Author: Jennifer Walleman
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2026 issue of the South Carolina CPA Report
An accounting career rarely follows a straight line—and Brandy Amidon’s journey is proof. After graduating college at just 20 years old, she began her career in banking before moving into the world of advertising, where she rose to CFO and eventually became an owner. Beyond her professional achievements, Amidon’s commitment to community service led her to serve eight years on City Council and now as mayor of Travelers Rest.
While her path hasn’t been linear, Amidon knew early on that she wanted a business career, inspired by her grandmother’s example. With long, pretty nails and a briefcase in hand, her grandmother embodied the image of a professional woman—even if Amidon didn’t fully understand what a credit manager for Lowe’s did.
“I want to be that lady,” Amidon recalls.
That simple ambition set her on a course toward accounting.
A high school accounting class sealed the deal, thanks to a teacher she loved and a curriculum that sparked her interest.
“I loved the opportunity of growth,” Amidon said. “I liked the black and white pieces of it but knowing there was an analytical lean to it as well.”
Amidon pursued accounting at North Greenville University, graduating in just two and a half years. Afterward, she landed a job at Carolina First Bank in the accounting department.
“I think I was 20 when they hired me, which was so kind of them to take a chance on a 20-year-old, because I remember interviewing,” Amidon said. “I was like, I don’t know how to do this job, but I’m going to fake it.”
She seized the opportunity, spending years learning the fundamentals of accounting before following her boss to Brains on Fire, an advertising agency in Greenville.
“I knew nothing about branding or marketing or had any context for small business and so she was kind of my window and gateway into all things small business and more of operating as like a CFO versus what I’ve been as more like a traditional accountant,” Amidon said.
Amidon spent 19 years there, including six years as owner.
The transition into the creative world of advertising opened new possibilities. Her CPA expertise became a powerful asset to the team and helped build a culture of trust.
“It was very helpful for me to be the grown-up in the room with a bunch of creatives the person who considers the potential consequences, good and bad, of decision-making within a business,” Amidon said.
That trust gave her colleagues confidence to explore bold ideas.
“It’s just not something you traditionally think—‘CPAs are going to thrive in a creative environment,’ but I really did,” Amidon said.
Although she has retired from her business career, Amidon continues to serve her community as mayor of Travelers Rest—a role that keeps her deeply engaged in leadership and public service. She first ran for public office at 27, narrowly losing her initial bid for a City Council seat by just 16 votes. Undeterred, she ran again in a special election and won. After two terms as a council member, she went on to run for mayor of Travelers Rest.
When the former mayor was considering retirement, he encouraged Amidon to run. Now in her third term, she remains dedicated to serving the community and finds joy in building consensus and fostering teamwork among council members.
“I like taking a new idea and making it better with every person that adds something on to it,” Amidon said. “It doesn’t always have to work. I’m definitely one of those a little bit more on the risk taker side, but I like seeing progressive change.”
Amidon’s multifaceted career continues to surprise those who know her only as mayor.
“I think there’s some shock that accountants can do other things,” she said. “There’s such trust that goes into the hard work that we did to get in this spot. However we can leverage that trust into something that is ours and is totally worth it. If I would not have had the CPA and that confidence just straight out the gate, maybe I would have gotten here—but it wouldn’t have been quite as easy to build that trust.”
With four years left in her term, Amidon is focused on completing projects and serving her community. As for life after being mayor, the path remains open—but she envisions spending more time with her family, staying connected to her community, and continuing her commitment to public service.
Her journey is inspiration for how many directions an accounting career can take. Her advice to those considering the field: test it out.
“I don’t know if I knew at the very beginning of my career that I was going to be a good consensus builder for making change that kind of evolved over time,” Amidon said. “Test it out to see what you like and what you don’t like and be OK with saying no, I don’t want to do that.”
