Meet Sherrika Sanders | Owner & CEO, Transform the GAAP

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sherrika Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sherrika, how do you think about risk?
I have never been a risk taker. Previously, when asked if I would ever start my own business, I would give a vehement ‘no.’ However, after spending several years in accounting being overworked and under-resourced, and following multiple personal challenges involving my family, mental well-being, and physical health, I decided enough was enough and took deliberate steps to change my situation. I am a woman of faith, so I prayed and fasted on what my next journey would be – assuming God would lead me to my next corporate position. But I was wrong. All signs pointed to entrepreneurship. However, the only way I could successfully lead my own company was if I left my current position. So, I took a leap of faith – sort of – and submitted a 90-day notice, leaving corporate America to embark on the path I am walking today.

While, I would have never done anything like this in the past, and would strongly encourage others to not quit corporate for entrepreneurship – cold turkey, I would not change it for the world. I have learned that you never fail when you bet on yourself (i.e. take a risk). There may be struggles and every day will not be an easy day. Sometimes the days will seem like they are getting harder. However, we miss 100 percent of the opportunities we don’t take. In life, I have always gotten what I prepared for, not what I deserved. As a result, I know that my entrepreneurial journey will be one of great success because that is what I prepare for… Great success!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My organization, Transform the GAAP, nods to my 15+ years of corporate accounting experience, with GAAP being a well-known accounting term. My company name stands for ‘Goals Assigned Achieving Purpose,’ reflecting the transformation I bring to privately held and Private Equity accounting teams. I founded Transform the GAAP to pursue my passion on my terms, using my extensive corporate accounting experience to empower teams to overcome challenges like time management, accurately reconciling the balance sheet, effective communication, variance analysis, and other skills crucial for meeting organizational goals and deadlines.

I educate and empower accountants, aspiring learners, and women entrepreneurs to master essential accounting skills. I am dedicated to empowering women, particularly, by providing steadfast support and guidance to navigate corporate challenges and changes. My approach realigns them with who they are (values), how they show up (beliefs), and how to thrive in any professional setting (promotion) as they advance in corporate America.

While other consultants assess accounting teams and provide feedback on areas of opportunity, I go further by working with team members to improve their productivity, automate processes, and position them for promotion. My passion stems from my firsthand experience and understanding of the corporate world. However, being highly referral-based, my business sometimes faces periods of inconsistency. During these times, I developed an additional service: training other entrepreneurs and virtual assistance teams on basic accounting functions necessary for small businesses. This effort to assist others has become a lucrative part of my business.

Many women entrepreneurs, including myself, initially operate their businesses as they did in corporate roles, which is a mistake. Entrepreneurship requires boundaries to maintain enjoyment and purpose. Without them, hard days become overwhelming, and challenges seem insurmountable. Unfortunately, it took an unsettling medical diagnosis during my first year of business for me to scale back and put me first. My organization exemplifies how I show up for myself. I take risks, such as extending service offerings for a service that was previously free of charge, and prioritize breaks for my well-being. Showing up for myself means staying true to who I am and being proud of my unique story as an atypical accountant. This approach has been essential for both Transform the GAAP and my personal growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ohh…pop quiz. I wasn’t ready. Unfortunately, I am a person who never plays in her backyard. I love to go to other cities and visit their local attractions while neglecting, unfortunately, my own. However, I know a few spots around the ATL for us to see. We would visit the new World of Coke (Coca-Cola) and the Atlanta Civil Rights Museum. We would hang out around Auburn Ave., get as close as possible to viewing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home, and check out some local restaurants in the area. There are several options and they do not disappoint.

We would visit Atlantic Station – just to say we did. I enjoy checking out some of the options found on Atlanta Eats – for meals and desserts. Of course, we would shop… a lot of shopping between the outlets in Commerce, GA, Discover Mills, Lenox Mall, and the Buckhead area, and, yes, probably even drive up to Buc-ee’s. We would stop by Pit Boss BBQ, Big Daddy’s Cafe on Cascade, Paschal’s, (The) Varsity, and other ol’ faithfuls that still exist today. I would probably even venture to my old stomping grounds of Decatur, GA, where I grew up, just to see what it looks like today. All in all, I love spending time with my family, so we would also do just that – spend time at home with the family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shoutout goes to my husband, Derek Sanders. He was supportive of my decision to leave corporate America for entrepreneurship and understood the financial impact this could have on our household. And he did not complain when business declined causing a financial burden. He stepped in to see what could be done. Additionally, I would like to shout out the amazing support I received from other women-preneurs on LinkedIn. Early in my business, I randomly reached out to so many women to find out how they got started, some hurdles I should expect, and how to overcome them. The support and wealth of knowledge I received were unmatched. There are too many women to name but to know that we all understood the assignment:

You get up, then turn around and extend your hand to your sister to help her get up too.

The support I receive to this day helps me to keep pushing when others give up.

Website: https://www.transformthegaap.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrika_accountantcareercoach/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrikasandersaccountantcareercoach/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@sherrika_accountantcareercoach