For more than a decade, Courtney Grove has established herself as an expert in accounting operations and today is the director of field accounting-transformation at AssuredPartners in Dunbar, West Virginia, where she is instrumental in a massive company project as one of three lead representatives from the back office. Her role involves helping to merge the back office with the front office so that the data system runs continuously. She also runs tests for the back office, builds the structure, and sets up all the offices. This project is highly significant as it spans multiple states and regions with Ms. Grove’s region consisting of nearly 900.
Previously, Ms. Grove was a regional controller at AssuredPartners. In this capacity, she honed her skills in financial oversight and management across various regions. Beforehand, she was a financial controller at AssuredPartners and concurrently held the position of controller at Commercial Insurance. Her career trajectory also includes a stint as a senior associate at Brown Edwards and as a senior auditor at Gibbons & Kawash, A.C. Ms. Groves’s professional path began as an associate accountant at Gibbons & Kawash, A.C. after gaining early managerial experience as a shift manager at Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. Laying an impressive educational foundation for her career achievements, she earned a Master of Science in accounting from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, in 2012 and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University in Ohio in 2010. Her academic pursuits equipped her with the analytical skills necessary for her future achievements in accounting and finance.
Throughout her career, Ms. Grove has defied traditional stereotypes by engaging with broader business dynamics and seeking innovative approaches to her work. Entrenched in her industry overall, she stays involved with relevant organizations such as the West Virginia Society of CPAs, underscoring her commitment to professional development and networking. She ascribes her career success to hard work, continuous learning, and the ability to ask insightful questions that deepen her understanding of company operations and her field.
Additionally, Ms. Grove’s transition from public accounting to shared services demonstrates her ability to overcome challenges and proves the value of her analytical insights. By developing her analytical skills and leveraging relevant software programs and tools, she has found ways to increase efficiency and become more effective in her role. This focus on continuous improvement has given her a substantial competitive advantage. Moreover, she believes her drive and willingness to put in the necessary extra work to advance in her career sets her apart. While she’s always been a hard worker, she says, she emphasizes the importance of mastering the more challenging approach of working smarter.
Pondering her future, Ms. Grove aspires to acquire a chief financial officer position and eventually start her own company. Over the course of her career, she has learned the importance of taking the initiative and seizing opportunities as they arise. She has found that raising her hand and accepting new challenges, even when she initially feels uncertain, has been crucial to her professional growth. Early in her career, she often second-guessed her readiness for new roles, she says. Yet, with time, she realized that if opportunities were presented to her, it was because her mentors and supervisors believed in her capabilities. Their faith, along with her willingness to work hard and ask questions when needed, has been instrumental in building her confidence and advancing her career.
Beyond her profession, Ms. Grove is committed to giving back to society. She donates to United Way and local community initiatives, reflecting her dedication to supporting causes she cares about and that align with her values. In her leisure time, the native of Lakeshore, Ohio, enjoys traveling, music, attending concerts, walking, and hiking.