Heading into this Thanksgiving weekend, I want to take a moment and pause and reflect over the past year. This year, we are grateful that we have had the opportunity to change and grow, to continue to make a difference for small to mid-size business owners, their companies, and their families.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, we recognize that we have earned the opportunity to work and make a difference everyday. This IS a gift, rather than an obligation. I believe we have a duty to maximize our personal talents and to make an impact for those we work with.

For me, when I choose a grateful mindset, I have so much more joy.

Carl J Cox & Ben Heiney, Staff Accountant, 40 Accounting™

Goals We Met 

In 2025, we accomplished four significant achievements:

1. We were able to support the strategic transition and financial reporting for a PE-backed company that was worth zero two years ago, and sell it for $50 million.

2. Launched our first 40 Strategy Growth Workshop™. We created an opportunity for 40 business owners to hear from experts on a group and individual basis. Our net promoter score was a perfect 100! In short, we received all tens and only two nines for our first event. 

3. Expanded our 40 Accounting™ firm. Just this past week, we hired another staff accountant, Ben Heiney. As our firm continues to expand, whether it be from bookkeeping to financial reporting analysis to controller/CFO services, to tax preparation, we help grow the value of companies. 

4. Both of our businesses have already reached record years in 2025.

Thanksgiving with Family in Seaside, OR

Family Counts Too

On the personal side, it has been a remarkable year as well, with its own set of accomplishments:

1. Two of our adult kids, Zach and Ashley started coaching varsity high school sports at the same school, they graduated, and, where my wife Sarah and I were also high school sweethearts. Both teams successfully reached the state playoffs.

2. My son, Zach, joined 40 Accounting. He has been a great addition to the team and has truly been able to help us expand and serve our clients better. 

3. Our son Tyler graduated from the US Naval Academy and now he is starting to enter flight school in Pensacola, Florida.

4. We have been able to watch our youngest daughter, Abby, continue to play college soccer around the country.

My wife Sarah has been the glue behind a lot of the success mentioned above. Although the goals are incredible, they have not been without obstacles, hard work, and unexpected challenges. Sarah continues to be a servant based leader and I am grateful to have her in my life as we are closing in on our 30th wedding anniversary.

Thank You 

Frankly, there is no way to list everyone in this gratitude list in this short blog

If I did miss you specifically, you know who you are, thank you. Thank you, our success has not been without the community of support from our clients, partners, friends, and family. 

I am grateful to have the faith to trust that God will get us through everything. 

By the end of the year, we will reveal our goals for 2026. Many BHAG’s…get ready! And yes, I do look forward to a bit of rest to finish this remarkable year, job well done team, I am proud of you!

But until then, we wish you, your family, and your friends an extraordinary Thanksgiving weekend.

Because true joy starts with accepting the gift of gratitude.