Meet Shannon Spencer Shareef of Access Financial Management, LLC in Kennesaw

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Spencer Shareef.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Shannon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My love for all things Accounting started at an early age. My mother took accounting courses as part of her college curriculum, so we had accounting books on the bookshelves in our home. I took an interest in those books and was fascinated by the thought of managing money. My fascination continued through high school and with assistance from INROADS, I had my first internship with Vanderbilt University working with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Finance. This internship provided a level of exposure to all types of accounting within the collegiate system. My internship with Vanderbilt University continued each summer until my junior year at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

It was during my senior year when I accepted an internship (and subsequently) employment with Ernst & Young LLP in their Atlanta, GA office as a member of the Global Operate Team. As a member of this team, I had the ability to work with a diversified list of clientele in various industries.

After three years with Ernst & Young LLP, I transitioned from public accounting to industry and spent over 15 years working with manufacturing companies with significant global operations. It was during this time that I was able to round out my experience in Corporate America with Domestic and International Tax.

The turning point in my career came in early 2005 when I realized that many of my associates and friends maintained full time jobs and were also entrepreneurs. They enjoyed their full time jobs and also enjoyed the benefits of entrepreneurship, but were unable to find qualified individuals to offer them Financial and Tax advice. Recognizing the needs of this unfilled niche, Access Financial Management, LLC was born.

Today, we serve over 100 clients in industries ranging from Real Estate and Photography to Attorneys and Non-Profit Organizations. Over 60 percent of our clients are employees/entrepreneurs, and we help them manage their personal and professional financial lives.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Everyone knows that the “Road of Entrepreneurship” is anything but smooth. There are always unexpected delays, dangerous curves and sometimes… COMPLETE STOPS. For a significant part of my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve also held a role in Corporate America. In fact, during my last ten years in Corporate America – I held a Managerial position supervising one to three employees. This presented a challenge, especially during tax season. Since the tax season for corporations and individuals overlap, I was working non-stop, which was physically and mentally exhausting. 

Not only was I an employee and entrepreneur, but I was also a wife and a mother to two small children. There is definitely a challenge to managing personal and professional schedules that often do not align.

These days, I am able to manage my time much better as well as provide guidance to my clients on how to manage their employees and entrepreneurial lives.

Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Access Financial Management, LLC provides Financial Advisory Services to accretive (growing) and forward thinking individuals and small businesses. Focusing on Tax Consulting, Compliance and Planning, Access Financial Management, LLC works to develop and implement strategies to help individuals and small businesses achieve personal and professional financial success.

As a company, we desire to work with clients who hold the same values as we do: Honesty, Accountability and Loyalty. We value Conversations over Conversion, Relationships over Returns and Commitment over Competition. It’s our values that allow us to treat each client as a member of our extended family.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck is defined as “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions” whereas Blessed is defined as “highly favored or fortunate”. Luck has played an insignificant role in my life and business. I work hard. There are many sleepless nights and days full of doubt. However, through the prayers of my family and friends and my belief in GOD – I believe that I have been extremely BLESSED.

Contact Info:

• Address: 5330 Brookstone Dr NW Acworth, GA 30101
• Website: www.ShannonShareef.com
• Phone: 770-280-2813
• Email: Shannon@ShannonShareef.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ShannonShareefCPA
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShannonShareefCPA

Image Credit:
Jaida Milan Shareef

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