About Karen Livingston, MBA, CPA
Strategic Finance Partner for Service-Based Businesses and Associations
Strategic Finance Partner for Service-Based Businesses and Associations
Karen Livingston, MBA, CPA
Fractional CFO & Controller
Finance leadership for mission-driven and service-based organizations.
Professional Background
I’m a strategic finance & accounting partner with 15+ years of experience guiding organizations through growth, complexity, and transformation. My background spans large public accounting, high-growth and PE backed companies, SMBs, and mission-driven nonprofits—giving me a unique ability to bring order to chaos and translate financials into smart, strategic decisions.
Today, I work with small to mid-sized service firms and associations that need experienced finance leadership—but not on a full-time basis. Whether I’m supporting a founder, executive director, or leadership team, my goal is to bring clarity, control, and confidence to your financial operations.
How I Work
I work with a portfolio of clients, offering fractional CFO and Controller services tailored to your goals, pace, and team structure. My approach blends strategic insight with hands-on execution, ensuring finance becomes a source of clarity and confidence—not confusion.
I’m a great fit for organizations that:
🧭 Need clear, confident decision-making
I turn messy or unclear financials into clean reports and actionable insights—so you always know where you stand and what’s next.
⚙️ Are outgrowing basic systems and processes
From ERP implementations to month-end close improvements, I help teams scale their finance operations without the overwhelm.
📊 Want a true strategic partner—not just a bookkeeper
I bring a CFO mindset to budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning—whether I’m advising the board or coaching your team.
🔍 Value transparency, accountability, and better reporting
I build dashboards, improve audit readiness, and create financials that tell the right story to the right people.
🚀 Are preparing for growth, restructuring, or change
Whether you’re adding staff, launching a new program, or navigating transitions, I ensure finance supports—not slows—your momentum.
💡 Care about mission, margin, and momentum
I’ve worked with associations, nonprofits, and high-growth companies alike—and I know how to align financial strategy with purpose-driven results.
What I Bring:
CPA with roots in large public accounting
Trained in large firm audit and nonprofit compliance—grounded in GAAP, detail, and disciplined reporting.
Strategic finance leader across industries
Held CFO and Controller roles for associations, PE-backed companies, and service firms—from professional services to education and mission-driven orgs.
Builder and fixer of finance functions
Known for stepping into complexity—streamlining multi-entity reporting, leading ERP implementations, upgrading controls, and reducing close cycles by up to 50%.
Trusted advisor to boards, founders, and executive teams
Comfortable in the boardroom, sharp on cash flow, and collaborative with staff—translating numbers into action for organizations navigating change.
Educator, mentor, and mission-driven partner
Adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, Techstars mentor, and longtime nonprofit board leader with a passion for aligning financial health with long-term impact.