2023 Women Leaders in Technology: Jana Kelly

Jana specializes in providing client accounting services for corporations, nonprofit entities, partnerships, and closely held businesses in a variety of industries. She builds strong relationships with her clients by partnering with them in accounting areas while also bringing her tax expertise to the engagement. Her holistic approach managing the goal of consistent financial statement reporting as well as understanding useful tax considerations is an added value her clients sincerely appreciate.

Jana's experience includes a wide variety of services such as compliance reporting, compilations, accounts receivable, accounts payable, sales tax reporting, payroll integration and month-end close. Process and procedure improvement is an area where she has consistently served her clients throughout her professional career. Her analytic approach to the analysis of the needs of her clients helps to quickly assess the accounting process and provide a plan for that suits the needs of her clients.

She holds a Bachelor of Science, Mathematics from Auburn University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

What has been the biggest factor in your success so far?

The biggest factors in my success have been the people who have supported and believed in me, hard work, and a genuine desire to serve others. Any one of these is important but when all three are put together, I have been able to do more than I ever dreamed. I'm particularly grateful for a few women who I have looked up to as career mentors who have been great supporters and encouragers to me.

What do you enjoy most about your career in the consulting industry?

I love partnering with my clients as they grow and achieve their goals. My clients are gifted entrepreneurs who typically have a great idea or invention. It is an honor to be a part of their story and help to provide the services they need to support them as they chase their dream. In a way, I feel like my team is a part of their success.

What is your proudest achievement to date?

My proudest achievement is creating new leaders on my team and watching them grow. I am fortunate to have the very best crew of people to work with in the industry. They are a highly qualified group of diverse individuals who each bring a unique skillset and contribution to the group. I'm proud of being able to play a part in their own career journey and love watching them reach their aspirations.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

The best advice I was ever given is, "Your career is your responsibility." It is tempting to wait on opportunities to arise and often women struggle with being their own advocate. Once we take ownership of our careers and our goals, we can not only make a difference in our own lives but in the lives of others around us. To do anything less than that deprives ourselves and those around us.

What does this recognition mean to you?

I have been honored for achievements before but being honored as a Consulting Women Leader in Technology is uniquely special. In my work, I am shocked and humbled by how many women have reached out to say that witnessing my achievements gives them hope for their own careers. In all the years where I was watching other amazing women achieve their goals and make a difference, I never thought I would have the chance to be the one others might look to for proof that they can make it in this world. If I get the chance to give someone else the opportunity to believe in themselves like some have done for me, that will be a true honor.