COMPASSION YOU CAN COUNT ON

I am working to disrupt the world of professional accountancy with compassion and a message that you must first believe that YOU MATTER in order to do WORK THAT MATTERS.  I have taken a leap of faith and launched my company, The Wellness CPA PLLC.  I am sharing my ERISA plan knowledge and experience to help plan sponsors and auditors carry out their responsibilities with confidence.  I have worked remotely for more than half of my career and am positioned to serve you wherever you are.

In addition to the "learn-unlearn-relearn" mentality that CPAs must maintain when it comes to technical knowledge, a focus on physical, emotional and mental health is critical now more than ever.  As a cornerstone, I truly believe in our ability as human beings to embrace the mental health narrative with grace, rather than judgment, and significantly impact lives that may be threatened by depression and anxiety. 

How did I get here?

My 25-year career has included nearly 20 years with one of the largest public accounting firms in the United States (most notably 9 years as a Director on the National Assurance team).  I left public practice in 2015 to make an impact on the profession and was a Technical Manager with the AICPA for 5 years.  

I am very proud to be in great female company as one of the pioneers of the flexible work schedule in the demanding world of public accounting.  I was the youngest auditor at my firm to do so when my husband and I were blessed with the birth of our oldest son in November 1996.  This was the first of many barriers that I broke through to honor my dream to be a mom and my goals for success as a CPA.  Developing a specialization auditing ERISA plans gave me flexibility, accelerated my career growth, led to opportunities at a national level and the ability to support auditors and their clients with extensive technical A&A and regulatory compliance knowledge and experience.  I was once introduced at a national conference as an auditor who "has forgotten more than most auditors will ever learn about ERISA plans."  I decided that it was a reasonable testimony.  Above all, I have remained committed to this niche practice and the ability to meet plan auditors and sponsors where they are.

In 2006, when our boys were 9 and 4, I was offered the opportunity to focus on my ERISA plan audit specialization when a national position was created for me and I become the pilot for their first home office technology package.  Because I have been working for so long in a virtual world, I have been able to serve as a coach and mentor to auditors at ALL levels, across all U.S. time zones.  I never could have imagined that this devastating pandemic would require so much of the world would join me as virtual professionals just 15 years later.

My husband, Steve, and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in September 2020 and are adjusting to our empty nest.  We have loved growing and learning with our sons:  Cody is 23 years old, a University of Dayton graduate and young professional working and living in San Diego, CA; Nick is 19 years old and is a sophomore at Davenport University here in West Michigan.  Our puppy, Dodger, joined our family when we were all reunited at home for several weeks during quarantine.  Even when life gets messy, I am truly blessed.