Caitlin V. Steel, MBA, CPA · Accounting automation and transformational controller

Decisions shouldn't wait for close.

I help finance teams automate the day-to-day data flows behind their accounting, so the numbers are right before month-end and reconciliation work shrinks. When a team needs more than advice, I step in as controller, modernize the function, and hand it to a new manager. I bring more than 20 years in finance and accounting leadership and 15 years building the software that automates it.

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35+ yearsLeading finance and accounting teams, then building the software that automates their work

$13M → $90MBlackLine revenue growth during my tenure leading product

850Client organizations on the BlackLine platform

40%Planning cycle time and hours cut, Meta AI planning system

Two ways to work together

Advise and build alongside your team, or run the accounting function for a set term and hand it over.

Accounting automation consulting

Fix the data upstream, and the close gets lighter

I work on the everyday movement of financial data across your systems. When that flow is automated and validated at the source, leadership gets decision-ready numbers during the month, and reconciliation and close work shrinks because the underlying data was already right.

Diagnose data flows across ERP, source systems and reporting
Automate data movement, validation and controls at the source
Reduce reconciliation and close volume
Build real-time reporting for leadership
Use AI to design and build automation, never to make the accounting judgment

Transformational controller

Modernize the accounting function, then hand it over

For companies whose accounting has outgrown spreadsheets and manual close, often after a controller leaves, a new ERP, a funding round or an upcoming audit. I run the function for a fixed term, rebuild how it works, and leave it with a manager who can run it.

Own the monthly close while the engagement runs
Redesign close, reconciliation and controls around automation
Prepare for audit and SOX readiness
Hire or develop the accounting manager who takes over

Step inTake over the close and assess the function

ModernizeRebuild processes, systems and controls

Hand offTrain the new manager and transition out

Selected track record

Results from roles I held at these companies. They are not client engagements of this practice.

MetaManager, Product Management · 2025–2026 AI financial planning system Guided a five-month move from spreadsheet-based planning to a custom AI system used by leadership in real time, cutting planning cycle time and hours by 40%.

BlackLineDirector, Product Management · 2011–2014 Close and reconciliation automation Led product vision and strategy for the platform and integrated products as revenue grew from $13M to $90M, serving 850 client organizations and 100,000 users.

OpenGovVP, Product Management / Customer Solutions · 2017–2022 Government budgeting automation Grew the Budgeting suite from 25 to more than 400 customers, with an NPS above 9, by designing around accountants' workflows.

Barry's Ticket ServiceCOO / CFO · 2007–2011 GAAP system selection and automation Selected and implemented a GAAP-based financial system, automating the accounting function and reducing accounting headcount and cost by 25%.

Spirent CommunicationsPlant Controller and Sr. Manager, Internal Control · 2005–2007 First Sarbanes-Oxley audit Led a $500M international telecom company through a passing first SOX audit in eight months, working with E&Y and Deloitte to build and test hundreds of controls.

Also: VP Product Management at Redwood Software and Leapfin (finance automation), VP Product Management at Aktana, Director of Product Management at Xactly, and CFO roles at two venture-backed startups.

I know how accounting automation is built, and how it gets adopted, financed and controlled inside a finance department.

I spent more than 20 years in finance and accounting leadership as a controller, VP of finance and CFO, building and modernizing finance functions from the inside. I then spent 15 years leading product at companies that build finance and accounting software, including BlackLine, OpenGov, Leapfin and Redwood Software.

In those roles I worked with client accounting teams to replace manual, error-prone processes with scalable, automated systems. I now bring that diagnosis-to-implementation approach directly to finance organizations as an independent CPA.

Certified Public Accountant, active California license #108109
MBA, Golden Gate University · BS Business Administration, Sonoma State University

Decisions shouldn't wait for close.

Two ways to work together

Fix the data upstream, and the close gets lighter

Modernize the accounting function, then hand it over

Selected track record

Tell me where your accounting stands.