2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: KRYSTAL MCCANTS

With more than 20 years of public accounting experience, McCants specializes in income tax planning, compliance and review. She joined YHB in 2020 following a decade at CST Group, a Reston-based accounting firm. A 2003 Virginia Tech graduate, McCants is the 2025–26 board chair for the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) and also chairs the VSCPA Educational Foundation. In her free time, McCants enjoys taking cruises; she has three scheduled for 2026.

FIRST JOB: I worked at Express in retail when I was in high school. Organizing the store and folding clothes and all that jazz. I am an expert packer now as a result.

MOST MEANINGFUL JOB: My current job is probably my most meaningful. Your clients are relying on you for more than just producing a tax return and what we do can make an impact on their financial lives. Especially in tough situations for clients, helping them navigate the financial side of the house and making [their lives] easier is a great feeling.

WHOSE FOOTSTEPS I’M FOLLOWING: My parents were both in accounting roles in their careers and sticking close to my dad as the treasurer of our church certainly piqued my interest. I did think accounting was “too easy,” so I started college in engineering, and it just did not resonate with me, so I went back to what I knew and learned quickly that it’s not easy!

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: You have to take the time to develop relationships, whether it’s with your clients or your peers. Being able to anticipate the needs of those around you and allowing them to see your human side makes the relationship much smoother and allows for success on both sides of the table.