EXPERIENCE
After graduating with both a Master of Accounting and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kristen accepted a position with a NC regional public accounting firm, Dixon Odom PLLC (now Forvis). There she earned her CPA certificate, performed audits, reviews and compilations for a wide variety of clients, and prepared corporate tax returns and employee benefit plan audits. As an Audit Manager she also provided general business and accounting advice to clients and hired, trained and evaluated professional staff. The portfolio of clients she served included privately-owned distribution, manufacturing, construction, service and real estate companies throughout North Carolina and Virginia with revenues up to $150 million.
After almost ten years in public accounting, Kristen left to join a prominent, woman-owned business in Greensboro, Pace Communications, Inc. as Assistant Controller. After five months, Kristen was promoted to Controller of Pace, supervising a staff of six to eight employees and overseeing the accounting and financial reporting functions for three publishing companies and one internet retailer. During her five years at Pace, her accomplishments included improving procedures to ensure proper and timely account reconciliation and financial reporting, implementing improved financial reporting packages, and upgrading existing software. She also improved efficiency and reduced costs by restructuring bank accounts, implementing online payables and electronic invoicing, and improving both operational procedures and internal controls.
Kristen started Kristen Eakes, CPA PLLC in 2010 to assist privately owned, small and medium sized businesses in the Triad with accounting and financial reporting needs. She is a NC CPA (Certificate # 25390) with over 25 years of experience and is an active member of both the AICPA and the NCACPA.
In her spare time, Kristen is a regular practitioner of yoga and taekwondo, having earned a third degree black belt. She also enjoys travelling, spending time with family, music, and reading.
