Meet Adia Rowan, Accounting Manager at Furey
Adia’s love for her work comes through in everything she does at Furey. From guiding her team of all-star accountants to helping clients plan for long-term success, she embodies the growth mindset we’re all about.
Her journey started in high school in Japan, where she worked alongside her school’s CPA on monthly bank reconciliations and managing club funds. Discovering her knack for numbers early on put her on a path that led her to Furey, a place she’s called home for nearly three years now.
Whether she’s thinking of ways to improve accounting processes or sharing a meme over Slack, Adia fosters the supportive, learning-focused environment our startup clients rely on. Keep reading to learn more about her role at Furey!
Where are you based?
Adia: Austin, TX.
Can you describe your role at Furey? How has it evolved since you joined?
Adia: I’ve been at Furey for almost three years, and recently, I was promoted to Accounting Manager. When I first started, I was a Senior Associate learning the ropes: the tools we use, how we serve our clients, and what was expected of me. I spent a couple of years focusing heavily on client work, managing AP, AR, and month-end close for five to nine clients at a time.
Now, I’m transitioning into more of an internal support role. I’m building out a new “pod” of senior accountants, passing on the day-to-day responsibilities so I can focus on providing high-level guidance, reviewing and approving core accounting operations, and staying proactive in helping our clients. It’s been really rewarding, not just to see how much I’ve learned but also to get new ideas from my team. It’s a two-way street: they learn from me, and I learn from them.
What does your day-to-day look like?
Adia: My mornings start early with my golden retriever, Stevie Nyx, and my two Bengal cats—because they run the house, let’s be honest. Once work begins, I’ll do a quick inbox and Slack check, and set priorities for myself and my pod. We have a daily stand-up to go over goals and address any urgent tasks.
Throughout the day, I might run meetings, work on new Furey Tools to power month-end close processes, plan for new clients coming onboard, and do quick one-on-ones with my team. The month-end is especially busy, so I make sure to be available for any questions in real time. I also meet with clients to keep them up to speed on next steps.
How do you stay organized?
Adia: I’m old-school. I use a paper planner and write down tasks for each client, complete with colorful pens, markers, and sticky notes. For recurring tasks, I rely on Google Calendar’s task function. Slack’s “save for later” and Canvas features also help me keep track of important threads. My team uses Notion for daily stand-ups and open items. We also use our proprietary software, Terminal, for tracking month-end close tasks.
Which skills do you rely on most to do your job effectively?
Adia: Communication. Even though accounting is numbers-based, communication is crucial. In a remote-first environment, your tone in a text or Slack message can really shape how people respond to you. I’ve learned to take a step back, think about the other person’s perspective, and communicate with empathy. That approach helps build trust and respect across the team, and it’s one of the skills that allowed me to step into my current role as a manager.
Can you share a client project that’s helped both the client and your own growth?
Adia: Oh, there have been quite a few, like transfer pricing, NetSuite implementations, and revenue recognition (or reconciliation) tools. Each time, I’ve had to stretch my skills and learn something new, and the clients benefited from a more streamlined process. It’s a win-win situation.
What makes Furey stand out when supporting venture-backed startups?
Adia: Furey is a startup at heart, so we really get the challenges venture-backed startups face. Our leadership team has been working with VC-funded businesses for over a decade, so we understand what it’s like not knowing where to begin. We focus on setting you up for success so you’re always ready for big milestones like fundraising, exits, and audits.
What new skill or lesson have you learned recently?
Adia: Boundaries. I’ve realized that setting clear boundaries—with myself, my team, and my clients—ultimately helps everyone succeed. It goes hand in hand with communication: being transparent about what’s feasible keeps everyone on track and fosters a healthier working relationship all around.
Any tech you’re loving?
Adia: I’m obsessed with a tool our TechOps team built for transfer pricing calculations and journal entries. It’s a lifesaver. I’m also finally warming up to ChatGPT, both personally and professionally. I used to think it was this mythical tool for tech wizards, but now I see how it can help streamline tasks.
What’s something surprising about your role?
Adia: All managers at Furey start out as associates. That means we’ve each spent significant time learning the ins and outs of Furey’s processes, tools, and (most importantly) our clients. Once you become a manager, you’re leading a pod and juggling multiple client needs at once. It’s challenging, but the reward is huge, especially when clients celebrate their wins with us!
Finally, how do you recharge?
Adia: I’m a big fan of reality TV. Sometimes you just need to tune out and watch other people’s drama! I also try to spend time traveling or hanging with friends, family, and my fur babies. Organizing my space is oddly therapeutic for me, too.
Join our team
Adia’s enthusiasm for accounting and her open, honest communication style are just a couple of reasons she’s such a key part of Furey. She’s helping create a culture of growth, learning, and true partnership with clients. Whether she’s leading her team through month-end or coming up with ways to make finance feel less daunting for founders, Adia is one of many dedicated faces of Furey.
Want to learn more about our approach to finance and accounting—or even join our team? Check out our careers page for current openings, or feel free to reach out!
