Carla McClendon

With vast expertise in financial management including budgeting, accounting, and reporting, Carla is an experienced accounting professional skilled in the development of process improvements to improve workflow efficiency. As InSPIRE’s Research Administration Manager, she oversees the day-to-day operations of InSPIRE’s financial reporting while serving as liaison to key financial partners.

Carla joins InSPIRE from FSU’s Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) where she most recently directed all administrative and fiscal functions, establishing and ensuring sound procedures were followed in areas including purchasing, travel, sponsored project accounting and compliance as Assistant Director for Budget and Financial Services. Carla joined CAPS as a Senior Accounting Specialist and then Business Manager. She has worked at FSU for more than 12 years.

Throughout her career, Carla has honed her ability to manage administrative, fiscal, and business functions while implementing business processes and procedures that support operational excellence. Her deep knowledge of FSU policies as well as federal and state regulations and private agency terms and conditions makes her a vital asset in managing sponsored projects and providing financial guidance.

In addition to overseeing InSPIRE funding, Carla also ensures compliance with university policies and procedures related to research administration, serves as a resource for faculty and staff, and collaborates with other departments and units within the university to streamline processes and improve overall efficiency.

She receives her Master's in Accounting from FSU in 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Flagler College in Saint Augustine. She is a Certified Government Financial Manager® awarded by the Association of Government Accountants and a Certified Financial Research Administrator through the Research Administrators Certification Council.