The tropes we hear about accountants are usually of personality free pencil pushers but, nothing could be further from the truth for Stacy Cummings. She is an absolute boss who has built her career by developing personal relationships with her clients, co-workers and in the community.
Stacy has been in public accounting for almost 21 years. She chose accounting as a career when she took a class in high school. She landed a job with Wilkins Miller right out of college and says her firm is equally committed to helping employees and clients achieve their goals. Stacy’s focus is on tax, litigation, business valuation and consulting services.
She says that public accounting is one of the best professions for those who value being challenged, flexibility, and want to have a family. It’s not surprising that she is passionate about recruiting young people to the field. And she mentors young accountants in her office and through the DFK Women’s mentoring program.
“I have been so fortunate to have several great mentors along my journey, and mentoring others has made me really appreciate the investment others have made in me and fueled the fire to want to help others in the same way. Helping others and seeing them grow and meet their goals is incredibly rewarding.”
Stacy has been involved with many other organizations along the way. And encourages others to get involved to make our community better and grow individually. She has been matched with her ‘little sister’ through Big Brothers Big Sisters for eight years. That relationship is important to her.
“Relationships have helped get me where I am today, and personal relationships are what make life fun. Relationships are what I enjoy most about my job and my community activities – it’s not necessarily the work but the people I have the opportunity to get to know and work with that I enjoy the most.”
Stacy is also a founding board member of Impact100 Mobile and serves as the Treasurer. Impact100 Mobile’s mission is to provide transformational grants in the amount of $100,000 each to local nonprofit organizations. Members collectively give and vote on who receives the grant. They will be awarding their first grant to a Mobile County non-profit in March.
“We need to invest in our youth to help them achieve their potential and be successful and productive members of our community.”
She says the hardest part about being a working mom/wife is splitting your time can make you feel like you’re not doing a good job at everything. But she has learned that focusing on quality time over quantity and leaving work at work has helped her be successful at both. Stacy also wants professional environments to be more accepting and flexible to the seasons of life that women have to work through, but has been very grateful for the flexibility Wilkins Miller offers.
“No one is perfect, but it’s better to mess up than to never try. Give yourself grace – women tend to want to be 110% in everything they do, and that is very challenging when you’re balancing home life and a career. We all have seasons of life, and sometimes we just have to do the best we can and be ok with it.”
Stacy Cummings: Wilkins Miller, LLC – Partner
Hometown & Currently Resides: Mobile, Alabama
Family: Husband and Mother of 2 sons
Education:
- Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certified in Financial Forensics
- Certified Valuation Analyst
