Meet Kelly Watson | CPA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Watson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I think that very few people consider accounting an artistic or creative field. That said, I very much value creativity and having an outlet for that is essential for me to feel fulfilled at work. My career on the surface is not creative, but I have found ways to allow myself opportunities for that strength to thrive. I love to write, and as such, often write articles for our blog or newsletter. I help design marketing materials. I love coming up with new and creative ways to structure the administrative policies and systems our firm uses. Our firm established thinking outside the box as a core value, and we look for opportunities to think creatively in our business practices. This has allowed us to really develop a unique culture which has gone a long way towards establishing ourselves as one of Denver’s ‘Best Places to Work’.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am extremely proud of the firm we’ve built. We have taken an industry that was well established with deep roots in ‘the way things have always been done’ and really been intentional and thoughtful in approaching it differently. We got rid of the billable hour, which in the CPA world is hugely significant. Our team does not track their time, and we do not bill by the hour. Not only does this allow our clients more freedom to use us as a resource, but it also allows our team to focus on getting the job done without the artificial constraints of an arbitrary budget. We can utilize the best person for the job, regardless of their billing rate. That change was hard. The culture of billable hours is ingrained in our profession, and it’s challenging to let go of the metrics you use so often to define success. I was extremely fortunate to find myself with like-minded Partners who saw the potential in approaching our firm differently. I am most proud that I can say, I truly enjoy being at work these days. I respect the people I work with and feel that we all understand that we’re there to support each other.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Tough question, with 5 kids my exposure to the newest/best places in town is limited. As a family, we love Yabby Hut out off of Hampden and Saucy Noodle on University. I love spending time at Washington Park and in the Mountains. We like to hike near Deckers or if we have the time, Telluride is a favorite.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely my family is essential in who I am, what I’ve accomplished, and in holding me together when it’s all seemingly too much.

Website: www.wcrpca.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/watson-coon-ryan-llc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCRCPA/