Her Story
About Molly
Molly Shahan is an accounting/finance professional with approximately 4 years of experience in the field. She began her career while still in high school, working full-time at a bank in Winterset, Iowa, where she gained exposure to financial advising and customer service. Her interest in accounting was sparked by growing up around her father's firm, Shahan Walsh, in Winterset, Iowa. She earned an associate's degree from Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) during high school and completed her bachelor's degree at Iowa State University in two years thereafter. Currently, she works at an accounting firm in the Des Moines area on the onboarding and cleanup side for fractional consulting clients, helping them establish accurate and timely financials to enable advisory work. She is pursuing her CPA credential and volunteers by providing bookkeeping services for the Whiskers T-N-R non-profit shelter in Warren County, Iowa.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Molly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, staying curious, and being willing to step outside of my comfort zone. I’ve never been afraid to ask questions, learn from others, or take on something new, even when I didn’t have all the answers.
I’ve also been fortunate to have people throughout my career who believed in me, challenged me, and encouraged me to keep growing. Those relationships have taught me that success isn’t just about what you accomplish individually, but also about the people you learn from and the people you help 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. You don’t have to know everything, and asking for help or clarification is not a weakness
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?
In college, they really want to send you down one specific path. I really didn't know a fractional CFO role was even in the cards when I went to school. So, kind of realizing there is an accounting world outside of tax and audit. I feel like that's something that isn't really advertised. And then also... not believing you have to do school for 5 years, go get your masters to be successful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are integrity, kindness, accountability, and continuous growth. I believe in doing the right thing even when no one is watching, treating people with respect, and taking ownership of my responsibilities.
I also value being someone others can rely on. Whether it’s in my personal life or at work, I want the people around me to know that I will show up, follow through, and support them. At the same time, I never want to stop learning or growing. I believe there is always an opportunity to become a better professional, a better leader, and a better person.
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