JOLANDA JORDAN CPA
My name is Jolanda, and I am a faith-based Certified Public Accountant. The journey to accomplish this personal goal of mine was a process that took time and work. Two essential values needed for any dream one tries to realize, and it is my desire to help you find the path to financial freedom so you too can accomplish your goal of debt free living. Although I went to college to become a CPA and graduated with the degree to do so right after high school, it was about 23 years later that I even began preparing myself for the daunting task of taking the 16 hour exam. During the 23 years of not realizing my goal, I did work on satisfying the other requirement of being a CPA which is experience. Over the years I worked in various industries manufacturing, child care and education while seasonally preparing taxes with my mentor the late Mr. Roberts. He always told me to follow the rules, which is a phrase I find myself using more and more.


Biblically, God is very clear about his role regarding our finances, yet it took me several years before I began tithing. When I decided to do so, I began my testimony of seeing God as a provider through a series of financial setbacks. The major one maintaining a mortgage, and being drained of savings in the process. Where I was being drained, God showed his faithfulness to restore, not financially but spiritually as I drew closer to Him through serving in different ministries at church. It was not until I was in a church finance meeting with our new pastor that it occurred to me I said I wanted to be a CPA and I have not done it yet. My pastor asked do we have a CPA? The question leading to confirmation to me that I am supposed to be a CPA. It was after that meeting I began taking the necessary steps to take the exam. This required the sacrifice and forgoing of things in order to afford taking out a student loan to take the course. Just before my first exam, I was out of town with my mother. We were at dinner and my mother had a stroke. I was at the hospital the remainder of the trip and attempted to finish studying for my fist exam. I ended up failing the 1st exam by 2 points and wanting to quit altogether. Not to mention shouldering a new unexpected hospital bill. I persevered, empowered by grace, and ended up passing all 4 parts within 6 months. The application process was equally challenging as it required the certification of my 5 years of experience in accounting. As I began writing down all my past experience over the years it occurred to me that every opportunity that I had and every desire that I had, God had His hand in it. I did not realize it at the time but in hindsight I could see with clarity that He sustained me financially to endure every new financial struggle. Shortly after I received my CPA License, I saw God’s hand move on my behalf. He gave me an opportunity to transition career fields from school principal to chief finance officer for a school district and sold my home within 60 days releasing me from the mortgage I struggled to sustain. The relocation placed me 100 miles one way to my church home but I maintained the commute for about a year. Eventually, I decided to step down from my leadership role as the Financial Secretary and Choir President. I committed to keeping the role of Sunday School Teacher for an additional year while I searched for a church closer to home to serve. COVID 19 hit and we ended up doing ministry virtually and the desire to serve God in another capacity was planted. It was around this time that I embarked on the journey to partner with the IRS to provide a VITA site (Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance). I will be working with individuals in my new community to share the gifts and talents God has given me. I am a living testament of God’s faithfulness to truly be your provider when you trust Him. He has restored me, spiritually and financially leading me to a debt free life.