Linsey Nicholas, Senior Audit Associate on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Public Accounting

Linsey Nicholas

Senior Audit Associate, Armanino

St. Louis, MO 63021

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Accountancy Degree University of Missouri Columbia Degree Master's Degree in Accountancy Cert Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Cert Certification in Tax Cert Certification in Assurance Member Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Young Professionals Association (GSEMYPA) - Board Member

Her Story

About Linsey

I have been working in public accounting for about 5 years now. I started my career in tax, and then I moved over to audit where I found my niche. Today, I work as a senior auditor for a public accounting firm, and I just obtained my certified public accountant license from the state of Missouri a couple months ago. Getting that CPA license was my most notable professional achievement so far - it was very hard, requiring 4 exams plus an ethics exam, and it took me a long time to complete. My main area of expertise is auditing private insurance companies, and I also do some outsourced internal audit work. In my current role, I supervise staff on insurance company audits and work on large insurance brokerage accounts. We're also moving into our captive season, which involves smaller insurance company audits. Right now we're in our busy season, working 50-60 hour weeks, just like tax has a busy season. My ultimate goal is to eventually become a partner one day at a public accounting firm. I work in a male-dominated industry and am not currently working with any women on my team, which makes me very passionate about the advancement of women in the corporate world and the accounting setting.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Linsey

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would probably say my mom. She worked very hard to make sure my sister and I stayed in school after my parents got divorced and we lost our childhood home because we couldn't make mortgage payments. My mom inspired me to pursue something with a degree and a certification because she struggled with employment for not obtaining a professional license in her area of expertise, which is counseling psychology. I wanted something for job security and financial stability because I did not have that growing up. So wanting to be successful for myself, and then also for my mom, is what drives me.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Never give up, as cliche as it sounds. There were a lot of times I wanted to throw in the towel on getting my CPA license and during my degree program, so I'm glad I stuck with it. Hard work definitely pays off.

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