Name: Liz Carstensen
Program: Oak Harbor Admin Office – Program 90
Title: Corporate Office Manager

Would you describe your job – what does the Corporate Office Manager do?

Being the Corporate Office Manager involves a lot of different aspects and each day differs from the next. My responsibilities range from keeping the copy machine filled, ordering supplies and sending out repair notices, to health and safety concerns. I’m also the main point of contact for the property management company at the Oak Harbor office.
I handle a lot of financial items, such as payroll and reimbursements for our foster parents, along with running reports in these areas. I’m also responsible for new hire and termination paperwork as well as purging personnel files. I enter in all of the health benefits in ADP and am the person to push the big red button for the final ADP payroll approval.
Our corporate office is a huge resource for the entire company. If someone’s supervisor doesn’t know an answer to a question, they call us. And I’m the individual who answers the phone 90% of the time and either knows the answer, will find out the answer, or will direct the call the an individual that can help.

What did you do last week in the office?

Last week was payroll, and so much goes that into it. When supervisor approvals are missing, I go back to the supervisor(s) and make sure the process is finished. I also work on salary splits and overtime splits for all the programs. I receive assistance and my supervisor double checks the work to make sure everyone gets the correct amount on their checks. We work as a team every day.

Out of everything that you did do last week, what was normal or typical?

Last week was mostly creating reports, processing payroll, and making sure that everything matched accordingly. Coordinating everything is sometimes a challenge with as many employees as SA has and the different processes across programs for completing timecards. We never want there to be an issue with someone’s paycheck, so we double and triple check the work. It’s really important for everyone to feel safe and secure that they’re going to get their paychecks correctly and on time.

Do you work with clients and or customers?

Unfortunately, I don’t get to work with a lot of the clients in this role. However, we do have a couple that come into the office weekly and it’s always nice to talk with them. One thing that I absolutely adore about SA is that they will employ clients within their own offices. Being able to work and interact with clients in this setting is always wonderful for me.

How do you make sure that you are showing a deep profound respect towards the customers and clients that you do interact with?

I always try to be sympathetic and consider if I were in their situation. One of our SA values is employee satisfaction, which is something we try to be excellent at. Personally, I’ve always felt that when an employee is appreciated they always work harder . I consistently express my appreciation to my coworkers because they are the people who do so much and don’t always get the recognition they deserve. I believe there’s no difference between the amazing janitor(s), and leadership team. Everybody should be treated the same.

If I could talk to your clients or customers, what would they say are the ways that you respect them and show the SA Values?

It costs nothing to be a nice person. You never know what someone is going through and to be able to be there for someone, and simply show them kindness is invaluable. You never know how you can impact their day or life. I always want to make sure I’m doing the best job I can, and I hope I show that in the work that I do. I love what I do and am thankful for the opportunity to work for a company that cares about others.

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