We recently connected with Tariqah Mills, CPA and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Tariqah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Our firm T3 Accounting Services, a boutique accounting firms offering accounting and taxation services to small business owners. As the licensed CPA of the firm, I have the opportunity in learning so much about the commitments, hardships, dedication, delegating and desirable growth for success in the small business world when working with our clients. The experiences shared and being apart of when embarking on starting, working and growing their business ventures, has been key in developing my current view of what it takes to have success. More importantly as a small business owner myself, I spend time on critically reflecting on these same aspects of managing my accounting firm.
My thoughts on what it takes to be successful has been a journey from starting my career in accounting in the finance corporate sector, and then as an adjunct professor and now as the founder and owner of T3 Accounting services. Stepping out on my own in starting my firm, came with uncertainty in truly having success managing and operating a small business. One of the main drivers committing to the long-term efforts in continuing to grow my business, brand and client relationships was and still is the support of family, mentors and colleagues. I am also a firm believer in having a “team” of dedicated and supportive players for your business operations. Your accountant, business lawyer, social media manager, marketing manager, and/or those players that may be specific to your business industry are key team members to consider building relationships with even when you may not be able to “afford” their services when just starting your business.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
It is most rewarding as an accountant, to identify as a Certified Public Accountant licensed with the State of New York and the State of Georgia. I am the proud founder and managing director of T³ Accounting Services. I spent over 12 years in the accounting and finance area in the financial services industry working for well-known global companies, such as Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and RBC Capital Markets. For 8 years, I taught as an adjunct professor at Mountbatten Institute-New York Program, a truly rewarding experience, teaching US accounting and finance to study-aboard students. I ended my tenure with the program in July’ 2020.
I am a proud member of, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA), National Society of Certified Public Accountants (NSBCPA), The New York State Society of CPA’s (NYSSCPA) The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP).
T³ Accounting Services is a boutique accounting firm offering accounting, tax and financial guidance services to individuals and small business owners and is certified under New York State Minority-And-Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE). I am a firm believer and supporter of entrepreneurs, small business owners in both the for profit and non-profit sector. Our firm is dedicated to educating and ensuring small businesses owners will achieve and maintain financial success.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Pivoting your approach in life to yield a preferred outcome may be difficult and rewarding all at the same time! My story truly entails a bit of difficulties and rewards when I pivoted from corporate America as a wage earner to my current role as a small business owner of a successful accounting firm.
The decision to leave a corporate job paying a nice six figure salary was more than the desire to start my own firm, it was my family commitments being a mom to my 3 sons who at the time was 17, 7 and 2! What was my husband and I thinking?! Lol we were sending one off to college, one was in elementary school and the baby in the care of my mom as his childcare provider. I never had the “time” to partake in my oldest sport events, recitals, teacher meetings, it was always someone else standing in or me saying next time when it wasn’t month end at the job. For my younger sons I did not want the same and I became more focused on securing a desired work/family life balance. The latter became my mantra as I went on a journey establishing the necessary pivots to manage a balance of work and family commitments. I began teaching as an adjunct professor though I was working my corporate role and teaching at the same time at first, it was this initial pivot to show myself I was capable of working in a different role that afforded me time to dedicate to my sons. There were difficulties in managing dual work commitments, however the reward in believing in myself that I could do so much more as a licensed CPA was worth the difficult moments. Starting T3 Accounting Services was another pivot I embarked on and have yet to look back!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
In a service based industry, the goal of securing clients to offer your business services is the ultimate small business owner goal. Your business revenue may be solely dependent on your clients. Dedicated and loyal clients will have a significant impact on your business bottom lines for brand awareness, revenue potential and of course net profits.
T3 Accounting Services is in its 12th year of business. To date, the most effective strategy in growing our clientele has been word of mouth. Your clients’ satisfaction is worth more than gold when it comes to referring new clients. We have implemented over the years, different means of thanking our clients who share their experience, happiness, and praise of our firm offerings and services. Most recently we have invested in a social media campaign, billboard marketing and even considered radio ads, yet we still make note our client growth yields highest from our current clients’ referrals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.t3taxcpa.com
- Instagram: @t3accounting
- Facebook: t3taxcpa
- Linkedin: Tariqah Mills, CPA
