Financial Management & Accounting
Outsourced CFO, accounting, and financial strategy services for nonprofits, foundations, and businesses that want financial clarity and systems to support lasting growth.
A Note from the Owners of Creating Answers, now joined with Third Plateau
Welcome to Third Plateau’s Financial Management & Accounting division. In 1998, Stacey Powell founded Creating Answers with a simple vision: to serve as a trusted financial partner to nonprofits, foundations, and mission-driven organizations. Over the years, that vision grew into a thriving firm built on customized solutions, creative problem-solving, and honest partnership. Together, as owners of Creating Answers, we have been honored to help organizations strengthen their financial foundations and advance their missions.
We are excited to share the next chapter of that journey. We’re thrilled to announce that Creating Answers has joined the innovative team at Third Plateau and will continue delivering the same high-quality external CFO and accounting services under the Third Plateau name.
For years, Third Plateau and Creating Answers worked side by side, with shared projects, shared clients, shared values, and a lot of mutual respect. We realized we could do even more great work together. Financial management and accounting remain our team’s core focus, now strengthened by Third Plateau’s expanded resources and expertise in strategy, philanthropy, coaching, and organizational effectiveness. By bringing these services together under one roof, we can offer clients more integrated support to help them achieve lasting impact.
Strong finances are the foundation of sustainable organizations. Let’s build yours together.
Shawna Fitzgerald & Stacey Powell
Principals, Third Plateau Financial Management & Accounting Division
About Our Work
Good finances shouldn’t feel out of reach.
Third Plateau’s financial management and accounting team brings decades of experience serving nonprofits, foundations, and small businesses in the social sector. We go beyond compliance to deliver reliable reporting, efficient accounting systems, and the strategic partnership leaders need to make confident decisions.
Not every organization needs a full-time finance department, but every organization needs great financial leadership. Our braided team approach pairs each client with a dedicated external CFO, Controller, and Accountant for seamless, long-term support.
Our Services
Our services are built as an integrated package, covering the full scope of a finance department with a focus on long-term partnership.
- External CFO & Financial Strategy: Senior-level financial leadership, strategic guidance, and cash flow and budget management.
- Controllership & Accounting: Day-to-day bookkeeping and hands-on oversight so your books stay clean and leadership stays informed.
- Financial Reporting: Clear, board-ready reports and actionable insights for confident decision-making.
- Accounting Systems Design: Custom systems built to increase capacity, strengthen controls, and scale with your organization.
Let’s Work Together
Reach out to our team.
We’ll dream with you, listen closely, ask the right questions, and create an approach to philanthropy that’s entirely yours.
We look forward to exploring what’s possible together.