Ozarks Profile: Joy Ward

Tell us about your firm.

Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller is the largest locally owned, full-service certified public accounting and business advisory firm in the southwest Missouri region. KPM's services encompass accounting, auditing, tax, management consulting, business valuations, litigation support, financial planning and retirement plan recordkeeping services to businesses and individuals. Our broad client base represents diverse areas in the commercial and service sectors, such as manufacturing, retail and wholesale distribution, construction, agriculture, architecture, financial institutions, family businesses, food service, insurance, law, medicine, nonprofit organizations, real estate, recreation and transportation. Our affiliated company, KPM Technology, services clients with software and hardware design, Web development, network consulting and Application Service Provider access. We have a staff of 52 including 12 shareholders.

How did you arrive in this position?

I graduated from (Southwest Missouri State University) in 1984 and started with the firm that same year. At the time I was interviewing, my children were very young and I was determined to find a position in a CPA firm that would provide flexible hours.

Mike Phillips was the one interviewer who was willing to give me the opportunity to work as-needed on specific projects. The position expanded into flextime, and I was able to schedule my work around the schedules of my children. Flextime was not the norm back then, but when I proved it could work, it laid the foundation for others to also work flexible schedules.

I have always worked with small businesses servicing clients on a monthly basis. When KPM made the decision to develop and expand our small business services, I was chosen to manage the department.

What are the challenges in your industry? How do you deal with them?

The biggest challenge is staying current with regulations. We have developed niches and choose our continuing education according to those niches. My area is small business services, payroll and employee benefits. The firm is also a member of CPA Associates International Inc. As a member firm, we are able to provide clients with an exceptional blend of local knowledge, national expertise and global access. We are also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the SEC Practice Section of the AICPA. Membership in this section requires commitment to extensive continuing education programs and peer reviews for the purpose of maintaining quality work.

How has the accounting industry changed for young professionals entering the field?

There is certainly more information to learn now. Not only must they be proficient with accounting theory and tax, but they must also learn all the different software applications. The face of accounting has also changed over the years. This industry used to be predominantly male, but women now make up the greatest percentage of the graduating classes. In the past there were very stringent work hours and a dress code that required a white shirt and tie. Today, we have flexible hours and a business casual environment.

Tell us about your family and spare-time interests.

Those children I planned my work schedule around are now in college. Jeffrey is a junior at the University of Missouri-Rolla majoring in mechanical engineering and Karen is a freshman at SMS. My husband, Gary, and I enjoyed being their biggest fans. Now with an empty nest, we can still be found at Greenwood events and in the stands cheering on the Lady Bears.