When Sandy Wight earned a MAcc in 1990 and started her career with Arthur Andersen, she had no idea she would become a partner. “My goal was to get a job and have two years of experience on my résumé,” she says. Twenty years later Wight is still gaining experience for her résumé—as a partner in the human capital practice of Ernst & Young.
A mother of three, Wight balances work and home life through the flexibility offered by her employer. “Communication and lots of planning—at work and at home—are key as a working parent,” Wight says. “By prioritizing, setting expectations, and following through on commitments, I’ve found a balance that works for my family, my clients, and my teams.”
In her role in human capital Wight focuses on providing leading technology and consumer products companies with cross-border tax and compensation planning, global program coordination, and policy development.
“I get to meet and work with fantastic people around the globe,” Wight says. Despite our different backgrounds, I’ve realized we are all connected in some way. The world has started to feel really small.”
Some of Wight’s favorite work experiences have been visiting Ernst & Young colleagues in Bangalore, India, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Overall, the best part of my job is working with wonderful people,” she says. “It sounds cliché, but people make all the difference.”
A few years ago Wight started running as part of a challenge at work to get more exercise during tax season. She ran her first half marathon in January 2012 and has plans to run another this year. Wight’s running companion is a friend from work, but they don’t talk tax along the way. They discuss their families, children, recipes, and reaching the next mile or milestone.
Wight and her husband, Mitch, have three children and live in Sammamish, Washington.
