Meet a Member: Matt Ferguson, CPA

Matt Ferguson is the “Generally Excepted” comic creator, the comic strip you see regularly in The Journal Entry (opposite page). The controller/treasurer at Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District has previously worked for the State of Utah. Matt was born and raised in Utah. “Growing up, I was interested in art and writing. I also learned a little bit of guitar and piano,” he says. “My first job was delivering newspapers from age 10 to 15. I was also a bank teller for almost five years and the rest of my career has been in government.” Matt lives in Murray with his wife Misty and their four children.

What led you to become a CPA? Although I was really good at it, my stint as a stripper was short lived. Being on my feet all day and stripping paint for my uncle’s window business made me realize I wanted a job where I could sit down most of the time. Later on, Paige Paulsen, my accounting teacher at SLCC, encouraged me to pursue it (despite my low grades in her class). I also had a couple of really supportive work supervisors. Misty and I decided that I had a fairly decent aptitude for this line of work, and we formulated a goal to become a CPA. One of my cherished memories is the look on Misty’s face when we found out I finally passed the CPA Exam after multiple attempts (and with some of the sections about to expire). The good news came on Christmas Day 2008, and then I officially became a CPA on my birthday, the next month, in 2009. What would surprise people to know about you? When I was a kid, my friend invited me to play in a large vat of soup in his parent’s restaurant. He said, “We could either do that or go bowling.” To this day, nobody believes me when I tell them I had a chance to play in the soup or bowl.

MEET A MEMBER

MATT FERGUSON, CPA

What is your favorite book? I’ve only written one so far: “The Jox/ Trapp Murder Mystery” (find it on Amazon.com). I’m working on my next one, which will be bigger, better, and even funnier

How did you become a comic creator? When my career hit a road bump, I wanted to get back to my creative side. When the UACPA newsletter requested article submissions, I wrote one and sent it in. They liked it so much they invited me to write more articles or volunteer on the editorial board. So I pitched the idea of providing an accounting-themed strip, and I’ve been doing that ever since (5 years now). Hopefully, the humor is enough to compensate for the lack of drawing talent.

What do you like to do outside of work? I have been playing basketball two to four times a week for well over two decades now. It’s a lot of fun and a good way to exercise.

What are some of your goals both personally and professionally? It’s hard to come across any free time, but I’m excited by the idea of finishing another book. My work goal is to develop professionally and retire in 12 years. Maybe when I’m living on my pension, I can do some other side gigs just for fun. Of course, I also want to spend more quality time with my family.

What advice do you live by? Our family motto is “Hard working, content, and grateful.” n