Department: Controllers & Financial Analysts

As a Controller, I bring over 25 years of finance and accounting experience within startups, venture-backed companies, and family office / holding company environments across a variety of industries, including SaaS, technology, real estate development, and professional sports.

I spent over a decade working alongside CEO/founders and venture funds, serving as Controller for two venture-backed technology start-ups while the portfolio grew and diversified. Some of my career highlights include supporting fundraising efforts totaling more than $30 million, and leading finance and diligence work through a private equity transaction that transitioned a single company into a multi-company structure. In my role, I strive to build scalable finance functions and strengthen controls while giving leadership a clear, reliable picture of the business.

I grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA and graduated from the University of Arizona, where I received a B.S. in Finance. In my personal time, I enjoy world travel, concerts, and staying active through weight training, hot yoga, and hiking.

Sarai Luksch, CPA, is a finance leader with more than 12 years of experience across public accounting, capital markets advisory, corporate finance, controllership, financial reporting, and operational accounting. She has held various senior leadership roles, including CAO and Corporate Controller, supporting both publicly traded and private equity-backed companies through scalable process improvements, internal controls framework implementations, audit and IPO-readiness, and streamlining cross-functional accounting operations. Sarai holds a master’s in accountancy and dual bachelor’s degrees in business administration from the University of Denver. She brings great interpersonal skills and a practical yet strategic approach to helping organizations strengthen their finance function and support sustainable growth. Sarai is a Colorado native who loves spending time with her family and two daughters, golfing with her husband, and owns a children’s ballet studio in Boulder.

As a Financial Data Analyst, I bring a decade of experience at the intersection of financial analysis and data systems architecture. My background spans healthcare, energy, and enterprise environments, where I’ve partnered with finance leaders to transform complex, manual workflows into clean, scalable, and insight-driven reporting solutions.

My work is grounded in CPA-level accounting knowledge combined with hands-on technical depth in Power BI, DAX, Power Query, Excel, SQL, and API integrations. I’ve designed automated revenue pipelines, built consolidated financial reporting systems across multi-entity organizations, and delivered forecasting and budgeting tools that eliminate spreadsheet dependency and accelerate decision-making. I graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a B.S. in Economics and a concentration in Accounting.

Outside of work, I stay active and grounded mountain biking and running, and I love to unwind with a good work of fiction.

I have accumulated a wide-variety of experiences in my fifteen years as an accountant. I started my career in tax where I finished my CPA licensure, then I worked for ten years helping to grow and scale startups in industries such as apparel, CPG, cannabis and professional services. Most recently, I spent five years as a Controller at Old Pal where I built the company’s general ledger and financial controls from its infancy to $30M in gross merchandise value.

As a Fractional Controller at Ascent CFO Solutions, I’m able to extend my experiences to clients, offering full-cycle accounting, and analytical decision-making, as well as tax, compliance and organizational best practices.

I was born and raised in Southern California and received a BA in Finance at Southern Methodist University. I’ve been a licensed CPA since 2017. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing my guitar and finding a new game of pickleball.

As a Controller, I bring over 20 years of public and private accounting experience within small to midsize companies across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and professional services.

I spent nearly 14 years working for a multi-location concrete manufacturing company that more than doubled its size and expanded internationally during my tenure. Some of my career highlights include managing a successful ERP system conversion, creating a new general ledger and financial reporting processes from scratch while reducing time to close, and leading independent financial audits which resulted in an unqualified opinion-clean report every year. In my role, I strive to create processes within the accounting department while maintaining efficient procedures for automated and recurring tasks.

I grew up in Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder where I received a B.A. in Accounting. In my personal time, I enjoy snowmobiling and hiking in the mountains with my husband, four children, and two dogs. I am also happy to spend time at home decorating, making over furniture, and organizing.

I have over two decades of experience in small to medium-sized private companies. I have extensive experience in inventory management, data analysis, and system optimization. Most recently, at ACI Learning, I led multi-entity financial support using NetSuite and Xero, optimizing processes for cash forecasting, intercompany reconciliations, and ASC 842 compliance. Previously, as a Controller at Image Projections West, I enhanced inventory accounting, streamlined multi-state tax compliance, and implemented digital accounts payable processes. My background also includes multi-branch financial management and ERP integration, demonstrating a strong ability to drive efficiencies and leverage technology to optimize accounting functions.

I hold a B.S. degree in accounting and finance from the University of Nebraska. When I’m not working, I enjoy hitting the gym and leading an active Colorado lifestyle with my son and wife. We like to mountain bike, ski and snowboard together, and we have two hound dogs that keep us busy.

I have over 25 years of financial accounting experience, ranging from startups to large corporations. As a Fractional Controller at Ascent CFO Solutions, I am able to use my extensive experience to help our clients succeed.

I have been fortunate to work in a vast array of industries, including SaaS, professional services, franchising, nonprofits, retail, and entertainment, to name a few. My experience includes running all aspects of a law firm, which I expanded from nine employees to over 50 employees across 3 states. As I’ve progressed in my career, I’ve realized that enabling companies’ growth—especially startups—is my passion. It is so gratifying to take a business from pre-revenue generation to full-blown operations. I am skilled at streamlining processes and creating efficiency, and I have completed multiple system implementations.

I was born and raised in Colorado and I am a University of Colorado graduate with a B.S. in Accounting. I am also Xero certified, Gusto People Advisor certified, and a QuickBooks Online Proadvisor.

In my free time, I enjoy cooking and exploring the wonderful outdoors of Colorado with my husband, daughters, and sons.

As part of the Ascent CFO team, I am able to combine my 25+ years of experience with my passion for accounting and problem solving to help clients with their financial needs.

I began my career in large local CPA firms working in both tax and audit. After leaving public accounting, I worked in a variety of industries including distribution, telecom emergency services, apparel, grocery, renewable energy, and contractor supply. Most of my career has been spent working in day-to-day accounting processes. I enjoy using my attention to detail to find solutions to questions and problems.

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Denver and hold a CPA license in Colorado.

Originally from Northern California, I moved to Colorado to go to college and never looked back. My husband and I have two children. Our son is a photographer in Chicago and our daughter works in the criminal justice re-entry system in Delaware. In our spare time, we enjoy camping, hiking, and spending time with our family.