Meet TSCPA Member: Caton Brooks, CPA
The career path for TSCPA member Caton Brooks, CPA, shows how a “backup” plan can become a fulfilling career. “I played the drums for many years – all throughout junior high, high school and college,” he says. “In fact, I didn’t give up on my ‘rock star’ dreams until I was a junior in college and decided it was time to start interviewing for an accounting internship. It turns out, I was fortunate to have accounting as my ‘backup’ plan when my aspirations for being the next world-famous/touring drummer didn’t quite pan out!” As a CPA, Brooks has still been able to travel throughout his career, even living in Switzerland for two years.
From Mississippi to Missouri to Tennessee
My family is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and we moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, when I was very young. Before retiring, my dad worked for US Bank, and when I was in 7th grade my family moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri (in the “bootheel” of the state). I graduated from Poplar Bluff High School, where our mascot was the Mules – that’s right! I attended the University of Mississippi, where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. My family currently lives in Germantown, Tennessee.
A Seed Is Planted
I first became interested in accounting during my sophomore year of college. I was initially planning to study banking/finance, following in the career path of my dad. My dad was actually the first to encourage me to consider a degree in accounting, even if I wanted to pursue a career in banking. Across the next year, a very impactful accounting professor, Dr. Morris Stocks, heightened my interest in accounting with his intentional, sincere and diligent approach to teaching his students about the fundamentals and principles of accounting. In fact, these two men have been my greatest influencers and early mentors throughout my career. My dad, through example, taught me the importance of hard work, dedication and commitment towards your career, while never at the sacrifice of time with his family. In fact, I can hardly remember a dinner when my dad wasn’t at the table and fondly remember him coaching my basketball teams and helping me make pinewood derby cars for the annual Boy Scout races.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go … With Accounting!
Following an internship, I started my career with EY in 2001. I spent five years in the audit and assurance practice before joining Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics to lead their initial SOX 404 implementation efforts. I traveled extensively in this role, affording me the opportunity to experience different cultures and work with individuals from all over the world. In 2008, I was presented with an opportunity to move to Lucerne, Switzerland to serve as the Controller, Business Development for the European division of Smith & Nephew. My wife and I lived in Switzerland from 2008-2009, and we still fondly recall and speak often about what an incredible experience this was! An international work assignment is something that I would recommend and encourage to anyone who enjoys experiencing different cultures and is up for a great adventure! I spent 14 years at Smith & Nephew, most recently serving as the Vice President of Finance for Smith & Nephew’s Orthopaedics business. I joined International Paper in 2019 and currently serve as the Director, Global Financial Compliance. In this role, I have responsibility for establishing and leading IP’s global financial compliance activities, as well as providing strategic direction and oversight around IP’s global internal controls, global financial policies, and fiber security framework. Outside of enjoying my career, my love and affinity for music has never waned across the years. I still enjoy attending concerts and collecting vinyl records and other music memorabilia.
Giving Back
I have been a CPA for 20 years and currently serve as a member of the Audit Committee and Student Outreach, Advancement and Recruitment Speakers Bureau for TSCPA. I enjoy volunteering and serving nonprofit organizations, with a passion for youth education and empowerment. I recently completed a three-year term serving as chair of the Audit Committee for Junior Achievement of Memphis and the MidSouth, following 10 years on their board of directors. Outside the office, I really enjoy spending time with students of all ages teaching/discussing financial literacy and world readiness and sharing the many opportunities available through a career in accounting. I look forward to continuing, and hopefully increasing, my involvement and engagement with TSCPA across the coming years!
Family First
I live in Germantown, Tennessee, with my wife Amanda and two daughters Lilly and Harper. My wife also received her bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from Ole Miss, and she leads the finance and accounting function for Neighborhood Christian Center, Inc., based in Memphis. As you can imagine, we often hear jokes from our friends about “how exciting” our dinner conversations must be discussing the adventures of debits/credits. We enjoy traveling and seeing new places as a family and bouncing around the many courts and fields of Memphis and the surrounding areas for the kids’ basketball and soccer games!
Favorite Quote and Career Approach
My favorite quote is, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end,” from John Lennon. Positivity, determination, resilience and kindness are powerful attributes – look for opportunities to demonstrate these throughout your career! The accounting profession is a “small world,” especially throughout the state of Tennessee. I have worked with many people “twice” throughout my career – relationships and how you engage, interact, manage and treat people matter! Everyone enjoys working with people who are fun, optimistic and genuine. Stay positive, and remember throughout your career, especially during month-end close, “if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
This article was originally published in the May/June 2023 Tennessee CPA Journal.