Discover how Molly Shahan transformed her childhood curiosity and her father's mentorship into a thriving career as a fractional CFO, dedicated to helping business owners understand their finances and achieve their goals.
Her Story
About Molly
Molly Shahan is an accounting professional and Fractional Consultant at ExecOne Consulting, serving clients in the Des Moines, Iowa area. With approximately 3.5 years of experience in accounting and financial services, she began building her professional foundation while still in high school, working full-time at a bank in Winterset, Iowa. Her early exposure to financial advising and her family's accounting background helped inspire her career in the field.
Molly earned an associate degree from Des Moines Area Community College while in high school and later completed her bachelor's degree in Accounting from Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business in 2025. Her professional experience includes roles as a Financial Services Representative, Tax Intern, Accounting Associate, and Fractional Consultant. In her current role, she focuses on client onboarding and financial cleanup for fractional consulting clients, helping businesses establish accurate and timely financials that support effective advisory services.
In addition to her professional work, Molly has developed expertise in bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial services, and QuickBooks. She has earned Intuit Bookkeeping and QuickBooks Online certifications and is pursuing her CPA credential. She also contributes to her community by providing bookkeeping services for Whiskers T-N-R, a nonprofit shelter in Warren County, Iowa. In 2026, she was recognized as an Influential Women of Iowa honoree for her leadership in financial consulting, business advisory services, and contributions to small business growth throughout Iowa.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Molly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, curiosity, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone. I’ve always been open to asking questions, learning from others, and taking on new challenges, while valuing the people who have supported, challenged, and encouraged me throughout my career. These experiences have taught me that success is not only about individual accomplishments, but also about continuous growth and helping others along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to never be afraid to ask questions. I’ve learned that I don’t have to know everything, and asking for help or clarification is not a weakness but an important part of learning, growing, and succeeding.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say just believe in yourself. Believe you can do it, and set goals. I'm just a very goal oriented person. And just don't feel afraid to ask questions. I've never had someone get annoyed because I asked too many questions.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is recognizing that accounting offers many career paths beyond the traditional tax and audit roles. In college, I was often encouraged to follow a specific path, and I didn’t realize that opportunities like fractional CFO work were even available. I also believe it’s important to understand that success doesn’t always require five years of school or a master’s degree; there are many ways to build a successful career through experience, curiosity, and continued learning.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, kindness, accountability, and continuous growth. I believe in doing the right thing, treating others with respect, and taking ownership of my responsibilities. I strive to be someone others can rely on by showing up, following through, and supporting those around me, while continuing to learn and grow as a professional, leader, and individual.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Molly
Rising Woman in Business Molly Shahan
From small-town curiosity to fractional CFO expertise, discover how one young professional is redefining financial advisory through education, partnership, and genuine care for her clients.
Growing Up Inspired: How Molly Shahan Turned Curiosity Into a Career of Helping Others
Growing up in Winterset, Iowa, Molly Shahan didn't dream of becoming an athlete, celebrity, or entrepreneur. Instead, she had a much simpler goal: She wanted to be like her dad.
"My dad has always been my idol," Shahan says. "Watching him build his career allowed me to see that path in myself."
As the daughter of an accountant, business conversations were a normal part of everyday life. Her father, a partner at Shahan Walsh, not only introduced her to the world of finance but also instilled in her a love of learning and problem-solving at an early age.
One of her favorite memories involves the daily drive to school.
"I remember when we would be driving to school and he would ask me problems. It started with simple things like 2+2 and eventually turned into long financial word problems. To this day, I'll still call him to discuss different scenarios. What's fun now is that sometimes we're learning together. Everyone can still learn."
Growing up surrounded by a supportive family, close friends, and a tight-knit community gave Shahan a strong foundation. Those relationships taught her the importance of kindness, hard work, and helping others—values that continue to guide both her personal and professional life today.
A Career Built on Curiosity
Shahan's first professional experience came earlier than many of her peers.
The summer after her junior year of high school, she began working at American State Bank. There, she gained exposure to banking, personal finance, and relationship-building while working alongside professionals who took the time to answer her endless questions.
One individual, in particular, left a lasting impression.
"There was a financial advisor there who was always willing to help me understand anything I asked. His kindness really inspired me. It made me want to help other people understand their finances the same way he helped me."
That curiosity became a defining characteristic throughout her education and career.
While pursuing her education in accounting and finance, Shahan discovered that traditional accounting wasn't necessarily where she found the most fulfillment. Instead, she was drawn to understanding the bigger picture behind the numbers.
After graduation, she entered the world of fractional CFO services, a career path that wasn't heavily discussed during her college years but quickly became the perfect fit.
"I really enjoyed seeing businesses from start to finish throughout the year. You get to see all the questions, challenges, decisions, and opportunities they face in between. Seeing how many questions business owners had, and realizing I could help answer them, really inspired me."
More Than Just Accounting
Today, Shahan serves as a fractional CFO and consultant with a mission that extends far beyond financial statements and reconciliations.
What she enjoys most is helping people grow.
Whether she's helping an entrepreneur better understand cash flow, solving a reporting challenge, or walking a business owner through a difficult financial decision, her focus remains the same: education, communication, and partnership.
"Any problem a client throws my way, I'm happy to tackle," she says. "The most important thing is being thorough in your research and presenting solutions in a way that helps the client understand."
That client-centered approach is what she believes differentiates modern advisory services from traditional accounting relationships.
"We don't just talk to clients a few months out of the year. We're continually communicating, growing with them, and helping them move toward their goals."
Rather than focusing solely on compliance and historical reporting, she sees her role as helping clients build confidence and make informed decisions.
For Shahan, the greatest reward isn't a completed project or a perfectly balanced set of financial reports.
"It's when a client says thank you. Those moments truly make my day."
Navigating Leadership at a Young Age
One of the biggest surprises people have when meeting Shahan is her age.
Having entered the professional workforce at a young age, she quickly learned that earning credibility often required proving herself before assumptions could be set aside.
"Being a young woman entering the professional workforce was definitely challenging," she says. "But I've found that if you prove yourself and consistently provide value, people will take you seriously."
That belief continues to shape her perspective on leadership.
Her advice to other young women entering accounting, finance, or entrepreneurship is straightforward:
"Stay curious and don't give up."
Those few words reflect the same principles that helped her navigate school, launch her career, and continue growing professionally today.
Rooted in Community
Outside of work, Shahan remains deeply connected to the values and community that shaped her.
She and her fiancé, whom she met in Winterset, have been together since their freshman summer and recently purchased a home together. Throughout the early stages of her career, she credits him as a constant source of encouragement and support.
The couple also shares a love of animals, caring for their three cats and supporting local animal welfare efforts.
In addition to her professional work, Shahan volunteers her financial expertise for a cat shelter in Warren County, combining two passions: helping organizations succeed and supporting animals in need.
When she's not working, volunteering, or tackling home improvement projects, you can often find her on a pickleball court enjoying time with family and friends.
Looking Toward the Future
As she reflects on her career so far, Shahan is quick to point out that she still considers herself to be in the early stages of her professional journey.
Her goals aren't tied to titles, accolades, or specific milestones.
Instead, she focuses on continual growth.
"I'm excited about growing with ExecOne and continuing to develop both personally and professionally."
Above all else, the legacy she hopes to leave is surprisingly simple.
"I just want to help as many people as I can."
It's the same mindset that began in a small Iowa town, inspired by a father who taught his daughter how to solve problems one question at a time.
Today, that curiosity, combined with a genuine desire to serve others, is allowing Molly Shahan to make an impact on business owners, organizations, and communities across Iowa and beyond.
As her career continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: The little girl who wanted to be like her dad has become a trusted advisor in her own right, helping others navigate their financial journeys with confidence, clarity, and kindness.
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