Cindy Combs
Cindy Combs is the Owner and Accounting Consultant of CK Business Consulting & Tax, bringing more than 25 years of progressive experience in financial accounting, tax strategy, and business advisory services. She began her career in accounting in 1997 in entry-level general accounting and tax roles, steadily advancing through increasingly complex responsibilities across industries including oil and gas and real estate. Early in her career, she built a strong foundation in core accounting functions such as accounts payable and accounts receivable, while developing a deep understanding of how accounting treatment and technical standards can vary by industry. Throughout her professional growth, she was supported by mentors and leaders who recognized her potential, helping her advance into Assistant Controller and Controller roles.
About 10 years ago, Cindy transitioned into entrepreneurship and established CK Business Consulting & Tax, where she now serves as both owner and lead consultant. Her expertise includes complex accounting analysis, financial reporting, resolution of technical accounting issues, and back-end systems and database reporting design. With a minor in Computer Science, she also brings a strong technical understanding of system infrastructure, which enhances her ability to bridge accounting operations with data management and reporting systems. Her day-to-day work includes full-cycle accounting, month-end close processes, tax preparation, and financial reporting, along with providing CFO-level advisory services for clients.
Cindy’s practice, CK Business Consulting & Tax, has grown steadily and sustainably, built primarily through referrals and long-standing client relationships, with minimal marketing spend. She consistently maintains a highly trusted, referral-driven business model supported by results and client satisfaction. In addition to her core services, she is expanding into more specialized areas such as cost segregation analysis, further strengthening her role as a strategic financial advisor.
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University - BS, Accounting/Computer Science
• Sam Houston State University - MBA
• Number One Bestseller Co-Author for Unsung Heroines of Business (International)
• AICPA
• Bethel Church in Temple
• Texas
• Horse riding groups (non-profit)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being in the field since 1997 and owning a successful business for the last 10 years while spending less than $2,000 a year on marketing. My business is all based on referrals because I treat my clients well and build strong relationships. One of the key pieces of my career was that I was always able to work for people who really believed in my ability to do more, and knowing that they stood behind me allowed me to move to the next level. I started at the bottom and worked my way up through different industries, gaining valuable experience along the way. My excellent education also played a role - I got my undergraduate degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a major in accounting and a minor in computer science, plus my Master's in Business Management from Sam Houston State University. Most businesses don't make it past 3 years, but mine has been in place for 10 years with consistent, regular clients and always getting new clients.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You can do it, stay the course, keep going, and never give up. It doesn't take superpowers, just hard work and dedication. You don't have to be anything special, you just have to be determined. I always tell people that you have what it takes if you have the drive, and that's all it takes - the right mindset. You can do anything you put your mind to.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I love to talk to younger people that want to go into business who may not feel like they have what it takes, and I always tell them that you have what it takes if you have the drive. That's all it takes the right mindset. You can do anything you put your mind to. You don't have to be anything special, you just have to be determined. I've been a single mom for the last 16 years, and I was still able to successfully run my business for the last decade, so you don't need superpowers, just hard work and dedication.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is keeping up with the constant changes in tax regulations, financial reporting standards, and technology systems, all while ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency for my clients. As a business owner, I also face the ongoing responsibility of scaling services in a way that maintains high-quality, personalized support while adapting to increasingly complex client needs, especially as businesses become more data-driven and technologically integrated. At the same time, there are significant opportunities in leveraging advanced accounting systems, automation, and data analytics to streamline processes, improve reporting accuracy, and provide more strategic financial insights. I also see strong growth potential in expanding advisory services such as CFO-level support and specialized areas like cost segregation, where businesses are seeking more proactive financial planning and tax optimization strategies.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I want to help tell my story to other women because I was a single mom for the last 16 years and was still able to open up and successfully run my business for the last decade. My story is meant to be inspirational to other women who may not feel like they have what it takes. I believe that you don't have to be anything special - you just have to be determined and have the right mindset. I'm also a Number One Bestseller Co-Author for the book Unsung Heroines of Business. Outside of work, I'm very passionate about riding horses and I'm very involved with my church, Bethel Church in Temple, Texas. My grandchildren are also incredibly important to me - they come before everything else when I have time for myself.