S. Preston Douglas & Associates, LLP

1) First and foremost, Rhonda, congratulations on your time - over 40 years - with the firm. When you first started, did you feel you’d be with one company this whole time?

“Yes, it’ll be 44 years this September. I started in high school in a part-time role. At the time, I didn’t know that I wanted to do this but came to discover that I really loved what I doing. Since then, it’s been a pretty wild ride."

2) Tell us about your clients. What excites you most and what makes your relationships with them so successful?

“It’s the diversity of the clients I work with. One day I may be working with high school-aged kids and the next, it’s people in their eighties. God has given me the gift of working with all types of people, helping them in various ways.

The responses I receive from them are wonderful. In fact, as a new client recently told me, ‘Gosh, I already love you.’ That means so much to me.”

3) You have a multitude of responsibilities including overseeing most of the internal accounting needs of the firm. You are an expert in QuickBooks Pro Advisor and are able to help clients with a diverse knowledge base, especially in bookkeeping, payroll, and related tax services. Tell us, of all your responsibilities, which is your favorite and why?

“My favorite is the individual client work I do. I love our client base. I particularly enjoy getting to know them and their businesses and helping them achieve their goals. I also enjoy teaching them. Over the years, I’ve helped a number of them learn how to do their own payroll & payroll taxes.”

4) Thinking back to when you started versus today, what is the biggest change in the accounting world that you’ve encountered?

“Technology. We’ve progressively grown from doing everything by hand and on paper, to going to computers. While some clients still work by hand, I’ll help them adjust to the changing times.”

5) What is it about S. Preston Douglas that has kept you here so long?

“Working with the CPAs and those in charge of the business. They’re very knowledgeable and have been able to help me grow throughout the years. I’ve worked with John Grissom the longest and he’s been great, but overall, this is a great group of CPAs that have allowed me to do the job that I need to do.”

6) I’m sure there are a lot of things you can come up with, but if you can name just one, what are you most proud during your time here?

“The relationships I’ve been able to build with my clients. Having the opportunity to talk with them daily or weekly has brought me closer to them. This is something I really, really enjoy.”

7) When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?

“I love the beach, spending time with my grandchildren, fishing, boating, and church. My faith is also very important to me.”

8) Looking into your crystal ball, what do the next 5-to-10 years have in store for you?

“Well, I’m not thinking about retirement. I still love the work, working with my co-workers, and my clients.”

9) There have been too many changes to mention in the accounting world over the past four decades, but what was the one in particular that challenged you most in serving your clients?

“As I spoke about earlier, technology was the biggest change and has also been the biggest challenge. Keeping up with the technology, plus, all the changes that come from the IRS year-after-year, can lead to some challenging times. We get through it though, learn, and adapt individually and as a firm.”

10) If they were to write a movie about your time with SPD&A, what would the title be?

“Because of all the hats I wear, “Just Give it to Rhonda” (as she chuckles).”

“Rhonda and I both grew up here at S. Preston Douglas. During that time and suffice it to say, we have seen a lot of changes. She has been a valuable asset to the firm and has been my right hand for as long as I can remember. The thing that I admire most about Rhonda is her genuine care and concern for our clients. She is always willing to help and she does it with cheerfulness and compassion no matter how simple or complex the problem. That is her special gift and what endears her to our clients and our staff!”

-- John Grissom --

This interview was conducted in June, 2023

Rhonda Bruce - Interview