Counting on a Challenging Career

October 25, 2024 | Careers

When a little girl’s favorite pastime is creating her own math problems, there’s a high probability she’ll grow up to be a CPA. And that’s exactly what Crystal Mitchell did.

“I’ve always loved numbers,” says Mitchell, who today is OTO Development’s assistant controller.  

Her early passion for math evolved into a love for problem-solving and business. To this, she added a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, an MBA from Gardner Webb, CPA licenses in both North and South Carolina — and an innate enthusiasm for life-long learning.

“If I had to sum up my career in just a few words, it would be ‘Never stop learning and always ask questions,’” Mitchell says. “A former supervisor, now good friend, taught me to always ask ‘Why?’ Asking why helps me develop a deeper understanding of concepts, which in turn helps me improve processes.”

After garnering a dozen years of accounting experience at various companies — including a stint at Extended Stay America during its Johnson Group days — Mitchell joined OTO Development in 2013 as a tax accountant for 38 properties. As the company grew, she advanced into roles of increasing responsibility.

In 2018, Mitchell was honored as OTO’s Home Office Contributor of the Year.

She left briefly in late 2021 for an opportunity elsewhere. Quickly realizing she missed the people, the culture, and the fast-paced, challenging work, she rejoined the company in June 2022.  “I did learn new concepts while I was away,” she says, “and I returned with a fresh perspective.”

This summer, Mitchell was promoted to assistant controller. “I’m most excited about assisting the accounting team and the properties on a broader scale, not just with tax questions,” she says. “I’m focused on creating efficiencies through process improvements. We’ve made tremendous strides via new software and procedures, and I’m eager to keep that momentum going.”

You can count on interesting work as a hospitality accountant, Mitchell says, because each hotel is a unique business in and of itself, plus every brand has its own property management and point of sale system. 

“Our job is to combine the data and apply accepted hotel accounting standards to report financial results in a meaningful way,” she explains.

Outside the office, Mitchell enjoys family time with her husband, Mike; their two adult sons, Hayden and Chase; and their English bulldog, Tyson. She also finds huge joy in her Mini Cooper, volunteering as treasurer and event planner for a club of local “MINIacs.” These car enthusiasts take group rides on twisty, mountain roads and also raise funds for various non-profits.

Mitchell’s other hobbies include camping, crafting, and reading, and she recently discovered the fun of flying quad-line stunt kites.

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