Longcrier & Associates Manager Hillary Trout, CPA, was recently chosen as one of the recipients of the 2011 Women to Watch awards as recognized by the California State Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA).

The Women to Watch Awards are part of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Women’s Initiative recognizing that women are having an impact on the CPA profession and managing to maintain a healthy work/life balance in the process.

The CalCPA Women to Watch Award recognizes both experienced and emerging leaders who have made significant contributions to the profession and her community. A significant number of women are considered for the award each year and are selected based on their demonstration of leadership, creation and implementation of unique initiatives, major or unique contributions to the profession, improvements to the workplace, and mentoring other professionals. 

The five California women recognized in 2011 (two experienced, two emerging women, and one trailblazer) were honored at the 2011 Women’s Leadership Forum in Los Angeles on June 10, 2011. Trout was selected in part due to her efforts in improving financial literacy and her involvement in the community.

She regularly teaches classes both to her clients and the public in the areas of bookkeeping, accounting, tax compliance, and financial performance. She has personally taught over 100 winery bookkeepers, winemakers, and owners the intricacies of wine inventory cost accounting over the past three years.

“Hillary is a great example of a forward-thinking, community minded and client-focused CPA," said Longcrier & Associates owner Wayne Longcrier. "She consistently demonstrates leadership in her approaches to our client’s tax and accounting solutions. Her energy and enthusiasm benefit not only our client, but local non-profits as well." 

In addition to her accounting work, Trout has served on the board of directors for several non-profits including San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Softec, and USGBC-C4. She is also a Commissioner on the San Luis Obispo Human Relations Commission. She was also Treasurer on the 2010 No on Measure H campaign and is a graduate of SLO Leadership Class XIX.

“I have always found her to be not only available and accommodating, but to provide sound advice that has proved to reinforce CASA's position as a solid, respected, and well funded non-profit organization," said Court Appointed Special Advocates Executive Director Teresa Tardiff. "Her compassion to help those in need and to tirelessly offer her help and leadership to CASA has been outstanding.”

Trout passed the CPA exam in 2008 passing all four parts on the first try with scores on all four tests in the '90s, including a 98 on Audit (out of a possible 99). She graduated from Cal Poly with a BS in Business Administration and is currently working toward a December 2011 graduation from Golden Gate University with a Masters in Taxation.

More than just a professional, Trout is also the mother of 14 year-old, Emerson Trout, and has been married to Robert Trout for 15 years. She regularly runs, swims, surfs, and explores SLO County with her family.  

“I owe everything that I have accomplished to the people who have made it possible for me to be here.  In terms of just dollars and cents, the taxpayers of California have probably given me the most opportunities because I was able to benefit from a public education from Kindergarten to Cuesta College to Cal Poly,” says Mrs. Trout. “With so much support given to me by the community I have only just begun to pay it back through service and helping clients navigate the maze of tax and accounting.”

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