2020 Most Influential Women: Adrienne McCoy

What exactly does a director of chaos do? A little bit of everything, says Adrienne McCoy. Whether it’s marketing, human resources, culture initiatives or special projects, she has it covered at Abacus CPAs LLC.

“I could be called a marketing and HR professional, on the surface, but my impact and influence have grown considerably deeper with each new year and each unique opportunity I’ve been given in my career,” says McCoy, who joined Abacus in 2013.

“In the male-dominated field of accounting, I’ve purposefully grown my reach and influence to support professionals at all levels, especially other women, in learning what the future can hold.”

In her role, McCoy has helped grow Abacus from 35 employees to more than 90, which required focus and a strategy to find the best people.

“The accounting industry average growth is 3% to 5% annually, but Abacus CPAs has continued growth of 20% each year,” she says. “Our industry struggles to recruit experienced talent, so our focus at Abacus has been to develop potential and create a culture and development plan that encourages our experienced talent to stay. It has been an incredible and positive challenge, and it is working.”

McCoy created her firm’s Impact Retreat and culture meeting, AM3, both of which have improved communication, strengthened morale and increased employees’ sense of ownership, she says. Abacas was recognized on Accounting Today’s 2020 Best Firms to Work For list based on employee feedback on culture, communication and employee engagement programs.

McCoy supervises the firm’s learning and training program and manages both internal and external communication to ensure cohesion. She created and participates in Abacus’ mentor and buddy programs that support new and young professionals and launched an internship that offers students on-the-job training.

She also developed the Abacus Leadership Academy to provide students entering their junior and senior years an in-depth experience in public accounting.

During the uncertainly associated with COVID-19, McCoy actually hired new staff.

“I helped our leaders adapt, embrace change and thrive in the opportunity to reassure our clients and employees and diversify our services,” she says.

Before she moved to Abacus, McCoy spent almost six years as event coordinator at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, where she managed fundraising and marketing efforts.

McCoy is a previous Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and was named a Rotaract Board Member of the Year in 2014.

She has sat on the boards of the Rock’n Ribs BBQ Festival, Springfield Little Theatre and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s The Network, geared toward young professionals.

“I understand my role in building a better future through these groups,” McCoy says. “What I’m most proud of stretches beyond my involvement and truly makes an amplified impact on our community.”