At Trust Company of the South, we are proud to highlight the women who help shape our firm. This Women’s Month, we’re spotlighting our Chief Financial Officer and Principal, Wallace Williams, CPA, for her dedication to serving clients and building lasting relationships. Wallace’s background in accounting gave her a strong foundation for wealth management, where she enjoys helping clients organize and simplify financial decisions. She shares her thoughts on self-advocacy in the workplace, the importance of financial discipline and the mentor who helped shape her leadership style.
Getting to Know Wallace
- Tell us about your journey in wealth management. What led you to this career? I started my career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen. A career in wealth management provides all the appealing elements of a career in public accounting – the opportunity to engage with a variety of intelligent and motivated people, to continuously learn and challenge oneself, to simplify complicated processes and to help folks “get their financial house in order.” There’s one big difference though – clients are generally happy to meet with and appreciative of their wealth manager. The auditor, not so much!
- What do you enjoy most about your role at Trust Company of the South? I’ve been so fortunate to work with so many great people who are so passionate about our firm and serving our clients.
- What challenges have you faced as a woman in the financial industry, and how have you navigated them? Historically, two major challenges for women working in demanding professional fields have been self-advocacy and maintaining a work-life balance. How to navigate this? Don’t automatically say “yes” to every request and opportunity, which is our natural instinct. Understand your capacity, set boundaries, ask for help when needed, prioritize your time and commitments.
Advice and Perspectives
- What advice would you give to your younger self or other women looking to build a career in wealth management? You belong here; you have as much to offer, if not more, than anyone else in the room. Believe that and act accordingly.
- What’s one financial lesson you believe everyone should learn early in life? There’s an old SNL skit in which Steve Martin and Amy Poehler play a couple drowning in debt meeting with their financial advisor. The advisor proceeds to peddle his book of financial advice, which is one page long, and contains only “Don’t buy stuff you can’t afford.” Steve and Amy seem unable to grasp this simple concept. Hilarious as this sketch is, this basic and seemingly obvious tenet is the foundation of financial success: don’t spend more than you make.
- What inspires you most in your work? The deep satisfaction of creating order out of chaos.
Beyond the Office
- When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? I love to travel, and I enjoy reading. Visiting all the national parks is on my bucket list. I’m halfway there!
- As we celebrate Women’s History Month, is there a woman—historical or personal—who has inspired you? Two decades ago, for several years the pastor of our large Methodist church was a woman. It was unusual then, as it largely is now, for a woman to serve in such a prominent leadership role. She was the first woman I ever personally knew who was fearless, unapologetic and confident. Grounded in faith and prayer, she spoke hard truths in love to an often reluctant and sometimes hostile audience. And she persisted, despite the obstacles. Her determination, dedication and fearlessness inspire me to this day.
