Karen Shafer, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Professional Overview
Karen Shafer is an experienced finance and accounting executive with over 20 years of expertise in the healthcare and retail industries. As the Chief Financial Officer at CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), she is responsible for overseeing all financial operations, forecasting, and strategic planning to drive organizational growth and profitability.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Chief Financial Officer at CLA, Karen is responsible for managing a team of finance professionals and overseeing all aspects of the company's financial operations. She works closely with the executive leadership team to develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the firm's overall business objectives. Under her guidance, CLA has achieved consistent revenue growth and improved operational efficiency.
Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Karen served as the VP of Finance at American Radiology Associates, P.A., where she played a pivotal role in streamlining financial processes, implementing robust internal controls, and enhancing the company's financial reporting and analysis capabilities. Earlier in her career, she held accounting management positions at GameStop and Business Interiors, where she demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to driving operational improvements.
Academic Background
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has maintained her certification throughout her career, ensuring her technical knowledge and expertise remain current.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial planning and analysis
- Accounting and financial reporting
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Internal controls and risk management
- Process improvement and operational optimization
- Strategic decision-making and leadership
Professional Impact
During her tenure at CLA, Karen has been instrumental in implementing new financial systems and streamlining reporting processes, resulting in improved data accuracy and timeliness. She has also played a key role in driving the company's acquisition and integration strategies, ensuring a smooth transition and preservation of financial stability.
Conclusion
With her extensive experience in the finance and accounting field, Karen Shafer is recognized as a strategic and results-oriented leader. She is committed to delivering innovative financial solutions that support the long-term growth and success of CLA and its clients.
