Tina O’Banion’s strong understanding of accounting and financial responsibility stems back to her childhood, where her mother, who was an accountant herself, taught her the great importance of managing money responsibly. As an adult, Tina has seen incredible success in her own accounting career, having ambitiously climbed the corporate ladder and achieved the position of Chief Financial Officer. Then, in 2019, she decided to go out on her own, establishing the financial office, TFO SOLUTIONS, and pursuing her dream of helping entrepreneurs to succeed by viewing their own business through a financial lens. This International Accounting Day, we have a chat with Tina to learn more about her thriving career and business.
In the vast and dynamic world of business, there’s no denying how small to medium-sized companies are the backbone of the economy, playing a pivotal role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and fuelling economic growth. As a result, they face a unique set of challenges that can hinder their progress. Enter TFO SOLUTIONS, a full spectrum accounting and fractional CFO firm that understands the intricate needs of businesses, its approach being focused on learning and addressing their pain points to empower them for success.
In doing so, TFO SOLUTIONS offers a comprehensive range of accounting services for companies in the United States, as well as those with businesses operating in Europe and Asia. By offering a wide range of services from the back office to the boardroom, TFO SOLUTIONS addresses each client’s unique business requirements, including accounting, financial management, cash flow management, budgeting, strategic planning, and operational support.
“We start by sitting down with the business owners and key stakeholders to listen to their concerns, aspirations, and challenges,” Tina begins. “This one-on-one consultation allows us to grasp the specific pain points unique to their business. Each business requires something a little different than the other, therefore, we customize our solutions to their needs. We then work with them to educate and provide insightful ways to maximize their profits and grow. We have learned over time that companies are generally good at counting their money, but they are not good at making money and often struggle with cash flow.”
“Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every entrepreneur we collaborate with not only comprehends the fundamentals of their financial statements, but also embraces the belief that the past was a valuable gift in which to learn, today is a present, and tomorrow holds a promise of new opportunities.”
Guiding TFO SOLUTIONS in every facet of its business operations are its core values, chief among which is its unwavering commitment to ethics. The company believes that ethical conduct is key in building lasting, meaningful relationships, both within the team and with valued clients and partners. It holds itself to the highest standards of integrity, ensuring that every decision made is aligned with the principles of honesty, transparency, and accountability. By placing ethics at the heart of everything it does, TFO SOLUTIONS not only upholds a culture of trust and respect, but also safeguards the long-term success and sustainability of the enterprise itself and the businesses it serves.
Alongside this, the company keenly leads the way in innovation and maintaining its relevance by consistently adopting the latest technologies and adapting to evolving accounting standards such as IFRS and US GAAP. As part of this commitment, the team regularly learns new third-party applications that assist clients in the development, production, and logistics of their services and products. By embracing technology and continuously learning, TFO SOLUTIONS can ensure that it remains competitive and doesn’t risk falling behind in an ever-changing business landscape.
“Hiring Tina as our fractional CFO was the best business decision I ever made, and I just wish I would’ve done it earlier in the life of our company. Tina’s insights and advice were exactly what I had been searching for in an advisor. I wholeheartedly recommend Tina to anyone looking for sound business advice and excellent financial acumen to grow your business.”
-Scott H.
So, now we’ve got to know TFO SOLUTIONS, where did it all begin? What made Tina choose accounting as a career?
“Why did I choose accounting? That is a great question! My inspiration came from my incredible mother, who instilled in me the importance of financial responsibility from an early age. She kept a small safe with a well-hidden key, and every time I earned or spent or earned money, I diligently recorded it in my ledger, which meticulously tracked my spending and savings.”
Tina continues, “After working hard in the accounting field and obtaining my accounting degree and master’s in business administration (MBA), I knew accounting was my natural career choice. Because, let’s face it, every business needs a good accountant. For years, as a side hustle, I helped entrepreneurs with their accounting or startup businesses by helping with them with their financial models, accounting, and cash flow modelling. After years of working for many different companies in a variety of small to large companies, I decided to start TFO SOLUTIONS as I always had dreams of helping more entrepreneurs succeed.”
Meanwhile, Tina also keeps a strong connection with the University of Texas at Dallas, from which she graduated herself. She says, “Today, I find great fulfilment in mentoring full-time MBA students and extend opportunities to accounting interns. I consider myself a perpetual learner at my core and I have a teacher’s spirit. Teaching and sharing my knowledge of accounting have always been sources of joy for me. Moreover, I advocate for my staff to consistently enhance their skillset through additional coursework and learning experiences.”
Now, Tina has her sights set on the inevitably bright future ahead of her firm, with her future plans to “keep thriving and growing” by helping entrepreneurs accelerate. To celebrate this special day, Tina has provided an MS Excel based CASH FLOW PLANNING TOOL that is downloadable for free on the website. Please visit www.tfosolutionsllc.com.
With TFO We’ll Help You Grow!
For business enquiries, contact Tina O’Banion, Founder and CEO from TFO SOLUTIONS via email – info@tfosolutionsllc.com or on their website – www.tfosolutionsllc.com
