Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patty Mason. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Patty thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Growing up in the public accounting industry, I worked for a number of CPA firms where I was exposed to how accountants provide services to business clients. I noticed that in most cases the CPA would speed up a meeting, get the specific task what needed to be done from the client and off they went. There wasn’t much of a relationship where questions were asked. If we did the bookkeeping for the client, it was very telling as to how they managed the finances in the business. The accountants never questioned what the end results of those financials were for the tax return, they prepared the returns and moved on. And this is where my mission and passion were born. Through college I learned a lot about accounting and business ownership. This has led me to research, why do small businesses fail, and why so quickly. I put two and two together, small businesses not only fail because the owners have inadequate business skills, or financial literacy knowledge. They also fail because us, accountants, don’t supply the necessary information to small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them succeed. Majority college graduated and 10+ yeas in the accounting industry accountants, have all the knowledge from how to structure your business for tax mitigation, how to obtain your license to make sure your compliant with all government agencies, determine what are the financial accounting process to help businesses stay financially sound, Accountants are equipped with all the knowledge to help small businesses succeed no matter what industry. So why don’t we help them? When we develop a mutually beneficial relationship, a professional collaborative partnership, we jointly find success in our respective professions. Let’s not forget that this country still stands on small businesses. Which means to more we collaborate as small business owners, the more we help each other succeed, the more we will jointly add value to the GDP. Small businesses are important, so my mission for over 25 years has been to not only provide accounting and tax services, but also to educate individuals and business owners, entrepreneurs, on sound financial and business practices. My passion for humanity is immeasurable, I want to see all of us thrive, succeed at whatever we dream of doing. As an accountant, anyone who walks into my office will always leave knowing more than when they came in.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up in Southern California and started working at a CPA firm at 17 years old. I got into public accounting because I had family in the industry. By the time I was 19 I spent substantial time balancing check books and doing the bookkeeping for many established small businesses. One memorable client left an incredibly lasting impression on me. As I was balancing his 7-figure checkbook, he told me his story as to how he became a real estate developer. That story ignited my passion for success. Not only in understanding financial accounting and money matters, but also understanding the real estate industry. I was a sponge soaking up information. Between 19-41 I worked for other CPAs until a traumatic situation propelled me into business ownership. I opened my accounting practice in Orlando, Florida in 2018. I have never known anything else thus throughout the years I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting and taxation. I recently finished my Doctoral Dissertation and soon to be confirmed as a Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership. For success, the keys are structure and discipline. Along with genuine care and kindness as you related to others. In a service industry, it’s important that we try to understand others and not force our own perspectives. When you put your client’s needs before anything else, the money will follow. I think this mindset is what sets me apart from other accountants. One of my proudest accomplishments with a client was when she allowed me to serve as an outside CFO and allows me to run the financial structure, I planned out for her. She trusted everything I did, and for that I lead her to becoming a multi milliner from 65K a year to roughly 7 million. The key to this success was the structure and keeping her disciplined to achieve the set forth goals. She did it, and that is why she made it.

My passion is to educate. Educate about money, business, budgeting, having an abundant mindset, and financial literacy. I am truly a problem solver, tax problems, money problems, credit problems, lack of confidence, overcoming trauma, entrepreneurship, any of these areas I have substantial knowledge that I can offer to anyone.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At 41 I got pregnant with my second son, and for that I was fired from my employer at the time. 7 months pregnant I was left with no income, no money at all. I spent 24 hours crying then I got dressed up and attended every single chamber networking event I could. I stood in front of crowds and courage to the wind; I was marketing my knowledge in attempt to get my business up and running fast. It was the single most challenging time that required extreme resilience.

The point is no matter what stage of life you are in, no matter how much or little you have, the opportunities are substantial. Develop skills to be resourceful, call on the friends and professional acquaintances and get people to help you navigate your circumstances. We all face challenges of many forms, but your resilience is built stronger each time you overcome an obstacle. Courage is another critical human element that we must develop and continue to strengthen. I will never forget how hard it was to make enough to cover the bills. I will also never forget the willpower that burned inside me to overcome and succeed over my circumstances. My advice to you never allow your circumstances to control you, find your strength to control your circumstances, step into your power.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele was to serve my clients with the maximum quality care and service. Provide an experience they never had with any other accountant. when a client would come to my office, we would begin talk about the tax matters at hand, and somehow end up in budgeting, financial management, retirement, planning the next property purchase, how to get the financials sufficient for lending and so on. I was never the kind of accountant who takes your paperwork does your taxes and see you next year. I care about you; I care about your mental and financial wellbeing. I grew to 700+ clients, 5 years in business. I can’t stress enough how important it is to be authentic and genuine in the way we carry ourselves and the way we represent our skills and products. People remember when you treat them well.

Contact Info:

• Website: masonaccountingservices.com
• Instagram: @masonaccounting
• Facebook: mason accounting services