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ABOUT
Thought Partner, Financial Coach, External CFO, for your business and life
What We Do
At Creating Answers, we offer an outside the box hybrid model of external Chief Financial Officer services and financial coaching. In conjunction with this we offer bookkeeping, financial analytics, cash flow projections, budget composition, and much more. And we make it fun!
When it comes to financial support, one size doesn't fit all. That's why we customize a package based on you or your organization's needs and budget. We'll listen to your ideas, goals, and challenges and create your financial clarity path. We look, see and tell the truth about your finances through consistent communication and the use of creative financial tools.
We consider ourselves partners in the businesses, organizations and families we work with.
Whether you are an individual, an entrepreneur, or living in the not-for-profit world, we make a great addition to your financial team.
Our Mission
Partnering with you to make your finances thrive, systems sing, and knowledge grow.
What Our Clients Say
TESTIMONIALS
TEAM
Our Team
Her passion for numbers and helping people find stability and growth in their finances drives Creating Answers to new heights. She has worked with hundreds of businesses throughout her career and has started, sold, and purchased multiple businesses of her own. A hidden talent for interior design and a love for visiting wineries with the intention to someday own one herself of course. Her most important role is being mom to a little girl who is sure to rule the world someday.
Shawna Fitzgerald
Fearless Leader / CEO
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Stacey Powell
One of the most creative people you'll ever meet. Her ideas are limitless and well matched by her get it done attitude. A well-respected leader with three decades of experience transforming financial systems for not-for-profit organizations and small businesses. Her love of not-for-profits led her to start Creating Answers and it carries through in all the work she does. A deep passion for personal finance transformation and education led her to write The Finance Gym Action Plan for a Better Life with Money. A board gamer at heart, you can find her playing Agricola with her friends or 20-something kid.
Chief of Strategic Impact / Not-for-Profit CFO
Rachel brings extensive experience in operations management, bookkeeping, and human resources, blending her passion for numbers and people to drive business success. With a diverse background across multiple industries including not-for-profits, she specializes in creating efficient systems that support both organizational growth and people operations. She's dedicated to building strong teams and optimizing processes. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with her family outdoors or at the beach.
Rachel Summerton
Empress of Implementation / Operations & Culture Manager
Cody’s unwavering mission is to elevate systems—whether it involves fine-tuning financial reporting procedures, optimizing software tools, or orchestrating a complete overhaul of project workflows. With 15 years in both accounting and project management, Cody possesses a unique dual perspective. She fearlessly dives into intricate problems, dissecting them with precision to uncover comprehensive solutions. Cody’s zest for life extends to thrifting escapades with her daughter, playful ball-tossing sessions with her dogs, and immersing herself in true crime podcasts.
Cody Mavis
Captain of Strategy and Innovation/Director of Finance & Operations
Amy Schutz
We have our very own Southern belle! Amy started her career spending 10 years in public accounting working with many different industries including small businesses and medical practices. Exploring her philanthropic side, she spent 7 years as an Executive Director for a local Habitat for Humanity. Ultimately, she found her true passion was returning to accounting and working with small businesses. You can find her camping, boating, and enjoying wine night with the girls! Amy lives in Alabama with her husband, 2 stepsons, and her 2 Yorkshire Terrier's Daisy and Max, who rule the roost.
Zen Master of Profit / For Profit CFO
With a proven track record in both not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, Jenn brings a wealth of expertise to client mentorship, budget optimization, and the enhancement of accounting systems' efficiency for organizational success. From fostering financial literacy among clients to spearheading strategic initiatives, she thrives on empowering teams to achieve their fullest potential. Jenn lives in picturesque Logan, UT with her two children and two furry companions and finds joy in cheering on the Las Vegas Raiders or visiting her favorite craft beer spot.
Jennifer Rogers
Queen of Compliance / For Profit CFO
Jessica Swingle
Jessica spent the first decade of her career in public accounting working with local governments, multiple business industries, and not-for-profits, followed by 11 years occupying various leadership roles in the Finance Office of a not-for-profit higher education institution. On weekends you can find her outside in all seasons doing a long run through the Pennsylvania countryside, followed by dinner at one of her favorite craft breweries or relaxing at home with a glass of wine and a good suspense novel.
Non-Prophetess of Finance / Lead Not-for-Profit CFO
Aimee Eschenfelder
Aimee believes in being a servant leader and brings over a decade of not-for-profit finance experience with her to Creating Answers. A balanced spreadsheet brings her almost as much joy as a hot Americano coffee. In her free time, Aimee enjoys riding her pandemic-inspired Peloton to nowhere and training year-round for half marathons. Aimee loves to be outside and is happiest in the mountains either hiking or skiing. She shares her home with her husband, two kids, and Finn; a fluffy, seven-pound rescue dog.
Head of Financial Fitness / Not-for-Profit CFO
Rebecca Estep
Rebecca has held various finance and leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector. Her passion leads towards the strategic and sustainability of many causes that help those often without a voice. She has a plethora of experience in financial cultivation, oversight and execution including strategic fund development and execution. Rooted in California and based now in Arkansas you can find Rebecca exploring the outdoors hiking, wild caving, kayaking, biking or scuba diving with her life partner. She is a proud mother to four children, four dogs and an extensive indoor plant collection.
Sorceress of Strategic Sustainability / Not-for-Profit CFO
Karen Wood
Karen helps not-for-profit leaders connect their finances to their mission. With 40 years of experience, she’s been an award-winning CFO, finance director, board treasurer, and CPA. Her expertise spans financial strategy, systems, and compliance. Originally from Virginia, she lived in Oregon for 17 years before settling in Pittsburgh with her partner, a cranky cat, and a lazy beagle. A proud mother of two not-for-profit professionals, she enjoys reading, music, hiking, cycling, and gardening.
Not-for-Profit CFO
A master at the art of organization and crushing not-for-profit's month end deadlines. This mother of two has over 20 years of accounting and business experience working in many different industries. She by far has the most interesting stories of anyone on our team. On the weekends she can be found teaching dance and religion to children.
Jody Lozano
Sovereigness of Structure / Not-for-Profit Controller
Our resident animal rescuer, Laura has more than two decades of experience in small business and not-for-profit accounting and management. She and her husband share their home with four dogs, two chickens, and the occasional foster or stray dog. You can also find her bird watching or trying the newest restaurant in town.
Laura Blickle
The Number Whisperer / Lead Senior Accountant
A true positive thinker, believing a positive mind will get through just about anything. Emilia started her career in public accounting in Tanzania, and later found her passion for not-for-profits after moving to the states. She loves numbers and enjoys meeting new challenges. Outside of work, she likes nature, traveling, and trying new food.
Emilia Kandendula
Emissary of Effectiveness/Not-for-Profit Senior Accountant
Cecelia enjoys working with clients and co-workers to see projects come to completion. She brings numerous years of not-for-profit financial experience to Creating Answers. When not putting her heart and soul into her job, Cecelia appreciates camping, gardening, reading, getting together with church friends and sewing. Cecelia enjoys traveling coast to coast to see her children who live in New York and Oregon. She is at home in Montana with her husband, a husky named Koda, 2 cats Maggie and Molly and Annie the chinchilla.
Cecelia Helming
Detective of Discrepancies/Not-for-Profit Senior Accountant
Tamika's love for accounting plus her love for community brings her joy working in not-for-profit. With over 20 years’ experience in both public practice and the not for profit sector she brings a valuable mix of skills and experience. Tamika is a Chicago native residing in the Atlanta, GA area. In her spare time you can find her chasing her 4 year-old son around the house, traveling, spending time with family or curled up with a good book.
Tamika Howard
Authoress of Financial Accuracy/Not-for-Profit Senior Accountant
Linda’s love for helping others, supporting organizations with a purpose, and comfort with numbers makes accounting with not-for-profits a natural fit. She has over 15 years of experience with California not-for-profits and schools in all areas related to finance. Linda enjoys working with budgets because the numbers tell a story of where the organization has been and where it is going. When not working, she also enjoys trying new cuisine, drawing/coloring, reading, and playing with her two dogs.
Linda Covello
Chronicler of Financial Success/Not-for-Profit Senior Accountant
Join Our Team
We are always on the lookout for our newest creative and dynamic team member. Please send your cover letter and resume to JoinTheTeam@creatinganswers.com.
JOBS
We Can Help
We love to help pave the financial clarity path. Drop us a line or give us a call at (916) 930-0777 to schedule a free 30 minute meeting to see how we can help you.
Contact us by phone, email or via our social media channels.
Hours of Operation: Monday Through Friday 7:00am-4:00pm
CONTACT
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