Meet the founder

Scot Brownlie, CPA

Scot Brownlie is a seasoned finance and accounting executive turned consultant, with deep experience guiding businesses through growth, transformation, and operational excellence. As the founder of Brownlie Consulting, he brings a passion for helping organizations become better, stronger, and faster in how they manage finances, processes, and strategic decision-making.

Scot currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at DRC Heat Transfer, where he oversees financial strategy, forecasting, compliance, and operational efficiency. His career includes senior finance and accounting leadership roles across automotive, industrial engineering, and manufacturing — including positions as Controller, VP & Controller, and Accounting Manager.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is a registered CPA.

“If the balance sheet is right, then everything is right.”

— Scot Brownlie, CPA, Founder & Principal
Scot Brownlie, CPA

Scot Brownlie, CPA

Founder & Principal
Registered CPA Univ. of Illinois Chicago CFO Controller Manufacturing

Career journey

Decades of real-world finance leadership

Present

Chief Financial Officer — DRC Heat Transfer

Financial strategy, forecasting, compliance, and operational efficiency for an industrial manufacturing firm.

Ongoing

Founder & Principal — Brownlie Consulting

Fractional CFO and advisory services for small and mid-sized businesses across industries.

Prior

VP & Controller

Senior finance leadership overseeing accounting operations, reporting, and internal controls in manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Prior

Controller & Accounting Manager

Hands-on financial management across automotive and industrial engineering businesses.

Education

B.S. Accounting — University of Illinois at Chicago

Registered CPA in the state of Illinois.


Our philosophy

Better. Stronger. Faster.

Three pillars that shape every client engagement at Brownlie Consulting.
Better

Elevate processes, internal controls, financial insight, and decision support so your business operates at a higher level.

Stronger

Build robust systems, governance, and sustainable models that withstand change and position you for long-term growth.

Faster

Accelerate execution, streamline operations, and make finance a true business driver — not a bottleneck.


Our values

What we believe

Relationships first

Lasting success is built on mutual trust and respect — with clients, vendors, and employees alike. When everyone wins, businesses thrive.

Financial discipline

Accuracy and rigor are non-negotiable. Clean books and an aligned balance sheet are the foundation of every good decision a business owner makes.

Practical solutions

We deliver what works, not what’s complex. Every system, report, and recommendation is actionable and right-sized for your business.

Shared success

We measure our success by yours. If our work doesn’t make your business clearer, stronger, or more confident — we haven’t done our job.

Ready to work with a partner who gets it?

Book a free 30-minute call to talk through where your business is and where you want it to go.

Book your free consultation