Time With the Boss - Sandy Furuya, Wamhoff Accounting

Sandy Furuya
Wahmhoff Accounting

Website: wamhoffaccounting.com
Industry: Tax and Accounting Services
Education: B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Missouri, and certified as an Enrolled Agent

Family: Husband Don, Children Janelle and Derek, and Grandchildren Delilah and Cooper

What is your mission?
Our mission is to help clients build and maintain successful tax planning and preparation. We’ve been in business since 1975, and we focus on giving truly helpful service, not just at tax season, but year-round.

What was your first job?
Wamhoff Accounting Services was actually my first job. I would come in after high school and type up the Balance Sheet and Income Statement for clients. My mom prepared these statements on a 13-column pad! We’ve come a long way since then, and it’s wonderful to look back and see our growth.

What led you to your industry?
People often say that one teacher can spark a student’s passion. That teacher for me was Mrs. Glover in high school. During my sophomore year, I took her bookkeeping class. I was really drawn to this and at that young age decided that accounting was what I wanted for my career.

What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
The smartest thing I did was hire a business coach. Sheles and Damon Wallace from Billionaire Thoughts have helped grow my practice and provide tools to help me develop short- and long-term goals and strategies. Having a coach also holds me accountable each week, which has helped me grow as a person in all areas.

What’s the hottest trend in your industry, and are you going to jump on board?
Advisory services have been a hot trend. We’ve been on the forefront of this, and have been serving as more than accountants to our clients for many years. We have a long history of serving as advisors for our clients.

What’s the best part?
The best part of my job is helping clients grow their revenue and have a sustainable business through our services. Tax planning can help clients accomplish many things, and can help ease financial pressures they may experience throughout the year.

What best advice would you share with new entrepreneurs?
Seek advice from professionals, whether it’s legal, accounting, coaching, social media, or PR and marketing advice. Always hire a professional in their field.

What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
I love taking my grandchildren to the St. Louis Zoo. It’s something we can experience together as a family, and I think I love the zoo just as much as they do.

What book is on your nightstand?
“Pulling Profits Out of a Hat” by Brad Sugars. Brad shows me that I am surrounded by many more possibilities than I realized. The book teaches me how to achieve sustainability, growth, employee engagement and retention. I have read several of Brad Sugar’s books within the last year. I’ve learned a lot of useful tools that I have put into my practice.

What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
We focus on getting deeply involved with our clients; we are not just their accountants. We understand their needs and goals and know them as individuals. We plan day-to-day decisions with them and develop long-terms relationships.