29 May Why the Best Accounting Professionals Never Stop Learning: How a Growth Mindset Strengthens Careers, Teams, and Client Relationships
In accounting, no two years ever look exactly the same.
As technology evolves, client needs shift, industries adapt, and new regulations emerge, the professionals who thrive long-term are rarely the ones relying solely on what they learned years ago. Instead, they are the ones willing to stay curious, continue learning, and challenge themselves to grow throughout every stage of their careers.
At Blackman & Sloop, that mindset is not just encouraged. It is part of our firm’s culture.
Earlier this year, Courtney Murphy, CPA, CMA, Senior Manager in the firm’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services practice, challenged members of her team to pursue additional certifications and professional development opportunities. The goal was not simply to add credentials after someone’s name. It was about investing in people, strengthening expertise, and creating a culture where continuous learning is viewed as a long-term advantage for both employees and clients.
“I love to learn and want to encourage an environment where continual learning is celebrated,” Courtney shared. “While we made some efficiencies in our client work, we found ourselves with some additional time. I wanted that time to be productive and a win-win for both the employee and our clients.”
That challenge became more than just a professional development initiative. It became a reflection of how strong teams grow together by encouraging curiosity, supporting one another, and continuing to invest in learning at every stage of a career.
Growth Looks Different at Every Stage of Your Career
Professional development is often associated with people just entering the workforce. But one of the most valuable lessons from this initiative was that growth evolves over time and never truly stops.
For Courtney, growth meant returning to the discipline of studying while balancing leadership responsibilities and client work. She recently earned her CMA certification after dedicating months of evenings and weekends to preparation.
“It was a real challenge to sit down every weekend and study for the CMA exam,” she said. “However, when I was finished, it was a good feeling to know that I accomplished it. More importantly, I learned so many things that I could do to help my clients.”
For Laura Fletcher, Client Accounting and Advisory Services Manager with a primary focus in the nonprofit sector, growth looked a little different after more than 25 years in the profession. This year, she earned her Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) designation as a way to deepen her expertise and continue strengthening the guidance she provides to nonprofit clients.
“At this point in my career, growth looks different than it did early on,” Laura explained. “It’s less about climbing and more about deepening, becoming more useful to clients, more thoughtful as an advisor, and more effective in developing the people I work with.”
That perspective speaks to something many professionals discover as their careers progress. Growth is not always about the next title or promotion. Sometimes it is about refining your expertise, becoming a stronger leader, and continuing to evolve instead of becoming comfortable with what you already know.
A Learning Mindset Requires Intention
One of the biggest challenges professionals face when pursuing development opportunities is simply finding the time.
Busy seasons, client deadlines, family responsibilities, and day-to-day demands can make additional learning feel difficult to prioritize. But the professionals who continue growing are often the ones who intentionally create space for it.
Client Accounting and Advisory Services Associate Lindsey Beane is currently pursuing both her CMA certification and her Not-for-Profit Certificate through the AICPA, all while balancing the demands of full-time client work and everyday life.
“I’ve found that working on a few parts at a time on Saturday and Sunday mornings before my family gets up allows me the time to engage with the content in a meaningful way,” Lindsey shared.
Laura approached her certification similarly by treating study time as a standing commitment rather than something to fit in whenever possible.
“I treated the coursework like a recurring client commitment,” she said. “Blocking time on my calendar and protecting it made a meaningful difference.”
Their experiences reflect an important truth about professional growth. It rarely happens by accident. It requires discipline, consistency, and a willingness to invest in yourself even when schedules are full.
Curiosity Is One of the Most Valuable Skills in Accounting
Certifications and credentials matter, but a true growth mindset goes beyond formal education. It is rooted in curiosity and the willingness to continue learning no matter how much experience you have.
“Having a learning mindset at work means remembering that no matter how much I learn, there will always be new things to learn and understand,” Lindsey said.
That mindset has become increasingly important as the accounting profession continues evolving through automation, advisory services, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
Courtney pointed to AI as one area she plans to continue exploring moving forward.
“AI is changing the landscape in all industries, and I plan to dive in and learn as much as I can,” she said.
Laura shared a similar perspective on the importance of staying adaptable.
“Growth now means staying curious and refusing to coast on what I already know,” she explained.
In today’s profession, technical expertise alone is no longer enough. The ability to adapt, ask questions, and embrace change is equally valuable.
A Culture That Invests in People
Professional development becomes much more meaningful when employees feel supported throughout the process.
For both Lindsey and Laura, Blackman & Sloop’s culture played a major role in encouraging continued growth.
“The culture at Blackman & Sloop is to believe in each other and lift each other up to be the best we can be,” Lindsey shared.
Laura noted that the firm not only supported her certification financially, but also encouraged her to dedicate work hours toward completing the coursework.
“That kind of tangible support sends a clear message,” Laura said. “The firm sees continued learning as part of the job, not something extra you do on your own time.”
That investment creates a ripple effect throughout the firm. Employees strengthen their expertise. Teams become more collaborative. Clients benefit from broader insights and stronger advisory relationships.
Courtney has already seen those effects firsthand within her own team.
“Absolutely,” she said when asked whether she had noticed changes since the initiative began. “I think everyone’s skillsets have elevated. We are all asking more questions and looking for ways to share insights with our clients.”
The Best Investment You Can Make Is in Yourself
Professional growth is rarely convenient. It requires time, discipline, and persistence. But the long-term return on that investment often extends far beyond technical knowledge alone.
“Investing in your career is just that, an investment,” Courtney said. “Short-term pain produces long-term gain.”
At Blackman & Sloop, learning is not viewed as a one-time milestone or something reserved for the beginning of a career. It is an ongoing commitment to becoming better advisors, stronger teammates, and more valuable resources for clients and communities.
Because in a profession built on trust, expertise, and relationships, one of the most important qualities a professional can have is the willingness to keep growing.
Build Your Career with a Firm That Invests in Growth
At Blackman & Sloop, professional development is more than a requirement. It is part of building meaningful, long-term careers.
Whether you are early in your journey or looking to continue growing your expertise, we are committed to supporting professionals who are curious, collaborative, and motivated to keep learning.
Explore career opportunities with Blackman & Sloop and discover what growth can look like when you are surrounded by a team that invests in its people.