Phuong Mayer, CPA
Contact information
Phuong Mayer is a Partner and Chief Executive Officer at PP&Co and has been with the firm for over 15 years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She began studying accounting while working as a software engineer and later earned her Master of Science degree in Accountancy from San Jose State University.
As a PP&Co Partner, Phuong gained extensive experience on the production side, providing tax and finance consulting services to closely held businesses, their owners, and families. As a result of her transition to CEO, her focus has shifted towards strategy and operations, with an emphasis on serving and supporting PP&Co and its amazing team.
Phuong has always been an advocate for the profession and is passionate about helping others create sustainable and fulfilling careers in public accounting. Throughout her career at PP&Co, she has served as a guide and mentor helping to expand and enhance the firm’s professional development programs. She operates with a vision towards providing opportunities to the highly engaged and talented individuals who are the firm’s professional staff, while simultaneously challenging them to reach their full potential.
With a blended background in technology and finance, Phuong understands the importance of leveraging – and leading – digital transformation, which will enable the PP&Co team to provide the most innovative and effective solutions to meet clients’ complex and ever evolving needs.
We asked… Phuong Answered
Your original field of study was Computer Engineering. How do you leverage that background as a PP&Co partner?
There’s never been a better time to integrate computer science with business advisory services. Software is used for everything, but many software platforms are quite complex and require customization to really produce value. I’ve been trained to be analytical in my approach to problem-solving and to understand the importance of testing processes before you rely on them. Those things, combined with my experience in finance and accounting, give me a unique ability to help clients who need to use technology to continuously identify, assess, and solve business problems. I’m especially excited to expand our digital transformation services to do just that.
As one of two female partners at PP&Co, what do you hope to impart to the firm’s female employees?
First, I would like them to know that there is a definite place for us in the world. Don’t look for a villain; instead, spend your time with people who want you to succeed. Don’t be afraid to ask for support and tell someone exactly what you need. Women have an amazing ability to lead by showing equal parts strength and compassion. It’s what makes us unique, and we don’t have to stop being warm and nurturing to be strong and effective in the workplace and in the world.
How do you measure success?
At the end of each day, if I feel good about what I’ve done, I consider my life a success in that moment. Success isn’t some far-off goal to chase. While I certainly do set goals, I only use them to plan what I’m going to do. Life is not a bucket list but a continuum. The great thing about looking for success daily is that you can almost always find something to be proud of if you focus on what you did do, and not just on what you haven’t accomplished. And all the little things – like listening to someone who needed to talk, resisting that extra glass of wine, or helping your child with their homework — those things count.
Professional Affiliations
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
- California Society of Certified Public Accountants
- PrimeGlobal Association of Independent Accounting Firms
Community Activities
- Member, Hospice of Santa Cruz Audit Committee
- Past Treasurer, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Cruz County