In the latest session of our Women in Accounting and Finance series, we had the pleasure of hosting three outstanding leaders from high-growth SaaS startups:Selina Guo, Head of Finance at Anrok, Jayme Smith, Head of Accounting at PartsTech, and Lara Flaherty, Controller at Interwell Health, alongside Leapfin’s own Katie Staveley, VP of Marketing. It was an honest conversation on balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution, offering valuable insights for anyone striving to excel in accounting and finance, whether you work in SaaS or any other industry.
Watch the recording here. And keep reading for 6 top takeaways.
1. The Duality of the Role: Strategy vs. Execution
Balancing strategy with execution is a familiar struggle for finance leaders, especially in the fast-paced world of SaaS startups. Leaders are expected to keep their teams focused on executing essential, detail-oriented daily tasks, without losing sight of high-level organizational and company goals. Our panelists echoed two key takeaways:
- Align early and often with the team so they understand their individual goals and what they need to do to execute.
- Conduct quarterly planning to zoom out and reassess how individual and team goals connect with and support organizational and business goals.
“Start with the end goal in mind. My goal this year was to organize our first financial audit, which meant focusing day-to-day tasks around building a foundation for all future audits.” -Jayme Smith, Head of Accounting, PartsTech
“Can I draw a line from the team’s daily activities to our ultimate company goal? Sometimes it takes going through an exercise with a team member, like ‘why are we doing this again? Oh, right. This leads to a smoother financial close, which positions us for future funding.” -Lara Flaherty, Controller, Interwell Health
2. Prioritization: Ruthless Focus in a Startup Environment
In early-stage SaaS startups, where resources are limited and growth is rapid, prioritization is a critical skill. Our panelists emphasized a common takeaway: In a startup, you must prioritize ruthlessly to make a real impact. And prioritization is about more than just organizing tasks—it’s about aligning every action with the company’s immediate and long-term goals.
“In finance, there are always new requests, ideas, and urgent tasks. You have to learn to say no and keep your team organized. Create a backlog, and tackle it later.” -Selina Guo, Head of Finance, Anrok
“Tackle low-hanging fruit right away to build momentum on bigger projects. As that builds traction, it becomes easier to get buy-in from other departments.” -Jayme Smith
3. Navigating Work-Life Balance as a Finance Leader
Work-life balance can feel elusive, especially for finance leaders tasked with high-stakes responsibilities. The panelists highlighted two key takeaways:
- Creating boundaries is healthy and essential to maintaining balance
- Self-awareness and communication go a long way in managing work-life balance in demanding roles. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
“For me, it’s all about setting boundaries. You don’t have to work 100-hour weeks. I make it a rule to be home for dinner with my family, even if I have to sign back on later.” -Selina Guo
“My CFO was on leave, and I ran into some real challenges. It came to a breaking point where I just had to reach out for help. Now, I try to ask for help sooner—it’s something I’m still working on.” -Jayme Smith
4. Building Confidence and Embracing Individual Leadership Styles
Many women in finance feel the pressure to conform to traditional leadership styles. However, the panelists encouraged embracing personal strengths. They agreed that confidence comes from embracing your own leadership style and focusing on what you bring to the table.
“My style is to wait and really consider others’ ideas before speaking. I used to feel self-conscious about not being the first to speak, but now I embrace it—it’s my process, and it helps me give more thoughtful input.” -Selina Guo
“One thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay to embrace your own style, even if it’s different from the ‘standard’ you might see. Diversity of thought, style, and background is what creates real innovation. We need different perspectives at the table.” -Katie Staveley, VP Marketing, Leapfin
“I used to think I had to pretend to know everything, but I’ve learned to own what I don’t know. Admitting when I’m unsure allows me to ask the right questions and grow in the role.” -Lara Flaherty
“Finance is a mostly male industry, especially in automotive. There’s a perception that women won’t prioritize their careers as much, so I sometimes work extra hard. I’m learning to balance that with knowing my value and speaking up when needed.” -Jayme Smith
5. Mentorship, Networking, and Lifelong Learning
Mentorship and networking are critical for growth, especially in industries where women are underrepresented. Finding trusted mentors and being open to lifelong learning are powerful tools for navigating a finance career and building personal resilience.
“One of the most rewarding things I get to do is help the next generation see what’s possible in finance. Accounting is about more than numbers; it’s about building relationships, making an impact, and finding ways to add value across the business.” -Lara Flaherty
“Early in my career, I had amazing women mentors who trusted me to learn from them. Now, I try to show that same trust with my team—giving them space to grow and learn, just as my mentors did for me.” -Jayme Smith
“It’s critical to have people who challenge your perspective and encourage growth. Surrounding yourself with mentors who bring different viewpoints can really shape your path and open up new ways of thinking.” -Katie Staveley
“For women in finance, mentorship is essential. Having other women who’ve navigated similar challenges helps you see what’s possible and gives you a network of support you can trust.” -Selina Guo
6. Why Choose a Career in Accounting and Finance?
Despite its challenges, each panelist agreed that the rewards of a career in Accounting and Finance are significant. The profession offers unique opportunities to drive tangible change, foster collaboration, and gain a holistic understanding of a business.
“The most rewarding moments for me are seeing the impact of my work on the company’s overall success. When you see your team’s analysis shape strategic decisions, it feels incredibly fulfilling.” -Selina Guo
“What’s surprising is how much the role is about relationships. You get to work with different teams, and as the company grows, you grow too. You’re never just crunching numbers—you’re part of the company’s journey.” -Lara Flaherty
“Whether it’s a new ERP or adding automation, it’s rewarding to improve processes and see how it affects the business positively. It’s about adding value, not just meeting deadlines.” -Jayme Smith
Get more insights and lessons from other successful women leaders. Watch these Women in Accounting and Finance talks on-demand now.
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