Name: Sarah McCandless<br /><br />Title: CFO<br /><br />Firm: Suffolk Federal Credit Union<br /><br />Beach goer: “I grew up swimming all summer long; I love the ocean and scuba diving.”<br /><br />Misses Most about Manhattan: The diversity of the restaurants, “We have great restaurants here, but there are so many different kinds in the city.”<br /><br />Recently Read Book: “Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done” by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan, “Execution and follow-through are extremely important in business and in being an effective manager.”<br /><br />When Sarah McCandless happens upon a business venture, such as a restaurant, her thoughts go to wondering what makes it profitable.<br /><br />“It’s how my mind works,” she said.<br /><br />McCandless’ interest in business, along with a knack for math, led her to pursue an accounting degree at Boston College and to focus her career on accounting and finance. Most recently, McCandless accepted the position of CFO at Medford-based Suffolk Federal Credit Union.<br /><br />“The opportunity to become a CFO was extremely compelling,” she said. “It includes all facets of finance and accounting.”<br /><br />Looking back on how her career has developed, McCandless said she wouldn’t change a thing.<br /><br />“I’ve been blessed to have learned excellent skills everywhere I worked,” she said. “All of these positions molded me into the person I am today, and I need all those skills to be an effective CFO.”<br /><br />The certified public accountant began her career in Manhattan, working for the Big 4 accounting firm Ernst & Young.<br /><br />“Public accounting provides an excellent foundation for learning about accounting and business in general,” she said.<br /><br />She went on to work as an equity analyst at the Wall Street firms Banc of America Securities and Lazard Frères & Co., where she focused on the broadcasting industry and honed her financial and business writing skills.<br /><br />Her next role, as director of financial planning and analysis at the Manhattan company Screenvision, gave her the opportunity to work in-house, rather than in a consulting role.<br /><br />About eight years ago, McCandless made a lifestyle change, moving east and joining Bridgehampton National Bank, where her roles included vice president and controller.<br /><br />“After living and working in the city, I was able to achieve a dream of living in the Hamptons year-round while still having an excellent career,” she said. “Bridgehampton National Bank grew tremendously during the time I was there, and I learned a lot about community banking.”<br /><br />Her new role will also provide learning opportunities – an important selling point for McCandless.<br /><br />“It will round out my career to work for a credit union, and I will have the chance to learn from a CEO, Bill O’Brien, who is very experienced and has an excellent reputation in the industry,” she said.