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Accounting Elements

These are the people who know your numbers inside and out.

Laura Pilkington

Laura Pilkington

Founder, Chief Bean Countess

Meet the founder and CEO, Laura, aka your business and profitability mentor. Laura has the ability to find the missing pieces and assemble them all, turning financial chaos into an organized and completed puzzle.

From here she can pull together a streamlined approach to growth and profitability, allowing clients to sleep soundly thanks to their newfound financial freedom.

She’s certified in Xero, QuickBooks Online Advanced, and other essential partner apps. When not teaching clients what their financials mean, Laura enjoys time with her husband, their blended family of four, and their six rescue kitties. When asked, she will also share her love of classical music with her talents on both cello and piano.

Kristy Monahan

Kristy Monahan

Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Kristy Monahan ensures our day-to-day operations run smoothly. With over a decade of diverse experience—from bookkeeper and Technology Guru to Director of Client Accounting Services and successful bookkeeping business owner—Kristy is our very own “MacGyver.”

Her role sits at the intersection of accounting, technology, and process. Whether she’s building a new framework, scouting the latest tech innovations, or rolling up her sleeves to get projects across the finish line, Kristy fills in the gaps with efficiency and innovation. When she’s not optimizing operations, Kristy enjoys spending time with her teens, nurturing her garden, and hitting the high notes at karaoke nights.

Kate Pilkington

Kate Pilkington

Financial Technician

Not only does Kate have her degree in accounting, but she also has a love of the sea and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Maritime Technology.

After working on the Great Lakes for a couple of years, Kate has gone back to her original love of accounting and helping business owners organize their financials. If you’re wondering if Kate is related to the founder, why yes! Lucky for us, Kate married into the family in 2023. In additional to her love for the sea, Kate has two kitties named Pepper and Roo, and loves crafting, baking and reading.

Payten Spencer

Payten Spencer

Assistant Controller

Meet Payten – our puzzle-loving Assistant Controller who bring structure, insight, and just the right dose of strategy to every client relationship.

With a Bachelor’s in Accounting and an emphasis in public accounting, she combines sharp technical skill with a genuine curiosity about how businesses tick. Outside of the world of debits and credits, Payten finds balance through lifting heavy things at the gym, swimming laps, or crushing it on the tennis court; but, she’s just as happy winding down with a good book or piecing together a puzzle (preferably with snacks involved)…after all, snacks are the way to her heart!

Susan Deyo

Susan Deyo

Client Services Assistant

Meet Susan, an administrative whiz and expert financial data organizer. She loves the feeling of all the details adding up just right… ah, a sweet picture of perfection!

Susan has a keen eye for capturing details, and this talent doesn’t just lend itself to clients’ administrative needs, she’s also a skilled photographer. Before fixing numbers, Susan worked as an EMT, fixing people in moments of crisis. She has an ability to stay calm under pressure that has translated well into the financial world. When she’s not working, you can find her enjoying the company of her three orange cats or sitting by the ocean (preferably in Turks & Caicos!)

Dawna Bailey

Dawna Bailey

Virtual Assistant

Dawna is a behind-the-scenes powerhouse! She keeps Accounting Elements organized and lends a hand to all areas of the business.

What makes her happiest at work is the joy in exploring the details, helping clients thrive, and making sure everyone has what they need to do their best work. Dawna’s background is in laboratory services, so it’s no wonder she loves tackling things as if she were inspecting it through a microscope. In her downtime, she enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family, including nine grandchildren — all boys!