Director, Client Financial and Operational Strategy | CPA

LinkedIn michelle.gelinas@hfco.com  /  856-533-3070

Michelle joined Haefele Flanagan in 2020 with over 30 years of extensive experience in accounting and finance, operational management consulting, and for 12 years, serving in the capacity of President and Chief Financial Officer of a highly successful New York City based multi-million dollar entrepreneurial CPG business. For nearly a decade, Michelle worked closely with the State of New Jersey’s Self Employment Assistance and Entrepreneurial training program, serving alongside other highly skilled professionals, as teacher, mentor and coach to hundreds of start-up entrepreneurs, in how to develop sound business plans and run a successful business.  During this time, Michelle was principal of her own business consulting and accounting practice, working with Entrepreneurs in the startup or later stages.

Earlier in her career as a Certified Public Accountant,  working at two of the Big Four international accounting firms, Michelle served small, medium and multi-billion dollar organizations in many different industries, where she performed business and financial consulting, financial and operational auditing, and merger & acquisition due diligence.

Michelle is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, cycling, cross country skiing and is a self-taught amateur gourmet cook.  Throughout her adult life, she has volunteered her time working with numerous organizations including serving as an EMT, and most recently helping her community as a member of the Red Cross Elks Club and Habitat for Humanity.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting – Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ

Professional Credentials

Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey

Affiliations:

CPAmerica, Inc.

What’s your favorite part of your job? 

A leadership team that listens and is open to new ideas, colleagues who care deeply about each other, their clients and the quality of their work, and clients who appreciate my assistance.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An FBI agent or a chef

Words to live by:

Always help others

 

 

Specialities