About Us

Services:

• Tax: Customized tax plans to minimize liabilities.
• Consulting: Advisory services for financial health insights.
• Startup: Assistance in turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
• Accounting: Comprehensive management of accounting functions.

Brett C Arnold, CPA, MAcc

As President of Luca Financial, Brett Arnold has committed his career to working with Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs, with a focus on providing Fractional CFO and Tax Planning services. Brett’s passion is to help each client grow their business, minimize their tax liability, and truly understand what story their financial statements are telling.

Prior to this role, Brett spent more than 10 years working with global corporations in many capacities, mostly handling complex accounting and financial reporting. In addition to Luca Financial, Brett also serves as Adjunct Professor for various universities where he teaches Accounting and Finance courses. With this experience, he has developed a comprehensive team and is extremely knowledgeable about the best practices and processes to make sure your accounting is exactly what you need for your organization and stakeholders.

Brett holds a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) from The University of Tulsa and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Evangel University. Additionally, he is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holding licenses in Texas and Oklahoma.

Austin Puryear, CPA, MAcc

As a Managing Partner overseeing Client Accounting Services, Austin works to ensure that all Luca clients are provided valuable, insightful, and impactful services to understand and improve both their business and individual finances.

He began his career in public accounting as part of a Big 4 global firm. He then spent over 10 years in the industry working for a variety of companies
ranging from Fortune 100 to small startups. His experience includes public utilities, manufacturing, construction, financial services, and banking. Most recently, Austin was regional controller for a publicly traded US aggregates corporation and was responsible for reporting and SOX compliance.

He has a passion for helping clients better understand their business through the lens of accounting. Austin is a CPA and holds a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and A Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University.

Jordan Arnold

Jordan works as the Client Success Manager at Luca Financial. She utilizes her exemplary organizational and administrative skills to keep our clients and team on-task and always moving forward. She has an attention to detail and an eye for accuracy that serve her well in this role.

Before joining Luca Financial, Jordan owned her own small business, an upscale women’s clothing boutique. Additionally, she has served as a personal stylist and buyer for Nordstrom in Dallas & Chicago where she worked with high-net-worth clients. Jordan leverages both her customer service experience and her entrepreneurial spirit to provide an invaluable service to Luca!

When she isn’t working, Jordan spends her time with her husband and their two boys… either at the ball fields or knee-deep in legos! Jordan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Missouri State University.

Daniel McGowan

As a Fractional CFO at Luca Financial, Daniel McGowan works to ensure his clients’ books are in order and that they understand the health of their companies so that they can make the best decisions possible, as well as helping them to plan ahead.

Before joining Luca Financial, Daniel was the Business Manager of a church and school located in the suburbs of New Orleans. Here, he completed the accounting process from start to finish with invoicing and tuition collection to month-end reconciliations to meet with his finance council regarding the financial health of the organization. Before that, he had worked as an Accounting Associate for a New Orleans-based property management company where he handled the accounts relating to hundreds of units in the New Orleans and Bay St. Louis areas. Daniel spends his downtime with his wife and two children along with their cat and three dogs.

Daniel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in both Accounting and Business Administration from The University of New Orleans and is currently preparing for the CPA Exam.

Robert Kershaw, EA

Robert brings over 10 years of experience in tax and accounting to his role as Tax Manager at Luca Financial. A graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Finance, Robert has honed his skills in management and critical thinking throughout his career.

Before joining Luca Financial, Robert spent a decade working in small public accounting offices, where he developed a keen eye for detail and a thorough understanding of tax regulations. His professional journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for helping clients navigate complex tax issues.

Outside of his professional life, Robert enjoys golfing, playing music, and spending time outdoors. He cherishes moments with his friends and three children, always finding a balance between work and personal life.

Lorie Pendergrass

Lorie works as a Client Advisory Accountant at Luca Financial. She strives to keep her clients’ books in order which allows her clients to rely on their data at any point in time. Lorie also publishes monthly financial statements, and analyses, which gives her clients a bird’s eye view of the activity, allowing them to make timely and accurate decisions.

Before joining Luca Financial, Lorie was an Executive Accountant for Belz Enterprises where she worked directly with the owner and family overseeing all accounting on a daily basis for the family and the Foundation. Lorie often encountered complex accounting and reconciliation issues and brings that experience to Luca where she is a valuable member of our team! When she isn’t working, Lorie spends her time with her husband and their six children… there’s never a dull moment! Lorie also enjoys decorating, shopping and coffee.

Lorie holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Accounting from State Tech in Tennessee. 

Patrick Wilson

Patrick Wilson is originally from Victoria, TX. He attended the University of Houston – Victoria and in 2015, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. After college, he continued his career in public accounting working for an established family-owned CPA firm.

Moving from South Texas, Patrick sought out other means by which he could help people taking on a position as the Accounting Director for a Non-Profit and Private School before transitioning back into public accounting.

For close to a decade, Patrick has applied his knowledge and skills to assist business owners, families, and individuals in areas of tax including Federal and State, tax planning and research, cash flow management, payroll services, and sales tax filings. Patrick understands the significant importance of transparency, honesty, and integrity when building relationships and assisting clients achieve their goals.

Patrick values his time spent with family, friends, and two dogs. He is passionate and an avid outdoorsman. Has the ability to jive with any music genre and finds time to be active within his community and conservation organizations.

Bridgit Mercer

Bridgit works as a Client Advisory Accountant for Luca Financial. She enjoys helping her clients by keeping their books in order and providing month-end reports. She strives to make sure that her clients understand their financial health and will provide answers or feedback to any questions or concerns. 

Before joining Luca Financial, Bridgit was a stay-at-home mom of two boys. During that time, she received her Bachelor in Accounting from Liberty University and is currently working on her Master’s in Business Administration. She also volunteers at the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, helping sailors and marines with their financial situations. She has also worked on the financial side of the grocery industry and in the banking industry. 

When Bridgit is not at work, you can find her outside and spending time with her family. She has two dogs who are her fur children and loves to take them to the dog park. She also enjoys creating things out of legos, cooking, and coffee.

Kaylea Goodwin

Kaylea works as a Client Accounting Advisor at Luca Financial. She uses her extensive experience in both the accounting industry and the classroom to bring organization, attention to detail, and respect in all she does.

Prior to joining Luca Financial, Kaylea worked as a High School math teacher, as well as in accounting for a tax and audit firm.

Kaylea truly enjoys working with people. She strives to provide thorough explanations of her work and wants to help her clients understand their numbers.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Kaylea enjoys spending quality time with her family, her friends, and all things outdoors.

Kaylea earned her Master of Science in Accounting and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Sam Houston State University Huntsville.

Laurel Cooper

Laurel is a Client Advisory Accountant at Luca Financial. She brings experience from various sectors in the field of accounting, including nonprofit and government. Before joining Luca, Laurel was the Financial Manager of a school. Here, she prepared comprehensive financial statements and reports. She recommended strategies to the board to optimize their financial success as well as successfully procured and managed grant funds that helped get the school through the pandemic.

Laurel is passionate about helping clients achieve financial stability and meet their objectives. Her commitment to balancing the books and navigating the intricacies of financial management ensures her clients receive the support they need. 

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Outside of her professional life, Laurel enjoys spending quality time with her husband and two children, pursuing activities like cycling, running, and skiing.

Ryan Dickson

Ryan Dickson is a seasoned entrepreneur sales professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has a strong focus on digital marketing and social media outreach, which has helped him grow a successful career and has given him the necessary tools and experience to offer and promote genuine services for his prospects. 

Throughout his career, Ryan has excelled in building strong, long-lasting relationships with Clients and bringing a strong consultative sales approach so it is always a win-win for the client and the company! He is a high-performance leader and achiever, consistently exceeding goals and driving continuous growth for himself and his partners.

Outside of work, Ryan is a devoted family man, married to his wife, Summer Steele Dickson. Together they strive to promote their heritage and make a meaningful impact in various areas of life. Ryan and Summer live an active and healthy lifestyle. 

Rebecca Brown

Rebecca Brown has a business degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and an Accounting Certificate from the University of North Alabama. She is currently working on obtaining her Enrolled Agent designation with the IRS. She lives in South Carolina and spends her downtime playing games and hanging out with her dog.