Hello! My name is Teresa Tristan and here's a little bit about me.

As an undergraduate student, I pursued dual degrees – Accounting and English- because I did not believe I had to choose between analytical rigor and creative expression. I could have both. My advisor thought it was an unusual combination and after years of experiencing them as separate entities, I would come to realize how important my career combination was.

After spending 12 years applying the ins and outs of accounting practices, I found a disconnect between the financial documents and the people that needed to use these documents for decision making. Nonprofits face a unique challenge, you’re expected to be financially sophisticated enough to satisfy funders, boards, and auditors- but every dollar spent on administration is a dollar not spent on your mission.

I had to find a way to make financial statement analysis understandable to the Executive Directors, department heads, budget makers and readers, anyone and everyone that wanted to learn about the financial story of the organization.

I became a bridge between financial documents and the people that needed to use them.

As a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP), I bring specialized expertise in:

• Fund accounting and restricted fund tracking

• Grant management and reporting

• Budget creation, tracking and analyzation

• Audit readiness

• GAAP Compliant Financial statements

My creative practices remind me there’s always more than one way to see a problem, and more than one way to tell a story. Yes, I bring rigor and precision to your financial statements, but I also bring adaptability and a deep appreciation for the human stories behind the numbers. Nonprofits don’t just need accountants – they need partners who understand that impact is both measurable and immeasurable.

My Credentials

• Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) – Nonprofit Accounting Institute

• CMA Candidate – Institute of Management Accountants (expected completion 2027)

• Master of Arts in Writing – Pacific University 2018

• BBA in Accounting + BA in English (Double Major) – University of the Incarnate Word 2014

A Little More About Me

When I’m not digging into trial balances, you might find me:

• Working on my poetry collection

• Experimenting with watercolor or acrylic painting

• Reading everything I can get my hands on

• Visiting local coffee shops looking for the perfect latte

I believe financial clarity creates freedom and security. Freedom for nonprofits to focus on what matters most, and security in knowing where your organization is headed and being prepared for it. I’d be honored to help your organization experience that freedom and security.