Women in Business: Meredith Rennie, Moss Adams, Santa Rosa
Meredith Rennie
Senior manager, Moss Adams, LLP
3558 Round Barn Blvd., #300, Santa Rosa 95403; 707-527-0800; mossadams.com
Age: 42
Residence: Windsor
Professional background: Senior manager, Moss Adams, LLP, less than a year. Eighteen years of industry experience.
Education: B.S., business administration, with distinction, Sonoma State University; CPA, CGMA
Staff: 90 in the North Bay office, about 2,000 firmwide
Tell us about yourself and your company: I have been in public accounting since 1997. I provide assurance services for clients in a variety of industries including manufacturing, farming, not-for-profit, including A-133, and employee benefit plans.
My experience includes responsibility for all phases of audit, review and compilation engagement performance, assisting clients with technical accounting issues and the implementation of accounting policies and procedures.
I have also authored articles in highly regarded accounting publications and given presentations on a variety of accounting topics in the community. From time to time I am a guest lecturer at Sonoma State University in the Wine Business Certificate program.
I greatly value my time spent out of the office as well as my focused career efforts. Being an engaged parent, an active member in my community, and chronic volunteer are top priorities for me and also quite rewarding.
Moss Adams is a leader in assurance, tax, consulting, risk management, transaction and wealth services. We focus on serving public, private, and not-for-profit enterprises across the nation through specialized industry and service teams.
Words that best describe you: Determined, optimistic, genuine, inspiring, tenacious, passionate, loyal.
What is a major accomplishment in the past year or so?: This past fall, I took a leap of faith outside my comfort zone to seek out personal and professional growth. I had gained a lot of experience working my way from entry level staff accountant to a partner in a local firm. I greatly value all I learned through that experience yet I was excited to kick it up a notch and become part of the management team of a regional firm. Although leaving the local firm was a difficult decision I have really enjoyed the personal and professional growth with the complex technical opportunities in my new position.
What achievement are you most proud of in your career?: From teen mom to accounting professional is a pretty awesome achievement. I once had a stranger tell me I’d never amount to anything after I had my son. I am really proud of my hard work. I didn’t do it for the naysayers, I did it for me!
What is your biggest challenge today?: How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?: Freedom of mobility for the broader workforce will change the way teams work together in the accounting profession. The standard work week is shifting further and further away from the standard 8a-5p in a physical office building. Autonomy to work anywhere at any time is becoming the norm. In addition, the accounting field continues to see shifts in demographics. As founding members of leadership retire, changes in culture are soon to follow. With these two factors at play, the accounting profession has exciting opportunities for many women.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering your profession or the work world today?: Your career is what you make of it and everyone’s career path is different and unique. Only benchmark yourself against your own personal goals not against others in the field.
Work hard, play harder!
Current reading: Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace by Carla A Harris
Stress-relievers: Soccer!
Favorite hobbies: Soccer, geocaching, and swim, bike, run
