About me
About me:
I am Brian R. Chick, a CPA licensed in Vermont with a Master’s of Science in Accountancy (MSA) from the University of Southern Maine, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Maine at Farmington.
That’s right: as a young adult I studied psychology, thinking that was how I was going to contribute to this world. I didn’t find my place in that industry: Instead, I worked in healthcare, foodservice, hospitality, travel, farming, governmental and nonprofits before being called to do accounting as a way to contribute to my community.
So I pursued my Master’s and took the CPA exams. I can still vividly remember being overwhelmed by all things accounting; I expect a lot of my future clients feel that way, and I am here to meet you where you are.
Then I spent almost 12 years in public accounting in Maine and Vermont, doing tax preparation and later audits of not-for-profit and municipal clients, specializing in single audits. Amidst all that, I spent the 3 years as a grant accountant for a nonprofit which specialized in healthcare education and communication about migrant-related issues.
On a personal note, I also have spent much of my adult life in therapy, dealing with chronic depression, anxiety and addiction. I also suffer from Lyme disease, and currently have found the most help with herbal remedies and HBOT. In my spare time I am an avid reader of psychology, sociology, philosophy, history, self-help and political economy. I also practice meditation in the Buddhist tradition.
Though I was proud to have called Montpelier, VT and Portland, ME my homes over the past few decades, I have been living outside of the US for some years, first in Mexico and now in Chile (sí, hablo español). I am grateful to only have to fight Lyme, and not also the entire healthcare system and the inevitable medical debt.
Professional badges
Intuit ProAdvisor Level 1 Certification
Intuit ProAdvisor Client Advisory Services Foundations
Intuit Bookkeeping Certification
Xero L2 Certified Professional
FAQs
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At Making Change Accounting (MCA), we believe in taking the time to educate, connect, inspire, and encourage nonprofits, and practitioners in the field of health and wellness. We are looking at more than numbers – we see you and the change you wish to make in the world!
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The vision of Making Change Accounting (MCA) is to support the community of professionals who are making positive change. We ‘help the helping professions,’ because making the world a better place shouldn’t be more difficult than it already is. MCA is proactive about making sure accounting needs are met, so that the client can focus on making the world a better place and having time for the things that make the world worth living in.
We listen deeply and act responsively, teach and learn with passion, and embrace and cultivate a community environment with every interaction.
We are constantly growing and adapting with our clients. We will support you to have the tools to navigate changes, as they arise, and accomplish your mission and goals.
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There are some others out there like me, but for the most part the accounting industry is a little change-resistant, conservative and even somewhat secretive! I found my calling to join this profession BECAUSE I spent time among the communities I want to serve and saw how unapproachable the vast majority of accountants were. At the same time, I felt I had the analytical skills and attention to detail to help, so I could be part of the change I would like to see. And those changes are: to use technology to reduce the amount of time I spend doing data entry, so that I could serve you at higher levels
Furthermore, I have decided to serve these two niches, because I see that the traditional CPA firm model is not preparing us for a future of fewer accountants and increasing complexity: I want to be able to serve my two niches fully and well, to be able to automate what can be automated so I can help you more with issues related to operations and strategy, or whatever else I can help with.
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Excellent question, and I am not sure I can give you one correct answer. First of all, I am a nature lover. Nature represents a simpler way of being for me, and being able to portray myself and my clients as such is comforting and reassuring for me, like in all those old Disney movies in which the animals in the forest work together to overcome a problem. Given the difficult times we live in, I am going to use anything that will help me get through the day.
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I am a nature lover, so I wanted trees. The three tree logo for me represents stages of growth, the life cycle of anything: a tree, an animal, a human, a business or organization. The image reminds me to come back to the long view, the large picture: where have we been, where are we, and where are we going?