​Who hasn't woken up on a Saturday with the sun shining a little brighter, the coffee tasting a little richer, and the clock hands moving just a tad slower? Weekends are the illusions of a mini vacation, a magical time where breakfast becomes a banquet, and our wardrobe undergoes a miraculous transformation from business casual to unapologetically comfy. It's the time we swap spreadsheets for bed sheets, and ledgers for leisure. And just when we start to get the hang of this glorious freedom, Sunday night creeps in, whispering the harsh truth – Monday is on the horizon.

Yes, Monday, the villain of the week, the day that arrives with the speed of a month-end closing – relentless and a bit of a party pooper. It's like that scene we all know too well: the clock strikes midnight, and Cinderella's carriage turns back into a pumpkin. Being a Pumpkin on the weekend isn't so bad, but being a Pumpkin at work, just don't work! In our case, the pumpkin is an office chair, and the glass slipper is a pair of sensible shoes.

But here's a thought: How many accountants does it take to count the good days? 

If you ask an accountant, they'll likely say, "Let's analyze." Because, in the world of debits and credits, everything has its place, even the good days. They'd tally up the weekends, sprinkle in the public holidays, and maybe, if you're lucky, add a couple of vacation days. But then, just as quickly, they'll remind you of the accruals, the Mondays, the month-ends, and the dreaded tax season. It's a cycle as predictable as the fiscal year, cruel, yet oddly comforting in its consistency.

But let's not forget the power of creative accounting. For every Monday that rolls around, there's a way to find a loophole, a coffee break that lasts a little longer, a lunch hour where time seems to stand still, or a Friday afternoon that unofficially starts the weekend a tad earlier. Accountants, after all, are masters of finding balance, ensuring that for every debit there's a corresponding credit. So, for every less-than-stellar day, there's bound to be a good one waiting in the ledger.

In the grand scheme of things, perhaps it doesn't take an army of accountants to count the good days. Maybe it just takes a bit of creative accounting to make the most of every moment. After all, life's ledger is too precious to waste on the mundane. So, here's to finding the joy in the little things, to making every day count, and to always remembering that the weekend is just a few page flips away in the calendar of life.

And to all the accountants out there tirelessly balancing the books, here's your recognition. You remind us that behind every good day is a great story and maybe a spreadsheet or two.  Have a Good Friday!

In the busy state of my career path, like the wide range of the city I call home, the roads are always crowded. Here, the journey from intern to seasoned professional resembles driving through less of a smooth highway and more rushing-to-get-where-you're-going-roulette trying to avoid potholes. (The dealership loves me and my front-en-lightenment issues.)

My initiation into the world of driving was unconventional, to say the least. Around age 13, my daddy, a strong advocate of the "throw them in the deep end and hope they swim" method, decided I should drive to school. The route was similar to driving along the narrow path up to Lookout Mountain/Ruby Falls in Tennessee. YES, o-k, I might be fascinated by large sets of numbers, but I'm afraid of heights! Geez! However, this taught me more about persistence and overcoming fear than any classroom lecture ever could.  My dad's advice, "just put your foot on the gas, you'll get there," (the G-rated version of his quote) became a mantra, not just for driving, but for life.

Moving to a major city as an adult introduced me to a new level of vehicular chaos. The roads were like a maze of endless traffic, and at first glance it was exciting. "Where is everyone going and why no one told me?" My uncle encouraged me to "get lost" in my new city; I did and I learned all the names and exit numbers off I-285, I'm not telling you how (just round and round you go).  Anywho, no one prepared me for the unpredictable drivers and the constant threat of law enforcement ready to puncture (or change the texture of) my driving license with yet another ticket hole (a long, speedy story). Yet, these challenges on the road mirrored those in my career. As an accountant with  many years of experience, navigating complex financial landscapes where technology advancement is a speed bump.

In the professional realm, much like on the motor speedway, we encounter a variety of drivers: the speedsters racing toward their goals, the overly cautious ones creeping along, and the indecisive lane-switchers. Mastering the art of navigating this environment required a mocha Frappuccino and espresso shot blend of confidence in their own abilities to win today's race.

My career, much like my driving record, has been a series of exciting detours and unexpected stops. It's a roller-coaster that teaches resilience, creativity, and the importance of keeping your eyes on the road—or in this case, the balance sheet.

For anyone standing at the intersection of uncertainty in their career or life’s path, remember: the journey may be filled with traffic jams and confusing roundabouts, but a lot of determination, and perhaps a good insurance policy, you'll make it to your destination. Just don't forget to enjoy the scenic route every now and then. After all, who knows? You might just discover a new shortcut or, at the very least, a decent coffee shop along the way. I may not have sat for the CPA exam, but sometimes when you're foot is constantly on the peddle, I feel like I'm sitting for it everyday. Navigating life's traffic makes you an expert at handling anything—just maybe not at parallel parking.

​I found myself surfing the sea of job titles on LinkedIn, noticing the different matches the 'algorithm' suggests based on my skills. After over three decades in the accounting world, I've simply been an accountant. Yet, in the corporate world, where titles often lack the creativity of a basic spreadsheet without formulas, perhaps it's time I rethink my own professional label.
 
Remember Ben Affleck's portrayal in "The Accountant"? Yes, that 2016 thriller! Well, I'm hardly that kind of accountant. While I might not match his craft of intellect, I'd argue I bring a bit more creativity to the pivot table. Clearly, his character thrives on a different set of skills and tools than I use to assist my clients. While he's branded as "the accountant", carrying a briefcase, faux prescription glasses, and a shoulder holster, my style leans more towards an oversized leather bag, reading glasses, comfy PJs, and a stylish kimono cardigan.
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​So, "the numbers slayer" – I think that has a ring to it! Unlike the archaic role Affleck depicts, I don't navigate my professional life with the conventional tools of movie action heroes. Instead, I brandish a cell phone as a calculator, cloud software as ledgers, and a deep-seated passion for dineros, wait noooo, I think I mean numeros. Step aside, Ben Affleck's "The Accountant", for the latest balance sheet rec guru: the Numbers Slayer!
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This isn't just a typical story of heroism. This is a journey through the wilderness of finance where journalizing and budgeting are as fierce as Daenerys' dragons. In places where most are apprehensive, the Numbers Slayer downloads several spreadsheets simultaneously with a smile. In this world where numbers, dressed in black or red, whisper secrets and ledgers tell tales, like the CIA or the FBI, heroes listen, interpret, and streamline with the might of a thousand formulas all running on a multi-tab workbook. Yes, she’s numbers strong! Benching millions easily. This is where creativity meets calculators, and where accounting isn’t just about balancing books—it’s about charting adventures in the vast sea of numbers.

So, my dear friends, if you ever find yourself lost in the land of financial confusion, remember that the Numbers Slayer is just a spreadsheet away. Armed with pivot tables and financial forecasts, this is one hero who proves that when it comes to battling a hostile party of accounts, sometimes the pen (or the stylus) is mightier than the sword. Welcome to the era of the Numbers Slayer, where accounting meets adventure, and where every balance sheet, especially shareholder’s distribution, has a story to tell.