Welcome to the Partner Spotlight Series, where we sit down with experienced bookkeepers and accountants to learn about their firms and explore how OnPay helps them provide exceptional payroll services to their clients.
Tell us your name and a little bit about your firm.
My name is Michelle Fox, and I’m the Client Accounting Services Manager at HintonBurdick CPAs & Advisors. We’re headquartered in St. George, Utah, and have five offices across three states. I’ve been with the firm for several years now and currently lead a team of about 15 professionals.
We work with a wide range of clients, but some of our main industries include construction, hospitality, nonprofits, and even influencers and e-commerce brands. Given all the growth and tourism in southern Utah — being close to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Grand Canyon — our client base is as dynamic as the area we serve.
What made you want to work in the accounting industry?
I’ve always had a natural interest in numbers, but more than that, I love what numbers mean to a business or individual. They tell a story. I really enjoy helping people understand their financials and what they can do to improve them.
That’s the most fulfilling part of my work is giving clients the confidence and knowledge to make smart, informed decisions. Whether that’s helping them manage cash flow or rethink pricing strategies, I want to be the person they can turn to for insight and support.
Fill in the blank: I never start my workday without _.
Coffee, it’s a must-have.
When you are not helping clients, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I stay pretty busy outside of work. I’m a mom to three amazing daughters. We love spending time together doing things like watching movies, swimming, playing games, or heading out on weekend trips. We all really enjoy traveling and exploring new places when we can.
One of the things I appreciate most about my job is the flexibility it offers. My firm is supportive of remote work, so I can take my laptop along and still stay connected. It makes it easier to balance being there for my family while continuing to serve our clients well.
How do you view your role as an accountant in your clients’ businesses and where do you provide the most value?
I owned my own small business for about seven years, so I’ve been in their position. That perspective helps me provide more than just standard bookkeeping and accounting services. I’ve dealt with marketing challenges, cost of goods sold, high payroll expenses, and trying to make it all work.
I strive to leverage my past small business experience in every client relationship. I want to help them make smart choices that improve profitability and reduce stress.
If you weren’t in the accounting industry, what job would you most like to have?
I think I’d still gravitate toward some kind of leadership role. I love managing a team, solving problems, and helping others grow. I thrive when I’m mentoring or guiding people through challenges — it’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do now, and I think I’d seek that out no matter the industry.
Why do you recommend OnPay to your clients?
OnPay provides the biggest value for the price. In my opinion, it’s significantly more expensive to get the same level of service elsewhere.
I also really appreciate OnPay’s customer support. Someone is always there to answer the phone, and that makes a big difference when something needs to be fixed quickly.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a small business owner who is just starting out?
My advice to small business owners is to avoid operating your business strictly on debt. While it’s tempting to rely on loans or credit in the beginning, it’s important to build a foundation that’s profitable without being over-leveraged.
If you can keep your profits up and run a lean operation from the start, you’ll have more control over your growth — and fewer unwanted surprises down the road.
What are you excited about for the future of the accounting industry? What trends do you see impacting you and your clients?
I’m excited about the integration of AI. It’s already making a big difference by cutting down on manual research and helping us get to the insights faster.
Having tools that can analyze books or provide context about an industry in seconds will only make our work more strategic and valuable.
How does OnPay differ from other software you’ve used with your clients?
OnPay’s customer service alone is a major differentiator. I’ve used other platforms where getting help felt like pulling teeth. With OnPay, I can always reach someone and usually resolve an issue quickly. The response time is excellent, and having a dedicated partner contact makes a big difference.
That reliability allows us to focus more on serving our clients and less on troubleshooting the tools we use to do that.
Do you have any advice for bookkeepers and accountants who are just looking to get into payroll?
Start with a platform that’s truly full-service. When you’re new to offering payroll, the last thing you want is to be manually filing forms or tracking tax deadlines on your own.
OnPay handles those details, from tax filings to payments, so you can focus on growing your firm and serving your clients. It makes payroll manageable, scalable, and way less stressful.
If you could describe OnPay in 3 words, what would they be?
User-friendly, cost-effective, streamlined.
Take your practice to the next level
Thanks for exploring our Partner Spotlight series! If you have questions about how OnPay helps accountants streamline payroll services, our team would love to hear from you. Learn how OnPay’s Partner program can help you expand your practice’s service offerings.
