Hello! My name is Julai Baldwin and I’ve been a licensed CPA since April 2002. Please allow me to tell you how this happened (or scroll to the bottom of this page for the Quick Facts).
I took my first accounting class during my junior year of high school. I loved it! Accounting is so logical and orderly; a place for every number and every number in its place! If your books are out of balance, you know a number is out of place and the detective work begins. Also, I was very good at it, working ahead of the class and still earning an A. So I wanted to take the next “obvious” step - to become a CPA.
I worked my way through college. My favorite job was working for a small financial planning firm. The skills I learned there didn’t require a formal education, but provided a valuable learning experience in areas the University did not. Under the guidance of two very smart and generous financial planners, I learned general office organization, how to utilize Quicken and QuickBooks, payroll preparation, as well as small business accounting and start-up procedures, importance of attention to detail, discretion, and great customer service. Also to always maintain a sense of humor.
After earning my Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from Central Washington University, and passing the CPA exam, I accepted a position at a large local accounting firm in Seattle. For almost four years, my primary functions were performing audits for nonprofit organizations and tax return preparation, for individuals as well as businesses. Imagine my disappointment when I learned that working as a CPA (at a CPA firm) is not the same as the accounting I fell in love with! My time in public accounting allowed me additional opportunity to excel at client satisfaction, accuracy, and attention to detail (trust me: you want your accountant to have attention to detail).
The next four years have been dedicated to my work at a large financial institution. My experiences here were varied, but I dealt primarily in regulatory compliance, accounting for multiple entities owned by the same parent company, and special projects. These responsibilities keep me on my toes, never let me forget the devil is in the details, keep me organized and ready for any audit, and keep my mind open to new opportunities and solutions.
I’m finally returning to my passion, the reason I entered the accounting field in the first place: my love of bookkeeping. With that passion, I’m also bringing my audit and tax background, my small business accounting experiences, my CPA knowledge and skills, and my sincere desire to help you, the entrepreneur, simplify your business, beginning with your finances. Accounting doesn’t have to be painful. With the right team behind you and a little sense of humor, it can even be fun!
Quick Facts about me:
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1997-2000 - Worked for financial planning firm
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2000 - Received B.S. in Accounting from Central Washington University
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2002 - Received CPA license from State of Washington
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2001-2004 - Worked for large local public accounting firm preparing taxes and auditing non-profit organizations
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2004-2009 - Worked for large financial institution
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Member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants (WSCPA)
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Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
