When I look back over my career, I see a path that has taken me from corporate boardrooms to sitting across the table from small business owners who need someone they can trust with their finances. It has been a journey full of lessons, challenges, and opportunities, and one that has shaped the way I serve clients today. Having spent years in leadership roles—Controller, Treasurer, VP of Finance, and CFO—before becoming a small business owner myself, I have come to realize just how valuable that experience has been in building a tax practice that puts clients first.
Lessons Learned in the Corporate World
Working in the corporate world gave me a foundation that I rely on every single day. As a Controller and CFO, I wasn’t just crunching numbers; I was helping businesses make decisions that shaped their future. That meant learning how to analyze risk, plan for growth, manage resources, and communicate with people from all levels of the organization.
In large companies, you quickly learn that every decision has ripple effects. A change in how inventory is managed doesn’t just affect accounting—it impacts employees, customers, and even investors. That big-picture perspective is something I bring to my clients today. When a small business owner asks me about structuring their finances or planning for taxes, I don’t just look at the numbers on paper. I think about how the decision will affect their business, their employees, and their family.
Bringing Corporate Skills to Small Business Clients
Small business owners don’t always have the luxury of hiring a full-time CFO or finance team. Most are wearing multiple hats—owner, manager, HR, and sometimes even janitor. What they need is someone who can bring that higher-level perspective without the big corporate price tag. That’s where my background helps.
Because I’ve been in those executive roles, I can offer small business owners more than just tax preparation. I can help them think strategically. Whether it’s planning for growth, understanding cash flow, or navigating tax law changes, I can give them insights that they might not otherwise have access to.
For example, I often work with family-owned businesses that are thinking about succession planning. Having seen how larger organizations handle leadership transitions, I can help guide those conversations in a way that balances financial responsibility with family dynamics. It’s about more than money—it’s about preserving a legacy.
Building a Practice on Trust and Relationships
One of the biggest differences between working in the corporate world and running my own practice is the personal connection I have with clients. In a large company, you’re often making decisions for shareholders you’ll never meet. In my practice, I sit down with families, business owners, and individuals who are trusting me with their future. That sense of responsibility feels much more personal, and it drives me to give them the very best.
Running my own business also means I know firsthand what my clients are going through. Payroll, taxes, regulations, marketing—it’s all part of the day-to-day. I don’t just give advice from the outside looking in; I live the same challenges they do. That makes the connection more real and the advice more practical.
Adapting to Change
The accounting world has changed a lot since I started, and my corporate background taught me to adapt quickly. From new tax laws to advances in technology, there is always something changing. In a corporate setting, adapting to change often meant leading teams through new processes or implementing new systems. In my practice, it means making sure my clients don’t get left behind.
I’ve seen how technology can streamline operations, improve accuracy, and save time, and I encourage my clients to take advantage of it. At the same time, I never lose sight of the importance of personal service. No piece of software can replace the value of sitting down with someone who understands your goals and cares about your success.
Why the Transition Matters
For me, the move from CFO to small business owner wasn’t just a career shift; it was a life decision. I wanted to take everything I had learned in the corporate world and put it to work in a way that directly helps people in my community. I’ve been blessed to serve small businesses and families in Massachusetts, and each client reminds me why I made the move.
Corporate experience gave me the skills and perspective, but small business ownership gave me the purpose. It’s about using what I know not just to balance books, but to make a real difference in people’s lives.
Final Thoughts
When small business owners walk into my office, they’re often carrying more than just a shoebox of receipts. They’re carrying their dreams, their worries, and their hopes for the future. My role, shaped by years in corporate finance and sharpened by running my own practice, is to help them navigate those challenges and move forward with confidence.
The journey from CFO to small business owner has taught me that no experience is wasted. Every lesson from the boardroom, every challenge in leadership, and every decision I made in the corporate world prepared me for the work I do now. And today, that work feels more meaningful than ever.