August 2022 Member Spotlight - Stefanie Parrott

 
Title:  CFO
 
Company:  Gulf Tile
 
Length of FEI membership: Less than 1 year
 
Work email: [email protected]
 
Why did you join the FEI Tampa Bay Chapter? And what benefits have you realized from your membership?
 
I joined FEI Tampa Bay to compliment the relationships and synergies I was building with my CFO group. I appreciate how members connect with each other, and how welcoming they are to new members. 
 
In addition, FEI speakers cover relevant topics and offer an opportunity to get to know more about businesses in the community. I have thoroughly enjoyed the events at business sites and learning about the company’s growth and the challenges they face. These events have been beneficial and I’m looking forward to the enhanced industry knowledge and experiences during future on-site presentations.
 
Tell us a little bit about your career, educational/professional background and how you got to where you are today.
 
I am a native Floridian and graduated from Florida State University. I started my career working for a small company in in the healthcare industry in Ohio, where I obtained my CPA license. When I returned to Florida and moved to Tampa Bay, I began working for Gulf Tile as a Staff Accountant. Early on in my tenure with the company, I earned by MBA from The University of Phoenix. During my 21 years with the company, I enhanced my role by working hard, seeking out additional responsibility, and diversifying my abilities. In time, I became the CFO and a vital member of the executive team.
 
How did you discover your passion for finance?
 
My analytical mind was headed in a different direction when I first set foot on the sprawling FSU campus. There was not a pre-law major, so I opted for business. I took my first accounting class, and I was hooked. Accounting made perfect sense to me from the start. I now had a clear focus surrounded by numbers, data, spreadsheets, and financial analysis. I found success in a realm that illuded many but made perfect sense to me.
 
What is one piece of information you wish someone had told you when you first started your finance career?
 
The more you advance in your career the less time you will spend on accounting and finance activities. Your focus will shift to the management of people and other facets of the business. Interactions with customers, vendors and fellow employees will become more important.
 
What do you love most about working as a financial executive?
 
I love being part of a team that comes to the table with different ideas and agendas. Just like numbers, there is always a little give and take to come to a decision that works best for our company and clients. I bring the numbers and financial side to any decision process.
 
I also enjoy the time I get to spend crunching numbers and assisting in other areas of the business. Finance is integral in every aspect of a business, so I enjoy my diverse role.
 
What are some of your personal hobbies outside of finance?
 
I am a true Florida Girl and require periodic doses of sun and sand along with travel excursions. When I get time off, I look for new places to enjoy and explore.