2025 Consultants Club: Meet Elizabeth Malone!

At Cox Consulting Network, we’re proud to have consultants who bring not just expertise, but passion and flexibility to their roles. Elizabeth Malone, a seasoned CPA with nearly 30 years of experience in finance and accounting, is one of those exceptional consultants. Recently earning a spot in the CCN Consultants Club for accumulating 5000 hours of impactful work, Elizabeth’s journey at CCN is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you combine professional fulfillment with personal freedom.

A Journey That Began with a Love for Travel  

Elizabeth’s career path wasn’t exactly conventional. As a child, she envisioned herself as a travel agent, excited by the idea of exploring the world. But after spending some time in a travel agency during high school, writing bus tickets by hand, she quickly realized that it wasn’t the career for her.

The pivot came when she worked at a bank, which exposed her to the world of finance and accounting. “I enjoyed the business world and finance, and I realized I was really good at math,” Elizabeth recalls. This newfound interest led her to earn a degree in accounting and finance, which launched her career at Air New Zealand. After moving to the U.S., Elizabeth continued progressing through various accounting roles, gaining broad experience from internal reporting to P&L analysis.

However, it was the chaotic experience at a small company, where Elizabeth faced burnout during a company-wide restructuring, that led her to consider consulting. “I was working crazy hours, and the stress was overwhelming,” she says. “I called my mentor and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ And that’s when she introduced me to consulting.”

Elizabeth had no idea what consulting was really like but, when her mentor explained the model—assignments provided, benefits included—she was immediately sold. 

The Power of Flexibility: Consulting with CCN  

One of the things Elizabeth loves most about consulting is the flexibility it offers. At her current client she works with teams all over the world, from Ireland and Brazil to California and New York. “I work with people in all these different time zones, and I get to adjust my schedule based on their needs,” Elizabeth says. “It’s the perfect balance.”

Remote work has been an especially huge advantage for Elizabeth. “I can’t even tell you what a huge benefit it is to work remotely. It saves so much time and energy—especially avoiding the commute,” she adds, speaking to the convenience and time saved. “With remote work, I can focus more on what really matters, like my family and personal passions.”

For Elizabeth, consulting is all about finding that balance between professional success and personal satisfaction. “I love knowing that I’m not stuck in one place with CCN. I can jump around and take on different roles, which keeps things fresh and exciting,” she says. The freedom to pursue diverse projects, without being tied down to one company, allows Elizabeth to thrive in her career while enjoying a fulfilling personal life.

Living Life Outside of Work  

When she’s not helping global teams solve complex financial challenges, Elizabeth is out living life to the fullest. Traveling is a huge part of her life, and she and her husband are always planning their next adventure. “We’re planning to visit Korea next year to see my husband’s family, and we might even pop over to Japan while we’re there,” she shares excitedly. They’re even learning Korean together, which has been a rewarding challenge. “Learning the alphabet is a lot easier than some other languages, but it’s still fascinating,” she says.

In addition to traveling, Elizabeth stays active and enjoys being part of a women’s choir, the Tapestry Singers. “I’ve always loved singing, but I hadn’t been in a choir for years. A friend invited me to join, and I’m really enjoying it,” she says. Her passion for music gives her a creative outlet outside of work, and being part of a choir provides a sense of community and connection.

Elizabeth also enjoys playing board games and card games with her husband. “We’re really into games like Dominion and Magic the Gathering,” she shares. “I’ve even won a few tournaments! It’s a fun way to bond and challenge each other.”

Embracing the Consulting Life  

As Elizabeth reflects on her transition into consulting, she encourages others to embrace the unique opportunities it offers: “Consulting is a unique opportunity—embrace it and enjoy it. You’re hired to be the expert, and you get to take on a leadership role. It’s a great way to challenge yourself and make a real impact.”

For Elizabeth, consulting has brought the perfect combination of professional success and personal satisfaction. It’s not just about providing expertise—it’s about creating the life you want, both inside and outside the office. We’re thrilled to have Elizabeth as part of our team!