Raylicia Spencer, CPA
“Sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people.” ~Nicholas Sparks, Te Lucky One
RAYLICIA’S TRAIL MIX
If I weren’t a CPA, I would be: A math teacher or a book reviewer
One thing I won’t be caught dead doing is: Skinny dipping
Who was your teen crush? Mario Lopez – Saved by the Bell
Do you have a favorite TV show? Toss-up between Tis is Us and Nashville (Side note - I saw the Nashville cast perform at the Brady Teatre last year – great concert!)
My favorite app is: Fitbit! I received a Fitbit last year and I am addicted to the challenges.
What is your personal theme song? Te Climb by Miley Cyrus
If you could have an endless supply of anything what would it be? Tacos, I love tacos!
Raylicia (Ray) Spencer, CPA, always knew she wanted the brass ring. However, her path to get there wasn’t as clear cut. “Early in my career I knew I wanted
to be a CPA,” she explained. “I just didn’t have the drive or focus to get it done. I went on to marry and have children, but passing the CPA exam was still an item on my to-do list.”
A tax manager with Stanfield & O’Dell
in Tulsa, Spencer began her career in cost accounting and later found her niche in tax.
“During my career, I’ve lived in three states and held a number of jobs, but was determined that tax accounting was my passion,” Spencer said, explaining she decided she needed to commit to studying for and passing the CPA exam. However, as it always does, life has a way of throwing curveballs. “In December 2011, we welcomed
our third child into our family,” Spencer said. “Being a new mom and having an 11-month-old and a pre-teen at home didn’t deter me from my studies…My husband was my biggest supporter. I spent many late nights at the library studying while he was home with three kids…We both held down full-time jobs and raised three children during this process.” Not surprisingly, that determination bleeds into her job with Stanfield & O’Dell. When she was asked to present a depreciation update at her firm, she didn’t shy away from the challenge. Spencer instructed the client accounting services
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(CAS) department on several issues that were pertinent to their functions. “Our CAS department is comprised of about 10 team members with varied levels of experience,” Spencer said. “I was able to present current updates and give a refresher on important topics that haven’t changed. Trough diligent research, I was able to present meaningful examples to the group.”
An OSCPA member for nearly three
years, Spencer, who earned her bachelor’s from Columbia College and her master’s from William Woods University, is active with the OSCPA Tulsa Chapter, serving as the chair of the chapter’s Publicity Committee and volunteering for multiple chapter projects, including the Route 66 CPA Run, CPA Day of Service, chapter lunches and nonprofit training. Additionally, she volunteers with Metropolitan Baptist Church, Tulsa Young Professionals and Youth at Heart, an organization that provides programs in education, recreation and social development to youth in the Tulsa’s area. Ruby Trinh, CPA, a tax supervisory senior with Stanfield & O’Dell, said, “Raylicia impressed management and peers with her self-motivation, hard work and enthusiasm. Within two years… [she] has risen quickly from a senior position to a manager position. Tis accomplishment is honestly earned by her hard work, her ability to meet stressful tax deadlines with quality work and her effort to go out of the way to help other colleagues.”
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