What makes me an expert on money? Why should you read what I have to say, in addition to everything else you can read out there? Well, to be honest, I’m not an expert. I’m just sharing my story. Because it’s a story that many people can relate to, especially moms. I’ve had friends, family and clients come to me for advice for almost two decades. I’ve noticed a trend in the questions, so I’m going to share those here. I don’t profess to know everything. But I do promise we’ll laugh, and possibly cry, along the way.
Some background for validation. My first job was at a doughnut shop behind my junior high school. I was 14 years old. Other kids were running track or chasing their current crush home from school. I was learning how to count change and pour coffee with one hand while writing down orders with the other. It was a decent job. I learned a lot, mostly about what I wanted in life. I was thrilled when the day came that I could hang up my apron for the last time. I haven’t eaten a single doughnut in the decades since.
I’ve known I wanted to be an accountant since I was 12 years old. My friends said I was lucky when I earned my bachelor’s degree in accounting in four years without wasting tuition on classes I didn’t need. I said I was determined and focused. They said I was lucky when I earned my Master’s in Taxation within one calendar year. I said it was a lot of hard work, sacrifice and all worth the sweat and tears to earn that degree. I went on to work for one of the Big 4 accounting firms in both tax and audit. I left 2 years later and found myself at a regional CPA firm. I enjoyed it there where I learned a lot and climbed the succession ladder on schedule. But I always knew I wanted more.
Four months after I became a Certified Public Accountant I quit my job and started my own practice. I’ve consulted for a tax software company, researched and written for a tax publication, taught at a high-ranking state university and uncovered more fraud cases then anyone should in their career. I look back on my professional life with satisfaction and gratitude. I have been blessed by wonderful people and hard opportunities that taught me a lot. But I don’t know that I would do it all over again.
While I still have my own accounting practice, my focus now is on family and fairness. Fairness to clients that deserve to truly get the service they are paying for. Fairness to my family that deserves to get as much time together as possible, to learn and grow and cherish each other while we can.
This blog is where I’m sharing my story and my advice. I’ve had so many friends, mostly female, that come to me with the same questions. I’m opening my answers to future friends (that’s you) and hoping it will help someone along the way. I’m also using this blog as a way to be held accountable for the financial changes I’m about to launch for my family.
Hold on! It’s going to be an awesome ride. Thanks for joining me. ~HBW
