Meet Jennifer Barnes, the Founder & CEO of Optima Office.
She graduated with a Finance and Marketing degree from the University of Arizona. Then went on to earn an MBA from San Diego State University, and completed the Becker CPA coursework. Before Optima, Jennifer spent 15 years as a Controller for numerous companies and non-profits throughout San Diego before starting her first company in 2012. It was the 5th fastest-growing company in San Diego in 2016 and made the Inc 5000 in 2017 and 2018.
Awards & Recognition
Jennifer has won numerous awards leading the two companies she founded. She values the “Best Place to Work” honor most; high retention and happy staff drive everything she does. Both companies earned spots on the Inc 5000 and SDBJ’s fastest-growing companies list.
From 2021 to 2023, SDBJ named Jennifer Woman of the Year. She also received the top corporate citizen award, earned a place among San Diego’s 500 most influential leaders, and claimed a spot on the Top 50 Women of Influence in Accounting and Finance , two years running. In 2024, she reached finalist status for the Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific Southwest program.
Board Memberships & Community Involvement
Jennifer currently serves on the boards of the Better Business Bureau, NuFund Venture Group (formerly Tech Coast Angels), Junior Achievement, and publicly traded Presidio Property Trust (SQFT). She volunteers at SDSU and Miramar College’s REC program as a mentor and competition judge. She also actively participates in Rotary 33, Vistage International, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), Young Executives Council, and Social Venture Partners.
About Optima Office
Optima Office delivers outsourced accounting, fractional CFO, and human resources services to nearly 300 companies across the United States, with a strong focus on the West Coast. At least half of Optima’s work happens onsite at client locations, while many team members also work remotely part of the time. Optima bills hourly and attracts top talent by offering flexible schedules that support a true work-life balance. Optima’s motto says it all: Happy Staff = Happy Clients.