If you’re a CPA mom, chances are you’ve had moments where your life feels like it’s stuck on cruise control. You’re driving the car, heading toward the next milestone, checking all the boxes: degree, job, promotion. But somewhere along the way, you look up and realize, this isn’t the destination you had in mind. You don’t even remember deciding to go this route.
In a recent episode of The CPA MOMS Podcast, guest Lindsey Head shared her experience of hitting that exact crossroads. From hedge fund accounting to building her own fractional CFO firm, Lindsey’s journey is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to keep following a path just because someone else paved it.
The Wake-Up Call: Recognizing Autopilot Mode
Lindsey described a pivotal moment when she realized she was “just driving the car” of her career, heading in a direction that no longer aligned with her goals or values. Despite a secure job in a well-known financial institution, she knew deep down: “I don’t think this is it.”
Sound familiar?
Many women in accounting follow well-worn paths, corporate, public, partner track, because that’s what’s expected. But those paths often don’t leave room for personal values, family needs, or even joy.
Listening for the Yes
So what did Lindsey do? She listened for the yes. She stayed open to opportunities, even when they required risk or change. She said yes to a new city. Yes to new industries. Yes to her own consulting business. Each “yes” brought her closer to the life she actually wanted, not just the one she’d been told to pursue.
As CPA moms, we often hesitate to make changes. We worry about stability, finances, and responsibilities. But as Lindsey shared, the cost of staying stuck is often greater than the cost of taking a chance.
Reclaiming Confidence Through Action
One of Lindsey’s most powerful tools? A question from her mentor: “What would you tell your daughter to do?” That single mindset shift helped her advocate for herself, make bold decisions, and create boundaries that support both her career and her family.
Ask yourself: if your child were in your shoes, what would you tell them to do? Would you encourage them to settle, or to dream bigger?
Confidence isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build through small, courageous actions. Lindsey didn’t have all the answers. She just stayed curious, stayed connected, and trusted herself to figure it out.
You’re Allowed to Change Directions
If you’re feeling burnt out, stuck, or uninspired, you’re not broken. You’re just ready for something new. And the good news? You’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to say, “This isn’t working for me anymore.”
Reclaiming your career starts with giving yourself permission to explore, to question, and to dream again. You don’t have to blow everything up overnight. But you do have to get out of autopilot.
Start by learning something new. Join a group. Have a conversation with someone who inspires you. Make one small decision that feels more like you.
And if you need support from women who get it? You’re not alone. Join a network of like-minded women at https://cpamoms.com/start.