Accounting terminology means different things to me, depending on where I am. I love reading Robert Kiyosaki’s books, and once I leave work and take off my CPA hat, “assets” and “liabilities” have different meanings to me and my family. I was my high school accounting teacher’s pet, and we still call each other to this day. I attribute my ability to pass the CPA exams with ease and love for accounting to the foundation provided in high school.
What’s something about yourself that might surprise others?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that the leading causes of death for Black adults are heart disease, stroke and cancer. This requires more to be done in Black communities in terms of policy and general education. While these diseases are prevalent, the key is controlling conditions such as high blood pressure to reduce heart attacks and strokes. I believe friends need to have open conversations about these issues and motivate each other to adopt healthy lifestyles, including eating well, exercising and staying updated on health screenings. Peers can provide moral and emotional support and motivate group activity and accountability. While better health policies are needed, the positive influence of peers cannot be underestimated.
This year’s Black History Month theme is health and wellness. Knowing there are disparities in healthcare equity, what does this year’s theme mean to you?
I am most proud of living the life my parents dreamed for me by becoming a CPA and having a successful career and family. My mom had me as a teenager and ended up putting her education on hold. My parents invested everything to give me the best education they could afford. As a child, I tagged along when my mom had study sessions with her friends, so I grew up hearing about accounting, economics and business management. My mom died very young, and her dream of becoming a CPA was short-lived. I became a CPA shortly after relocating to the U.S. I’m proud I have been able to balance my life, set my priorities and look back at the lives of my three teenagers without regret, knowing I was able to be available and involved while still pursuing a successful career.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Although Black accountants are under-represented, I have had the privilege of being mentored by one of the best Black accountants in the nation, Harvey E. Hoskins, the founder of Hoskins & Company. I see the under-representation as a motivation to seek out those in the industry and encourage others to pursue accounting as a profession. Particularly in public accounting, we have not done a very good job of showcasing success. People want to see examples of success. Young Black professionals and students must see and interact with successful Black accountants. Whenever I get an opportunity, I emphasize the importance of what we do and showcase the privileges and successes we enjoy.
Historically and currently, Black people are
under-represented in the accounting profession.
How has this impacted you?
Established in 1986, Hoskins & Company is one of Tennessee’s longest-running CPA firms. Our mission is “helping people prosper,” and that’s what we’ve successfully done over the years. I’ve been with the firm since 2009 and have held various roles, starting as a staff auditor. Over the years, I’ve risen through the ranks, and effective Jan. 1, my role changed to managing partner. I took a career break to have and raise my three children until the youngest was of school age. Going back to work, it was essential to have work-life balance, and I found that at Hoskins & Company. It’s also in the perfect location. Due to its proximity to my children’s school, I was able to schedule lunch breaks around school activities and didn’t end up sacrificing any involvement in my children’s lives for my career.
Tell us about your professional role and career path to date.
Assurance Services Director & Managing Partner
Gina Inkum, cpa, CGMA, M.Acc.
Most people who know me might be surprised to know some of my background — I’m the second youngest in a family of 11 children, raised on a farm in rural Mississippi, who picked cotton, among other things, and attended segregated schools. I became the first sibling to attend and graduate college, receiving a full, four-year academic scholarship to attend Creighton University. I was the first Black person to become a licensed CPA in the state of Nebraska, the first Black person to chair the Nebraska State Board of Accountancy, and I founded the first Black CPA firm in Nebraska. And even though I am in what is considered a “conservative” profession, I love to have fun.
What’s something about yourself that might surprise others?
I have always tried to take care of myself health-wise. I try to encourage good health habits where I have influence. Like the public accounting profession, we need more Black individuals in healthcare. I encourage as many people as I can to become involved in the healthcare field. I believe that good healthcare and having food to eat are basic human rights, not privileges. I would like to see our country move more in that direction, and I plan on doing what I can do to help with that.
This year’s Black History Month theme is health and wellness. Knowing there are disparities in healthcare equity, what does this year’s theme mean to you?
My mother, though she has passed, inspires me every day. She was the strongest person I’ve ever known. She taught me the value of education and that no matter what others try to do to you, they’ll never be able to take away your knowledge. I wouldn’t say that people who suggest that I can’t do something inspire me, but they motivate me to prove them wrong. I’m inspired by the success of others through the opportunities offered by Hayes & Associates and the thought that I can lay down a path for those who want to be successful in life. I’m inspired by the thought that no matter what we choose to do as a profession, we can approach it with creativity. I’m inspired by the love from my children and family and the support of clients who’ve been with me throughout my career.
Who or what inspires you?
Early on, I considered another career since it appeared I wouldn’t be given an opportunity to work in public accounting. My academic training, passing the CPA exam during my senior year in college and my work history prepared me well, I thought, for an opportunity to work with a local public accounting firm. Unfortunately, after nine months, I didn’t receive an offer. I’m convinced that the reason was the color of my skin. Eventually, I was offered an interview with a small firm in Omaha. This gave me a chance to show my value, but I determined I was never going to be a partner there. These two factors led me to start Hayes & Associates. I wanted to start a company that would give people who looked like me a chance to succeed.
Historically and currently, Black people are
under-represented in the accounting profession.
How has this impacted you?
I am licensed as a CPA in the states of Nebraska, Iowa, Texas and Missouri. As founder and president of Hayes & Associates, I’m proud to be celebrating 38 years in business. Previously, I worked as an agent with the IRS and as head of the tax division with another local CPA firm. As a strong believer in people and our inherent potential, I strive to create a welcoming environment at Hayes & Associates that provides opportunities for highly motivated individuals to succeed, regardless of background. I believe in giving back, actively engaging in the Omaha community in various capacities. I’ve been fortunate to be recognized by my peers over the years, including being inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame. I’ve had a fantastic life to date, and from my standpoint, the best is yet to come.
Tell us about your professional role and career path to date.
President
Frank L. Hayes, CPA
This year’s theme is quite relevant during this time in our world as we continue to deal with the permanent changes and challenges of the pandemic. Like the accounting industry, the healthcare industry is not without its racial disparities. The widespread disparity of access to good healthcare has negatively impacted Black people and other minorities for too long, and I hope that the spotlight on health and wellness brings about positive change. I feel fortunate to live in Baltimore where I have access to some of the nation’s leading hospitals and physicians. The theme is especially meaningful to me as I near retirement age and recognize more fully the benefits of self-care, nutrition and exercise to foster good health.
This year’s Black History Month theme is health and wellness. Knowing there are disparities in healthcare equity, what does this year’s theme mean to you?
I have many things I am proud of professionally and personally, one being the firm that we have created and the people (our employees) who have trusted us enough to believe in the firm we wanted to create. They followed our guidance to help us achieve our vision. We have some very talented people who could work at any firm they choose, and they chose SBC. They have also served our clients under our high standards of service and quality and have assisted our clients with some very technical issues.
What achievement are you most proud of?
I am inspired by visionaries, entrepreneurs, innovators, open-minded people, hard workers and people who focus on the greater good. I am also inspired by creative thinkers and individuals with a passion for finding creative ways to solve complex problems. Lastly, I’m inspired by people who have a thirst for knowledge and an interest in learning new things.
Who or what inspires you?
The lack of minority representation in our profession was evident early in my career. To visualize making partner as an African American man was nearly impossible as there were so few minorities in leadership roles who could mentor me. I was fortunate to have attracted and maintained non-Black allies in leadership roles early in my career who helped me to develop and progress to partner. Once I made partner, I leveraged this role to serve in many ways, including as chair of a minority retention and advancement committee. My service became a passion project to ensure that true change would be made. I was able to use my involvement and my role as partner to influence and mentor many of the younger accountants to join the firm and assist them in their careers.
Historically and currently, Black people are
under-represented in the accounting profession.
How has this impacted you?
I am the managing partner of SB & Company, LLC (SBC) with 40 years of public accounting experience. I’m responsible for the firm’s quality control program, business development and overall firm management. Prior to forming SBC in 2005, I was a partner at two other global professional services firms. I realized I wanted to create a truly diverse firm that provided international firm quality, focused on providing outstanding service and knowledge to our clients, developed our people to reach their full potential, and provided great careers in the profession. The two other founding partners and I chose to form SBC as a “different” firm that was focused on achieving this vision. This structure — and our talented professionals — have led to our success as we approach our 17th year in business.
Tell us about your professional role and career path to date.
Managing Partner
Graylin E. Smith, CPA
