Wasilla wonder woman ready for all challenges

WASILLA - Karen Sheets is a single mother of a 12-year-old, holds down what amounts to a full-time job in an accountants office and is studying to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In May, she will also graduate at the top of her class from the University of Alaska-Anchorage.

Sheets certainly has her hands full, but nothing has deterred her from being a great mother, earning a degree and becoming a CPA. Her determination even has her graduating a semester ahead of her original schedule.

There have been times when it has been a little difficult, but Im determined and everything has worked out, Sheets said. Ive got a great group of friends who have really supported me. My daughter is my cheerleader because she is so supportive, too. This is just as thrilling for them as it is for me.

Sheets has been working three to four days a week at Kennedy and Co. LLC in Wasilla as an associate accountant.

But as if that would not keep her busy enough, twice a week, she makes the trip to Anchorage to take between three and four classes a day, leaving her with a frantic schedule and her coworkers with a respect for her efforts.

We are so proud of what Karen has done, Dan Kennedy, CPA, said. She works hard in the office, works hard at school and is now sitting for her CPA test. She is a wonderful person.

So how did she find time to accomplish everything? She said it was easy.

Ive really organized my time and made some sacrifices, Sheets said. It takes discipline. You cant waste time. I hardly watch any TV, and sometimes I get by on a little sleep.

The next two weeks should be interesting for Sheets. She has two final exams this week, and then takes the grueling CPA test May 3-4.

Despite the sheer volume of tests and exams, Sheets is confident because she has been meeting challenges for years.

Sheets grew up in Virginia and went to college at the University of Virginia for one year following high school.

She then got married and came to Alaska, and for 10 years was not in school. Thats when she rededicated herself to getting her degree, in a big way.

I realized that I wasnt fulfilling my potential, and by getting a degree, I could maximize my earning power, Sheets said.

She enrolled at Mat-Su College and earned her associates degree in 1997. She then started courses in Anchorage at UAA, and, while working full time, has been able to stay at the top of her class.

Accounting was a natural course of study, she said.

The structure of rules appeals to me and I was always good at math and numbers, Sheets said. I also like the interaction with the clients, trying to make things that they find difficult a little easier for them.

I first went back to school to basically become more computer-literate, and I found out that accounting was something for me after I took an introductory course. I really liked the professor and found out I liked it. Its great to work at something you find fun, Sheets said.

So after all the commotion of finals, graduation and the CPA exam passes, Sheets knows exactly what she will do.

I cant wait to spend time with my daughter and my friends this summer, Sheets said. Ive got big plans.

She said she is a little nervous about the CPA exam, but she has been preparing for it through study aids and different courses at the university.

If things dont go as planned, Sheets always has a back-up plan ready.

They give the exam again in six months, she said with a chuckle. But I want to pass it the first time.Photo: Wasillas Karen Sheets is a busy woman. She is a single mother, holds a full-time job, is set to graduate at the top of her class from the University of Alaska-Anchorage and is studying for the CPA examination.

Photo by CASEY RESSLER.