Traci Bussey
Traci Bussey is a Senior Project Accountant and Office Leader at Larson Design Group in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, where she oversees federal and infrastructure project accounting across approximately $90 million in active budgets. In her role, she manages core financial operations including billing, accounts receivable, budgeting, forecasting, audit support, and compliance with GAAP and ASC 606. She works closely with project managers and senior leadership to ensure accurate financial reporting, project performance tracking, and effective contract execution across complex infrastructure programs.
Traci’s career spans more than 14 years in finance and operations, beginning in sales with Kraft Foods before transitioning into the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry in Oklahoma City. She joined a small consulting and engineering firm as an administrative assistant and advanced through progressively senior roles, ultimately serving as Controller and Operations Finance Specialist. Following the firm’s acquisition into a 500-person organization in 2023, she expanded her leadership scope, continuing to grow into senior project accounting and office leadership responsibilities while supporting organizational integration and team development.
She studied Business Management at Langston University and also attended Oklahoma State University. Throughout her career, she has emphasized mentorship and collaboration, working with colleagues such as Randall Carter, Tom Link, Ron Schirato, and Mike Mlinek to strengthen financial processes and team performance. She is also known for her involvement in community and organizational initiatives, including supporting internal engagement efforts and contributing to projects tied to Oklahoma disaster recovery efforts, reflecting a focus on service, leadership, and continuous improvement in both her professional and personal life.
• Langston University — BBA
• One LDG Committee (co-chair)
• Tornado Relief Efforts
What do you attribute your success to?
I keep going back to my son, for sure, just wanting to show him what's possible. My parents have also been incredibly influential. They are extremely hardworking people. My dad owns a construction company that he started later in life when he was about to turn 70, about 10 years ago, and it's now a multimillion-dollar company. I've been really blessed to be around parents that were really hard workers, and that work ethic has shaped who I am today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to stay focused when you get put in hard times and keep pushing forward. Most importantly, make sure you have a voice for yourself. There have been a lot of times as a woman, and being younger than some of my other colleagues, that I've been questioned or not trusted initially. But once they get to know me and understand that I know what I'm talking about, there's more respect there. I think it's really about keeping your voice, keeping your head down, and pushing through those challenges.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to have your voice and not be afraid to use it. Try to soak in knowledge from others and ask questions. For young people coming in, I always tell them if something is taking you longer than 5 or 10 minutes, reach out. There are no dumb questions. You can get guidance, and we can keep going over it until you get it. I think really listening and trying to soak in knowledge from somebody who's been in it for a while is very important. Be a resource to others and let others be a resource to you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
On the federal side, the biggest challenges are dealing with government contracts, navigating different funding cycles, and being funded at different times of the year. Personally, within finance right now, I'm facing a large learning curve with dealing with infrastructure projects. They have a completely different contract basis and approach to finances compared to what I've been doing. I'm asking questions, soaking it all in, and my supervisor is great. We have a weekly call where I get to ask him questions that I've had throughout the week, and we really work through things so I can get up to speed.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I try to do the right thing and be a good resource for my son, showing him what the right thing is to do and trying to be kind to people. My son has a stepmom, and we've been really blessed with getting along. We go shopping together, and I'm able to be around his younger half-brother. I have a really good co-parent relationship with his dad. I think it's just important not to judge people and to let people be who they are. We've been really blessed, because that is not a normal situation. It's about integrity, doing the right thing, and being kind.
Locations
Larson Design Group
Oklahoma City, OK 73142