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Sandi Matthews

Controller
North Carolina Community Foundation
Raleigh, NC

 

You might not think of working as a farmhand, debt collector or live-in nanny as a path to becoming a CPA, but that’s exactly the route Sandi Matthews took.

Growing up, Sandi helped her parents run their family farm and, in high school, faced the threat of foreclosure. The experience of supporting her parents avoid bankruptcy has helped Sandi understand the realities of money management both on paper and within people.

“Because my parents didn’t go to college and had so many regrets, they really pushed me,” Sandi said. “They also instilled in me a sense of self-reliance and a belief that I can do anything I want to do in life, if I work hard enough, get an education, and take opportunities that allow me to grow as a person.”

When it came time to move off the family farm and into her college dorm, Sandi worked a variety of jobs to pay for school including making debt collection calls, working as a live-in nanny and secretary.

Sandi graduated magna cum laude with her bachelor’s degree and took a job as an accounting specialist. Three years later, she got her master’s degree at NC State University. After a one-year stint in public accounting, Sandi went to work as a CPA at the North Carolina Community Foundation.

Accountants have an important role in nonprofits. They are stewards of charitable donations which enable a nonprofit to build capacity and continue its important work. “I support accounting for charitable funds providing grants and scholarships to rural communities. Because I am a strong believer in education and opportunity, it was a great fit for me.”

In her time off, Sandi has traveled the world. She has explored Mayan ruins, viewed Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain, been on safari in the Okavango Delta, hiked the Atlas Mountains, visited the Taj Mahal, explored Roman ruins and kayaked off the coast of Thailand.

What’s her advice for high school students? “There’s a huge demand for expertise in finance in all sectors of the economy. Don’t overlook nonprofits and governmental organizations. The work is incredibly rewarding!”

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