Meet the Chapter President: Courtney Brock, CPA
For TSCPA Chattanooga Chapter President Courtney Brock, CPA, growth is key to a fulfilling professional life. “Early in my career, I sought out opportunities that pushed my boundaries,” she says. “I volunteered to work on complex projects, pursued my CPA license, spoke up in meetings even though I’m shy and was the newest/youngest member of the team, and assumed varying degrees of leadership roles. These experiences were often uncomfortable, but they led to significant professional development and helped me build resilience.” Brock believes the CPA profession in particular provides ample opportunity for professional expansion. “It’s a career that continually challenges me and offers opportunities for growth and learning, which I find incredibly rewarding.”
Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you grew up.
Originally from Michigan, my family moved to Middle Tennessee when I was 4 years old. I grew up in the rustic small town of Lewisburg. When it came time for college, I was torn between Chattanooga and Memphis but ultimately chose Chattanooga for its stunning outdoors and cozy city feel. I fell in love with the city during my time at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and have called it home since my sophomore year. Now, I live just north of the city in Soddy Daisy with my high school sweetheart, who’s now my husband of 10 years, and our energetic and amazing daughter.
What do you do now, and why did you choose to become a CPA?
I’ve worked at Unum since graduating with my first degree (a bachelor’s in finance) in various roles ranging from customer relations, investment accounting and reporting, internal controls, and in our transformation organization working with our strategic initiatives. Within the last few weeks, I’ve transitioned to financial planning and analysis, taking on new responsibilities for the reporting, analysis and forecasting of sales for our voluntary workplace benefits.
Becoming a CPA wasn’t something I initially planned. After college, I aimed to go into personal financial planning; however, I struggled to find an organization that aligned with my aspirations. In the meantime, I focused on securing a position with a solid company as I figured out my long-term goals. My love of numbers and problem solving ultimately led me back to college for an accounting degree. There I discovered accounting isn’t just about balancing books or counting beans – it’s about helping individuals and businesses grow and succeed. This realization helped confirm I had found my calling. Having a CPA license demonstrates a high level of proficiency and commitment to the accounting profession, so to further validate my expertise, I pursued the CPA designation. It also signifies that I’m a trusted professional capable of providing valuable financial insights and guidance, which is incredibly important to me.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
I have two that stay with me. The first being, “if you’re comfortable, you’re not growing.” This insight profoundly impacts my approach to both my career and personal life. For someone that prefers staying in their happy, stress-free space, hearing this phrase reminds me that my growth often comes from stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing new challenges.
The second is to embrace continuous learning and stay adaptable. A mentor once told me the most successful people are those who never stop seeking knowledge and are willing to trust and adapt to changing circumstances. This advice has been invaluable throughout my career.
Outside of work, how do you like to spend your time?
I’m passionate about spending quality time with my family. I love a good adventure and experiencing different cultures. As our daughter has gotten older, we’ve been able to start traveling again, including taking her international this past summer. We also love going to theme parks, with Disney World and Dollywood being favorites. My husband and I had our first date on the driving range, so golfing together when we can squeeze it in is always a welcome time.
This article was originally published in the September/October 2024 Tennessee CPA Journal.