Meet TSCPA Member: Alan Stewart, CPA, MBA
The COVID-19 pandemic put many things on pause, but not for TSCPA member Alan Stewart, CPA, MBA. “I started studying for the CPA Exam at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, on top of having a second kid,” he says. “During this journey, I was able to put together a plan, with some modifications along the way.” For aspiring CPAs, Stewart says it is key to surround yourself with a network of support – in both the profession and in your personal life. “My father was a major influence for me,” he says. “He believed in me no matter which direction I decided to take.”
Early Years
The eldest of five children, Stewart grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee. Of his early years, he recalls, “My family attended church regularly, where my father was also a pastor.” In high school, Stewart’s interest in accounting blossomed. “During my senior year of high school, my advisor suggested I try to find a career in accounting due to me loving numbers and patterns,” he says. Growing up, Stewart was also actively involved in several sports, including football. In his college years, he played one year of football at Cumberland University before transferring to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
Advice for Future CPAs
Stewart, who earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Accounting from MTSU and Master of Business Administration from Bethel College, advises students and others considering a career in accounting to ensure that they have a good group of peers and/or family to provide support for them as they pursue their goals. “I would also recommend getting an accounting internship,” he adds.
Work Life
In his current professional role, Stewart serves as the senior accountant for Envision Healthcare in Nashville. “I have been working at Envision Healthcare for five years,” he says. “The overall experience has been amazing. I am currently a part of a great accounting team!”
Major Influences
Along with his father, Stewart says he has had two other major mentors who influenced him in his career journey. “The first was Tony Geter, who taught me to work hard no matter the circumstance,” he explains. “The second was Bryan Follis, who gave me a chance and supported my hunger for accounting knowledge.”
Favorite Advice
Stewart believes it is important to focus on your own unique path in life and in your career. When asked about the best piece of advice he has ever received, he says, “Everyone’s journey is different, so live yours.”
On TSCPA
Stewart says that although he is a newer TSCPA member, he has already seen the value of membership in the society. “Seeing that I am new in this membership, the first thing that stood out to me was how great it was to be around like-minded individuals,” he says. “It also has an abundance of resources needed to be a great CPA. Thank you all for welcoming me, and I look forward to enjoying this GREAT profession.”
This article was originally published in the September/October 2024 Tennessee CPA Journal.