Upon Request

Contact this candidate