Lynn Keller, CPA, Staff Accountant, Foster Results
Lynn Keller grew up in California, then moved to Virginia when she was 23. She attended Arizona State University, where she received a degree in English (“It taught me to read, write and think critically.”), then transferred to the University of Virginia. She added courses at UV to essentially add a secondary major in accounting. She moved to the Indianapolis area with two small children five years ago to be closer to family.
With two young children, spare time is rare for Lynn. She and her five year old daughter ride the family’s horses, while her two year old son eagerly watches and waits for his time to come. They live in Crawfordsville, “out in the country,” and spend a lot of time outdoors, “going on bear hunts and things of that nature.”
Lynn decided to pursue accounting because she “wanted to be able to do something that I can do anywhere in the world.” She started her career as a receptionist at a small company in Virginia that did research on customer satisfaction for large companies and for the White House. She was promoted to Accounts Payable, and when they transitioned into an Internet start-up company, they expanded their accounting department. I took over Receivables as well as Payables, payroll, job costing, you name it.
Lynn took a position with Foster Results because she wanted an accounting position where she could work closely with small business clients and not-for-profit organizations. “I like working with people in a closer relationship than you get with a large corporation. I like to make sure that all my clients receive the customer service that they need, and be able to encourage them and and help them grow and develop.”
“I also wanted to work with a company that was technologically progressive and would use the technological resources available to make not only my job easier, but make life easier for the clients as well.”
“With our company’s policy to customize our service, we can offer small businesses and not-for-profits whatever they need, from entering data into a spreadsheet and help them organize their information to helping organize brand new clients whose books are such a mess they don’t even know where to begin. We can show them how to clean it all up and show them the processes they should use to function on a daily basis.”
“Not-for-profit clients can get a little more involved, with guidelines and rules they need to follow, grant management, preparing for an audit, and more. It’s a lot of fun to work with a NFP that has a goal that is positive, with self development for individuals that are in need. It’s rewarding to not only help them out, but to see the progress they’re making and knowing that they’re helping someone, and you’re helping them.”
Over the years, Lynn has worked with a number construction home builders and has developed an understanding of the industry and what’s required of them. “The biggest struggle these companies face is managing cash flow. Proper insurance coverage is also a major concern. We deal with worker’s compensation issues and explain why and how they need to properly categorize their employees to keep costs as low as possible.”
As a horse owner herself, Lynn also specializes in the equine industry. She’s shown horses, and knows what it takes to raise, feed, and maintain them. “I know what a farrier does, and what an Equine Chiropractor and an Equine Dentist is and understand those expenses.”
