Abacus! celebrates Teri Wingo becoming the newest partner of the firm, beginning today, Oct. 1. Teri has been at the helm of the Transportation Department since 2016.

“I’m extremely grateful and humbled to reach this milestone,” Teri said. “To me, this is just a continuation of what I love to do. I love being here, serving people and helping clients achieve their goals. The move to partner is a further step in my career in doing just that.”

Teri became the director of transportation in 2016 and assumed the role of senior director of transportation in 2023. She oversees the entire transportation department, which now caters to the needs of over 4,000 drivers.

“We’re excited to welcome Teri as a partner in the firm,” said managing partner Bill Dunton. “Over the years, she has proven to be an incredible leader that inspires excellence in others.”

Under Teri’s leadership, the department has built a strong reputation for partnering with drivers who start with a single truck, helping them successfully grow their businesses to include multiple trucks and employees. During her tenure, Teri’s management resulted in more than tripling the firm’s driver client base and significantly expanding its range of services. She has been a leading force of innovation in the firm, including developing the award-winning Abacus App, which allows clients to track their tax projects in real-time, upload documents, and communicate with Abacus Professionals from their smartphones anywhere in the country.

Teri’s vision for addressing the drivers’ financial needs has been key to setting them up for long-term success. She played a pivotal role in establishing a free daily tax class for drivers, taught by Abacus Professionals, which educates many first-time business owners on the essential financial principles of running a business. “By offering this educational resource, we empower our clients to make informed financial decisions and optimize their tax strategies,” Teri said.

Teri has worked with drivers from the beginning of their careers all the way into retirement. The successful and mutually beneficial relationships are evidence of her passion for people. “I want to support our drivers in the best possible way because, like our Abacus mission, I believe people deserve better,” she said. “I know I’ve done my job when we’re able to ease the accounting burden for our drivers and equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to excel.”

Teri first recognized the opportunity to address the need for financial guidance in the transportation industry in the early 2000s while working as a receipt sorter. “I didn’t come from a family of accountants or a family of transportation drivers, so it wasn’t until I worked directly with drivers that I truly understood the sacrifice and commitment that it takes to keep our shelves stocked and, ultimately, our economy running,” Teri said. “When I sorted receipts, I would find letters and notes that children wrote to their parents on the road, and it formed a deeper desire to give back to these drivers that give up so much.”

The significance of this sacrifice is understood in the moments people often take for granted. “Our drivers miss out on so many precious ‘first’ moments, like their children’s first steps, first words, birthdays and holidays. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, while many stayed safe at home, these drivers continued their essential work on the roads,” she said. Teri’s goal is to provide expert financial guidance that drivers can rely on.

But it isn’t just the clients that benefit from Teri’s excellence-driven approach. Abacus employees are just as an important investment to Teri, especially in building up the next generation. Through the Abacus internship program, local college students learn from real-world experience by working within the transportation department and directly with transportation clients. Students experience tax season firsthand and develop various technical and communication skills. Often, students return for extended internships after tax season or as full-time staff. Many current supervisors in multiple departments began their careers at Abacus through the internship program. “My aspiration is to foster the next generation of business leaders and world changers. When we welcome young professionals to Abacus and in the transportation department, I strive to guide them as they take their early steps in their careers and inspire them to find their passion and pursue it,” Teri said. The 2024 tax season brought in a record number of interns, with nearly 30 students starting at Abacus.

For many years, Teri has consistently prioritized volunteering in the transportation industry and in the Ozarks. She is an active contributor in Truckers Against Trafficking, a volunteer at the Missouri Truck Driving Championships and other transportation events, like driver picnics and career fairs. She is also an allied member of the Missouri Trucking Association.  Teri has participated in her children’s Parent Teacher Association, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Ozarks Food Harvest, Child Advocacy Center, Champion Athletes of the Ozarks, the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks, Ambassadors for Children and the Ronald McDonald House. Teri guided Abacus as the CPA partner with the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital Dream Home Giveaway in the Springfield Area earlier this year. She also has led the Abacus Community Involvement Committee for multiple years.

From a client service role, Teri climbed to supervisor within the accounting department and then into a leadership position, becoming a director in 2016. In 2023, Teri was recognized as a Springfield Business Journal Trusted Adviser for her commitment to achieving high expectations while also delivering personalized attention. Teri is also a member of this year’s Leadership Springfield Signature Class 47.

Teri credits her family—her husband, Tyler, son, Trenton, and daughter, Tessa—for her success. “My family is the reason I am here today,” she said. I’m grateful for their support and encouragement every step of the way.”

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