Innovation Works

Candice Lutz

Accountant

Hometown: Houston, Tx

What makes you the best person for your role? 

Organizational skills. I graduated from RMU as a non-traditional student with 2 young children. Worked part time until my youngest entered high school and began working full time here at IW. My first full time job in 20 years.

What is your favorite thing about working with startups? 

Witnessing how creative, passionate and innovative founders are. They see a problem and want to make something that solves it.

What do you love about living and working in Pittsburgh? 

4 seasons. Being from Texas, I love the glorious summers here!

Where can we find you outside of work? 

Weather permitting I spend most of my time out on my patio with my husband.

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I joined IW in December of 2016 as the Staff Accountant. You might be surprised to know that this position is my first full time job in over 20 years. In the last 20 years not only have I been busy as a mom raising my two children, (now 21 and 16) but I earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Robert Morris University, and worked multiple part-time jobs handling the accounting for three different Allegheny County Libraries. After adding my third library, I came to the realization that it was time to trade my 3 part time positions for a full time position.

My responsibilities at IW are accounts payable, sales tax, managing the expense report system and other general accounting duties. That might sound boring to some (ask my kids), but I’m passionate about accounting and making sure that our funds are tracked appropriately. It’s amazing to be a part of an organization where the work that I do contributes to the larger technology startup ecosystem in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.

During my off hours I enjoy going to Penguin games, watching my son play hockey and socializing with friends. During the warm months you’ll find me out on my patio on the weekend having breakfast and coffee.