Interview with Jeff Schneider: President of EFA Services Inc.

No matter what jobs Jeff Schneider has held, he's always gravitated toward numbers.

It's that inclination that landed him a variety of positions in public accounting and banking, and his experience working with large public corporations and small start-up companies provided him with the background necessary to build his own company.

Schneider said his goal in starting EFA Services was to focus on becoming an expert in the financial management of small businesses.

He took time recently to tell CSBJ about himself and his business.

Organization: EFA Services Inc.

Position: President

Hometown: Hartford, Wis.

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: 12 years

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin -- Whitewater and an MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota

A few words about your company: EFA provides an outsourced finance and accounting function to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Our mission is to significantly impact the growth and success of our clients by providing expertise, innovation and efficiency in the financial management of their business. We also provide project services that help organizations improve the financial operations of their business.

Recent accomplishments: We have taken what we have learned during the last five years and developed tools and products that meet the financial management needs of small businesses and nonprofits. One of these tools is a Financial Management Check-Up which identifies areas of improvement in an organization's financial function and provides a performance review with comparisons to industry benchmarks. On a personal note, I put 300 miles on my mountain bike last year.

Biggest career break: Being asked to move from Minneapolis to Colorado Springs to build the finance department for a division of Wells Fargo Bank. I learned invaluable skills that prepared me for building a small business and helping others do the same. I also learned how to create wicked awesome financial models.

The toughest part of your job: Balancing all the tasks necessary to run a business while still meeting the needs of all our clients. We see ourselves as more than just a vendor; we take on the same responsibilities as if we were their employee.

Someone you admire: Anyone who has the guts and perseverance to start a business and stick with it until it succeeds. One of those people is my father.

About your family: Leea, my wife of 23 years, works at Wells Fargo Bank. Our daughter, Maddie, is a freshman at Colorado Springs Christian School. Our cockapoo, Molly, is a stay-at-home dog.

Something else you'd like to accomplish: I'd like to learn how to play a musical instrument, but never seem to have the time. Hopefully they'll give lessons in the retirement home.

How your business will change during the next decade: I think many of our clients will be located outside Colorado Springs. We already have a client in Washington, D.C., that we have never met face-to-face. We will continue to obtain technology that allows us to be a virtual finance and accounting department for companies located around the country -- maybe even around the world.

What book are you currently reading? "Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars" by Mitch Meyerson.

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? I would improve the downtown by making Tejon Street a pedestrian mall. As in many other cities, this would make it more aesthetically pleasing, giving people more reasons to come downtown.

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