Hidden Gems: Meet Lolita Wynn of L.A. Wynn, PA Certified Public Accountant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lolita Wynn.

Hi Lolita, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It all began in high school, where I studied accounting in my Junior and Senior years. It’s weird because I wasn’t particularly strong in math as a middle school student, but this accounting thing was natural to me. Of course, over the last 30 years, my challenges with math no longer exist. I have to thank my high school accounting teacher for seeing the connection between me and accounting. She suggested I major in accounting when I attend college. Therefore, as a freshman in college, I declared accounting as my major on day one when I set foot on the campus. 

Fast forward to 2003, when I converted a partnership, L.A. Wynn, PLLC, into a corporate practice, L.A. Wynn, PA Certified Public Accountant, after a mutual agreement to dissolve the partnership. I worked in the firm part-time while I worked full-time as a CFO for a non-profit managing over a $2M budget. After about two years of working in the firm part-time, I decided to step out on faith and work in the firm full-time with plans to grow the organization. However, after about two years, I caved to my fears of failure and returned to full-time CFO employment with another non-profit organization. Again, I was trying to grow the firm by working evenings and weekends. My mentor told me, “If you work in the firm part-time, you will work in the firm part-time forever.” So, in 2008, I chose to stop working in the firm and accepted an offer to create an internal audit department, initially as its manager and later becoming its director. I managed a team of four auditors. I ultimately stayed as the Internal Audit Director for eight years. During those eight years, I earned my MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University, coupling it with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from UNC Charlotte. Shortly after graduating from Pepperdine, I decided to conquer my fears and returned to my CPA firm full-time. This time I was more mature, focused, and ready for the challenge of business ownership, with God as my co-pilot. It’s been seven years now, and I am looking forward to celebrating year ten, which is my short-term operations goal. I have five team members who assist with providing accounting, tax, audit, and advisory services to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses (for-profit and nonprofit).

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, yet a rewarding and character-building road. There have been some challenges, but my faith has guided me through those challenges. The main struggle, past and current, is attracting and maintaining talent as the firm grows. The talent pool for individuals with practical accounting experience is drying up rapidly. However, I perceive all challenges as a test of faith. You have to maintain your faith and believe your spiritual co-pilot is with you at all times. God continues to order my steps. I now look forward to the challenges because it is so rewarding when I succeed.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
L.A. Wynn, PA Certified Public Accountant is an accounting firm that offers more than thirty years of expertise gained from for-profit and nonprofit sectors, which include government, construction, manufacturing, retail, and banking industries. The firm is in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. However, services are also provided to clients in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina. We are considered the next-generation accounting firm, which means we have adapted to using a myriad of technology to provide our clients with uninterrupted services during unprecedented times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide a full range of accounting, audit, tax, and advisory services to for-profits, nonprofits (including faith-based organizations), small and medium-sized start-ups, mature businesses, and individuals who need the assistance of a professional yet personable partner. Our team of professionals is committed to keeping up to date on the latest accounting standards and business trends, and tips for our clients. We recognize that in business, there’s no such thing as “one size fits all”; therefore, we customize our services to meet the needs of our clients. We are one of the few firms providing professional yet personable service. When we are working with a client or with a client’s data, we act as if we are a part of the client’s organization as one of its partners who genuinely cares about the success of the organization.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We also offer a practical internship program for students interested in a career in accounting. We have provided opportunities to high school students at Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School at North Carolina Central University, and to college students majoring in Accounting at North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College.  It is through our internship program we hope to replenish the accounting industry with knowledgeable professionals.

Several years ago, I was on a panel with a local attorney where she and I provided business startup advice at a small business workshop. She told the workshop participants that all businesses should have an attorney and a CPA as their “Dream Team”.  So, I would say anyone thinking about leaping into the entrepreneurial world to be sure to partner with a good attorney and CPA.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lawynnpa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawynnpa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawynnpa
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/l-a-wynn-pa-certified-public-accountant

Image Credits
J1S Photo Group, Inc.
Phoebe 68