Hi, I'm Chelsea
How I Became a Tax Strategist
I fell into this career by accident. Junior year of high school, I needed to fill a gap in my schedule and ended up in an accounting class. I expected to be bored. Instead, I was hooked. There's something about making the numbers work—finding the puzzle pieces and putting them together—that just clicked for me. I've been doing this ever since.
Fast forward a bunch of years, and I started Monk Strategist so I could do this work on my own terms. I wanted to genuinely help people with their entire financial lives—not just churn through returns—while also being present for my family. I homeschool my kids, and I wasn't willing to build a career that meant missing them grow up.
So I built something that lets me do both. I get to dig into complex tax situations, help people keep more of their hard-earned money, and still be home when my kids need me. It's the best of both worlds.
My Approach to Tax Planning
Here's my philosophy: you're better at spending your money than the government is. So my job is to help you keep as much of it as legally possible.
I also believe you deserve to actually understand what's going on with your taxes. I'm not going to throw jargon at you and expect you to nod along. If something doesn't make sense, ask me—I'll explain it until it does.
And I'm not a once-a-year kind of tax person. I want to be your partner as you grow—someone you can call in August when you're thinking about buying a rental property, or in October when you're wondering if you should max out your retirement contributions. Tax strategy happens all year long, and I'm here for it.
Credentials & Qualifications
I'm an Enrolled Agent (EA), which means I'm federally licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS. If you ever end up in a sticky situation, I can advocate for you directly.
I also hold a few other designations: Certified Tax Coach (CTC), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP). What that means for you is that I follow your money through its entire life—from the day you earn it to the day you spend it. I'm not just looking at this year's return. I'm thinking about how your tax strategy fits into your whole financial picture.
When I'm Not Crunching Numbers
If you can't find me, check the nearest hiking trail. My kids and I love getting out in the mountains—it's one of the best parts of homeschooling. We're also really involved in our local church and Trail Life chapter.
I'm a pretty normal person who happens to love taxes. (I know, I know.) If you saw me at the grocery store, I'd probably strike up a conversation. That's just who I am—and it's how I run my business too. No stiff formalities, just real help from a real person.
