In Conversation
Jen McAllister for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Jen McAllister: so much more. And I wish I could share that with everybody because too often, People tell us we can't do something and we just accept it.
What does being an Influential Woman mean to you?
Jen McAllister: Being an influential woman to me doesn't mean that you have to be up on a stage in front of a large group of people. It doesn't mean that you have to have mass influence. You don't have to be an influencer. Really, it's one person at a time. If you can just influence one person, then you have been a great influence. For example, even as young, as a young age, I didn't take no for an answer. For example, I remember having a piano piece and I brought it to my piano teacher and she said, oh no, you're not ready for that. And having someone tell me that I couldn't do it actually made me want to do it so much more. And I wish I could share that with everybody because too often, People tell us we can't do something and we just accept it. So, the first thing that I would tell women and even men would be, decide who you want to be and don't let anybody tell you differently. So, if I can just share that with one person at a time that you decide what you want to be. And you can be that. I mean, it's obviously not instantly. You've got to set your, your, your far-reaching goal and decide what are those little steps each day with consistency that are gonna help you reach those goals. Currently, I get to have influence over different groups of women, but specifically with my group of women at RISE, I love to be able to meet with them weekly, encourage them, teach them. And then they become influential women as well. So it really becomes a beautiful snowball effect.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Jen McAllister: One of the biggest pieces of advice that I would give to a young woman. Chasing their dreams is be patient with yourself when you see other women that are highly successful. It took a long time and a lot of effort to get there, so don't compare yourself to that. It's a great goal to have in the future, and then decide what are all of the little and consistent steps that can get you there. Consistency is key. It just really builds on top of each other. And the other thing that I would say is, don't expect to know everything. Don't let your lack of knowledge make you feel less. But instead, Look to other people that can support you in those areas. Not only do you not need to know everything, you just need to know the right people, but then you can also learn from those people. Surround yourself with people that believe in you and that they also have high goals. That's what I would tell young women.
Her Story
About Jen
Jen McAllister, CPA, is the founder of Rise CPA & Accountants, where she leads a team providing fractional and outsourced accounting services for small businesses ready to level-up beyond mere bookkeeping. Jen and her team help business owners simplify and streamline their financial processes while gaining clear, reliable financial insight to make better business decisions.
With more than 25 years of experience in accounting, controller, and treasury roles across multiple industries, Jen brings both technical expertise and practical business perspective to her clients.
Rise services include: bookkeeping, payroll support, accounts payable and receivable processes, financial reporting, and providing fractional CFO-level guidance.
Jen holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Business Management, an MBA, and is a licensed CPA.
She previously hosted the podcast Ju$t Figure It Out, producing more than 270 episodes featuring candid conversations with entrepreneurs and professionals who navigated significant challenges by maintaining a strong problem-solving mindset.
Through Rise, Jen is passionate about empowering business owners with financial clarity while also creating opportunities to develop women leaders within the accounting profession. Based in Mapleton, Utah, she works with clients nationwide and believes that as her firm grows, so does her ability to support both entrepreneurs and the next generation of women in accounting.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong sense of self-belief and a mindset that anything is achievable when you commit yourself fully. By approaching challenges with confidence and determination, I have been able to set ambitious goals, navigate obstacles, and consistently grow both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to approach every challenge with a positive mindset by asking, “How can I do this?” rather than focusing on limitations. Embracing this perspective has allowed me to tackle complex projects with creativity and confidence—something I practiced extensively while hosting my podcast for a year, producing 270 episodes and helping others overcome challenges along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the accounting industry is to confidently chase their dreams and appreciate the flexibility and opportunities the field offers. This industry allows for meaningful career growth while balancing personal priorities, making it especially well-suited for working mothers who want to build both professional success and a fulfilling life outside of work.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities right now is to mix technology with personal human led guidance. Another opportunity is to be able to seamlessly engage with client's nationwide without skipping a beat. A challenge is keeping up with the demand for accountants! I'm always looking for amazing people and talent to join my team.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life integrity and genuine relationships. I believe Rise's core values of collaboration, authenticity and dedication are the foundations for growth and lasting success for our clients as well as for Rise.
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