Beyond The Ledger

The accounting pipeline is in flux. After years of decline in new graduates, the AICPA reported that bachelor’s completions fell 7.8% in 2021–22 and master’s fell 6.4%. In Fall 2024, undergraduate accounting enrollment rebounded by about 12%, while graduate enrollment continued to dip, underscoring a profession still recalibrating its talent model. For those building or advancing their accounting careers, leadership, retention, and strategic moves are no longer nice to have; they are operational necessities.

So, what does it really take to pivot from SEC reporting into general ledger operations at a senior level, build a stable team in a tight market, and keep your CPA journey from defining you only by the score on a test?

Welcome to Beyond the Ledger, where host Troy Ashby, CPA, sits down with Shanice E. Scott, the Director of Accounting at J. Hilburn. In this episode, Troy and Shanice delve into her accounting career evolution, moving from financial reporting to GL leadership, and how she navigated a steep on-ramp at a new company. They also discuss the people-first systems that keep teams engaged and growing.

Key Moments from the Episode:

• Growing Up a Longhorn: Faith, Family, Finance – how her family’s UT legacy shaped her values and drive

• Early Career at EY & Corporate Journey – lessons learned from Big Four beginnings to senior leadership

• The Pivot: From Financial Reporting to GL – navigating a rare mid-career shift into operations and execution

• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome & Leading with Empathy – developing people-first leadership grounded in care and authenticity

• Building Retention Through Care & Connection – why celebrating wins and personal milestones keeps teams engaged

• The CPA Journey: Four Tries, One Lesson in Resilience – perseverance and integrity through professional challenges

• Purpose, Leadership & Faith – how faith, family, and finance remain her guiding tenets

Shanice Scott is an accomplished Accounting Director with more than two decades of experience leading financial reporting and accounting operations for both public and private companies. She currently serves as Accounting Director at J. Hilburn, where she oversees everything from payroll and budgeting to tax compliance and financial reporting. Before joining J. Hilburn, Shanice led financial reporting at The Container Store, managing SEC filings, consolidations, and major acquisitions.

Her career also includes leadership roles at Pier 1 Imports, Michaels Stores, and Brinker International, as well as early experience with Ernst & Young. Known for her technical expertise and calm leadership, Shanice has built high-performing teams and guided companies through complex accounting challenges with precision and integrity. She’s a CPA and holds both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin.

Connect with:

• Troy Ashby -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyashby/
• Shanice Scott - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanicescott/
• J.Hillburn - https://jhilburn.com/

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of accountants and auditors will grow by about 5 percent between 2024 and 2034. That growth is fueled by a combination of factors: companies facing increasingly complex regulatory requirements, an expanding economy that requires financial oversight at every level, and ongoing retirements and career shifts that continue to open up positions in the accounting field. It’s a reminder that while opportunities in the field are strong, the profession itself is evolving and accountants are expected to adapt their skills and leadership approach to stay ahead.

What lessons can finance professionals take from someone who’s successfully pivoted from public accounting into the C-suite of a major construction firm?

Welcome to Beyond the Ledger. In this first episode, host Troy Ashby, President at Benchmark Search, sits down with Joe LaPolla, Chief Financial Officer at Driver Pipeline Company, a Texas-based contractor with over 1,000 employees and a 50-year legacy. Their conversation spans Joe’s early years in public accounting, the leap into industry, and how he leads today at the intersection of finance, operations, and HR.

What You’ll Learn…

• Joe LaPolla’s Career Origins: From Accounting to Construction

• Navigating the Transition from Public Accounting to Industry

• Building Strong Teams and Culture in Construction Finance

• The Power of Networking: Building and Maintaining Relationships

• Key Insights on Career Growth and Strategy

Joe is the Chief Financial Officer of Driver Pipeline Company, a Texas-based pipeline construction company with over 1,000 employees and a legacy spanning more than 50 years. He brings a strong background in heavy civil construction, having started his career in public accounting. Joe leads the company’s accounting, finance, and human resources functions, with a focus on aligning financial strategy with field operations. Outside of work, Joe is married to another CPA, and together they have four young kids who help keep priorities in perspective.

Connect with Joe: www.linkedin.com/in/joe-lapolla-cpa-57731316

Connect with Driver Pipeline: https://www.linkedin.com/company/driver-pipeline/