Accountant Spotlight: Scarlett Fuentes at Premier Consulting & Integration

Our Accounting Spotlights highlight inspirational leaders in the profession who are making a difference for their clients and community. Know someone who deserves to be featured? Submit a nomination. ‍

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In our latest Accountant Spotlight Series, we're thrilled to introduce Scarlett Fuentes, Accountant at Premier Consulting & Integration. Her story is one defined by her learning mindset, bold curiosity, and positive demeanor.

Turning early lessons into a lifelong career

For many of us, family is highly influential in our development, shaping our values, skills, and socialization from childhood. For Scarlett Fuentes, Accountant at Premier Consulting & Integration (PCI), an affinity for numbers was in her DNA. Beginning at a young age, Scarlett was a familiar face at her father’s small business, helping behind the scenes to handle basic financial tasks like tracking expenses and managing invoices. “At the time, I didn’t think much of it,” Scarlett reflects. “It just felt like helping with something simple and necessary.”

It wasn’t until Scarlett was formally introduced to the work, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, that it all added up. “I started to realize that what I was doing wasn’t just helping — it was accounting,” she explains. “And not only that, but I also actually enjoyed it; the structure, the problem-solving, and the sense of clarity that good financial management brings.” Since graduating in 2019, Scarlett has had a diverse career journey, exploring roles focused in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and most recently, across various new areas of accounting at PCI.

Empowering client success through scaled expertise

As a leading provider of financial management consulting, implementation, and audit support, PCI specializes in serving government contractors, marketing agencies, and professional service firms. Joining PCI in August 2024, Scarlett has felt supported from the start, immersed in an environment that encourages growth, learning, and quality services. “It’s great to be part of a team that isn’t just doing the work, but truly helping clients thrive by bringing structure and best practices to their operations,” she shares.

When it comes to achieving such change, Scarlett has come to identify distinct similarities across a range of industries. “One of the most common challenges I see with our clients is the lack of standardized processes and systems,” she explains. “Many are trying to juggle so many priorities at once, which leads to financial operations becoming fragmented or inconsistent.” Beyond the subsequent inefficiencies and errors that can prevent informed decision-making, productivity is also a major concern. “A lot of our clients are overstimulated by everything they have on their plate,” she adds. With a priority on running and growing the business, accounting can often be pushed to the back burner, the result of limited time and bandwidth.

If not properly addressed, these challenges can hold businesses back, getting in the way of effective, data-driven business decisions. “That's where PCI comes in,” Scarlett asserts. “We help create structure, provide direction, and offer the kind of hands-on support that gives our clients space to breathe.” Understanding the stress that financials can pose to businesses, Scarlett finds great fulfillment in alleviating some of that pressure, bringing an approachable and supportive demeanor to every interaction. Whether it’s clear, directive guidance or simplifying a complex task, PCI allows clients to focus on what they do best, all while knowing their financials are in good hands.

Transforming financial workflows with Ramp

Central to improving the efficiency of clients’ business processes is the strategic use of technology. For many, however, the adoption of new tools can be intimidating, entering into uncharted territory. “Without taking that leap, you’ll never know if something could change the way you work for the better,” Scarlett asserts. “By staying ahead of the curve, you can offer better solutions to clients and improve day-to-day workflow.”

By partnering with other accounting technology partners like Ramp, Scarlett has gained a newfound appreciation for the integration of technology into everyday tasks. “It’s not just about using a tool for the sake of it, but about making your work more efficient,” she explains. “With Ramp, tracking expenses and receipts has become so much smoother, giving me more time to focus on the bigger picture.” Enabled by a multitude of advanced features, the Ramp app allows users to snap a picture of a receipt on the spot, followed by a text reminder through which the receipt can be automatically uploaded. “This small but incredibly effective process means no more scrambling to find receipts days later, saving time and keeping everything organized while ensuring everything stays compliant without hassle.”

Despite Ramp’s various features that help to transform financial operations, what really stands out to Scarlett is the ease of the user experience. “I was able to jump in and start using the Ramp platform right away, without needing any extensive training or tutorials,” she reflects. “This made my day-to-day simpler by having an interface that gives real-time visibility into company spending.” With the ability to instantly see where money is going and access to real-time expense tracking, Scarlett and the team at PCI no longer need to wait for monthly reports, gaining an immediate and accurate picture of company finances.

Integrating technology and community

To best advise clients, Scarlett places an emphasis on staying up to date with the latest industry trends. Through partnerships with Deltek and associations like Federal Publications Seminars, the team at PCI gains access to industry subscriptions and professional growth classes that help keep them at the forefront. “At PCI, we are a Deltek partner, meaning that our consultants do all of the accounting for our clients on Deltek products,” Scarlett explains. “Deltek has a ton of resources for us to stay up to date with all of the enhancements, as well as training for their ERPs.” 

As Scarlett looks to the future of accounting, the role of technology in advancing the industry continues to be top of mind. “When it comes to trends, Ramp is one to watch; from the marketing and social media to the actual product features,” she advises. In a fast-paced world marked by constant change, the opportunities for achieving transformative efficiencies through the application of AI and automation are endless. “I predict accountants will do less of the repetitive tasks and spend more time helping businesses make strategic decisions, which is such an exciting shift for the profession.”

A student of life, for life

From an early age, Scarlett’s exposure to the world of her father’s small business taught her valuable lessons, introducing her to the potential stressors that come with financial management. Today, as a part of a team at PCI, the mission of bringing clarity, structure, and real value to clients rings ever more true due to these formative experiences. “At the end of the day, I just want to keep learning, doing work that matters, and being someone that people enjoy working with — and PCI, along with tools like Ramp, gives me the space to do that,” Scarlett reflects.

As a student of both business and life, Scarlett has a hunger for learning that extends outside the office. “I find it really satisfying to take on something new and see myself get better at it,” she shares. “I especially enjoy learning practical skills — things like doing my own nails at home or learning how to bake bread.” Drawn to new experiences, Scarlett also has a thirst for adventure and traveling. She also enjoys swimming, singing, and attending concerts in her free time.

These experiences, however, wouldn’t be complete without the company of her family and friends, with whom Scarlett enjoys spending quality time. “Whether we’re doing something fun or just relaxing together, that time with loved ones always means the most,” she says. Described by those close to her as loving, forever smiling, and overall a positive person, Scarlett brings good energy into any space, seeking to make those around her feel comfortable. It’s through this ability to connect with others, paired with her detail-oriented, driven nature, that allows Scarlett to show up so effortlessly with clients. She undoubtedly embodies the art and science of the accounting profession.

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