Megan Amick CPA LLC

Today, I want to take a moment to celebrate the retirement of someone who has made an extraordinary impact on my career — my mentor, Chris Haywood.

Chris has always been a source of wisdom and encouragement (and sometimes frustration!) 😜 He taught me what it means to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose.

Thank you, Chris, for believing in me, for challenging me, and for showing me what true mentorship looks like. Your influence will continue to guide me in every step I take in my career.

Cheers to the freedom and fun of retirement!After 46 tax seasons, you deserve it! 🥂

Building and growing a business on my own has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am incredibly thankful for the support I’ve received along the way. While technically I’m a sole proprietor, I have never truly been alone. The encouragement, guidance, and support from so many of my former colleagues and current friends has been invaluable. Thank you all (including some cheering me on from afar) for helping me celebrate my most recent milestone!

25 years ago I started my career in public accounting. It was November 30, 1998 and dad probably drove me to work because he worried about me making that long trek to the north side by myself. I didn’t know anything. I had an accounting degree but felt so unprepared for the actual job. My suit and purse matched, but my bangs were way too short!

I’m thankful to have started my career at a small firm (Haywood & Petrow) surrounded by mentors and coworkers that were eager (okay maybe not always eager!) to help me learn and grow professionally. They pushed me but guided me at the same time. They saw potential in me that I rarely saw in myself. I worked in all aspects of public accounting (and eventually decided that audit was not my jam) and as my understanding & knowledge grew, so did my confidence.

I hope that over the years, I have been that same type of mentor & coworker to others I’ve crossed paths with. I’m blessed to have long-standing friendships with my former co-workers, and I’m grateful to all who have helped me get to this milestone in my career.

One year ago, I took a giant leap of faith.

I left a job I’d worked at for half my life, leaving behind co-workers and clients that were more like friends and family. I felt every emotion: guilt, anxiety, fear, relief, excitement. I worried…a lot. That’s an attribute I got from my dad, the gift of worry. My dad was the most faithful man, but worry was the one thing he couldn’t overcome. I worried about whether I’d be successful, but mostly I worried that I would let my family down. I prayed about my decision to start over on my own and was given clear signs that I was on the right path.

Business was unsurprisingly slow in the fall which gave me an opportunity to rest and prepare for my firm’s first tax season. Then in February, just as business started to pick up, my dad passed away. I was able to spend a few days with him before he passed and time with family to mourn him after. All my clients were incredibly supportive and understanding, allowing me to take that time. Again, I questioned whether I had made the right decision and again, I was given the answer that I had. I could’ve never taken that time to be with Dad if I knew others were relying on me.

Tax season was stressful, but it was a different stress for me, a manageable one. A good stress, if that’s a thing! I’ve already exceeded the goals I set for myself for my first year of business. And I will continue to grow my business the way that I want. Not saying yes to every prospective client, but knowing that every client I work with is important and making sure they feel that way. That was another lesson from my dad, work hard and treat every person you interact with like they’re the most important person you know.

Change is scary and difficult, and I was always one to take the safe route. But one year ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and I’m grateful for that push. I’m sorry to say that I’ll likely always be a worrier, maybe just a little less now that I have someone special watching over me. I know God isn’t letting him worry so much up there!

On this first Father’s Day without my dad, I’m grateful for all the little pushes he gave me in life. And for always reassuring me that he’d pick me up if I fell.

The first tax season of Megan Amick CPA LLC is finished! Thank you to my clients for putting their trust in me and to advisors who were a resource and referred me to their clients and friends. I’m especially grateful to my husband who’s been incredibly supportive through this journey. This is just the beginning, onward & upward! 🧡

Still haven’t filed your taxes? That’s what extensions are for! But you may still need to pay by April 18th, so reach out as soon as possible to discuss your tax situation.

You wouldn’t find a man with a stronger work ethic than my father. He was an incredible role model for all 10 of his kids.

I was excited, and a little nervous, to tell him that I was starting my own firm. He was incredibly supportive and would ask me how things were going every time we talked and visited with each other. He always asked if there was anything he could do to help me. He even offered to shred papers or do filing for me. I wish he had lived long enough to be my first employee.

I love and miss you, Dad. I hope I make you proud.

Looking forward to 2023! Thank you all for going on this journey with me!

What’s your favorite holiday cookie? I‘ve enjoyed trying some new recipes recently and sharing them with friends and family. The cookie pictured might be my favorite so far. 😉

Thank you all for the overwhelming support you’ve given me as I embark on this new journey. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones…and lots of delicious food!

Curious as to how much you can contribute to your 401k or IRA in 2023? Read the attached article to find out. Still have questions? Contact me!