patrick mcfeeters, CPA “Sometimes the best way to learn something is by doing it wrong and looking at what you did.” ~Neil Gaiman

The Oklahoma City Zoo is home to approximately 1,900 of the world’s most exotic animals, including 54 endangered or threatened species. ZooTroop is a group of young professionals,

ages 21 to 35, who are dedicated to promoting the Oklahoma City Zoo’s educational, conservation, research and recreational programs, enhancing its volunteer base and building future leadership for the Oklahoma Zoological Society. Patrick McFeeters, CPA, chief financial

officer with Innov8tive Software Consultants in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, says his most significant community achievement was being selected as the ZooTroop president in 2013. Fellow OSCPA member Amber Jones, CPA,

a controller with Le Norman Operating LLC in Oklahoma City, said, “Patrick has been instrumental in helping this organization raise funds and plan events to promote conservation awareness and recreational programs for the Oklahoma City Zoo.” “What made it special is that it wasn’t

a result of me chasing the distinction,” McFeeters said. “My fellow members came to me to request my involvement. Based on my community activity, they thought I’d be a great fit.” McFeeters said being hired for his current

position as chief financial officer with Innov8tive Software Consultants is his most

22 CPAFOCUS March/April 2016

significant business achievement. Before joining Innov8tive Software

Consultants in May 2015, McFeeters had spent his entire career working in public accounting. “In that role I helped clients meet their

regulatory needs and also helped them make accounting decisions in difficult scenarios. Almost like a teacher,” McFeeters said. “In that respect, it felt like I had spent my career teaching clients, but having never been in industry, I never really ‘walked the walk.’ Coming in as the CFO meant that I had to walk the walk immediately.” McFeeters added, “It has been a

challenging learning experience, but also needed to make me a better-rounded CPA.” An OSCPA member for seven years,

McFeeters currently chairs the Continuing Professional Education Committee and has previously served on the Nominations Committee, as well as the Young Accounting Professionals Committee. “I believe Patrick to be a man of integrity,

strong mental fortitude and strong moral values that are consistently applied to his professional and family activities,” said Chris Eason, CPA, a tax director with Grant Thornton LLP in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who has known McFeeters for 16 years. “Patrick has always committed to his responsibilities and obligations and performs each one with enthusiasm and passion.”

patrick’s Trail mix Who was your teen crush: Natalie Portman

The TV show I watched religiously as a child? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (now I watch them with my daughters)

If you could have an endless supply of anything, what would it be? Peanut butter…or burritos…or peanut butter burritos

What’s your favorite game to play? Dungeons and Dragons