Financial

Strategist

specializing in nonprofit financial operations and management

Christian McAdams

I started my career in 2009 as a Finance Technician in the Marine Corps, where I quickly became fascinated by the art and science of financial management. While the numbers mattered, what intrigued me most was the “why” behind them. That curiosity set me on a journey to understand not just money, but its relationship to people, communities, and opportunities.

It took eight years before I pursued my degree in Finance and Economics, but those years of hands-on experience were an education of their own. Blending formal training with real-world application only deepened my passion for the field. The impact of personal finance and entrepreneurship on communities inspired me to take my knowledge beyond spreadsheets—to teaching and empowering others.

In 2019, while working at a nonprofit banking institution, I started leading personal finance classes. By the summer of 2020, I was fully immersed in both entrepreneurship and nonprofit finance, and that fall, CDM Financial LLC was born. I was so passionate about the work that, for two years, I taught free classes and consulted for small businesses and nonprofit leaders who couldn’t afford to pay me.

By 2022, my journey had expanded into nonprofit financial operations and community economic development. Over the past 14 years, I’ve gained invaluable experience across bookkeeping, nonprofit finance and operations, grant administration, contract management, and nonprofit governance. More importantly, I’ve built meaningful relationships along the way.

Today, I continue to serve as a nonprofit director, educator, and financial strategist. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to find and keep great nonprofit talent. That’s why I offer support through bookkeeping, training, consulting, keynote speaking, and board service. My mission is simple: to provide clarity, direction, and insight to help organizations thrive.

Let’s build something great together.

To schedule a free consultation, use the Get in Touch link in the menu.

Experience

  • 14 Years

    Responsible for recording, tracking, and organizing financial transactions. Maintained accurate records to make informed financial decisions and comply with legal requirements.

  • 2 Years

    Tasked with guiding and managing the organization to achieve its mission. Exercised and honed skills in human resources, administration, fundraising, program development, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Adhered to legal and ethical standards and a deep commitment to the organization's mission and values.

  • 2 Years

    Guided the work of a nonprofit board of directors and committees. As Finance Committee Chair, oversaw the strategic direction and financial management of the organization. Ensured legal compliance, set policy, and provided direct support to the Executive Director.

  • 12 Years

    Charged with aligning resources and systems to achieve goals. Restructured org charts, defined roles, established working relationships, and designed workflows. Assisted leaders in visualizing structures and defining reporting relationships.

  • 4 Years

    Started, expanded, and managed businesses. Exercised and taught skills in entrepreneurship, financial management, marketing, and strategic planning. Identified opportunities, secured financing, hired employees, and scaled operations.

  • 3 Years

    Responsible for overseeing grant funds and programs. Developed proposals, identified funding sources, managed applications, tracked progress, ensured compliance, submitted reports.

  • 4 Years

    Created, executed, and monitored contracts between two or more parties. Conducted the “cradle-to-grave” contract process, including negotiation, drafting, review, and ongoing monitoring.

  • 6 Years

    Responsible for managing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the organization’s software, computer systems , and network infrastructure. Admin and expert in a wide range of hosting, CRM, ERP, project management, and financial management platforms, including Google Workspace, Microsoft products, iSoved (ProService), Quickbooks, Xero, Square, SquareSpace, Give Butter, Trello, Monday, Asana, Salesforce, and CharityEngine.

Education

    • Federal Acquisition Regulation Bootcamp- 2015

    • Certificate: Essentials of Government Contract Management (Villanova University) - 2015

    • Certificate: Fundamentals of Cost/Price Analysis (George Mason University) - 2016

  • • Certified Financial Education Instructor (National Financial Educators Council) – 2021

    • Certified Financial Education Trainer: Building Native Communities (Oweesta Corporation) - 2023

    • Bachelors of Science in Business Administration: Finance and Economics (Hawaii Pacific University) - 2021

    • Bachelors of Science in Business Administration: Finance and Economics (Hawaii Pacific University) - 2021

    • Certificate: Financial Success For Nonprofits (Cornell University) - 2023

    • Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (BDO Alliance USA) - In progress [2024]

    • Quickbooks ProAdvisor - Silver Tier

Upcoming events

  • Rural Small Business Development Program

    Courses Begin January 8, 2024

    • One-on-One Coaching - sessions are conducted to support participants. Topics include servant/leadership characteristics and impactful followership.

    • Build Business Soft Skills – learn more about effective communication, problem-solving, critical thinking and other skills that are essential in a business or professional setting.

    • Develop Business Foundation Documents – each participant will develop a business plan, set up fiscal processes and create human resource and payroll processes (if applicable).

    Register