From a spark of curiosity in rural Oklahoma to becoming a sought-after CFO, Sandy Payne’s journey is a testament to persistence, passion, and personal clarity. In this episode of The CPA MOMS Podcast, Sandy shares how she intentionally shaped a career around her life—not the other way around.
Building a Career Around Life, Not in Place of It
Starting her accounting journey while navigating military life, Sandy took 10 years to complete her degree. Rather than seeing that as a delay, she embraced every job as a learning experience, becoming fluent in real-world accounting before finishing school. She leaned into flexible, seasonal roles, prioritizing her children while still growing professionally.
Redefining Success and Setting Boundaries
Early in her career, Sandy encountered a pivotal moment with a senior partner who dismissed her desire to attend her child’s Easter event. That moment solidified her commitment to never sacrifice her family for her career. Since then, she’s embraced flexible work, launched her own firm, and even fired clients who disrespected her boundaries.
From Employee to Entrepreneur: The Mindset Shift
Sandy’s transition to entrepreneurship was marked by autonomy, connection, and a love for mentoring. She found freedom in choosing clients, building teams, and aligning her work with her values. Even though working from home brought some professional loneliness, she continues to seek out community and connection.
“I’ve learned that accounting is more about people than it is numbers.” — Sandy Payne
Looking for your own version of success in accounting? You don’t have to do it alone. Start your journey here: https://cpamoms.com/start
Sandy is a highly accomplished Chief Financial Officer with over 25 years of experience leading finance teams, driving strategic growth, and building scalable systems for multi-location companies. As a CPA with a background in both private and nonprofit sectors, Sandy specializes in cash flow optimization, risk management, budgeting, and executive-level financial planning as well as building strong teams and providing clear financial insight.
Sandy is passionate about empowering business owners to make confident decisions by simplifying the numbers and improving processes—with clarity, purpose, and a whole lot of heart.