Accounting for the Future with Assistant Controller Diana Torres

Diana's Early Career

Diana Torres was driven to forge her professional path from a young age. She joined the workforce at 16 and, through a co-op program at her high school, was granted permission to leave school early to work at a shoe store. Diana gained valuable experience in the working world and stayed in the role until welcoming her first child a few years later.

In October 2013, when her baby was six months old, Diana received a referral from her uncle, who was working at a former Sonic Automotive-owned Volvo dealership. She joined the team as a cashier and quickly became involved in supporting the dealership’s accounting department. Diana continued absorbing bookkeeping knowledge and found that balance sheets and accounting responsibilities came to her with ease.

Finding Her Fit

Soon, Diana was working full-time in the accounting department. The office was dynamic and challenging, but Diana was quick to learn from her mistakes and caught onto processes fast. Early in this role, she became responsible for handling accounts receivable for the dealership and was sent to Momentum BMW to be trained on the billing process. It was there that Diana met one of her mentors Deborah Schacherl, then a biller and is now a controller at Lute Riley Honda.

In 2015, Audi Central Houston was hiring for a biller role, and Diana got the job. She served the dealership for two years, and during this time, she met another one of her current mentors, Tess Oeding, who was then the controller at Momentum BMW. Diana notes how fortunate she felt to have two female leaders willing to offer their guidance as she continued her development as an accounting professional. The relationships she’s formed at Sonic Automotive have truly embodied the company’s values to Be a Mentor.

In 2017, Land Rover Southwest Houston was searching for an office manager. A teammate recommended Diana as a good fit for the position, and after interviewing, she accepted the role. During her time in this role, she was invited to attend classes offered by Regional Controller Scott Christianson on dealership office management. The opportunity to attend and learn from these classes and other teammates really helped Diana excel in her new role.

The Road to Assistant Controller

With over a decade of tenure at Sonic Automotive, Diana notes, “Sonic offers so many opportunities at all levels. If you’re willing to take action, Sonic will allow you to keep climbing. I feel loyal to Sonic because they truly care for their teammates and their career growth. If you put in the work, you will be recognized.”

As her office manager role developed, Diana’s daily responsibilities required her to become more involved with dealership controllers. Not only did this insight serve as on-the-job education for Diana, but it also helped her determine her next professional goal. When the assistant controller position opened at Momentum BMW in 2021, she put her hat in the ring and, soon after, excitedly accepted the role.

“I appreciate the support I’ve consistently felt since I started my journey at this company,” says Diana. “Our company’s leadership is determined to coach teammates and build longevity for us. Sonic offers classes, workshops, online courses, teammate networks, and countless other resources to keep us informed and evolving within the industry.”

Advice to Others

Based on the experiences and lessons learned on her career journey thus far, Diana encourages other professionals to remain consistent in their quality of work. “Be patient with yourself and your progress. There will be times when you question your path, but trust the people and resources offered to you. Remain adamantly accountable, and your work will not go unnoticed.”

To learn more about career opportunities at Sonic Automotive, visit jobs.sonicautomotive.com.