Anne Marie Hicks
Anne Marie Hicks is a Senior Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, bringing more than 35 years of expertise in government contract cost accounting and regulatory compliance. She has extensive knowledge across the Aerospace and Defense industry, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and business systems and internal controls, spanning both defense and non-defense sectors.
Before joining Capital Edge Consulting, Anne Marie had a distinguished career with CAE USA Inc., where she held leadership positions in compliance, controllership, tax, and internal audit.
Throughout her career, she has specialized in system design and configuration, internal control development, rate structure design, cost accounting standards compliance, and government cost principles application. Her work has included representing companies before DCAA and DCMA, designing and implementing Costpoint and other financial systems, and supporting mergers, acquisitions, and integrations.
Anne Marie has a strong record of managing teams, leading internal initiatives, and providing strategic guidance for proposals and compliance matters across CAE USA and its affiliates. She has also designed and delivered training programs on accounting and compliance topics to professionals across the U.S. and international affiliates.
In addition to her corporate leadership, Anne Marie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), where she has served on various committees and advisory task forces, including multiple terms as a Council Member-at-Large. She has also been a frequent speaker at industry conferences, sharing insights on transformation, leadership, and compliance trends.
Anne Marie holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Accounting and Management from the University of South Florida, where she was a member of Delta Sigma Pi – Theta Phi Chapter. She continues to leverage her expertise to support organizations in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and building strong, compliant financial systems.
• Chartered Global Management Accountant
• Certified Public Accountant
• University of South Florida - BA
• University of South Florida - BA, Accounting
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants Council
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to earning two Bachelor’s degrees, my natural ability with numbers, and most importantly, my love for helping people. Growing up in a military family and now working with multiple government contractors has also shaped my drive and dedication in this field.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was simple but powerful: when faced with a challenge, face it! It’s always better to try than to do nothing at all.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would share with young women entering this industry is to find joy in both your life and your work. Love what you do, because passion and purpose are what carry you through.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in this industry for me has been maintaining a balance between work and life. With dedication to my career, it can sometimes be difficult to step back and prioritize personal time.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values, both personally and professionally, are deeply rooted in family and the things that bring me peace and happiness. I enjoy boating, kayaking, fishing, free diving, reading fiction, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.