Chelsea Clark
Chelsea Clark is an accounting professional based in Taylor, Michigan, with approximately a decade of experience in corporate finance and accounting. She currently serves as the Assistant Controller at Drive System Design, where she plays a key role in managing the financial operations of a small U.S.-based location that supports a sister company in the United Kingdom. Her responsibilities span a wide range of functions, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, tax reporting support, audits, financial analysis, and annual filings.
Chelsea began her academic journey at Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. She initially started her career in the import-export industry before transitioning into an accounting role within the same organization, which led her to pursue a Master of Science in Accounting at Eastern Michigan University. Throughout her early career, she held progressive roles in financial analysis and billing before moving into corporate accounting, steadily building a strong foundation in both technical and operational finance.
Over the years, Chelsea has developed into a highly independent finance professional, particularly after taking full responsibility for her company’s location following the departure of her direct supervisor. In addition to her corporate role, she has a strong background in leadership and mentorship, having served as Vice President of Finance for her collegiate sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and continuing to advise other chapters in financial matters. She is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, reflecting her academic excellence and commitment to the field of business and accounting.
• Eastern Michigan University - MS
• Beta Gamma Sigma
• Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority
• Beta Gamma Sigma
• Company Charity Team
• Alpha Gamma Delta Philanthropy Work
• International Reunion Day with Canned Food Donation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the motto from my sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta: Inspire the Woman, Impact the World. I've always kind of stepped with that philosophy. It's about believing in what this does and represents, and my main goal is to hopefully see more women in leadership roles at companies - in the controller level, in the CFO level, in the CEO level, and connect with them. I think it's a team thing. We want to kind of all help each other get to that next level.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is about learning to be sensitive to other people, but also standing up for what you believe is the right thing - finding that balance. It's not necessarily the easy route, and it doesn't always mean doing the easy thing. Sometimes in finance, it gets a little bit tricky with who the decision makers are and what they want versus what the typical method of doing it is, and you have to learn when to step in and say, 'No, that's not what we're supposed to do.' Particularly because accounting is still primarily a male's world, so finding that balance between being sensitive and standing up for what's right is crucial.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say don't be afraid to try different things. Sometimes you might think that you want one route, and then some opportunity comes along, and it's maybe not something you thought that you would do, but always try to explore and get as much experience as you can to figure out what you truly like. That's what happened to me - I majored in finance and started in import-export, but when an accounting position opened up, I took it and discovered that's what I really wanted to do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
On a broad scope, some potential challenges for the future are relating to AI and how that's going to affect all industries, really. On a more personal, smaller scale, I would say it's balancing everyone's ideas or needs. In finance, you kind of have to interact with all different people in the business, so it's about balancing all those different perspectives - what people want to get out of the numbers and the things that you provide. A lot of times my job relies on other people giving me the information, and then I have to give it to somebody else, and you're the one that gets held on the cannonball on either end.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think empathy is a big one for me. My most important thing that I appreciate about a company is when you value the individual and not just have your people be like a number at the job. And then loyalty is just something that I embody as well. I am very dedicated and loyal to whatever company or job that I'm working on.
Locations
Drive System Design
Taylor, MI 48180