FOCUS THE OSCPA TRAILBLAZER AND PATHFINDER AWARDS


RL: I try to make an impact in the community by serving where there is a need. I am currently a parent volunteer at my daughter’s school, Centennial Elementary in Edmond. I’ve also volunteered with Junior Achievement of Oklahoma by leading Junior Achievement in A Day at local Oklahoma City Schools. As a former teacher, I want to help the teachers any way that I can.


RAYLEN LYLES, CPA


CONTROLLER, GRIFFIN MEDIA


ACCOMPLISHMENTS Education:


Master of Business Administration from University of Central Oklahoma


Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Education from University of Central Oklahoma


Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education


OSCPA Involvement:


Liaison with Educational Institutions Committee


Personal Financial Planning Committee


Professional Organizations: AICPA


Community Involvement:


United Way Community Investment Allocations Junior Achievement of Oklahoma


Parent volunteer at Centennial Elementary School


RAYLEN LYLES, CPA, started her career in education as a pre-algebra teacher at Cimarron Middle School in Edmond before she became the Controller for Griffin Media in Oklahoma City. She continues to take a page from her teaching book to mentor young professionals in her organization. She discusses her greatest achievement, impact on the profession, motivation and inspiration.


OSCPA: Describe your greatest achievement. RL: My greatest achievement in my career so far has been the work I have been able to do at Griffin Media in automating our processes. We have gone from an almost entirely paper process to a web-based process. Trough system upgrades and working as a team, we have found many efficiencies for our department. We implemented a Sage Intacct software implementation in 2020 while working 100% remotely, and a SUA and P-Card program, realizing savings for the company through rebates. Tere are still many more projects I am excited to help complete at Griffin.


OSCPA: How are you creating an impact on the community and the CPA profession?


10 CPAFOCUS July/August 2023


OSCPA: What motivated you to get involved? RL: My career began in education as a pre-algebra teacher at Cimarron Middle School in Edmond. Seeing what it’s like for teachers firsthand has motivated me to help educators any way I can.


OSCPA: Who has been your greatest inspiration since starting your career? RL: Robert and Kathy Terrell were both professors at UCO and have been some of my greatest inspirations. Te joy and candor Bob Terrell brought to accounting is something I try to do in my work. He taught me that you can’t take yourself too seriously and that is something I keep with me to this day.


OSCPA: What are you most looking forward to for the future of the profession? RL: I’m looking forward to seeing where technology advances. I’m excited to see what tasks can be automated and allow accountants and CPAs to focus more on analysis. I look forward to how we can better help businesses make more informed decisions.


OSCPA: Where do you see your career in five years? What’s next on your list of accomplishments? RL: I’m not sure where I will be in five years, but I hope it’s continuing to do something that challenges me each day. I never want to be in a place where I’m not challenged.


OSCP


CPA TRAILBLAZER


TRAILBLAZER


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