Meet a Member: Annette Anderson, CPA

Annette Anderson is one of the newest board members of the UACPA. She is serving as a member-at-large for the next two years. Annette became a CPA later in life: “My college education and career were delayed as I raised four children, one being blind. My strong desire to obtain an education/career and the support of my husband has blessed those children; one is doing a PhD in computer language, two are currently enrolled in computer science and computer engineering courses, and one is a CPA.” She adds that her children never complained about doing homework as they witnessed their mother doing it, too. “Our home conversation is interesting as we have three CPAs and four computer geeks.”

What led you to become a CPA? I wanted to be a CPA since I was 17, which was driven by the two years of high school accounting classes, a paid part time bookkeeping community education job, and a lot of time spent in the career office researching jobs and interviewing different professionals.

How have you been involved in the UACPA? In college I took the opportunity to attend the UACPA professional meetings and volunteered to help the UACPA campus ambassador in various ways bringing UACPA value to college students. When the ambassador graduated, I stepped into that position. For a few years after graduation, I was a mentor for multiple college ambassadors. I still continue to attend UACPA meetings. What would surprise people to know about you? I love road biking. This form of exercise became my favorite after I was 60% paralyzed on my left side; surgery restored full use, but with limited exercise restriction. My largest bike ride was in 2015: 265 miles over three days (would have been two days if the storm had stayed away). In 2021, I did a 140-mile bike ride, which was amazing as I was still trying to rebound from crazy post Covid symptoms. I also love spending time in my favorite little town called Alton, Utah. A town of 120 people nestled in the southwest corner of Bryce Canyon.

What is your favorite book? If asked what my favorite book is, I could list several different books of various genres, but I can honestly say that I have read scriptures every day since I was 17 years old. (Some people (referring to myself) need more help than others.)

What are some of your goals both personally and professionally? I always have huge goals and ambitions for both home and work. I continuously plan, evaluate, and adjust my short-term activities to achieve the larger target. My husband asks if I can ever just do something without a purpose, and I am not sure I can. So, it is a good thing he loves biking as much as I do. And I know my family loves my cooking!

What advice do you live by? Personally, and professionally, I have always been driven to work hard and be true to myself by doing my best. I have always been driven with the belief that there is nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it. n