Katie Thomas
Today we turn our attention to Katie Thomas, President of Thomas CPA, LLC, who is a cloud architect, systems integrator and technology advisor for professionals in the accounting industry. She has helped businesses worldwide foster an innovative corporate culture and has delivered exceptional client service through the adoption of emerging technologies. She takes on a rigorous approach to planning and execution, promoting consistent, sustainable growth while avoiding the short-term pitfalls typically associated with organizational change. Katie’s take-charge work ethic and confident decision-making has helped create not only a successful career, but also a successful life.
Katie easily breaks down her professional practice and what that all entails, “We help accounting professionals transform their businesses into future-focused firms. With the disruption sparked by a massive shift to cloud computing, many accountants do not have the time or resources to research and successfully implement the right digital technology and processes.” She goes on to explain her jack-of-all-trades philosophy by saying, “Following an agile business model, we reengineer processes and develop intelligent software solutions that empower firm owners to make data-driven decisions and deliver an exceptional client experience. We have found the functional areas with the best opportunities for growth include digital marketing, practice management, and talent acquisition. The functional area with the greatest potential for improvement is determined on a case-by-case basis by clarifying the vision of the firm owner, developing a strategic plan of action, and implementing the solution. Post-deployment, we work closely with the firm to drive adoption, assess outcomes, and ensure long-term success.”
In order to work as hard as Katie does every day, there must be a seriously good motivation behind the life she lives in regards to finding the balance between work and a personal life, she explains, “I firmly believe my biggest strength in life is that I am empathetic to my family, my clients, and colleagues. This provides substantial motivation and a drive to accomplish things beyond my wildest dreams, allowing me to provide as much support to them as possible.” She continues further proving her optimistic outlook by saying, “Real life simply is not full of rainbows and butterflies - just a single negative thought can be crippling. That’s why I am so passionate about living a transparent, honest, and authentic life. I want to empower others to do the same and be the examples of “if she can do it, so can I.” The power of positive thinking is a motivation taken very seriously in Katie Thomas’ world.
Katie Thomas
While it’s hard to describe your daily home life in just a few words, Katie picked the optimistic route saying “exhilarating and fulfilling” she explained further, “My day-to-day is never the same. I love the challenge and find it extremely filling to always be learning, working with new people, and working with new software.” Katie explains the importance of having business hours, and sticking to them, “A key to managing relationships with this kind of lifestyle is being able to tap into your emotions, communicate well with those around you, and schedule non-negotiable no work/“work talk” time. Given the fluctuations in my day-to-day demands, sometimes things can get a little hectic. In these times, I remind myself to feel these emotions like feelings of excitement (rather than anxiety). Communicating with my family and friends what I am experiencing emotionally and mentally during these times is important to help them understand. Furthermore, scheduling non-negotiable times to “unplug” and not talk about anything work-related is crucial to recharging, staying connected with friends and family members, and being able to best serve my clients.” Katie’s professional to personal balancing act is one everybody should take note of!
Katie takes an important, but under appreciated, stance when it comes to maintaining her health throughout her demanding work life, she says, “A lot of people think of health is all about hitting the treadmill and ordering off a salad bar. While physical exercise and nutritious diets are extremely important, I think mental health is just as important to the ‘health equation.’” She goes into more detail, “To me, maintaining health involves balancing all three. This is simple in theory, but can be a struggle in practice. On an average workweek, I sleep about seven hours a night; wake up at 5:00 AM to go to the gym with my husband while maintaining a daily practice of meditation and yoga. I also ride my horse four times a week to benefit from some “me” time. While 85% of my diet consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, sometimes that extra dessert is a necessity - not only does it taste good, but also is an expression of self-love. Life is too short to not enjoy it!” with Katie’s idealistic mindset, it’s no wonder why Katie’s work and personal life are overflowing with success!
From technology advising in the mornings to riding her horse in the evenings, Katie stays hustling. She explains her easy trick for staying on top of her busy life, “This is not a novel idea, but I use Google Calendar for everything. If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening. Combining this with an automated scheduling assistant, like Calendly or Acuity, enable you to have a self-regulating schedule.”
Katie shines a light on a helpful life-hack she uses day-to-day, “For example, I am the most creative when I am physically moving. So, all of my social media posts, I type them out while I am warming up on the stationary bike. I also know that I am most inspired in the morning time, whereas in the afternoon I can become a little ‘meh.’ Thus, I devote 60 minutes each morning to learning. Typically, I accomplish this while listening to a podcast or audible during my workout.” This is no surprise considering the fast pace life she lives.
In order to be successful in such a demanding industry, women in accounting must take special lengths to ensure success, Katie explains, “In this industry, the biggest limits you face tend to be the limits you set for yourself - woman or man. When limits challenge you, challenge the limits. When challenges arise, change your view of the challenge. Become a student of life who is enthralled by the challenges and their learning opportunities.” She continues, “Challenges are inevitable and come in all forms. Whether it’s finances, the desires of loved ones, or the opinions of your co-workers, the stars rarely align. It can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day turbulence. Staying true to who you are and not letting the outside clutter (such as other people’s opinions of you) is crucial to your success and long-term happiness.”
Katie graduated as valedictorian and summa cum laude from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. Katie is a licensed CPA in Kansas and gained valuable pubic accounting experience during her time with multiple big four accounting firms. Currently, Katie resides in Kansas City with her husband, Chad. Out of the office, Katie can be found riding her horse, practicing yoga, or playing with her furbaby.
A special thank you to Katie Thomas for taking the time to visit with us and share her story. Insightful Accountant is thrilled to be starting Women in Accounting Wednesdays again, so if you would like to participate, fill out the questionnaire linked here and submit your responses!