Julie grew up in a rural area in mid-Missouri, the daughter of two teachers who also raised beef cattle. She has been a hard worker since childhood, beginning with driving the tractor for her dad and uncle to load hay bales, and has worked ever since. Her mom, an elementary and middle school librarian, was passionate about investing and saving. She instilled a love of finance and tax-saving strategies in Julie from a young age. Julie's fondest memories of her mother involve sitting around the Christmas tree, lit only by its lights, discussing new investment groups and local interest rates.

Julie's journey to becoming a CPA was roundabout, initially encompassing a seven-year healthcare career at a local hospital, which ended due to her germaphobia. She returned to school for a second bachelor's degree in Accounting, minoring in Finance, and then went on to earn her Master of Accountancy (MAcc) with a Tax Certificate from MO State University. She achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in her undergraduate and Master's courses, all while working as a graduate assistant for the College of Accountancy.

Julie passed all four parts of the CPA exam while working full-time with a local public accounting firm, where she stayed for three and a half years. During this time, she handled a wide range of tax situations, working with individuals, non-profits, and businesses, and gained experience in taxation for large corporations and small, closely-held businesses. She moved on to a remote position with a firm in Los Angeles, specializing in clients with ultra-high net worth and those in the entertainment industry, both in the US and abroad. She is thrilled to have found her niche with Arndt Company and to be working in public accounting while also having time for her family.

Julie has been with her husband for 24 years, having met him on her first day of high school. They have been married for over 19 years and have two daughters who keep life interesting. The family also includes two rescue cats: a female yellow tabby and a black male. Julie is an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan, a voracious reader (her mom was a librarian, after all), and enjoys traveling both domestically and internationally, always seeking to make lasting memories with her family.