Meet Brandon L. Howard, CPA, Owner of Brandon L. Howard CPA PLLC.
Brandon L Howard, CPA
Owner | Brandon L Howard CPA PLLC
Licensed in: 2016
Attended: University of Texas at San Antonio
What CPA stereotype do you embody?
None - I break all of the rules; I wear crocs and have varying hair colors,
What CPA stereotype do you defy?
All of them - forget about defiance, let's break things.
Why did you choose to become a CPA?
I would love to tell you a story about finding a passion for helping business owners or saving people money on their tax returns. The honest truth is I realized being a CPA was going to give me a job forever and help me build the lifestyle I wanted. I enjoy travel, fancy restaurants, and good wine. Being a CPA has given me a path to that. Along the way I have certainly enjoyed helping people (I'm not a monster y'all), but its not the actual WHY that drove my choice.
What's Your CPA "superpower"?
I'm a teacher at heart and always will be. So, I have a talent to take something complicated and make it accessible to anyone. I'll meet you where you are and help you get to that higher level of knowledge. If influences everything about my practice - how I work with clients, how I manage my team, and how I give back to my community.
What's something that you've done that has nothing to do with accounting but you're really proud of?
I'm proud of this, but its not quite done yet. At the end of 2023 I started working on a PhD. Its a goal that I have had for a long time and finally got started. Assuming everything keeps going accordingly to plan, I'll finish at the end of 2027. Its been a fun and challenging journey and I'm proud that I stepped out to make my goal into a reality.
What advice would you give to your younger self before taking the CPA exam?
Lean into the suck. Taking the exam is hard. Live in that space, embrace how you feel, and then power through. The short-term challenge is worth the long-term benefit. Also, don't forget to sleep. Science tells us that resting effectively is just as important as studying effectively.
Finish this sentence: "You know you're a CPA when ..."
you decide to be one. There is no single set of characteristics and distinguish a CPA from a non-CPA. Always be your fullest authentic self. If that fits into becoming a CPA then let's get after it!
