--- title: Partner Spotlight - Laura Sprouse description: In her role as COO, Laura provides leadership to the firm’s administrative teams and spearheads many of the firm’s special projects. image: https://blog.becpas.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/2021%20Blog%20Graphics%20(169)-Apr-21-2022-08-43-01-95-PM.jpg --- [Twitter ** ](https://www.facebook.com/BrownEdwardsCPAs?utm_source=BE+Website&utm_medium=Website+Icon&utm_campaign=BE+Website+Social+Icon&utm_content=Facebook) [Facebook-f ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/brown-edwards/?utm_source=BE+Website&utm_medium=Website+Icon&utm_campaign=BE+Website+Social+Icon&utm_content=LinkedIn) [Linkedin ** ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ReCSn6AFfdQiCUsH4oopA?utm_source=BE+Website&utm_medium=Website+Icon&utm_campaign=BE+Website+Social+Icon&utm_content=YouTube) [Youtube ** ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ReCSn6AFfdQiCUsH4oopA?utm_source=BE+Website&utm_medium=Website+Icon&utm_campaign=BE+Website+Social+Icon&utm_content=YouTube) [ Client Portal ](https://becpas.sharefile.com/Authentication/Login) [ Make A Payment ](https://becpas.com/payments/) [ Request Proposal ](https://becpas.com/request-for-proposal/) ![](https://blog.becpas.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/2021%20Blog%20Graphics%20(169)-Apr-21-2022-08-43-01-95-PM.jpg) # Partner Spotlight | Laura Sprouse Published by [ Brown Edwards ](https://blog.becpas.com/author/brownedwards) on May 24, 2022 8:00:00 AM # **Laura joined the BE team in September 1998 and, with over 20 years of accounting experience, she served as the firm’s chief operations officer (COO) for 8 years before becoming the firm's CEO. ** **** She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance and Decision Support Systems from Ferrum College, and is a licensed CPA in Virginia. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA). **We interviewed Laura to really get to know her, outside of her profession, and we were surprised to learn that she loves heavy metal music!** **Where are you from and where did you grow up?** I am from Rocky Mount, VA (Franklin County)    **What are some of your hobbies?** I enjoy running, reading, making pasta and fancy meals, and beach vacations with my husband.   **What do you consider your best quality or trait?** I am patient.   **What is the best advice you ever received and from who?** My dad told me, "Just be yourself" and "Don't lose sight of the compassionate and caring person you are."   **If you could be a superhero what would be your superpower?** Bilocation or teleportation would be my top two picks! (Obviously a theme there...)   **What is your favorite food?** Fish tacos, though most tacos will make me happy.   **What famous figure (living or dead) would you most like to meet and why?** There are certainly figures of more historical importance that I could have chosen, but I think an afternoon with Nancy Regan would have been very entertaining. From her life in Hollywood to living in the White House and being a strong partner to President Regan and retaining her individuality with her fashion choices.   **What do you think is your biggest contribution to the Brown Edwards team?** My passion and enthusiasm for our Firm. I am so proud of all that we have accomplished during the time I have been here, and I look forward to using my energy and passion, for what we do, to help us navigate the future.   ![2021 Blog Graphics (169)-Apr-21-2022-08-41-20-11-PM](https://blog.becpas.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Media/2021%20Blog%20Graphics%20(169)-Apr-21-2022-08-41-20-11-PM.jpg?width=800&name=2021%20Blog%20Graphics%20(169)-Apr-21-2022-08-41-20-11-PM.jpg)   Tags: [About Us](https://blog.becpas.com/tag/about-us) [Back to Blog](https://blog.becpas.com) ## Related Articles ## [Leadership Spotlight – Debbie Galway](https://blog.becpas.com/leadership-spotlight-debbie-galway) Debbie joined the BE team in August 2021 and serves as the firm’s chief financial officer (CFO) out... [Read More ](https://blog.becpas.com/leadership-spotlight-debbie-galway) ## [Partner Spotlight: Billy Robinson](https://blog.becpas.com/partner-spotlight/billy-robinson) Partner Spotlight: Billy Robinson Billy joined the BE team in 2003 and serves as the firm’s... [Read More ](https://blog.becpas.com/partner-spotlight/billy-robinson) ## [Partner Spotlight: Betty Jessee](https://blog.becpas.com/partner-spotlight/betty-jessee) Partner Spotlight: Betty Jessee Betty was originally hired as a seasonal employee in January 1997... [Read More ](https://blog.becpas.com/partner-spotlight/betty-jessee) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Brown Edwards", "url" : "https://blog.becpas.com/author/brownedwards" }, "dateModified" : "2024-11-14T21:46:13.968Z", "datePublished" : "2022-05-24T12:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Partner Spotlight - Laura Sprouse", "image" : [ "https://blog.becpas.com/hubfs/Blog_Media/2021%20Blog%20Graphics%20(169)-Apr-21-2022-08-43-01-95-PM.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.becpas.com/partner-spotlight-laura-sprouse", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.becpas.com/hubfs/2021%20BE-Logo-4color-oldgold-3.png" }, "name" : "Brown Edwards & Company, LLP" } } ```