How Brenda Grew from Task-Based Work to Leadership at JCCS
In her position as a Client Advisory Services team lead and shareholder, Brenda Peyton guides a team and advises clients — responsibilities she enjoys and finds purposeful. But she didn’t start out in leadership. JCCS paved the way, she says, for growth and success within the organization.
Originally from Frenchtown, Montana, Brenda earned an associate’s degree in Washington state and later earned her CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification. She started her career as a bookkeeper at Ingold & Company, a small public accounting firm that later merged with JCCS. This role provided her first exposure to the profession and laid the foundation for her future growth. Brenda took a two-year break from JCCS to serve as the finance manager for a private physician practice but ultimately returned to JCCS.
“I loved that job but missed the benefits of working at a public accounting firm, such as working with a team and professional development,” she said.
She saw greater opportunities for advancement and professional development.
“There wasn’t a growth path for me in private industry, but there was at JCCS. At JCCS, the training opportunities are endless; we’re always learning more here.”
When she started in public accounting, she was focused on transactional accounting tasks and administrative support. Over time, that role has grown and expanded, eventually leading her into fractional CFO and advisory services with a focus on healthcare and non-profits.
“That’s evolved,” she says. “Now I’m out in the field advising clients on their financials.”
Today, she oversees a team, manages a book of clients, and serves in a leadership role as a shareholder in the firm. Every day is different, she says, and she’s always solving problems for clients. And, her growth path hasn’t stopped. Recently, she became Green Belt certified in Lean Six Sigma, a framework she uses to help her clients with process improvement.
JCCS has a culture of growth, learning, and development, she says. She’s living proof!
“If you have a drive to grow, JCCS is supportive of that and will help you advance in your career.”
