Sean A. Hanthorn, MBA – 2017 20 Under 40 Honoree

Employer: Rootworks LLC / RootAdvisors LLC

Title: Director of Education Services – Rootworks LLC / Director of System Strategies – RootAdvisors LLC

City/State: Ferndale Michigan

Website:

Twitter: @SHMSU02

Spent over 8 years consulting, training, supporting, and assisting sales in the accounting software arena (Thomson Reuters). Over the past 6+ years I have spent time working within RootAdvisors doing tax, accounting, and payroll for clients and have used this experience as well as vetting software from hundreds of vendors to help give business advice to firms on technology independent of being tied to a specific vendor. Beyond technology I have helped firms make bigger decisions such as staffing, developing and defining products, and pushing firms to move to that next level to modernize and differentiate themselves and their deliverables from the traditional model. The results I have seen with clients that are willing to take the next step (understanding that changing/growing needs to happen the right way) are higher profit margins, better work life balance, and less crazy tax seasons. Great feeling to see firms reach their goals!

I’m very active locally in my community with volunteering for local charitable events, habitat for humanity, bigh brothers/big sisters, and raising money/awareness for important national charities.

Favorite influencer(s) (authors, bloggers, mentors, speakers, etc.):

Darren Root and Ryan Deckard from Rootworks (beyond the fact that they determine my salary) as they are entrepreneurs willing to take risks and make changes that aren’t always easy. Much influence in my career early on came from people such as Rob Beattie, Rick Kursik and other former colleagues at Thomson Reuters. I also enjoy reading books from Steven Covey, Daymond John, Simon Sinek, Jay Baer, and Michael Bungay Stanier. I’m sure there are others!

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Read about the other 20 Under 40 Honorees for 2017.