(602) 944-5111
EdVantage Partners provides the highest quality business, finance and educational services to public charter and district schools.
We are uniquely qualified and understand the day-to-day needs of operating a successful public educational organization. Our team has the depth and breadth of experience unmatched by any other firm.
The team of highly qualified professionals at EdVantage Partners has extensive experience in all forms of public school finance, accounting, budgeting, grants management, accountability, data reporting, curriculum and assessment development, and customized school improvement programs. Our team members have sat where you sit today. We are directors, principals and among the first charter school operators in the charter school movement since 1995. We have made payroll, paid the bills, done financial forecasts, stuck to budgets, applied for and complied with grants, built special education programs and brought high quality professional development programs to staff.
Operating a highly successful academic program and a fiscally sound business requires a partner who understands the complexities of public charter school finance, state and federal compliance and reporting regulations, and the hands-on experience of working with administrators and teachers to develop highly effective and purposeful school improvement programs.
EdVantage Partners will provide you with the highest quality business, finance and educational services that are affordable and scalable so you can focus on your top priority - educating your students.
Accounting Manager
Why Choose Us?
Curtis Porter
Curt is President and a Senior Partner of EdVantage Partners. He has extensive experience in the areas of commercial lending, charter and district school business management and tax exempt financing.
Curt has also served as a bank branch manager as well as a commercial loan officer,
In addition, he has more than thirty-five years of experience in the area of school business management. Prior to joining the firm, Curt was Director of Finance for the third largest school district in Arizona.
Curt holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Finance from Northern Arizona University.
AzEDS / Student Information Specialist
Carey Knutson
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Carey began working in the educational sector and has a passion for the industry.
Carey has worked in the non-profit educational sector for over 15 years as the head of Accounting and Human Resources for a mid-sized vocational school. She brings to Edvantage Partners extensive knowledge in school accounting with a heavy non-profit background and experience with managing Federal and State annual reports, re-accreditations, and re-approvals.
Meet the EdVantage Team
Senior Partner & Consultant
Senior Partner & President
Testimonials
Accounts Payable & Accounting Clerk
Controller
AzEDS / Student Information Specialist
Grant Porter
Grant is the Vice President for EdVantage Partners and manages all aspects of clients’ budgets from budget preparation, meeting materials and ensuring all budget related forms are uploaded in a timely manner. Additionally, he manages clients’ grants, from collaborating with you to ensure timely submissions of grants, completion reports as well as processing monthly reimbursement requests. Grant also manages monthly bank reconciliations and revenue from local, state, and federal sources. In addition, Grant assists in supporting the Payroll and Accounting functions of the firm.
Grant earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance & Economics from Grand Canyon University in 2019. He also has experience working with a local Arizona alternative charter school. He has been with the firm since 2017.
A Few Words About Us
Vice President
EdVantage Partners offers a unique combination of experience in both the business and educational areas of operating public and charter schools. We can custom-design a suite of services to meet your specific needs - and change as your needs change.
We offer a complete range of service options designed to take the stress out of managing a school. Tell us what you need and we will design a suite of services that fits.
Payroll Manager
Richard Hay
Richard serves as a Senior Partner and Educational Consultant. He is a veteran public high school teacher, administrator, curriculum director, has co-founded four Arizona charter schools and has assisted other non-profit school developers nationwide.
Richard has extensive experience in the development and implementation of start-up charter school operations including instructional programs, curriculum alignment to state standards, assessment development, school governance and leadership, state and federal program compliance, finance and budgeting, and personnel development.
Richard holds a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Northcentral University.
Danielle Johnston
Danielle is the Payroll Manager for EdVantage Partners and handles all aspects of client payroll services from deductions and direct deposits to taxes and quarterly filings. She has more than fifteen years of accounting experience and, prior to joining the firm, worked as Financial Assistant & Payroll Administrator for an Arizona charter school.
Danielle also served six years as the Business Manager of a local private institution.
Denise LaRue (Pitts)
Denise serves as EdVantage Partners' School Data & AzEDS Specialist. She accommodates Joint Technology Education Districts (JTEDs) and works primarily with public charter schools throughout Arizona.
Denise has years of experience in the public school arena and worked four years as a Student Management System specialist in the northern Arizona area.
Karen Scott
Karen serves as EdVantage Partners' School Data & AzEDS Specialist. She accommodates Joint Technology Education Districts (JTEDs) and works primarily with public charter schools throughout Arizona.
Karen has years of experience in the public school arena and worked four years as a Student Management System consultant and trainer for Olympia Computing's (now Tyler Technologies) SchoolMaster program.
Ellen Everett
Ellen holds the Controller position at EdVantage Partners. Prior to joining the firm, she served as Operations Manager of a community bank in Massachusetts and later moved to Arizona where she worked in the accounting department of a local holding company.
Ellen oversees all of EdVantage Partners' accounting functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, financials, management reports, and payroll.
Doug Cowley
Doug joined EdVantage Partners in February 2021. By joining the firm, Doug has basically come full circle.
After graduating from college, Doug initially worked in an accounting position for two different firms; in Utah & California – until the opportunity presented itself to move into the financial planning field. There, Doug earned his CFP designation and provided extensive personal financial services to firms in both California & Oregon.
After leaving the Pacific Northwest, Doug joined an insurance brokerage firm in Arizona, providing back office support to independent financial advisors. Support included personal life insurance, disability insurance, long term care and annuity solutions.