I’m Maria Sentic, CPA and COO of Tavola Group. I work with business owners, real estate investors, and high net worth individuals who want more than compliance. They want clarity, better decisions, and a strategy that actually helps them grow and build long-term wealth. My background is in accounting, but my work today is much broader—focused on tax strategy, financial leadership, and helping businesses operate more effectively as they scale.

BACKGROUND

My career began in commercial real estate before transitioning into accounting, where I saw an opportunity to modernize how businesses manage their finances.

As co-founder of Cloudsourced Accounting, I built one of the early cloud-based accounting firms, helping hundreds of companies implement better systems, improve reporting, and operate more efficiently. The firm grew nationally and was later acquired.

That experience shaped how I think about business:

Most companies don’t have a data problem. They have a decision-making problem.

And the gap is almost always strategy.




WHAT I DO TODAY

Today, I operate at the intersection of tax, finance, and business strategy. As COO of Tavola Group, I help lead a platform designed to bring together:

  • Tax planning and preparation

  • Financial reporting and accounting

  • Advisory and CFO-level strategy

  • Legal, payroll, and operational support

My work focuses on helping clients:

  • Proactively reduce tax liability

  • Increase profitability and cash flow

  • Build financial and operational infrastructure that supports growth

Everything is designed to move you from reactive to intentional.

PHILOSOPHY

High-performing businesses don’t treat accounting as a back-office function. They use financial strategy as a competitive advantage.

That means:

  • Planning instead of reacting

  • Coordinating instead of siloing

  • Making decisions with clarity—not assumptions

The goal isn’t just to run a better business.

It’s to build something that creates real, long-term wealth.

PERSONAL

I’m based in Chicago and a Northwestern graduate. I’m also a first-generation Croatian-American, with strong ties to Croatia where I’ve spent significant time living and studying.

I’m a mother of four, which has shaped how I think about business and life. I value efficiency and structure, but also believe in building something that supports your life, not competes with it.

I love working with business owners who are ready to think bigger, operate smarter, and take a more intentional approach to growth.

If that’s you, we should talk.