Jason M. Deshayes, CPA, CGMA – 2015 40 Under 40 Honoree

What is the name of one book that has been a great influence to you?
The Bible – The wisdom and truth in the Bible is consistently applicable regardless of how the world changes. It provides me a stable bedrock to base my life and practice off of.

In what ways have you contributed to your firm/company to make it better?  
Since joining the firm in 2008, we have seen almost 2x growth in fees, implemented value pricing and services packages and developed a more rounded team to service clients. I also have established our brand as a non-your-ordinary CPA firm office that serves clients differently.

In what ways do you participate in the professional community to change/improve the accounting profession?
I facilitate and speak at various conferences and CPE sessions focusing primarily on how to elevate CPAs from technicians to true business and personal advisors. I feel like our clients are hungry for more than compliance services. The more CPAs who deliver higher level services, the better our clients are taken care of, the better we all look.

In what ways do you participate in your local community to help others?
I serve (or have served) on a number of community boards, mostly focusing on organizations that helping children in need. As a dad, I see how important it is for kids to be equipped for success regardless of their circumstances. I enjoy serving on these boards so that I can leverage my skill set in order to help them meet their missions.

What changes do you foresee in the accounting profession of the near future (3-5 years)?
I see a lot of new practices springing up that operate way differently than the firms of the past. Firms that are unwilling to change or accept a different way of practice will lose their star team members, who end up going out on their own. I see those firms out-performing and out-serving their clients compared to these more classical firms. That will be pretty awesome to see because it really elevates all of us who will be around for the next ten, twenty or thirty years!

How do you see yourself participating in shaping the future of the accounting profession?
My role is to help build up other CPAs to be the best practitioners they can be. If I am help others to ultimately better serve clients, then everyone wins. To that effect, I like to be a resource to other CPAs by being a sounding board and offering up some of the lessons I have learned in my practice.

What is your career philosophy?
Abundance versus scarcity. There are plenty of clients, job opportunities and staff for everyone – it’s just a matter of finding the best fit for you, your career and your firm.

Describe one person who has been an important mentor to you and how that person helped change your life.
My wife, Tina – it may seem to odd to include your spouse as a mentor, but I have learned so much from her, it’s not funny. She is the best sounding board I could ever have and she holds me accountable better than anyone I could think of.
 

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See all of the “40 Under 40” honorees for 2015.