Hannah Dunham
At HanCole Financial Services, the mission is simple: bring clarity to financials so business owners and nonprofits can make confident, informed decisions.
Hannah Dunham founded the firm after recognizing a gap many organizations face—needing high-level financial leadership without the cost or structure of a full-time CFO. Today, she partners primarily with nonprofits, real estate investors, and construction companies to build strong financial foundations, enhance visibility into performance, and support long-term growth. Her work goes far beyond traditional accounting. From cleaning up books and strengthening internal controls to guiding budgeting, forecasting, and major financial decisions, Hannah helps clients understand not just where they are—but where they’re going. Whether implementing new systems, navigating growth, or making complex decisions like restructuring or exit planning, she combines strategy with steady guidance.
The foundation of HanCole is deeply personal. Hannah’s father—her biggest supporter and the accounting professional who inspired her passion for finance—passed away on November 3, 2024. Together, they had dreamed of creating a firm to help small business owners navigate complex financial challenges. In his honor, Hannah brought that vision to life, building a firm rooted in integrity, strategy, and genuine care for the people behind the numbers. That same mindset drives her work today. Hannah believes financial leadership should be approachable, not overwhelming. Her clients value not only her technical expertise, but also her ability to simplify complex situations and provide actionable guidance.
As HanCole continues to grow through referrals and long-term client relationships, Hannah remains focused on what matters most: helping organizations operate with confidence, build sustainable systems, and create lasting impact in the communities they serve.
• QuickBooks Online Certification
• RAMP Certification
• University of Memphis - BBA, Accounting
• Providing financial assistance to elderly individuals in Memphis with no family support
• Supporting nonprofits with accounting services
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family and the incredible support they’ve always given me. My dad taught me the value of hard work, integrity, and never giving up, lessons that continue to guide me every day. Losing him was one of the hardest moments of my life, but it also became a driving force for me to honor his legacy. My daughter is a constant source of motivation. Every day, I want to show her that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to and that she doesn’t need to rely on anyone else—she can provide for herself, chase her dreams, and lead with confidence. Along the way, I’ve been lucky to work with clients, colleagues, and mentors who challenged me, believed in me, and pushed me to grow. Their encouragement, combined with the lessons from my family and my own determination, has shaped not just my career, but the kind of person I strive to be—resilient, driven, and committed to helping others succeed along the way.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to turn negativity into fuel. Early on, I was told I’d never succeed in accounting—but I used that doubt to push myself harder. Your degree or certifications are just the start; real growth comes from hands-on experience, learning from others, and embracing challenges others avoid. Absorb as much as you can in your early roles, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to explore new industries or positions—those first few years shape the trajectory of your career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to embrace mistakes, own your ambition, and define success on your own terms. I’ve learned that early missteps aren’t failures—they’re lessons that shape your growth and resilience. Don’t be afraid to set big goals and go after them, even if others doubt you. And most importantly, take care of yourself along the way—set boundaries, honor your values, and build a career that feels fulfilling, not just impressive.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, the demand for quality accounting and financial guidance feels incredible, and the opportunities are endless. My business has grown entirely through word-of-mouth, which shows me every day just how much small and mid-sized companies need support with bookkeeping, financial strategy, and CFO-level guidance. I’m also excited about how AI can help us work smarter, make processes faster, and provide even more value to our clients.
The biggest challenge I face is balancing the high-level, strategic advisory work I love with the day-to-day bookkeeping and client tasks that can pull me away from those big-picture decisions. Fractional CFO work requires both technical expertise and judgment, and training my team to handle the operational details while still delivering the personalized service our clients expect is an ongoing focus. It’s a challenge, but one I embrace, because it gives me the chance to build a strong, capable team and make a real difference in the businesses we serve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the value I hold most deeply. I believe in being honest and transparent in every interaction—whether it’s with my team, my clients, or my family. I don’t do white lies, and I expect open communication above all else. Life is full of unexpected twists, and I’ve learned that being adaptable and understanding is just as important as being honest.
Empathy and respect guide the way I work with people. I treat my team and my clients with understanding, giving them the space and support they need while holding myself and others accountable. For clients, that means they remain fully in control of their finances and decisions—I’m there to guide, advise, and provide clarity, but the seat of decision-making is theirs. For my team, it means trust and autonomy, and the freedom to approach their work in a way that works for them.
I also value growth—continuously learning, improving, and challenging myself to do better. Every experience, whether a success or a setback, is an opportunity to gain knowledge, strengthen skills, and help others succeed along the way. Ultimately, these values—integrity, empathy, empowerment, growth, and resilience—shape who I am as a professional and a person, and they guide everything I do in both work and life.