RETIRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Johnny Britt

At S. Preston Douglas & Associates, we love and appreciate the tireless efforts of our employees. Over our eight decades of growth and rich accounting heritage, we could never have done it without them.

In this interview and spotlight, retired Partner, Johnny Britt, CPA, answers a wide range of questions in helping others learn what an amazing asset he was to our firm.

Johnny was interviewed by business consultant, Anthony DeNino. We hope you’ll come to understand, as we do, what a positively impactful role he played in the success of our firm.

1) Remind everybody of your time with S. Preston Douglas regarding a few points. Where did you go to school? What time period did you work with SPD&A? When did you first make Partner?

"Prior to graduation from UNC – Chapel Hill in December of 1974, I was fortunate to work a summer internship with the firm. It was then I realized that although I had finished almost all required accounting courses at UNC, none prepared me for one absolutely necessary skill (the calculator). I felt compelled to quickly acquire this skill so I would stay after work each day to practice. And thus, I experienced mental fatigue to the point of what felt like physical exhaustion. I actually was taking a nap each day after work until I adjusted to thinking more in the realm of mind over matter."

2) What do you recall about when you first started with the firm?

“I became a permanent employee at the Firm in July of 1975. Having grown up in an environment where loyalty was a virtue and having developed a good rapport with the Senior Partners, I saw myself, along with some fellow contemporaries, as leading the firm into the future. It was in 1978 that I became a “Junior Partner” and opened our Whiteville, NC office.”

3) Initially, did you see yourself as being there for so long? And to follow-up, what made you stay?

“I have so many fond memories of my 40 years at the firm but overriding the individually separate memories were the friendship among the Partners, both professionally and personally. Tough decisions had to be made and heated discussions were had but we always ended up together.”

4)I imagine you have a lot of fond memories. Is there one that sticks out above the others?

“Having mentioned the firm’s positive relationship with clients and the Partners professional and personal friendships as fond memories, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another trait that I can now look back on with fondness and pride. That trait would be, consistency, which came from proper planning, preparation, communication and execution. And it is with a sense of pride that I can say that we had the ‘it’ factor.”

5) Fast-forward to today. What is a day in the life of Johnny Britt like?

“After retirement I have continued to be involved with several business ventures with usually no specific time requirements. My wife Jeanne and I spend most of our time at Sunset Beach when we are not visiting grandkids in Cary or Wilmington. Other than that, I continue to work on my golf game always looking forward to the next time that I may play. I will say that for me, a walk on the beach and after coffee, sitting in a rocking chair on the porch makes for a great start to your day.”

6) Last question…and this is my favorite… If they were going to write a movie about your time with SPD&A, what would the title be, and why?

“I guess if a movie were to be written about my time with the firm it would be representative of our Senior Partners and Junior Partners and how the Senior Partners brought us into the partnership early into our careers. Maybe the title would be, ‘Working Together’.”

“I had the privilege of working under Johnny Britt for the final 8 years of his career as a CPA. He has been and still is, to this day, a great mentor to me. I learned so much about the accounting profession from him and whenever I run into an unfamiliar issue, he is one of the first people I call on. Johnny has always been one of the great leaders in our community, while also being a great husband, father, and grandfather to his wonderful family. Johnny Britt is a top shelf human, and we are all lucky to have had him here at S. Preston Douglas & Associates for so many years.”

-- Matt McLean --

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

John D. Masters

At S. Preston Douglas & Associates, we love and appreciate the tireless efforts of our employees and Partners. Over our eight decades of growth and rich accounting heritage, we could never have done it without them.

In this interview and spotlight, John D. Masters, Partner and CPA, answers a wide-range of questions in helping others learn just how awesome he is.

John was interviewed by business consultant, Anthony DeNino, so you can learn more about him and understand as we do, what a positively impactful role he has played in the success of our firm.

Read John's Interview

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Rhonda Bruce

It is because of their efforts that we’d like to recognize our longest tenured employee. To say Rhonda Bruce – with the firm for 44 years in September 2023 - is a valued employee, would quite possibly be the biggest understatement ever made.

In recognizing her invaluable contributions to our success, Rhonda was interviewed by business consultant Anthony DeNino so you can learn more about her and understand as we do, just how wonderful she is.