After graduation from college, Darrell began his career with a Decatur, Alabama, public accounting firm and was associated with the firm for 26 years. He was a full partner during his last 20 years with the firm and chose to leave that firm to open his firm. 

He earned his CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certificate in 1995 and his CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) in 2012. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the past president of the Wheeler Basin Chapter of CPAs. He has served on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee, the enforcement committee of the AICPA’s professional ethics executive committee, and the Alabama Society of CPAs’ partners in the peer review committee. 

Darrell W. Wates has been active in civic and community affairs throughout his life. He is a board member, previous treasurer, and currently Second Vice President of the Kiwanis Club of Decatur, Alabama. He currently serves as the treasurer for the United Way of Morgan County. He is also a board member of the Pregnancy Resource Center. 

Darrell is married to Carrie Wates formerly of Guin, Alabama. Carrie is a nurse with Decatur City Schools. 

Darrell and Carrie are the parents of three sons and one daughter:  Derek, Dayne, Drew, and Paige. The Wates are members of Westmeade Baptist Church of Decatur, where Darrell is a past chairman of the Finance Committee. 

Darrell enjoys sports, long-distance running, hunting and fishing, travel, spending time with his family and friends, and attending University of Alabama football games.