Shay James is a straight-talking CPA who believes profitable businesses deserve more than cookie-cutter advice. With over 14 years in public accounting and 25+ years working with small and medium businesses, Shay specializes in helping serious business owners cut through financial clutter so they can understand their numbers and use that data to make smart decisions.

Shay’s path to accounting was unconventional. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a highly marketable English literature degree, she and her now-husband found themselves the proud owners of a retail bike shop. Somebody had to do the numbers, so she learned the ins and outs of small business accounting (with the help of a very patient CPA mentor). After selling the bike shop and bouncing around the West Coast, she received her Masters Degree in Accountancy from San Jose State University and received her CPA license soon after.

She specializes in working with creative agencies, specialty trade/construction companies, and real estate developers/investors. Shay’s direct style entrepreneurial mindset is well suited for working with business owners who want an advisor that tells them what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. Whether it’s navigating complex tax planning, building sound financial systems, or acting as a sounding board for big strategic moves, Shay’s focus is always on results that improve profits, processes, and serve people.

Shay is excited to be at Dark Horse where she can be surrounded by other accountants who get as excited about this work as she does. When she’s not dissecting financial statements or wrangling tax returns, Shay enjoys family time, reading, going for walks, list making, and doing puzzles.