I grew up in small-town Iowa—and when I say small, I mean it. I graduated with just 26 classmates! From there, I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in accounting at Buena Vista University and earned my CPA license in 2008.

During my sophomore year in college, I landed my first internship in the corporate tax department of a Fortune 500 company, and I was hooked. Taxes and accounting were the perfect fit. Over the years, I worked in a wide range of tax specialties including financial reporting, IRS controversy, compliance, planning, and technology. One highlight of my career was assisting in a Supreme Court case that resulted in 70,000 current and former employees receiving refunds for overpaid taxes—a win that earned me nicknames like “Bulldog” and “The Formidable Kelsey Saltz” from my colleagues.

So, why did I leave a career I loved to start my own firm? My why is both simple and deeply meaningful. In December 2012, I married my husband, Josh, and just a few years later—in 2015—we began growing our family. What started as two quickly turned into a bustling household of seven. Today, we’re blessed with five kids: Charlotte (2015), Madelyn (2015—yes, twins!), Liam (2017), Lincoln (2019), and Genevieve (2021). Life as a mom of five has shaped me just as much as my professional journey. It’s taught me patience, resilience, and the art of juggling countless moving parts—skills that translate seamlessly into accounting and tax work. Whether I’m coaching, volunteering, cheering from the sidelines, or managing the daily rhythm of our home, I’ve learned that persistence and resourcefulness always pay off.

While I loved my corporate career and the challenges it brought, I realized I wanted more than climbing the next rung on the ladder. I wanted flexibility for my family, yes—but I also wanted to take the expertise I’d built and use it to directly impact people’s lives and their businesses.

That’s where you come in. I launched this firm to partner with small business owners who are looking for more than just an accountant. I bring the same tenacity that earned me a reputation in my corporate years—but I bring it with heart. Because for me, it’s not just about numbers; it’s about helping people thrive, both in business and in life.

And at the end of the day, no matter how complex the spreadsheets or how challenging the tax analysis is, I know my biggest fans are waiting for me at home—cheering me on just as much as I cheer for them.