Celeste Metcalf: Together, We Can Make A Difference
By Celeste Metcalf
My name is Celeste Metcalf. I hold the credentials of CPA / MBA. I’m not a politician, I’m a businesswoman. I’ve never run for an elected office before so this journey has already been interesting and enlightening!
I am running for the office of Comptroller of the City of St. Louis because I am passionate about the city that I grew up in and I want to see my city grow and thrive. Watching some of the current challenges that we’re facing is what’s motivating me to run for this office.
In November 2023, STL Today printed an article stating the city wasn’t paying their bills on time. The article went on to say that Darlene Green doesn’t report to work. That’s when I decided I could no longer sit idly by and watch silently from the sidelines.
Then, as recently as January 2025, I read another news article stating that the city recently paid out $41M in earnings tax refunds. The article went on to say the city had only budgeted for $21M. A $20M difference between what was estimated and what was eventually paid out is an unacceptable margin of error. How could this have happened? Worse yet, what city projects had to be abandoned or put on hold because of this miscalculation and the newly discovered unavailability of these funds? This example further fueled my passion to want to make a difference and to work toward solving these reporting and recording issues.
The Comptroller role is a critical, very strategic position instrumental in the city’s decision-making process. This role requires two unique sets of capabilities: one involves accounting and recording functions, combined with financial reporting capabilities; the other involves support for and sometimes the deciding vote on the city’s business decisions as the third member on the E&A Board.
The accounting role requires an understanding of accounting practices and principles. The business role requires a foundation in sound business practices and principles.
My CPA designation, combined with over 30+ years of experience, has afforded me with enough challenging situations that have provided the experience necessary to solve the city’s accounting challenges. My MBA, combined with my business experiences, provides the foundation for identifying the best business option from among a variety of alternatives.
This is not a personality contest for me. This election revolves around who is in the best position to make improvements to the city’s financial infrastructure and who has the most suitable background to make effective, well-informed business decisions. This is a choice between tenure and talent.
While this may be my first time seeking an elected office, this is not my first time serving the public. As a CPA, I am a licensed professional. Professionals are required to maintain certain standards in the performance of their duties. CPA’s are charged with recording financial transactions in a manner that is consistent with generally accepted accounting principles. CPA’s in the role of auditor are required to be objective and independent in the rendering of their opinion. Once I earned the credentials of “CPA,” it became my duty and my responsibility to serve the public in whichever capacity I found myself.
I have the background that best matches the requirements of the Comptroller’s office. I want to be the next Comptroller so that I can bring these talents and skills to City Hall. I want to stop the population decline; I want to interrupt the departure of businesses from the city; I want to work on ways to incentivize business development; I want to help be the catalyst that promotes the city’s growth and prosperity. Please visit my website and view the “Strategic Initiatives” page for more details on considerations I am proposing:
But there is no “I” in Team and this is not just MY city. This is YOUR city; this is OUR city. If WE want to see change, if WE want to see growth, if we want to move this city in a positive direction, WE collectively need to make it happen.
On March 4, vote for Celeste Metcalf for Comptroller. Together, we can make a difference!
