By: Cindy Brown
Post 1 of 2
When I received my CPA certificate, I knew I wanted to connect with other CPAs. Membership in the North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA) provided the opportunity to meet fellow CPAs in all walks of the profession. Not only were they potential clients and a source of business referrals for me, but CPAs were professionals whom I could confidently refer to my clients. As a benefits consultant, I had to be a trusted advisor and have a solution for clients, even if the solution did not involve my services. Because I had participated in various committees within NCACPA, I got to know many individuals, their skill sets, and reputations. I knew who would produce positive results, thus reinforcing me as a dependable advisor. At the same time, I met many clients through my work at NCACPA. Volunteering on the Members in Business & Industry Committee enabled me to meet accounting professionals throughout the state, and I helped many of them with their employee benefits. Through work on the Triangle Chapter Board, I met many CPAs in public accounting, industry, government, and education. They too, proved to be potential clients and a great referral source throughout my career.
Participation on various committees and chapters also enabled me to develop leadership skills in roles which reinforced teamwork, goal setting, strategic planning, execution, and follow-through. Working with individuals of varied backgrounds and experiences helped me learn to listen and be open to diverse opinions. It also taught me that in order to achieve the best possible results, collaboration is necessary.
Cynthia B. Brown, CPA, CEBS, has over 20 years’ experience working with all aspects of retirement plans. She has served as a plan sponsor, has been a plan administration record keeper, and has provided consulting services to other plan sponsors. As a benefit consultant, Cindy assisted clients with plan reviews, provider searches, plan due diligence analysis, investment analysis, compliance issue resolution, plan design and installation, and employee communication. She earned an AB in political science and an MBA in finance from Miami University and is certified as both a CPA and an Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS). She has served as president of the Triangle Chapter of NCACPA and on the state board of the same organization. (2010)