About Financial Foothold
Experienced Finance Leadership for Growing Businesses
Financial Foothold is a virtual finance and accounting firm that helps growing businesses build reliable financial systems, improve reporting, and make smarter decisions. We provide outsourced Accounting Operations, Controller Oversight, and CFO Leadership so business owners can operate with more confidence and less financial guesswork.
Meet The Team
Julianne Autry
About The Founder
Hi, I’m Julianne Autry, founder and CEO of Financial Foothold.
I have more than 33 years of experience in accounting, financial analysis, and financial management. After being laid off in 2008, I turned an unexpected career transition into an opportunity to build something of my own. That year, I founded Southwest Bookkeepers to provide business owners with reliable, practical financial support.
As my clients’ businesses grew, their needs expanded beyond bookkeeping. The firm evolved to provide higher-level financial leadership, including Controller Oversight, fractional CFO services, and strategic business advisory support. To reflect that broader role, Southwest Bookkeepers was rebranded as Financial Foothold. While the name and services have evolved, the firm has been continuously serving business owners since 2008.
My personal journey, including becoming a widow at a young age, has shaped the resilience, perspective, and determination I bring to both my life and my work.
Today, I live in Lakeway, Texas, with my family. When I’m not working with business owners or traveling, you can usually find me relaxing by the pool, spending time on the lake, or enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.
Jay Patel
COO
As chief operating officer, Jay is part of the executive team responsible for overseeing Financial Foothold’s strategic, financial and operational direction. In addition to managing the firm’s fiscal responsibilities, he leads other special projects.
During his distinguished career, Jay has served as either comptroller or chief financial officer for companies in several industries, while also expanding his skill set to include software consulting and website design.
Jay earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from Northeastern University and is licensed in Texas and Illinois as a certified public accountant.
Stephen Brown
CFO
Stephen Brown is a seasoned M&A and private equity professional with extensive experience in driving growth through strategic acquisitions and investment evaluations. He holds an M.B.A. from Georgia College and State University and has certifications in quantitative modeling and financial markets from both UPenn and Yale.
As Director of M&A at Big Brand Tires, Stephen leads acquisition strategy, due diligence, and deal execution to support the company’s expansion. Previously, at HomeRiver Group, he managed due diligence, financial forecasting, and integration activities for transactions at Director of M&A. He also served as a Senior Research Associate at Altera Investments and a Private Equity Analyst at Heritage Growth Partners, where he contributed to numerous successful ventures.
Donna Walker
Business Development
Donna is a seasoned finance and program executive with over 30 years experience in financial management, business strategy, and transformation. She has successfully led multiple organizations through complex business transformations.
Her passion lies in transforming business results, improving operational efficiency and driving innovative and quality client experiences. Donna’s experiences span multiple domains including finance, operations, consulting, support and training through roles with The Walt Disney Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM and Kyndryl. Donna holds a BBA in accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
Luciana Armesto
Executive Assistant
Luciana is an Executive Assistant and Operations Specialist who helps leaders turn complexity into clarity. With a foundation in psychology and extensive experience working remotely, she brings organization, foresight, and structure to fast-moving environments.
She is known for being proactive, resourceful, and dependable. From managing executive priorities and coordinating operations to building systems and workflows, Luciana focuses on creating efficiency while maintaining a strong human-centered approach.
Outside of work, she values creativity, meaningful connections, personal growth, and moments of quiet balance with her family and pets.