Chapter 1
About Me
Every story has a starting point. Mine begins with a passion for accuracy, clarity, and designing processes that run flawlessly. I enjoy streamlining and updating workflows to make them simpler, more efficient, and fully aligned with recognized accounting and financial standards.
Fast-paced environments keep me sharp: I stay organized, focused, and deadline-driven. With a background in client accounting and operational finance, I currently manage AR, WIP aging, Unbilled AR, and cash forecasting at one of the Bay Area’s largest full-service advertising agencies.
I lead a team of Client Accountants and Expense & Travel Analysts, focusing on giving them the space and support they need to succeed. I enjoy mentoring when it’s welcomed and take pride in helping others grow in their roles. I'm also a lifelong learner who’s always looking to improve on a professional, managerial, and personal level.
As technology continues to reshape how we work, I’ve embraced new tools to stay ahead. I’ve built advanced formulas, improved Excel-based reporting systems, and automated time-consuming tasks. Innovation keeps me energized, and I’m always exploring smarter ways to boost accuracy and save time.
I support smooth operations by working across teams and translating financial processes into clear, practical terms. I’ve supported audits, navigated tight reporting cycles, and led efforts to make financial processes more transparent and efficient. I love enhancing my experience and am always hungry for new skills and knowledge as industries and tools continue to evolve.
Chapter 2
Skills & Expertise
Along the way, I gathered skills that have been shaped through hands-on experience, continuous learning, and a commitment to achieving results.
Financial Analysis
Process Optimization
Advanced Excel
Audit & Compliance
Leadership & Mentoring
Accounts Payable & Receivable
Month-End Close
Chapter 3
The Journey
Every role added a new scene to the narrative—more responsibility, broader impact, and sharper instincts.
Client Accounting Supervisor — Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Oversee client accounting operations, reporting, and cross-functional partnership to drive efficient financial processes and outcomes.
- Prepare and analyze monthly working capital reports, including WIP, AR aging, unbilled AR, and cash forecasting.
- Manage Client Accountants in San Francisco and an offshore team of Analysts in India; foster a collaborative environment with regular check-ins and performance reviews.
- Partner with Account Management, Production, and Business Affairs to track project progress, ensure accurate cost posting, and complete project closeouts on schedule.
- Manage large-scale productions with multi-million-dollar budgets for high-profile clients; handle urgent billing, time-sensitive vendor payments, and tight deadlines.
- Handle accruals, cost transfers, and reclasses to ensure accurate month-end reporting.
- Provide data-driven insights to senior finance leadership to inform strategic decision-making and budget planning.
Senior Client Accountant — Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Led client accounting deliverables and reporting while mentoring team members and elevating processes through automation and AI.
- Led and mentored Client Accountants and Expense Report Analysts through daily support, regular check-ins, and annual performance reviews.
- Prepared and reviewed monthly working capital reports (WIP, AR aging, unbilled AR, and cash forecasts).
- Implemented automation tools and AI-driven solutions to streamline reporting; developed a bank statement actualizer that reduced processing time from about an hour to minutes.
- Cleared closed projects with client auditors by reviewing costs, investigating discrepancies, and aligning with signed estimates, T&E policies, and approved bids.
Client Accountant — Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Managed full-cycle client accounting and supported audit readiness and production compliance.
- Managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, and WIP tracking.
- Performed monthly general ledger reconciliations and prepared adjusting journal entries for accruals and reclasses.
- Assisted with internal and external audits by gathering and reviewing financial data.
- Worked with Account Management and Production to ensure adherence to billing guidelines and production policies.
Financial Analyst — BBDO SF
- Generated financial reports and analyzed data to optimize cash collections.
- Collaborated on resolving billing discrepancies and ensuring financial integrity.
- Delivered insights on financial trends to support planning.
Accounts Payable Analyst — BBDO SF
- Efficiently processed and audited financial transactions.
- Managed vendor relationships and facilitated accurate financial documentation.
- Assisted with monthly close activities and bank reconciliations.
Chapter 4
Voices Along the Way
Every journey is shaped by the people you meet. These voices narrate moments that mattered.
"Julia and I worked together at Goodby Silverstein for over 6 years. As CFO, I have been impressed by Julia's professionalism and diligence throughout that time. She has always worked collaboratively both within the Finance team as well as with other agency disciplines such as Account Management and Production. She constantly seeks to improve her knowledge so that she can be better at her job and this has helped her to achieve a number of promotions"
David Spencer
CFO, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
"I had the pleasure of working with Julia for over 6 years. She was consistently one of the finance experts that I knew I could turn to help make my job easier. She is always ready to help, even in tricky situations, navigating sometimes very complicated accounting issues and helping unravel and solve any problems. Julia has never ending patience and is always a partner. She's able to explain financial policies and solutions in terms anyone can understand and does all of this with a great sense of humor and kindness. Anyone would be lucky to have Julia on their team. She'll make everyone's job easier and she is also just a great human being."
Heidi Killeen
Senior Business Affairs Manager, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
"I love working with Julia. I can always count on her to be very professional and responsible. Everything is always handled before you ask. She is a super star at the top of her game. All challenges are accepted and managed perfectly."
Yelena Kompaneyets
Business Affairs Specialist, Omnicom Production
"I had the pleasure of working with Julia during my time at GS&P where I can say she, hands down, was the best client finance partner I had during my 12 years there. Julia is extremely organized, whip smart and always a few steps ahead of any potential issue. Despite working on a client that was very fast paced and consistently dealing with various credits during multiple simultaneous productions, she never missed a beat. In fact, she created a master excel document which allowed our client partners to see real-time where their funds were going and how much was available for unplanned productions. This document was a thing of beauty and was requested as a template for other pieces of businesses from my colleagues. In addition to her achievements—and there are many, she is wonderfully kind and a joy to have on your team. Anyone would be lucky to have Julia apart of their team and I truly hope our paths cross again."
Cassi Norman
Group Account Director, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
"I truly enjoyed working with Julia. It was a pleasure to be part of her team. She’s a thoughtful leader who balances giving autonomy with steady guidance. Her deep knowledge, clear communication, and trust based approach created an environment where I felt supported and empowered to grow. Anyone would be lucky to have her alongside them!"
Ella Catacutan
Client Accountant, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
"Julia is truly one of the best client financial supervisors I've had the pleasure of working with. She's thoughtful, kind, and goes out of her way to ensure we are buttoned up in front of our clients. I have always been impressed with her ability to explain the more challenging aspects of billing in a way that is clear and effective. She would be a valuable hire to anyone who is lucky enough to work with her."
Kirsten Tsitsos
Group Account Director, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
"I absolutely love working with Julia. She knows the finance processes in and out, and is so willing to find solutions to issues when they arise. She not only understands the numbers, but understands the intricacies of client requests and what I have to deal with as an Account Manager. She’s saved us multiple times when we were in danger of not receiving funds from clients in time for a shoot. She’s collaborative, smart, very sweet, and overall just a great person. She’s the absolute best!"
Yu Rankin
Account Manager, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
"I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Julia for the past four years, and she continues to be one of the sharpest and kindest colleagues I’ve ever worked with. When I first joined the agency, Julia went out of her way to help me learn the billing process, patiently answering every question I had—no matter how many there were. That kindness and generosity stuck with me and are just one of the many reasons I continue to rely on her. To this day, Julia is my go-to person for all finance and billing-related questions. She leads monthly internal and external meetings and brings an exceptional ability to solve problems, think proactively, and tackle any issue or question that comes her way with confidence and clarity. Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, what truly sets Julia apart is how she genuinely cares for the people she works with. She was an active part of a cultural initiative focused on creating a workplace where everyone felt like they belonged and were supported. Her thoughtfulness, empathy, and commitment to making the agency a better place for all of us had a lasting impact. She’s not only a leader but a true teammate, and I’m grateful to work with her."
Jordan Moore
Account Manager, Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Chapter 5
Footnotes & Asides
Small details that bring the person behind the numbers to life.
Artist
The wall art in the background of my website photo was made by me, as well as several more of my pieces displayed around my house.
Explorer
I’ve been lucky enough to visit over 30 countries across 4 continents, and I believe that travel teaches you things you can’t learn any other way.
Author
Healthy eating is something I try to stick to, and it even led me to write a children’s book about sugar. It explains how the pancreas works in a fun, rhythmic way that’s easy for kids to understand. I dedicated the book to my daughter.
Athlete
I can hold a plank for five minutes and I’m working on increasing that time. It’s not about six-pack muscles, it’s about strengthening the core that keeps us upright and supports good posture.
Instructor
I was teaching barre classes at one of San Francisco’s boutique fitness studios.