It's hard to believe, but after a little over 5 years and 240+ episodes, we are going to be shutting down the podcast... at least for now. The journey of starting from zero and building the collection of interviews one-by-one over this 5 year time period has been incredibly fun and humbling.  I've been so grateful for all the guests that said 'yes' to being on the program.  And I've been even more grateful for you, the listeners, who continue to show up and download the shows every week.  It truly has been an amazing experience. I think we have proven our purpose - that you truly can do practically anything when you start with a background in accounting, and so I'm comfortable that we can discontinue the show for now. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if we can be of any assistance to you with your own career journey going forward though.  We are always happy to help in any way that we can. Thank you for listening!  :)  

Professor Mansour Farhat, a previous guest on our show, came back for this episode of Where Accountants Go to tell us about a new offering he has helped make available for accounting students. If you weren’t already aware of Mansour from his 1900+ Youtube videos on accounting topics, you definitely should go back in our archives to episode 107 where we delve even more in-depth into how he got started in the Youtube world (107: Mansour Farhat – Saving Accounting Students One YouTube Video At A Time | MGR Accounting Recruiters (mgrar.com)). Professor Farhat started producing accounting educational videos simply because he was very busy teaching classes at two different schools at one point.  He started his Youtube channel as a way to be more efficient with his time, and it ended up being a resource that is now used by accounting students all over the globe.  After a friend called his attention to how popular the channel had become, he decided to greatly expand it and make it even more searchable.  Fast forward a little bit, and Mansour now has over 1900 videos online, and produces supplemental material to be used in conjunction with popular CPA review courses as well! The new offering we talk about in this episode though is that of helping students that need to meet the 150 hour credit requirement for the CPA exam get those credits in a more economical and efficient manner.  Mansour co-founded an organization called CPACredits.com that allows students to take courses online, in about half the time, and at a very economical rate in order to get the ten to thirty extra credits they may need to sit for the CPA exam.  While this would benefit just about anyone looking to meet that requirement, I believe that it will be a game-changer for those individuals that didn’t get the hours earlier in life, and now feel that they can’t due to complications with returning to school.  For those people already several years into their careers and family lives, this could be the solution that allows them to get certified. For more information on CPACredits.com or Mansour’s other video offerings, please click on the links in the text above. To listen to this interview with Mansour Farhat, please use the player below:

Hitendra Patil of AccountantsWorld, who also frequently appears on the list of the Top 100 Most Influential People In Accounting, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We like to cover a variety of career topics for accounting professionals on this show, and entrepreneurship-done-well is definitely one of them.  In this episode, Hitendra discusses the concept of how to become an “Accountaneur”.  This particular term, which Hitendra has trademarked, encompasses the idea of not just being a self-employed accountant, but being successful in the endeavor from both the earnings standpoint and the desired lifestyle perspective.  You will need to listen to the audio interview for a complete definition, but a large part of what Hitendra discusses is how to evolve past simply being a client’s chosen accountant, and going further to learn their business and the nuances of how they become successful.  This allows the Accountaneur to become more of the trusted advisor that we all aspire to be.  It really is a good discussion we have in this approximate 1-hour episode. For other episodes you may enjoy, check out:  John Garrett and Lindsay Stevenson To listen to this episode with Hitendra Patil, please use the player below:

Lee Frederiksen of Hinge joined us for this week’s episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Lee’s team approached us with this topic, and we were very excited to have the discussion.  “The Great Resignation” is a phenomenon affecting the entire labor market, and the accounting profession is no exception.  The market was already tight in terms of the number of accountants available versus the number of job opportunities, but with opportunities increasing and some individuals choosing to exit the labor market by choice, the number of open jobs within our field has skyrocketed.  It’s a peculiar situation, and although it has its advantages, there are also some dangers as well. In this episode, we will discuss the situation from both the employer’s perspective and the job seeker’s perspective, because there are opportunities and dangers on both sides.  It’s rare that we get to interview a behavioral psychologist on our program, so this was a real treat.  And the topic we discussed is definitely on the cutting edge of current events. For other episodes you may enjoy, check out:  Carl Peterson and Terrell Turner To listen to this episode with Lee Frederiksen of Hinge, please use the player below:

Jennifer Todling, Partner with EY, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. When we scheduled this episode, we knew it was going to be a story of a successful, progressive accounting career as Jennifer had been with EY approaching 18 years and is a partner with the firm.  However, we didn’t realize all the additional value that this interview would bring! In addition to discussing her progression to partner over the years, we also discuss a few other pleasant surprises in her journey.  One additional item of value was the discussion of her short departure from EY to pursue a Fellow position with the SEC.  Jennifer spent about 3 years on the regulatory side, which was both an enjoyable experience and something that helped build her skill-set for when she later returned to EY. We also discuss how she had to go remote for personal reasons very early in her career.  That may not seem like a big deal now, but this was prior to Zoom, Teams, and all the other tools we use now to do remote work.  The process was much more paper intensive, so she wasn’t sure it was even possible in the beginning.  However, due to the support from a few leaders at the firm, they were able to make it work and her progression with EY continued.  It really is an interesting part of the interview.  Make sure you listen to this one all the way through. For other episodes you may enjoy, check out:  How To Advance to Partner, and Samantha Bowling’s interview. To listen in on this interview with Jennifer Todling, please use the player below:

Tom Golden, a retired forensics partner from PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), who also has authored two forensics thrillers, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. If you have ever wondered about the realities of investigating major frauds, then this is the episode for you.  Tom very accidentally got into the forensics area when he discovered anomalies on one of his first client assignments at PwC, and that ended up turning into a major fraud investigation that lasted over a year.  After that experience, he realized that investigating fraud was something that he very much enjoyed, so he convinced the firm to let him start the forensics department, and ended up building that into a career for himself in the 26 years that he was with PwC. Another important item to note about Tom’s career was that it wasn’t all behind a computer and a desk.  His investigations took he and his team across the globe and into some very dangerous situations.  Make sure you listen to the audio interview to hear Tom tell some of those stories.  They definitely are much more suspenseful than you would expect. For details on two of the investigations Tom was involved in, check out his two thriller novels:  Sunday Night Fears and One Honest Soul. Other related podcasts you will enjoy:  Kelly Richmond Pope and Mindy Mejia To listen to this interview with Tom Golden, please use the player below:

Jason Parr, the President of Peisner Johnson, a state and local tax consulting company, joined us this week for Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the road less traveled so-to-speak with respect to careers… that of staying at the same company and continuing to build your career at that one organization.  For Jason, that meant starting as an assistant in accounting prior to earning his degree, and ending up as President after a couple decades of diligent effort and personal growth.  Jason tells the story better than we could in a simple show notes summary, so make sure you listen to the full interview using the player below, or by using your favorite podcast app. If you ultimately want to work your way into executive management, this is definitely an episode you will want to hear.  Jason was very open about his path, even about some of his doubts and learning opportunities along the way.  This was a great interview. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Paula Gold-Williams and Anoop Mehta To listen to this interview with Jason Parr of Peisner Johnson, please use the player below:

Alicia Maples, a professional business coach that I personally have worked with for many years, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, The Accounting Careers Podcast.  In this special edition episode, we have a very direct and practical conversation about managing the client base in a public accounting firm.  If you are in business already, or just starting to think about starting your own firm, this episode will be beneficial to you. The main topic we discuss is how to let go of clients that don’t fit your desired end goals, but we also discuss how keeping bad clients can affect not just your lifestyle, but that of your team as well! If you would like to find out more about Alicia, or take her 5 Day Credibility Challenge, make sure you visit www.brilliantsmb.com To listen in on this interview with Alicia Maples, please use the player below:

Andrew Jordan, CPA and COO of FinancePal, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  We touch on many topics in this particular show, from finding the right career fit for your own needs, all the way to starting and merging a firm.  And we even cover a story of fraud in the middle of the interview!  Many, many lessons in this episode. Andrew’s career journey started as many do… he worked hard to do well in college and was hired by one of the national firms right out of school.  He passed the CPA exam early, and was on his way to have the ‘dream career’ in large public accounting.  What he didn’t realize at the time was that it was typical for the firm to over-hire, and then make adjustments after busy season.  Unfortunately this meant he was left without a job even after passing the CPA exam.  However, this ended up being a blessing as it launched him on a new path of joining a smaller firm and continuing his career progression there. Not too many years later, he was recruited by a client tech company for their CFO role.  It was a tremendous opportunity.  He learned quite a bit, but unfortunately part of that was about the fraud that was occurring within the company.  He survived that tumultuous time though and helped the company recover.  Later on, due to decisions made by the private equity owners, the company closed down and Andrew decided to start his own practice. For the story of how he started and grew his practice, and eventually merged it into FinancePal, make sure to listen to the full audio interview.  Andrew was very open and transparent with the story of his journey – something we always really appreciate. For other episodes you may enjoy, listen to these prior shows:  Kelly Richmond-Pope and Ryan Lazanis To listen in on this interview with Andrew Jordan, please use the player below:

Loreal Jiles, the new VP of Research & Thought Leadership with the Institute of Management Accountants, joins us for this very interesting episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the technological transformation that has happened, is happening, and will continue to happen within the accounting profession.  Loreal has spent many years working in this space, both in her current role with the IMA as well as with the large multi-national organization BP.  However, in addition to the technological discussion, we also take significant time during this interview to delve deeply into Loreal’s very successful 14 years with BP.  It’s rare we see individuals move up that quickly and over such an extended period of time as Loreal, so that part of the interview has several gems of advice as well. If you are looking to build your career with a large organization, or have an interest in technology and how it will continue to transform our profession, this is an ideal episode for you. Other episodes that will interest you are:  Jody Padar and Stewart Goodson For more information on the IMA, visit IMAnet.org To listen in on this discussion with Loreal Jiles, please use the player below:

Announcement!  We are not gone, just taking a couple weeks off to recover from Covid. Join us again on August 31st when we release our next guest accountant interview.  You will enjoy this one - all about digital transformation! In the meantime, if you haven't seen our Classes section and upcoming Excel and Tax courses, check out www.mgrar.com/classes See you in 2 weeks! Mark  

This is a special announcement edition of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. For many years we have provided tax training for entry-level accountants and those without much tax experience through our live courses.  We are super excited to announce that now that training is available to anyone, anytime, anywhere! If you are an entry-level accountant that wants to learn CPA-firm-level tax skills, this course is for you. If you are an experienced accountant, but without tax background, this course can help you learn CPA-firm-level tax preparation skills as well. If you have had a tax internship or two, but didn’t feel like you learned everything you would like for a strong foundation, this course is for you as well. (Note:  This course is NOT for experienced tax preparers with 2+ years of experience.  It is meant to mirror on-the-job type internship training, so it’s more appropriate for less experienced students.) If you are interested in learning more about the content of our Individual Tax Bootcamp ON—DEMAND, click here:  MGR On-Demand Courses.

Geraldine Carter of She Thinks Big Coaching joined us for this special edition of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. While our show usually highlights the career paths of successful accountants, or individuals that started in accounting and have went on to blossom that knowledge into new, unique career paths, sometimes we produce a special episode focused on helping accountants with their entrepreneurial endeavors.  This episode is exactly that. For this week’s show, our guest, Geraldine Carter, drills down on the issues that make some accountants’ entrepreneurial dreams turn more into nightmares down the road.  Many of us ultimately would like to have our own practice, but often the freedom we think we are going to achieve doesn’t become a reality.  We end up working for our practice instead of it working for us. In this episode, Geraldine covers many of the pitfalls that a self-employed accountant can encounter, and how to fix those issues so that you can thoroughly enjoy running your practice, and so that it meets all your needs and expectations as well. For more information on Geraldine Carter, please visit her website at: Business Coaching for CPA's & Small Firms | She Thinks Big Coaching If you enjoy this episode with Geraldine, please also check out:  Sarah Elliott and Mariette Martinez To listen to this interview with Geraldine Carter, please use the player below:

Tracy Coenen of Sequence Inc, a Chicago-based forensic accounting specialty firm, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Tracy always knew she wanted to be involved with investigations and the criminal justice system.  In fact, early in her life she dreamed of being a Prison Warden!  However, after taking a class in financial crime investigation, she realized that she enjoyed the analysis that comes with such an investigation, and decided to pursue a career investigating financial crimes.  She continued with her Criminology major in school, but also got her MBA with enough hours to sit for the CPA exam.  She passed the exam, spent a short time at Arthur Andersen, then a few years at a small forensic accounting firm, and then decided to launch her own business – Sequence Inc. For the past 20 years, Tracy has operated her company basically as a solo entrepreneur, with the exception of a short time earlier on that she talks about in the interview.  She chooses to keep the firm small from a team standpoint because it allows her to focus on the activities that she most enjoys – digging into the details and doing the investigation itself. Another valuable portion of this episode is our discussion of what it takes to be a good expert witness in trials.  Tracy has well-developed skills in that area, and shares some of her insights into that role in this interview.  It’s definitely something you don’t want to miss. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Kelly Richmond-Pope and Fred Olivares To listen in on this podcast episode with Tracy Coenen, please use the player below:

Michelle Garrison, a CFO in the Houston area, joined us for this continuation of our “2nd-career-accountant” series of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Michelle’s career started a little differently than most of our guests.  Michelle was actually a very successful electrical engineer in her former career, and as she got further into the details of running her own electrical contracting company, she realized she had a talent for understanding the financial side of the business.  As time went by and the contracting world was becoming more competitive, she decided to move her career in the direction of accounting, completing a Masters degree in Accounting and obtaining a consulting position within the field.  Her consulting work fast-tracked her into many career-building opportunities, and eventually she landed in the role where she is today:  the CFO for a healthcare organization in Houston. If you are a 2nd-career-accountant yourself, or are about to be, you will definitely enjoy this interview.  Also, if you want more insight into how an accounting education can help you be a better overall business advisor, then this show is for you as well. Other episodes you may enjoy will include:  Robin Thieme and Brian Henderson To listen in on this interview with Michelle Garrison, please use the player below:

Nancy McClelland, a CPA in the Chicago area, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast.  In this episode, we are going to cover many items, probably the most interesting being how she came up with the name for her practice – “The Dancing Accountant”! As you might expect, Nancy’s early background was in music.  Her mother was very creative, and her father was the more analytical one.  While in college, Nancy tried many majors, but eventually chose music.  She very early on landed a role in administration with an arts school, and realized that she also had talent inherited from her father as well – that of organization and analysis.  It was through combining both her creative side and analytical side that caused her to excel in accounting / administration roles with music-related companies.  It wasn’t long though until she realized that all small businesses have similar issues to that which she was encountering in the music world, and so she then decided to start her practice – Nancy McClelland LLC.  If you want to hear the full story of how she moved from that initial name for her practice to “The Dancing Accountant”, you’ll need to listen to the audio portion in order to her it from Nancy’s own lips.  It’s a very interesting story. To find out more about Nancy’s firm, please visit:  The Dancing Accountant If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  John Garrett and Ann Margaret Johnson To listen in on this interview with The Dancing Accountant, Nancy McClelland, please use the player below:

This week on Where Accountants Go: The Accounting Careers podcast, we rebroadcast a show where  Mark Goldman, the host of Where Accountants Go, was a guest on another podcast by the name of “Accountable”. “Accountable” is an extraordinarily well-produced podcast hosted by David Peters, a prior guest on our show.  In this episode, David interviews Mark on aspects of the job market, hiring for accounting professionals, and career management.  David did such a great job with the interview as well as the production of the show, that we wanted to re-run it so it could benefit you (our listeners) as well. If you’d like to hear other episodes of “Accountable”, please visit their website by clicking here. To hear David’s own interview on this episode, visit: 221: David Peters , CPA – Host of Accountable | MGR Accounting Recruiters (mgrar.com) To listen in on this interview Mark did with David Peters on the Accountable podcast, please use the player below:

Cece Leung, Founder of The Entrepreneur CFO, author of “Dear Accountant”, and host of the podcast by the same name, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. In this episode, we cover many, many topics.  Cece’s early career was somewhat unique for our show in that she worked in mutual fund accounting and other fields having to do with the financial capital markets.  Eventually though, she joined a start-up in the financial services field and that launched her into the world of smaller businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors, and her vision of the business world was widened.  Up until this point, she had lived primarily in large-corporate-America, or more appropriately the global corporate marketplace.  However, when she joined this start-up as their Controller, she was forced to widen her knowledge base as she was not as focused in one area as she had been previously. That experience, plus her ‘side hustle’ as she describes it, positioned her well to eventually start her own entrepreneurial CFO business.  In addition, she perceived a lack of information for younger individuals regarding all the options that are available for accounting professionals, so she started her podcast and wrote a book by the same name highlighting some of the amazing careers of accounting professionals she had come in contact with.  That book and podcast are titled, “Dear Accountant”. If you are interested in the financial markets, a career that mixes both finance and accounting, or helping smaller businesses with finance issues, you will enjoy this story. Also, make sure to check out both Cece’s book and podcast (click on the appropriate link). If you enjoy this episode, please make sure to check out:  Adriana Carpenter and Kim Nourie To listen to this interview with Cece Leung, please use the player below:

Dawn Goldberg, CPA and Certified Life Coach (and mother of course), joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  In addition to being a coach for CPAs that are mothers, Dawn is also a Community Manager for CPA MOMS and hosts their podcast as well! Dawn was introduced to accounting as many of us are, through her high school bookkeeping class.  She had a great teacher that informed her it was a wonderful career path ‘for a woman’, and therefore she decided to pursue it as her chosen career field.  Ironically, after working for several years in the Big 4, she decided to go ahead and leave to be a full-time, stay-at-home mother for a while in order to not miss out on some of the small moments that she treasured.  (Although many of the partners she worked under had been understanding, there were a few that were not so understanding, so it made it a good choice to take some time off at that particular point.) Upon re-entering the workforce part-time and later going through a divorce, she was researching different self-help resources when she decided that maybe that could be a new career path for her… helping others through what she had been through in both her career and her own personal life.  It was at that point that she decided to study to be a Certified Life Coach. Fast forward several years and Dawn has joined both her podcast and overall professional endeavors with the CPA MOMS organization, and she coaches ladies through the challenges that come with being both a CPA and a mother in today’s workplace. Make sure you listen all the way to the end on this one as Dawn shares some very valuable and interesting career tips for us in our post-Covid world.  I found a lot of truth in her perspective of what the workplace is like now and how it may become in the near future. If you enjoy this episode, please make sure to also check out:  Amanda Aguillard and Elena Levario For Dawn’s own podcast, visit Podcast — CPA MOMS® (cpa-moms.com) To listen in on this interview with Dawn Goldberg, please use the player below:

Dr. Adrian Mayse, CPA, Accounting Department Chair at Howard University, and author of the children’s book “When I Grow Up I Want To Be An Accountant” (!) joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Like many of our guests over the years, this guest was suggested by one of you, the listeners!  When I received the suggestion I was obviously intrigued, but when I looked on Amazon for Adrian’s book and saw the quality, I couldn’t help but ask him to come on the show. In this episode, we cover Adrian’s early career of course, but then we get into two very informative & fun discussions about 1) what it takes to get your PhD in accounting, and 2) how he decided to and ultimately did publish his book, “When I Grow Up I Want To Be An Accountant”.  In a nutshell, “When I Grow Up I Want To Be An Accountant” is a children’s book focused on teaching young children about the profession of accounting, as well as showing diversity in the profession – both of which are incredibly important.  I truly feel that Adrian has done both the profession and society overall a good deed by putting this book out into the marketplace, and I know it will make many people’s lives better over time. You can find Adrian’s book at: When I Grow Up I Want To Be... An Accountant: Mayse CPA, Dr. Adrian L., Perryman, Reshonda, Ross, Frank K.: 9798599300236: Amazon.com: Books If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Ed Polansky and John Garrett To listen in on this interview with Dr. Adrian Mayse, please use the player below:

Robert Nordlander, a former Senior Special Agent in the Criminal Investigations area of the Internal Revenue Service, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. In this episode, we discuss what originally drew Robert into law enforcement, how he ended up landing the position with the IRS, and some key cases he worked on during his tenure with the Service.  We also discuss the podcast he created last year (“Fraud Fighter Podcast”) and how he has learned so much about the commercial side of forensics through that very same effort. If you are interested in forensic accounting, law enforcement, or even starting your own specialty consulting company of any kind, you will find value in this episode.  Robert was very generous and open in discussing his career.  You definitely will have many take-aways from this interview. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Bill Cotter , Felicia Farrar, and Fred Olivares To listen in on this episode with Robert Nordlander, please use the player below:

For this week's episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, we have a short CareerTalk mini-episode for you covering an important concept specifically for those entering the job market.  Whether for a student internship, your first professional job, or even if you are simply looking for something new, the idea we cover in this show will be beneficial. With the Covid shelter-in-place situation going on for over a year, it was easy to get into the habit of not getting out, and to being somewhat closed off from other professionals.  However, with many areas starting to open back up, it's important to continue to build, or in some cases re-establish, those important professional relationships. In this short episode, we talk about networking and the importance of it going forward. (Disclaimer:  If you are in an area that has not opened up, it's important to be cautious of course.  This episode is meant for those in geographical areas where professional association meetings and other business events are starting to become live / in-person activities again.) To listen in on this episode, please use the player below:  

Ryan Lazanis, the Founder of Future Firm and a previous guest on our show, re-joined us this week for a more in-depth discussion of how to build a modern accounting practice that is both scalable and something that fits the life you want to lead. Ryan started his career in a typical staff accountant role like many of us do, and even tried both public accounting and industry like many of us as well.  However, after only a few years and while he was still in his 20’s, he decided to build his own accounting practice, but in a way that fit the lifestyle  he wanted to lead – something with more work/life balance than we generally picture in public accounting. At about the 5 year mark, he had been approached so much about potentially selling his practice that he had to seriously consider that option.  After much soul-searching, he decided to go ahead and sell the firm and pursue another passion of his… helping other firm owners build a practice for themselves that fit their own specific dreams. Future Firm, Ryan’s current endeavor, helps firm owners build and scale a modern firm that meets their financial needs, but doesn’t wear them out in the process.  He focuses on technology and subscription-based offerings in order to help the owners more easily manage their workload and thus their practice. If you have any interest in building a firm, or if you have built a firm and would like it to be a little more lifestyle-friendly for you and your team, you will really enjoy this episode. To find out more about Ryan’s offerings, please visit… futurefirm.co/newsletter - for his free newsletter, or futurefirmaccelerate.com – for more information on his consulting & coaching services For other episodes you may enjoy, check out:  Ryan Lazanis interview #1 and Ron Baker To listen in on this discussion with Ryan Lazanis, please use the player below:

Julio Gonzalez, the founder of Engineered Tax Services, joined us from Florida for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We find our guests for the show from many sources, but in this case we just noticed some intriguing content online and decided to delve deeper and find out more.  Julio Gonzalez’ early career took him into the specialized tax field, and that opportunity and knowledge base eventually led to him starting his own specialty practice and building it into an organization of several hundred people.  Engineered Tax Services now helps accounting firms and their clients in the areas of cost segregation, R&D tax credits, energy credits, and much more.  In addition, the company also has other offerings focused on helping the CPA firms they work with improve various aspects of their own practices. If building a niche specialty interests you, or simply building a complex organization over time is something you aspire to do, this episode will be of great value.  We were fortunate that Julio spent the time to record this.  I’m sure you will enjoy the episode. For information on Julio’s company, visit Engineered Tax Services | Where Engineering & Accounting Come Together. For other episodes you will enjoy, check out:  Brannon Poe and Chris Rosas To listen in on this interview with Julio Gonzalez of Engineered Tax Services, please use the player below:

Amanda “Jo” Erven of Audit.Consulting.Education.,LLC, in the Denver area joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Jo started her career in public accounting, but quickly moved into internal audit after only a short time.  She knew that she wanted to go deeper into helping one organization than typically possible in public accounting, so the internal audit route ended up being better for her.  And she did very well!  Over not too many years she found herself in the role of Internal Audit Director with a financial organization and enjoyed a tremendous amount of satisfaction by working to make internal audit more of a “crossing guard” function instead of a “bad cop” role (to use her own description). Eventually though, Jo decided that she wanted to go broader and help even more organizations achieve the same value-added approach to internal audit, and that is when she formed her company.  The name of the company is “Audit.Consulting.Education.,LLC”, and she helps companies with their internal audit strategies, teaches continuing education and university courses, and also does a variety of consulting in the areas of risk and policy development. Make sure you listen all the way to the end of this episode though.  Jo shares some valuable insights for younger accountants as well regarding how to tell if the organization you work for, or will work for, is a good fit for your own personal values.  That advice is sure to help you find better matches for yourself in your own personal career journey. If you enjoy this episode, please make sure to also check out:  Kelly Richmond Pope and Kathy Kapka To listen in on this episode with Amanda “Jo” Erven, please use the player below:

David Peters, a CPA in the Richmond, Virginia area, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast.  David’s career is an excellent example of how when you start with a background in accounting, you can go almost any direction you would like, or even many if you prefer! David was an unlikely accountant per se, in that he never had an interest in accounting early in life.  It wasn’t until he decided against his first choice of career paths (Theology), that his father suggested that he may excel in Accounting and that it was a solid choice for stability reasons.  Although he obviously continues to live out his faith in his life overall, as it turns out many of his strengths have fit well into building a very successful career in the accounting and finance realm. Fast forward to today, and David does tax work, consulting, and financial advising work for his clients.  In addition, he teaches at both the university level and as a continuing education instructor for CPA Societies and a few for-profit CE providers.  He truly has a tremendous amount of variety in his career, and you can tell that he thoroughly enjoys it. To find out more about David’s podcast “Accountable”, visit ‎Accountable on Apple Podcasts Or for information on the educational courses offered through David’s company, visit Peters Professional Education For other podcast you will enjoy, try… Tracie Miller-Nobles and Anjali Jariwali To listen to this interview with David Peters, please use the player below:

Diane Yetter, the Founder of the Sales Tax Institute, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  If you aspire to be the true subject matter expert in your field, whatever that may be, you will really enjoy this particular episode. Diane’s specialization started much differently than you may imagine.  She didn’t start out to specialize in the sales tax area, but rather became very knowledgeable & skilled in it due to automation projects she participated in very early in her career.  Those projects involved improving systems around the accounting for sales tax, and consequently she became a true subject matter expert in a relatively short period of time.  During her work in the field, she also became involved in training teams on these items, and realized how much she enjoyed the training aspect.  It was because of that realization that she decided to strike out on her own and form the Sales Tax Institute in 1996, an organization that handles both training & implementations in the sales tax systems field. For those that enjoy stories of building and re-building businesses, Diane’s story will be enjoyable for you as well.  She has made many changes back and forth over the years in her business, as most do, so there is tremendous learning value in that portion of the interview as well.  It’s a great story of building a business by seeing a need in the marketplace, and filling it. For other episodes you may enjoy, check out: 66: Stewart Goodson – How Robotics Are Changing the Accounting Field | MGR Accounting Recruiters (mgrar.com) 163: Even a Nerd Can Be Heard – An Interview with Geni Whitehouse | MGR Accounting Recruiters (mgrar.com) For more information on Diane Yetter, visit any of the following links: YETTER Tax: http://www.yettertax.com/ Sales Tax Institute: https://www.salestaxinstitute.com/ Diane Yetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeyetter/ YETTER Tax Twitter (used as Diane’s personal account): @YetterTax https://twitter.com/YetterTax YETTER Tax LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yetter-tax/ Sales Tax Institute Twitter: @SalesTaxInst https://twitter.com/SalesTaxInst Sales Tax Institute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sales-tax-institute/ Sales Tax Institute Facebook: @salestaxinstitute https://www.facebook.com/salestaxinstitute/ To listen in on this interview with Diane Yetter, please use the player below:

Stephen Westbrook, a CPA that has served a few non-profits as their CEO, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Steve’s career started as many do.  He initially worked for a couple accounting firms, and then moved on to one of his audit clients.  In this case however, it was with a small non-profit that had recently lost their CFO.  Steve approached them about the opportunity because the purpose of the organization was a great match for his own interests, and suddenly he had his first opportunity in industry – at the CFO level! Fast forward over a decade and a few other positions in both the non-profit and for-profit world, and he once again was presented with an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.  That opportunity was to be the Chief Executive Officer of a gospel rescue mission that served the homeless and hungry.  This was an area that Steve had always cared about, so it was a natural fit for him to move into this role.  Steve has been with ECM, or Erie City Mission, since 2016, and the organization has over 500 employees, operates both a men’s and women’s shelter, and distributes over 130,000 meals per year.  It’s a role that is fulfilling from both the career and personal standpoint.  And on top of it, he is able to serve additional organizations as a contract or fractional CFO on the side as his schedule permits.  He has the best of both worlds. If you want to find out more about ECM, please visit Erie City Mission | Erie, PA. Steve’s consulting company can be found at www.westbrookinnovative.com For other episodes you may enjoy, check out 123: From the Commercial World to Local United Way CEO – Lyndon Herridge CPA | MGR Accounting Recruiters (mgrar.com) or 112: New Year Special – Revisiting Our Conversation With Harriet Helmle, CPA and Founder of SA Youth Literacy | MGR Accounting Recruiters (mgrar.com) To listen in on this interview with Stephen Westbrook, please use the player below:

As a part of our “2nd-career accountant” series, Brian Goldbard in the Dallas, Texas, area joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Brian enjoys a successful career in private equity accounting now, and has done very well in just a few years, but prior to that he spent 17 years in television production believe it or not!  In this continuation of our 2nd-career series, we delve into the different positions that Brian held, from cameraman to production manager, and how he ultimately made the decision to exit the field in hopes of finding something that better fit his long-term aspirations. One very important step Brian took that you can’t miss is that he invested in himself.  Instead of simply looking for a new job, he decided to increase his skill set by going back to college and ultimately getting his accounting degree.  It wasn’t long after that when he completed his CPA as well, which has only helped to continue his success in the profession.  I admire that he not only took action, but made a long-term investment in himself… and much later in life than many. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Brian Henderson and Bill Fumetti To listen to this episode with Brian Goldbard, please use the player below:

Gale Crosley, a CPA that has spent the majority of her career in sales, marketing, and product development, and now advises the nation’s top accounting firms on such issues, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Gale’s career has definitely turned out differently than her original master plan, but as we discuss near the end of the interview, it’s turned out much better than she ever could have dreamed. Gale started her career with the plan to become a partner in an accounting firm, as many young students do.  However, after spending just a few years in two of the national firms, she decided to look elsewhere to continue her career… perhaps in industry.  She ended up interviewing with IBM, but found that they had no accounting opportunities in their local office.  Their local office only had a sales team, and so they tried to recruit her for that.  Sales was never something Gale had thought about, so she quickly turned down the opportunity and continued to look.  It wasn’t until they came back several times trying to recruit her that she decided to give it a chance and signed on for a special new program IBM was launching.  That was the start of a 12 year period with IBM, and also the start of her real world education in sales, marketing, and product development. After her experience with IBM, as well as a few technology start-ups, she decided that she definitely wanted to have her own business, but not necessarily in the same space (technology).  After much market research, and cross-referencing that with her strengths in sales and marketing, she landed on the specialty of consulting with accounting firms on their market strategies, and now serves some of the largest accounting firms around. This episode is not only a story of business growth, but also of finding your natural talent and using that to shape a career.  Gale is definitely a subject matter expert in her field, and you can tell she thoroughly enjoys it as well. For more information on Crosley Company, visit them at Home - Crosley and Company (crosleycompany.com) For Gale’s book on CPA firm success, click here - Amazon.com: At the Crossroads: The Remarkable CPA Firm that Nearly Crashed, then Soared (0884918221111): CPA, Gale Crosley, Stover, Debbie: Books Other episodes you may enjoy will include:  Ron Baker and Sarah Elliott To listen in on this episode with Gale Crosley, please use the player below:

Ann Margaret Johnston, a CPA in Georgia with a unique niche for her practice in professional poker players (!), joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. As with many guests, Ann Margaret was referred by a former guest of the show, and actually one of her former employers – Ben Loggins.  When Ben contacted us and asked if we wanted to interview the CPA for professional poker stars, we couldn’t refuse! Even Ann Margaret’s early career was filled with ‘hussle’.  She’s worked hard to get to where she is today, and definitely took some risks along the way.  Ann Margaret originally got into accounting simply due to a job opportunity becoming available after she decided against pre-law as a major.  However, she quickly started to work on her accounting education over the next 9 years, going to school in the evenings.  After working at a few firms, and then unfortunately being caught in a layoff, she decided to start taking on clients of her own, and eventually parlayed that into a winning hand – her own accounting practice. Along the way though, she recognized that there was an opportunity to combine her newly acquired love of poker with her career to form an exciting and much-needed niche: the niche of helping professional poker players handle their taxes.  And you will be able to tell quickly in this episode that it’s a specialty that she thoroughly enjoys.  A specialty is always a good idea, but when you thoroughly enjoy that specific arena yourself, it makes for a wonderful career choice.  Ann Margaret genuinely enjoys being able to help this very specific section of the marketplace. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Ben Loggins & CPAOnFire Josh Bauerle. Also, to find Ann Margaret’s book, please click here. To listen in on this episode with Ann Margaret Johnston, please use the player below.

Bill Von Fumetti, a CPA and the owner of Booming Bookkeeping Business, joined us for this special “2nd-career” edition of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Had we not already decided to call these our “2nd career” series, we would probably have to do something different since accounting was Bill’s 4th or 5th career choice depending on how you count them!  Bill worked in many different areas before finally landing on accounting as his career of choice.  He started out in database development actually, then moved on into an entrepreneurial calendar production business, then to a role as a personal/business assistant, and then he even managed a gym!  All along the way though he realized the importance of understanding accounting and business, and that is ultimately what led him to decide that accounting would be an excellent way to settle down with a long-term fruitful career. Fast forward to today and Bill operates his own practice, and also helps other accountants and bookkeepers attract the clients they want through his Booming Bookkeeping Business company.  If you want to learn more about that, please make sure to check them out online as well.  He’s definitely very passionate about our profession, and I’m sure he would have some valuable advice for anyone looking to build a similar accounting/bookkeeping career. For other episodes you may enjoy, please check out:  Brannon Poe and Chris Hervochon To listen in on this episode with Bill Von Fumetti, please use the player below.

Brian Henderson in the Austin area joined us for this “2nd career” edition of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast.  This is one of our “second career” episodes meaning that the guest started in a different career first, and then migrated later on into accounting.  For Brian, it was professional baseball! Brian’s boyhood dream was to play professional baseball, and unlike many though, he actually did get the opportunity to do so.  Although he was cut from his freshman team in high school, he continued to work at it, played college baseball, and eventually was able to get drafted to play professionally – which came with a signing bonus and two additional years of college scholarships for his post-baseball life.  Brian played for six to seven seasons, spending part of the time as a Durham Bull (reference the Kevin Costner movie), and was on a triple A team. How does this relate to accounting though???  We will get to that now… Many of the lessons Brian learned during his baseball days have served him well in accounting.  First was the lesson of persistence.  Had he not stuck it out in those early years, he never would have had the opportunity to play professionally later on.  This carried over to the determination he needed to return to school and finish his degree, hoping for a career that was a little easier from a physical standpoint.  Also, the people skills he developed during that time served him well for getting his first real accounting position… a position he basically got through networking.  And lastly, all kidding aside, he learned to “embrace the suck” (a quote from Brian), which definitely helped him through the time preparing for the CPA exam.  I think that’s something most of us will understand.  😊 This episode was a lot of fun to record.  I think you will really enjoy Brian’s story. If you do enjoy this particular episode, make sure you check out:  Chris Hervochon and Geni Whitehouse To listen in on this interview with Brian Henderson, please use the player below:

For this episode, we actually revisit an idea from a very recent guest - Chris Hervochon. Due to very bad weather conditions in Texas, we got behind on recording episodes.  However, as luck would have it, there was a concept that Chris had shared in his recent episode with us that made for a good CareerTalk mini-episode.  It was great timing for sure! In this mini-show, we talk about the value of 'learning what good looks like', or setting yourself up for opportunities that will do just that.  It was a very small portion of the previous show, but Chris mentioned it a couple times and I thought it was an important concept to delve deeper into in this additional broadcast. We will return next week with another full episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, but in the  meantime, please listen in on a few thoughts I had on this very important concept that Chris Hervochon shared:  learning what good looks like. Have a great week!

Maxene Bardwell, a highly-accomplished professional in the field of Internal Audit from the Maryland area, joined us for this week’s episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast.  If you have ever considered moving your own career in the direction of audit, or internal audit specifically, this episode will be extremely valuable for you. Maxene’s career started in a role that she actually didn’t even realize was internal audit when she accepted it.  It was titled Risk Analyst, and was in the financial institution industry.  However, she quickly realized as she got into the job that it was an audit role at its core, and it ended up being a great career path for her.  After 24 years in the field now, she is the Associate Inspector General for a major water utility in the Northeast. Another interesting facet of this episode is that we talk about the six, yes six (!), certifications that Maxene holds.  She became a CPA first, but then as she got deeper into the field of audit and as the field continued to adapt over the years, she continued to attain additional certifications that have helped her to continue to show excellence and capability across many aspects of the work.  Luckily, as we find out in this episode, much of the continuing education is cross-applicable.  😊 This episode truly has much value for anyone looking into audit as a possible career path. If you enjoy this episode, please also listen in on these episodes as well:  Samantha Bowling and Amy Barrett To listen to this interview with Maxene Bardwell, please use the player below:

Chris Hervochon, a CPA in South Carolina that has developed a niche business in the area of providing accounting services for marketing agencies and creatives, joined us this week for Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. In addition to having a thorough discussion of the benefits of having a specialty, we also talk for a while about Chris’ experience as a professional golfer for a short time right before beginning his accounting career.  Right as he was graduating, he decided to pursue his other passion for a while and see how that worked out.  Although he is happy that he gave the field of professional golfing a chance, it ended up being a little more difficult to make a living than he preferred, so he returned to his originally chosen major – Accounting. We spend most of the second half of this interview discussing Chris’ accounting practice and the specialty he’s developed in a relatively short period of time.  It really is a worthwhile discussion to listen to for anyone considering striking out on their own at some point.  Niches truly do make sense, and Chris does a great job of verbalizing why. For other episodes you may enjoy, please check out:  CPAonFire Josh Bauerle and Amanda Aguillard To listen to this interview with Chris Hervochon, please use the player below:

Carl Peterson, the VP of Small Firm Interests with AICPA, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast.  In this episode, we cover Carl’s not-quite-traditional start to his career, his many years of successfully running his own practice with his wife whom is also a CPA, and his eventual transition into the Small Firm Interests role at AICPA.  There definitely is much variety in this episode. If you… Didn’t take college as seriously as you think you should have early on, and therefore had to work harder to get a good start, or Found that you liked public accounting due to the variety of work, or Ever felt like running your own practice may be the path to take, or Ever simply wondered what life in a small firm may be like… … then this episode will have value for you. Carl’s interview is packed with great insight into what it means to work in a small firm, and what some of the unexpected advantages are.  In addition, he admittedly didn’t work as hard in his early college days as he should have, and therefore had to job hunt more than the typical accounting major.  However, there are great insights to be had from that part of the story as well.  You certainly will both enjoy and learn something from this particular interview. If you do enjoy this interview, please also check out:  Josh Bauerle and Marcus Dillon Also, for other career-related advice, please check out our book “49 Tips For A Successful Accounting Career” on Amazon. To listen in on this interview with Carl Peterson, please use the player below.

In this special episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, we pieced together five interviews with five distinguished accounting firm partners in order to bring you a special resource. Our guests came from firms ranging in size from boutique, niche local firms, to multi-office firms, to a Big 4 firm as well.  The partners that generously donated their time for this endeavor were: Joey Tackett with the national firm Deloitte Kim Ford with theKFordGroup, a boutique firm in San Antonio, Texas Tim Pike with Howard in Dallas, Sheila Enriquez with Briggs & Veselka, a regional firm headquartered in Houston, Texas, and Jocelyn Hill with Williams Adley, a niche firm in Washington, DC We discuss how to move up to partner, what they learned about being a partner that they didn’t realize before, who may not enjoy being a partner in an accounting firm, and other general insights into what being a partner in a CPA firm truly means.  This is sure to be one of our more timeless resources as far as our podcast goes. This show is definitely longer than others, but that’s because there wasn’t really much we could cut.  All of the information the five partners shared was key to the overall purpose of the show.  We hope you both enjoy the show and get much value from the information they were willing to share. If you do enjoy this particular episode, please also check out:  How To Pass The CPA Exam To listen to this conglomerate show with five CPA firm partners, please use the player below:

Tasha Fox, a CPA that was recently recognized by CPA Practice Advisor on the list of Most Powerful Women in Accounting, joined us for this week’s episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. This was a first for our show in that we have never had an accounting executive from a Native American tribe on our program, so we took the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the actual accounting processes and structures in hopes of gaining a little bit of an understanding of accounting in a tribal organization.  Tasha was very generous with her time and explanations of how the tribe operates from an accounting standpoint, so you will not only enjoy hearing the interview, but you will get an education as well!  This really was a valuable interview from several standpoints. If you enjoy this interview, make sure to also check out our conversation with:  Sarah Elliott and Kimberly Ellison-Taylor To listen in on this interview with Tasha Fox from the Osage Nation, please use the player below:

Carolyn Smith, Senior Partner with C3 Financial Partners in Texas, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Carolyn’s career started as many do… in public accounting.  And in fact, she spent the first 30 years of her career with the same accounting firm, minus a one-year detour into industry.  During that time, she developed expertise in helping business owners exit their businesses through a variety of scenarios.  However, one of the scenarios that sometimes happen particularly caused her to be emotionally attached to her work, the scenario of a business transfer due to a death.  After many years working through these transitions, Carolyn decided to try to get on the front-side of these tragedies by going into the field of planning around the insurance that is needed.  She got her life insurance license, and later on her CAP certification (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy), and now helps family businesses plan for the possibility of the passing on of a key member of their team, as well as how to plan for giving that they may want to do from a legacy perspective.  This really is an interesting episode. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Harriet Helmle To listen to this interview with Carolyn Smith, please use the player below:

Kelly Boswell, the Director of Tax Controversy with the San Antonio based accounting firm ADKF, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Kelly accepted her new role as Director of Tax Controversy early last year, so we invited her on the show to talk more about that specific specialty.  “Tax controversy” specialists seem to be popping up with many firms in the marketplace, so it was time to do an episode that covered that area of interest in depth.  As you will hear in Kelly’s career story, many of her previous experiences helped build her into an ideal professional for this type of role, and we discuss some of that background in this interview so that those interested in the field can guide their own career in that direction. However, we also stumbled on another interesting facet of Kelly’s career journey:  the fact that she postponed her career for 12 years after finishing school.  Kelly was at the point right after college where her and her husband wanted to start a family, so she temporarily put her career on hold about the time most people are just getting started.  This made for an inspiring story though, as you will hear about the steps she took to help better her situation when re-entering the workforce.  There is tremendous value in that portion of the story as well. There truly is great value for many different types of professionals in this episode.  If you enjoy this interview, please also check out:  Shanikwa Davis and Elena Levario For more information on Kelly’s firm, you can visit https://www.adkf.com/ To listen in on this interview with Kelly Boswell, Director of Tax Controversy, please use the player below:

Jose Campos, a Partner with Deloitte in California, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We were referred to Jose by a listener that heard him speak on the subject of diversity in the profession, and we certainly were not disappointed.  Jose has had an amazing career, staying with Deloitte all the way from starting as an entry-level accountant, to becoming Partner a while back.  Plus, he has been a leader with Deloitte in the area of Diversity & Inclusion, a true passion for Jose.  Interestingly enough, he almost chose a career working to advance the interests of minorities early in his life, and even though he chose accounting instead of that path, he has still been able to help the profession make significant headway in that area. In addition to Jose’s work as a Big 4 Partner and in the diversity area, he has also served on the State Board of Accountancy for the state of California, a job that carries with it tremendous responsibility as well.  We truly do get into a wealth of information in this podcast episode. To find out more about Deloitte specifically, visit https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en.html. For information on their D&I efforts, visit https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/deloitte-inclusion.html?icid=top_deloitte-inclusion For other episodes you may enjoy, make sure to listen to:  Joey Tackett and Amy Pitter To listen in on this episode with Jose Campos, please use the player below:

Ron Baker, Founder of the Verasage Institute and one of my absolute favorite podcast hosts, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, The Accounting Careers Podcast. If you haven’t heard The Soul Of Enterprise podcast, you are missing out.  Ron Baker co-hosts the program with another brilliant thinker, Ed Kless, and provides some of the most thought-provoking content I have ever experienced.  It’s quite literally one of my favorite two podcasts. Ron started his career in public accounting, moved into industry, and then founded his own accounting firm.  It was during those early years that he began to severely dislike the concept of the billable hour and timesheets in public accounting.  That disdain for the billable hour led him to write a book, the first of many actually, and that launched his eventual consulting career working with firms to make the profession better.  He now devotes his full-time efforts to pricing strategy and related topics.  The organization he founded, the Verasage Institute, is a think-tank formed for exactly the purpose of reaching the tipping-point where the billable hour will become just a footnote in the history books.  And what’s interesting, is that it looks like we are there.  There definitely have been a large number of firms that have moved away from the billable-hour concept, and it appears that its eventual death is becoming a certainty. If you like a story of finding your passion, and devoting your efforts to making a difference in the world, you will love this episode. Make sure to check out the links above in the shownotes as well for Ron’s own podcast, as well as some of his books. To listen in on this interview with Ron Baker, please use the player below:

Ben Loggins of Loggins, Kern, McCombs in Atlanta, Georgia, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  In this episode, we discuss the growth and progression of Ben’s firm, and also his outside-of-work interest in the area of Roswell history and supporting US figure skating! We initially asked Ben to be on the show to discuss the progression and growth of his accounting firm because it has been a while since we had a long-term CPA firm owner on the program.  And we did have a good discussion of the history and changes with their firm over the years, including some talk regarding finding the right partners for your firm.  However, we also happened into a discussion surrounding Ben’s hobbies, both of which originated due to interests his daughter had.  His daughter was involved in figure skating for many years, and because of that Ben served on the Finance Committee for the US Figure Skating organization.  And in an even more interesting turn of events in our interview, we also found out that Ben speaks on the history surrounding extra-terrestrial events in Roswell, New Mexico – you know, alien stuff!  He’s done quite a bit of research on the topic, and even has a YouTube video about Roswell.  Check it out at: https://youtu.be/lQf8-AoAyoI This interview was fun on many levels. For more information on Ben’s firm, please visit their site at: https://www.logginscpa.com/our-firm/ I’m sure you will really enjoy this interview.  To listen in on the discussion we had with Ben Loggins, please use the player below:

Jaclyn Badeau of Badeau Consulting joined us for this week’s episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  Jaclyn’s career spans public accounting, large industry, global travel positions, and now her own consulting practice.  There is something here for everyone! Jaclyn’s career started very early.  She actually had her first accounting clerk job while in high school!  She very much enjoyed that position, so majoring in accounting was a natural choice. After college, she worked in public accounting for six years, and then in industry with the Tempur Sealy organization for almost 9 years after that.  Through those various management roles, she continued to be involved in leadership training and coaching, which further refined her own leadership coaching skills.  Eventually, she decided in early 2020 to devote herself full-time to coaching others, and Badeau Consulting was formed.  Now she works with both groups and individual professionals who want to go the “extra M.I.L.E.”, an acronym that stands for motivate, inspire, lead, and empower.  You can tell that Jaclyn really enjoys helping others grow, so this was a natural next step in her journey. Learn more about Jaclyn’s company at www.badeauconsulting.com For other episodes you will enjoy, make sure to listen to:  Robina Benion and Brian Kush To listen in on this interview with Jaclyn Badeau, please use the player below:

Joey Ryan, the CFO and Co-Founder of a company working in the blockchain solution space, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We haven’t touched on blockchain much yet on this show with the exception of an episode or two, so this was a refreshing topic.  Joey started his career in public accounting, but as he worked to keep up his knowledge of current issues in the profession, he became interested in blockchain and crypto-currency.  Fast forward a couple years and he was meeting the individuals he co-founded Gilded with at a crypto-currency Meetup event.  And as they say, the rest is history. Gilded creates accounting solutions for companies that transact business in crypto-currency.  Their products plug into existing accounting systems in order to enable functions such as billing and collections to be handled in crypto-currency mediums. If you want to know more about how crypto-currency affects the accounting profession from a very practical standpoint, this episode is for you. For another episode that may interest you, check out:  Shehan Chandrasekera To listen in on this episode with Joey Ryan, please use the player below:

It’s hard to believe that the time flew by so fast, but we are celebrating our 200th episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. If you’ve been a listener for a while, you know we’ve changed several things along the way.  We’ve changed our intro section a few times, our outro section many times, our website address, and even our intro music – which we like much, much better now!  But one thing that never changed is our commitment to bringing you great guests each and every week.  Until now that is… ha! For this episode, we decided to turn the tables and I (Mark Goldman, the regular host) asked a good friend to interview me for this particular show.  Sarah Elliott of Intend2Lead, a wonderful friend of the show, agreed to do the job of interviewing me for this one episode.  We discuss many things, and honestly it was a new experience for me.  It’s odd being interviewed for your own show 😊, however Sarah did a great job. In this celebration episode, we talk about how the show became reality, my own career journey, and some of the lessons and insights I’ve been able to glean from interviewing so many wonderful guests. I hope you enjoy this special episode.  And don’t worry, we will return to our regular format next week. To listen in on this interview with Mark Goldman, and hosted by Sarah Elliott, please use the player below:

Greg Kyte, a CPA in Utah that does stand-up comedy, serves as host for several conferences, and still works his full-time day job as a Controller, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, The Accounting Careers Podcast. I first encountered Greg through the “mind-numbingly repetitive” commercials he has done for one of my own personal favorite podcasts – “The Soul of Enterprise”.  I didn’t know this until the interview, but the commercial spots he recorded for that show were supposed to be used for a short time (or so he thought), but ended up being so impactful that they continued to be used over and over for years.  If you haven’t listened to that particular podcast, please check it out.  They have great content, and you will crack up when you hear Greg’s 3 commercial spots – they truly are hilarious. Greg works as a Controller for a medical building management company full-time as well.  However, that doesn’t stop him from being the comedic host for conferences such as Xerocon, or from recording comedic CPE sessions for online providers.  He’s found the best of all worlds! One take-away for me personally was that Greg has been able to pursue his passion because he was willing to put himself out there and be judged.  Whether it was in the initial years doing stand-up, or the letters he wrote to the editor of the Journal of Accountancy, Greg hasn’t been shy about expressing himself and waiting to see how it’s received.  And obviously it’s been received well – he really is a funny guy. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to also check out:  John Garrett and Geni Whitehouse To listen in on this interview with Greg Kyte, please use the player below.

Stephen Oliver, a CPA that focused his career early on in consulting areas such as forensic projects, litigation support, and merger/acquisition analysis, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. I’ve personally known Stephen for many years, but even I learned quite a bit from this interview. Stephen started his career with a small start-up accounting firm in an intern role, but it wasn’t the type of work you may expect.  Due to the focus and start-up nature of that firm, he ended up working with clients on business planning very early in his career.  That experience, coupled with some valuable relationships, ended up landing him another internship with Arthur Andersen in consulting & litigation support immediately afterwards.  As you can tell, he was becoming a specialist even as an intern, so when he graduated and began working full-time, he was able to continue working on consulting projects instead of the typical tax or audit roles, which was exactly what he wanted to do. Fast forward many years now, and he has been able to become a well-respected subject matter expert in the areas of litigation support, forensics, and mergers & acquisitions.  He’s worked at both large and small accounting firms, and large & small companies in industry.  He’s also been a featured panel speaker at local business owner focused events. Gethsemane Partners, Stephen’s own practice that he launched several years ago, is now expanding into fractional CFO offerings as well, which is a natural evolution given his own personal background. For more information on Gethsemane Partners, please check out:  https://g-ptrs.com/ For other related podcast episodes, please listen to:  Robin Thieme and Ramsey Womack To listen to this interview with Stephen Oliver, please use the player below:

Twyla Verhelst joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  As you would expect, we discussed FreshBooks and how that accounting solution has expanded in recent years, but we also cover Twyla’s earlier career history as well.  Twyla has had an amazing journey, spanning typical accounting roles, to starting several businesses, to founding a charitable endeavor, to her role now with FreshBooks.  It truly is an amazing journey. I confess that I typically thought of FreshBooks as a micro-business solution for solo-preneurs.  However, I was mistaken.  Make sure you listen all the way to the end on this episode.  Twyla gives us a great overview of the platform changes they have made in recent years, and how that has enabled them to handle much larger enterprises in the small & mid-market space. If you enjoy a story of entrepreneurism, you will love this episode as well.  Twyla co-founded a cloud accounting company, a software application company, a charitable organization, and even a mortgage company early in her career.  She definitely has an entrepreneurial streak. Once you listen to this episode, if you would like more episodes on similar topics, make sure you check out:  Mike Whitmire and Amanda Aguillard To listen in on this episode, please use the player below.

Felicia Farrar, a CPA, CFE, and now a PhD candidate as well, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We haven’t touched on careers within governmental accounting in a while, so this episode will be a refreshing change.  Felicia joined us for this program to discuss her career path that started with several years early on working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  In an interesting turn of events though, as she progressed in her education, she decided to leave the Service in order to expand her experience base.  After some time in the Big 4, and then some time in accounting for a major municipality, she decided to return to the IRS and continue her career there. In addition to the discussion of Felicia’s career, we also delve into the importance of attaining appropriate credentials along the way.  As you will hear during this interview, Felicia made most (if not all) of her career decisions based on the experience she would gain or the importance of the work.  Also, she always made sure that she worked towards getting the appropriate credentials for the job, such as the CFE certification, CPA certification, and even advanced degrees.  She definitely has worked hard to get to where she is today. Governmental accounting positions can be very rewarding for many individuals, and Felicia’s career path is an excellent example of that.  I think you will thoroughly enjoy this episode. For similar episodes, check out:  Bill Cotter and Amy Pitter To listen in on this interview with Felicia Farrar, please click on the player below:

Mike Lovelace, a CPA, CMA, and CISA working as a fractional CFO and systems consultant with Vaco, joined us for this week’s episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Mike has spent many years working as what many people refer to as a “fractional CFO”, and we have a frank discussion about both the joys and challenges that come along with moving from project to project. Mike thoroughly enjoys his work, and he has handled very interesting engagements.  As you will hear in this interview, he’s done many things to position himself from both a professional and personal perspective to be able to focus his career on this particular path.  And by doing so, he’s been able to greatly increase the variety he experiences, as well as the flexibility he enjoys, throughout his career. If you enjoy this episode, make sure you check out the following as well:  Robin Thieme and Anthony Hansen. To listen in on this episode with Mike Lovelace, please use the player below:

John Garrett, arguably the funniest man in accounting (in a good way 😊), joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. John was a guest about two years ago on the show, and he mentioned working on a book back then.  That peaked our interest, so naturally when that book was published, we definitely had to invite him back on the show.  And since that apparently somehow earned us an “advanced readers copy” – it was a good move! John’s book, “What’s Your And?”, is an exceptionally well-written business book.  I’m not sure he would agree with me positioning it as a business book, but in all honesty it is.  It has some wonderful stories of professionals opening up about their outside-of-work hobbies, and how that has made the workplace that much better, but he also backs up his premise with insights from other professionals, and even a few statistics.  It has a tremendous amount of value.  And if that scares you by the way, he did write it in micro-chapters, which makes it much easier to read than you would anticipate.  This was a job well done. Plus of course, we will talk about John’s humble beginnings as an accountant.  He has an interesting story, and is definitely a good person to address being your “true self” in the workplace. To find out more about John, his podcast, and his new book “What’s Your And?”, visit https://thejohngarrett.com/whats-your-and/ If you’d like to hear our previous interview with John, click here - https://mgrar.com/094-the-recovering-cpa-an-interview-with-john-garrett/ To listen in on this most recent interview with John Garrett, please use the player below:

Terrell Turner, a CPA in North Carolina, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  Terrell caught our attention due to all the effort he has been putting into developing and producing video content for the small business community. Terrell started his career with the big firms – a Big 4 CPA firm in fact, and then a few other larger enterprises in industry, and it was there that he developed his understanding of business processes and his analytical skills.  As time went on, he found himself as many do, trying to find the right balance between professional life and personal endeavors, and thus decided to start his consulting practice.  With both him and his wife working in large corporate America, it was difficult to find the time that they would like outside of work, so it just made sense for them.  Terrell had always enjoyed helping out small businesses on occasion, so branching out into the self-employment world simply made sense. Fast forward several months now and Terrell has produced over 130 videos on business topics for prospective clients, and already started to build his portfolio of steady, repeat clientele.  He’s definitely already well on his way to success, but there is still much more growth to come we are sure.  It will be fun to catch up with Terrell in a year or two for a follow-up episode.  He’s doing some very interesting stuff. For more information on Terrell Turner’s business, check out Business Talk Library online. Other episodes that may interest you will include:  Robin Thieme and Amanda Aguillard To listen in on this interview with Terrell Turner, please use the player below:

Tracie Miller-Nobles, a college-level instructor that spends additional time developing supplemental materials for both faculty and students, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Many accountants eventually realize that they enjoy helping others through teaching, and that is how Tracie got started in the academic world as well.  Interestingly enough, her mother was a teacher and wasn’t entirely crazy about her going into the profession, but as luck would have it Tracie ended up teaching at the college level anyway, which was probably a better choice given her interests. Fast forward well over a decade now, and Tracie not only teaches accounting at Austin Community College, but also has authored text books for the profession and created supplemental materials for use by other faculty.  Her initial start in tax, and her interests in data analytics, has blossomed into her being able to develop learning materials in those areas for the benefit of both students and faculty members.  She’s definitely a creative individual, and she isn’t the type to be satisfied with the status quo.  She’s making a difference in accounting academics.  I think both instructors and accounting professionals alike will get a lot of value out of this episode. If you do enjoy this show, please also check out:  Kathy Kapka and Kelly Richmond-Pope. To listen to this interview with Tracie Miller-Nobles, please use the player below:

Jocelyn Hill, a Partner with Williams, Adley & Company in Washington, DC, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast. This episode is unique for several reasons.  First of all, Jocelyn has been with her firm for over 25 years, something we don’t see too often anymore.  And in addition, their firm has an interesting niche.  Williams, Adley & Company is a federal contractor that works on engagements for the United States federal government in areas such as HUD contracts, Department of Justice audits, and even audits of the FBI and DEA.  Very interesting work! And as if that wasn’t enough, as a pleasant surprise we find out later in this interview that Jocelyn enjoys spending her free time indulging in the arts!  She loves the theatre, movies, live music, and museums.  “Hamilton” and “The Lion King” are among some of her favorites.  We don’t often get into talking about hobbies and other interests on this podcast, so that was a refreshing change.  You can tell it’s something that Jocelyn truly enjoys. If you appreciate the content in this particular episode, please make sure you also listen in on these interviews:  Libby King and Amy Pitter. To hear this conversation with Jocelyn Hill, please use the player below:

Susan Stutzel, a CPA that operates both in the non-profit specialty accounting field, as well as in the coaching space for female entrepreneurs, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. As many of us in the accounting field realize at some point in our careers, there are certain aspects of our jobs that we thoroughly enjoy, and others that don’t bring us as much happiness.  Susan’s career tells that story as well.  Starting out as an auditor, she always enjoyed the people aspect of auditing, specifically that of helping others to improve, but not so much the audit duties themselves.  As her career progressed, she found herself more and more appreciating the opportunity to help organizations improve, and therefore steered her career further into the strategic consulting arena.  Along the way she founded her own accounting firm, which gave her even more freedom to do that. Now, as a way of extending her reach in the area of helping others, Susan has started and been very successful with a new coaching business as well – S Stutzel Coaching.  Through this new branch of her professional career, Susan is able to reach further than the non-profits she serves in her accounting practice, and now help women entrepreneurs trying to navigate their way through success in both professional and personal circles.  Susan has found her true passion, and is helping others achieve their own goals as well. If you enjoy this episode, make sure you check out these related episodes as well:  Brian Kush and Robina Bennion. To listen in on this interview with Susan Stutzel, please use the player below:

Brannon Poe, the founder of Poe Group Advisors, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. If you are the entrepreneurial sort, this episode will really speak to you.  Brannon started his career in a typical accounting job, but it was only a few years later when he was able to join a small business in a combination accounting & sales role, and then eventually become a partner there.  Through that experience, and another partnership opportunity in a related business along the way, he found his passion:  buying and selling businesses. It wasn’t much later and he got into the accounting firm brokerage business, and the rest is history.  He now operates Poe Group Advisors, a brokerage that specifically helps accounting practices transition. For those listeners that may be thinking about acquiring a practice, make sure you check out his free online resource:  https://poegroupadvisors.com/choosing-right-cpa-firm-sale/ Also, if you enjoy this show, you will also enjoy the following episodes:  Ryan Lazanis and Ben Simiskey. To listen in on this interview with Brannon Poe, please use the player below:

Kent Klaus & Christine Landoll, two professors from two separate universities, joined us for this special edition episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We invited these two exceptional educators on the show to share the unique and creative programs they and their respective universities were providing for accounting students related to starting their careers.  Kent is with DePaul University and Christine is with George Mason. Professors and other decision-makers in academia will benefit from this episode in that we cover numerous different programs that each university is offering.  However, students and recent graduates will benefit as well because we cover quite a bit of job-search advice while talking about each program.  This episode has value for individuals at many different points in their careers. A few of the items we cover include: A 10-week career course specifically for accounting majors Mentorship programs at both schools (separate from the internship programs) A program one of the universities offers called “Executive in Residence” And many other individual aspects of the programs such as both long-term and short-term career planning, networking skills, and virtual interviewing pointers This episode is a little longer than our typical shows, but it will definitely make you think more creatively about your own career planning or benefits you may be able to offer your students if you are an instructor yourself. For episodes on related topics, please check out:  Dr. Scott Dell and Mentor Program Creators Bryan Morgan and Sarah Vargas To listen to this episode, please use the player below.

I'm behind! I can't believe it, but between my own schedule and guests rescheduling, we missed our production deadline and don't have a guest interview ready for release.  It's a painful thing for a podcaster. However, given that we have a special class starting next week, we take the opportunity to tell you more about our Individual Tax Bootcamp in this short episode.  If you always wanted to know more about tax, but you haven't had the chance to work in a CPA firm, this class was built for you. Make sure you listen to the episode below, and check out our class information page at: https://mgrar.com/classes It starts this coming Monday - August 24, 2020.  

Stacey Rodgers, a CPA and the Director of Learning & People Development with Cohen & Company, joined us for this week’s episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. We always enjoy a story of how someone’s initial background in accounting continues to benefit them in other areas of business as their career progresses.  Stacey’s story is one of those. Stacey started in public accounting as many accountants do, and her career progressed all the way up to Senior Manager with Cohen & Company.  She worked in audit in both their private company practice and their investments / hedge fund practice.  It was after about 10 years though that she decided it was time for a change in her career, and the opportunity presented itself to lead the learning & people development department at that same firm.  Cohen & Company had become home for Stacey, so it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.  Now she enjoys still being able to work in the same environment, but instead of being a leader in the audit area, she now helps develop current and future leaders throughout the firm. If you enjoy this episode, please make sure you also check out these as well:  Joey Tackett and Delene Taylor To listen in on this interview with Stacey Rodgers, please use the player below:

If you haven't noticed it recently, we teach unique courses for accounting professionals at all levels as well! Actually, this isn't a new thing.  We have taught specialized, unique classes for several years, but always as live, in-classroom instruction.  However, with the pandemic situation we were forced to take those courses online, which ended up being a great thing!  Now we not only can serve the local community, but the greater accounting community virtually anywhere at this point. If you haven't yet checked out the schedule, some of the more interesting courses that may benefit you on our current schedule include: Individual Tax Bootcamp - A 5 week, 3 hours/week intensive course on CPA-firm-level tax preparation.  This is for entry-level staff (or at least with no tax experience) that want a good foundation in individual tax and work-paper prep. Excel - We actually have many Excel classes, all on specific topics to help you become a power user.  Check out the schedule for contents. QuickBooks Online - Our instructor-led, online, live class on using QBO. All of these courses, and new ones as they are scheduled, can be found at www.mgrar.com/classes Let us know if you have any questions!  You can email us at info@mgrar.com Have a great week!

Lynn Davey, a CPA that started her career with the national accounting firms, and then transitioned into financial reporting at publicly-traded companies, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Lynn was a special guest for our show.  We generally don’t delve quite so much into a guest’s personal life during the early years, but Lynn was generous with her story and shared some of the insights she gained through growing up in South Africa during apartheid.  She was definitely fortunate to have a few key mentors that encouraged her to pursue becoming a Chartered Accountant, and she recognizes the impact they had on her life.  Things may have been very different if it were not for those gracious individuals. From there we covered Lynn’s experience with both EY and PwC, and then her transition into industry for a financial reporting role.  If work/life balance is important to you, you will enjoy that portion of the show as well.  Lynn was very open about the choices she’s made in order to both keep the time with her family that she enjoys, plus maintain an interesting and challenging career path.  It really was a great conversation. This was one of our shorter interviews, so please make sure you listen all the way to the end.  There wasn’t simply one theme throughout this one.  We touched on many topics.  There really is something for everyone in this interview. If you enjoy this interview with Lynn Davey, please also check out:   Adriana Carpenter and Jessica McClain To listen in on the interview with Lynn, please use the recorder below:

Dr. Scott Dell with Francis Marion University in South Carolina joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  Everyone says they want “variety” in their careers, but I will challenge you to find a career with more variety than Scott’s.  In this episode we touch on entrepreneurship in many, many industries, public accounting, teaching, and even a little industry accounting as well. Dr. Dell started his career in public accounting, but quickly realized that he wanted something different.  Fast forward a few years and he was well into his entrepreneurial journey.  Scott’s background is so diverse that I’m sure we missed a few things, but his business endeavors include training in the IT space, a cheesecake restaurant, and owning a Dish Network sales company to name just a few.  However, one theme that runs through all of it is that he enjoys teaching.  He started as an adjunct professor many years ago and has continued to enjoy teaching throughout his career.  He has been the Accounting Program Director for another university in the past, and most recently had joined Francis Marion University as an accounting professor in 2019. A few of Dr. Dell’s more recent endeavors include… Joining the founder of Sylvan Learning Centers as a partner in a new venture helping  job seekers make a “killer” first impression when asked the question “Tell me about yourself”: www.IntroEDGE.com A new start-up venture in the job search space: MyCareerOpportunity.com A new book, “Your Complete Guide to Succeeding With LinkedIn”. Visit Amazon for more details:  https://www.amazon.com/Your-COMPLETE-Guide-SUCCEEDING-LinkedIn/dp/B08B37VVV1/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=scott+dell&qid=1592921987&sr=8-3 If you would like to connect with Dr. Scott Dell, please connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdell/ PS:  Make sure you check out the Harley picture as well… yet another of Scott’s interests.  😊 \=/=\=/=\=/=\=/=\=/ If you enjoy this episode, others that may interest you will include:  Byron Patrick and Mansour Farhat To listen in on this interview with Dr. Scott Dell, please use the player below:

Melisa Galasso, the owner of Galasso Learning Solutions, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Many of us have had the thought that we may like to teach, whether it be at a university or privately for companies and continuing education needs, and most of us feel at some level that we would like to help others.  Melisa has turned these two passions into a new career for herself, building on her original foundation of being an accountant. Her career started as many do.  Melisa was an auditor in the Big 4.  However, it wasn’t long and she decided that path wasn’t for her, so she ventured into industry.  After trying a few positions outside of public accounting, she still hadn’t quite found her niche, and at the same time she was starting her family.  It was at that point that she decided to try teaching… and her passion was found. Fast forward through several positions with progressive responsibility with Becker, plus some additional adjunct professor work, and now she owns her own custom continuing education company, Galasso Learning Solutions.  As we also discover, while many CE instructors are frequently one-person shows, Melisa has been able to add a substantial support team as well as contract instructors that shine in areas where she isn’t quite as knowledgeable.  All this makes for a much better solution for her customers. I found it inspiring that Melisa so accurately was able to identify what she would enjoy long-term, and it all started from her initial background as an accountant. If you enjoy this episode, please also make sure you check out:  Amanda Aguillard and Kathy Kapka To listen in on this episode with Melisa Galasso, please use the player below:

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, I talk about an issue that has become vastly more important in this pandemic-era job market:  certification.   Recently I was having a conversation with an employer about a position they needed to fill, and the employer said, "Well, I assume there are several people available due to the layoffs."  Although they were correct (there had been layoffs), for what they were requesting (a CPA), there really hadn't been as many as they thought.  We had to have a conversation about what's been happening in today's market. As soon as this episode is released, I'm sure someone that is a CPA and has been laid off from their job will hear it, and I will be proven wrong.  However, it's not a blanket statement I'm making, just a generalization.  Yes, some CPAs may be laid off during an economic downturn, but they are usually not the first people that are considered. So does this mean you are always safe from a layoff if you are a CPA?  Not entirely.  You still have to provide value to your employer of course.  However, having the certification definitely gives you a higher level of job security regardless of how the economy may turn. So what does this mean if you are not certified yet?  It means you should start, or continue, the journey.  Work towards your certification regardless of your job situation.  Yes, it's harder if you are having to put in more hours at work, or have even been laid off and are having to look for a new job full-time, but there is no time like the present to get started.  It may seem hard now, but your later-self will thank you for it. If you are not yet certified, get started now.  The sooner you do, the faster you will reap the rewards in both promote-ability as well as in job security. As always, I wish you the best in your career.  

Anthony Hanson, an accountant that started his career in Colorado, and later moved to East Sussex in the United Kingdom after getting engaged to his British fiancé, joined us to discuss his early career as well as founding iFinance, on this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. This show has a little of something for everyone.  Anthony started his career as a night auditor because he wanted to spend the days snowboarding in Colorado where he lived at the time.  As his career grew in accounting, he had the opportunity to co-found a construction company and helped build that up to over 30 million in revenues. Unfortunately though, his business partner passed away and he was forced to divest of the construction start-up.  At that point, he was already engaged to a lady from Great Britain that was working her way through the immigration process for the US.  With no business here to make moving difficult, they decided that it would be easier for Anthony to move to the United Kingdom, and therefore he embarked on that journey. Finding work immediately was more of a problem that he had suspected due to immigration laws, but he ended up doing ERP consulting and it was through that experience that his dream was born. Anthony most recently has started iFinance, a company focused on bringing large-company level financial advisory services to the small business world.  He, along with some remote staff, help small businesses get the same financial insights that a large business would benefit from, but on a fractional basis. If you are interested in consulting, or enjoy a story involving moves between continents and the challenges that come along with that, you will love this interview. For more information on Anthony’s business, visit www.ifinancedept.com Other episodes will enjoy include:  Robin Thieme and Wayne Richard To listen in on this episode with Anthony Hanson, please use the player below:

Mindy Mejia, an experienced accounting professional, recently-certified CPA, and a full-time author now with 4 (!) books published, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Mindy’s journey was different than most of our guests on the program.  She started as a Liberal Arts major actually, and then worked her way into accounting through her employment at the time.  She stayed with the same employer for 15 years, continually getting bigger and better opportunities there until she became their Global Credit Manager. It was also during this time that she decided to work on becoming an author.  She successfully published her first book through a small publishing house, but it was her second book that gained mass popularity.  By then she had obtained a literary agent, and was even able to auction the publishing rights to that second book.  It ended up being published in 20 languages! Her fourth book has just now been published, and she continues to work as a professional author.  However, she does still use her accounting knowledge in service of her new profession.  She helps other authors with tax issues and now even prepares tax returns seasonally as a way to diversify her work.  She sounds like she truly enjoys what she does. For more information on Mindy Mejia’s books, visit her Amazon page at: https://www.amazon.com/Mindy-Mejia/e/B0091WH25E?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1591369898&sr=8-1 Other episodes that may interest you will include:  Ed Polansky and Carl Chilton To listen in on this episode with author Mindy Mejia CPA, please use the player below:

Lynda Artesani of Artesani Bookkeeping in Florida joined us for the program this week. Lynda has had her business for over 20 years now, but we asked her on the program to discuss a decision she made only about 4 years ago.  That decision was to focus on a niche for her bookkeeping business. Selecting and sticking with a niche can be a difficult decision for many business owners, particularly in accounting.  For that reason, we thought it would be a good topic to discuss on the show. However, just as with all our episodes, we also delve deeper into Lynda’s early career so we understand where she came from.  If you’ve ever had a job or two that weren’t quite ideal, I think you will find some truth in what Lynda shares there as well.  She was very transparent and generous with her time describing her early career.  There is a lot of value in that segment of the interview. For more information on Lynda’s business, please visit https://www.artesanibookkeeping.com/ Other episodes you may enjoy will include:  Mariette Martinez and Robin Thieme and Robina Bennion To listen in on this interview with Lynda Artesani, please use the player below:

Our guest for this week’s Where Accountants Go episode is Charlene Rhinehart, who joined us from the Greater Chicago area.  I usually say our guest’s career started off in a ‘typical’ fashion, but that wouldn’t be true in this case.  Charlene’s career has been exceptional from the beginning! Starting with several internship opportunities at PwC, plus an additional internship at JP Morgan Chase, her career started with a bang.  She had more diverse experience than many professionals are able to get in the first few years of their careers, and this was all before graduation. After graduation, Charlene managed a major project for JP Morgan involving investing millions into the city of Detroit, and not long after won the Miss Corporate America pageant as well.  Her pageant experience launched her further into the public speaking arena, and she additionally joined Up With People, an organization that provides uplifting experiences through song & dance acts across the globe.  She literally has been a world traveler. Fast forward to the last few years, and Charlene has taken all that experience and molded it into the skills she needed to launch Wealthy Women Daily, a platform helping corporate women and entrepreneurs better manage their finances.  It’s definitely an area she is passionate about. And this doesn’t even start to touch on the other areas of her business, such as the publishing of books and her podcast.  Charlene has many irons in the fire. For more information on Charlene’s company, visit www.wealthywomendaily.com For her book (Dividends Are a Queen's Best Friend), please visit https://amzn.com/1689283386 If you enjoy this episode, please make sure to also listen to:  Kelly Richmond-Pope and Bridget Kaigler To listen in on this interview with Charlene Rhinehart, please use the player below:

Mike Whitmire, CPA turned Co-Founder of a software-as-a-service company (FloQast) joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Mike’s career started as most do.  He majored in accounting in college, and through the college interview process he obtained his first professional position – in this case, audit.  However, in this case as his career progressed through public accounting and then into industry, he realized there was a lack of efficiency around closing processes that caused he and his colleagues to have to work much more than really should be necessary.  At that point Mike set out to fix the problem, and FloQast was born. FloQast is a software solution for managing the close process better, so that it is both faster and less time-consuming from the work hour standpoint.  However, this episode isn’t simply about the product; this show is more about Mike’s own career journey and the decisions he worked through to get to where he is today.  I think you will truly find a lot of value in this episode. Other episodes you may enjoy will include:  Kurt Rathmann and Ryan Lazanis For more information on FloQast, visit www.floqast.com For Mike’s book mentioned in the show, click here, or for his podcast, click here. To listen in on this episode with Mike Whitmire, please use the player below:

The owner of Fit Advisors and host of the Money Checkup Podcast, Anjali Jariwala, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. Anjali was always interested in business, and decided to major in Accounting after spending a little time as a Pre-Med major.  However, she found that medicine was not for her, and therefore had switched while still in school. What’s interesting about Anjali’s career though is that now she has come full circle, using her medical knowledge combined with her business and accounting knowledge, to serve business owners and physicians in their own financial planning efforts.  And of course, she picked up the CPA and CFP certifications along the way. If you have an interest in financial planning, or even just starting your own business of any kind, you will enjoy this episode. For other episodes on similar topics, make sure to check out:  Ben Simiskey and Alan Roth You can find more information online regarding Anjali’s business Fit Advisors by clicking here. To listen in on this episode, please use the player below:

(Disclaimer:  The rights to the terms “data sleuthing” and “data sleuth” are legally protected.  Please contact Workman Forensics for more details.) For this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, we are joined by forensics expert Leah Wietholter, CFE and PI in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area.  If you are interested in starting, or continuing to develop a career in forensics, you will love this episode. We start with the story of how Leah was selected for a very rare internship opportunity with the FBI that lasted for 2 years, and how much she learned during that early period in her career.  We then move on to discussing a position she accepted in tax, and how she was able to expand that into additional forensic investigation work with her employer at the time.   And then to finish out the second half of the episode, we go deep into the details of how she formed Workman Forensics and how the company has developed over the last 10 years. Make sure you listen all the way to the end to find out more about her own podcast, and how they have ‘gamified’ the process of learning about fraud investigations.  “The Investigation Game” is definitely a creative and interesting way to learn! If you enjoy this episode, you will also enjoy:   Kelly Richmond Pope and Rubik Yeriazarian To listen in on this interview with Leah Wietholter, please use the player below:

Eric P. Butts, a CPA in the Atlanta, Georgia, area joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast.  If you have an interest in taking your accounting career in the direction of high-level consulting engagements, this is an ideal episode for you. In this interview, we discuss how Eric started his career with Quaker Oats, a division of PepsiCo, but then later took it in the direction of consulting by joining Accenture and most recently PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers).  Along the way of course, he added a Masters degree and CPA certification as well – both of which were integral to his continued move up. In addition though, we get into talking about career advice as well.  Eric is very insightful when it comes to building the career you want, particularly in consulting.  In fact, he has his own website with resources available to the public that you can access: www.ericpbutts.com For a free resource that Eric is offering specifically for our podcast audience, visit www.ericpbutts.com/accountants If you enjoy this episode, please also check out:  Susan Hough and our CareerTalk Mini-Shows. To listen in on this interview with Eric P. Butts, please use the player below or subscribe on your favorite phone podcast app.

Steve Watson, a combined finance and human resources professional in the Phoenix, Arizona area, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. You are going to get a double learning opportunity from this episode.  First, we discuss how Steve’s career started with an interest in finance due to both familial and educator influences, and how his career eventually built up to Director of Finance and CFO roles.  Secondly though, we talk about how his move into smaller organizations gave him the opportunity to take on more responsibility with respect to controlling rising healthcare costs, and how that now has become a deeply-rooted passion for him. Steve now not only helps his own organization control medical insurance costs, but now he also teaches other financial professionals about cost-saving options that they typically don’t hear from their inurance providers.  It’s become a calling for Steve. If you enjoy this episode, make sure to also check out:  Stefanie Cavanaugh and David Porter. For more information on Steve and TrendBreakers, visit https://www.trendbreakers.com/ To listen in on this interview with Steve Watson, please use the player below:  

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, I discuss an issue that came up when trying to assist an accountant with their career.  And it happens to be one of the tips in my book - "49 Tips For A Successful Accounting Career". When times are challenging at work, and things are changing rapidly, it's important to know when to read the proverbial 'writing on the wall.'  For those not familiar with the term, it means to be aware of how things are changing, and to be realistic with yourself about the potential consequences. In this mini-episode, I talk about some of the signs that things may be going well for you at work, and some of the signs that you may not have a good long-term future at work.  When things aren't going well, it's not necessarily time to make a job change, but it is definitely time to be honest with yourself about the potential outcomes, and to take action as necessary. I hope this episode is beneficial for you.  Please feel free to reach out to us if we can be of assistance in any way.  

Amber Setter, a now frequent guest on Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, joined us for a very special and specific episode discussion.  As we move through this COVID-19 crisis, although many people would like to put extra time into studying for a certification exam, we realize that it is difficult.  Amber is not only a CPA herself, but also a professional coach, and therefore was the perfect person to join us to talk about this topic. In this interview with Amber, we cover… Practical issues and changes to the exam-taking process as of the time of this recording, Being honest with yourself as to whether this really is the right time to devote to passing, and if so, how to optimize the opportunity, How to care for yourself in such a way that promotes success in studying without wearing yourself out, and How to shift your thinking regarding certification to a more optimistic outlook. If you are determined to achieve your CPA certification, or any other for that matter, during this pandemic time, and you are struggling with making it a reality, this will be a very valuable episode for you. For more information on Amber Setter, or to contact her directly, visit www.ambersettercoaching.com To listen to this interview with Amber Setter, please use the player below.

This short mini-episode idea came to me after helping a job candidate prepare for a video interview they were going to be participating in recently.  The content not only applies to our shelter-at-home period, but I think will continue to apply for months to come as companies potentially change how they do interviews for the foreseeable future.  It's likely that some percentage of companies will increase their usage of video conferencing for interview purposes, so this topic will be helpful to you even if you aren't currently in the job market. If you are going to be interviewed via video conferencing (Zoom, FaceTime, etc), remember... "Smile, you're on camera!" (Make sure you listen to the full episode for an additional thought on how to prepare for video interviews in general)

In this CareerTalk mini-episode, I cover a simple concept, or personal rule of mine, that we all likely break on occasion.  That idea is that we should never answer an email when we are emotional. This experience came to me during the adjustment period while 'sheltering-at-home', and I suspect similar situations happen to many people during these unusual times.  I was trying to balance my family needs and professional obligations, and honestly I was feeling very overwhelmed at that moment.  It lasted for a short time, perhaps an hour or two, and during that time I sent a work-related email.  The next morning I read the email over again and realized that my emotional overwhelmed feeling had come through, and that's not what I would have wished.  I should have waited a while to send it, at least until my emotions had settled. This is a simple concept, and I'm sure you are thinking, "Of course you should wait!"  And in fact, I know that as well.  However, we all need a reminder even of the basics sometimes, so I hope this serves as your reminder and you don't have to personally commit the mistake. Remember, even though you already know it, don't answer emails when emotional.

Kathy Kapka, a CPA and former Texas Society of CPAs Chair, joined us on this unique edition of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast. The reason this episode is a little unique is that we don’t spend as much time covering Kathy’s own career, although we do give a short synopsis.  Kathy was actually one of our early guests back in the first few months of the show (Episode 15 to be exact), so we’ve already covered much of her own professional background.  For this episode, we took the opportunity to speak with Kathy about a very timely topic:  ethical considerations for the accounting community. Kathy is the instructor for the TXCPA-provided online approved ethics course that is complimentary with TXCPA membership, and she has a background in internal audit herself, so she was the perfect individual to discuss this important topic.  With the economy taking a dramatic turn, the additional stresses may affect the ethical behavior of otherwise very trustworthy individuals. Whether you are just starting your career, or are many years into your professional journey, this episode will be a good refresher on some of the items we all need to keep in mind. For other similar episodes, listen to:  Kathy Kapka original episode and David Holt. To listen in on this 2nd interview with Kathy Kapka, please use the player below:

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, we talk about a concept that came up on one of our primary shows - the concept of "self-care". In that other episode though, we specifically discuss it with regards to preparing for the CPA exam.  However, in this mini-episode I apply it in a broader sense with regards to your overall career and life, particularly as we will be moving forward out of this pandemic crisis in coming days or months. This unique time period has given many of us the opportunity to think about what is truly important to us, and therefore how to best care for ourselves as unique individuals.  It's important that going forward we don't let some of those realizations slip away.  In fact, if you haven't made time for a little self-reflection, now is the time.  Do it before life starts to return back to "normal" - maybe that's not 100% what you really want anyway. Ponder this:  What will "self-care" look like for you going forward?  

Jessica McClain, CPA, CGFM, CISA, and PMP, joined us from Washington, D.C., for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. If you are considering whether public accounting or industry would be the better fit for you, you will find tremendous value in this episode. Jessica started in public accounting, moved into industry, moved back into public accounting, and then most recently back into industry.  As Jessica mentions in the interview, everyone’s needs are unique and it’s important to find the path that works best for you.  Although she enjoyed her time in public accounting, there came a time in her life when it just wasn’t quite the right fit anymore, and therefore she made a change. In addition to Jessica’s career story, we also talk about “work/life balance”, “work/life integration”, and the difference between the two.  Plus, we discover how she ended up getting four, yes count them… four (!), certifications. If you enjoy this episode, please also listen in these interviews:  Shanikwa Davis and Lindsay Stevenson. To listen in on this interview with Jessica McClain, please use the player below.  

In this CareerTalk mini-episode, we talk about an observation I had while shopping in the grocery store during the COVID-19 crisis, wearing my medical safety mask. During that excursion, I had the odd realization that even though I couldn't necessarily see the other individual's faces, I pretty much could tell whether or not they were smiling even with their mask covering their face.  It occurred to me that this had an application in the employment world too, both for phone interviews and for video interviews. Listen to this short mini-episode on how this realization can apply to your own virtual interview process. The question is... are you smiling?  

Believe it or not, recession creates opportunity. In this CareerTalk mini-episode, we briefly discuss the fact that recessions really can create opportunity, even in the employment market. We all know that while some industries have difficult times, others see even more business during crisis periods.  (Boy, what I would do to have an extra toilet paper factory ready to go!) However, we don't often think about it from the standpoint of the longer-term affects on retirement plans.  In this mini-show, I propose that while this recession (possibly short-term) may delay some retirements, it also is likely to make those individuals that were on the fence about retiring become even more resolute to actually retire, albeit perhaps slightly later.  And that's another item I discuss... I don't think it will be much later than they may have originally planned. So what does this mean to you as an upwardly-mobile accounting professional?  It means that those promotion opportunities are likely to be even more solidified as a little time moves forward. Please listen in on my line of thought by using the player below. And as always, please reach out if we can help with your own career!

Lee Ann Crockett of Bellwether Church Solutions in San Antonio, Texas, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast. Lee Ann actually started as a Liberal Arts major, but while putting herself through school by working a bookkeeping position, she realized she enjoyed accounting and decided to switch her major. Lee Ann’s story really has something for almost everyone.  She started with the multi-national Halliburton organization, worked in several roles with them, and then eventually decided to leave to start her family.  Many years later, and after quite a bit of part-time consulting, she started Bellwether Church Solutions, which is an accounting advisory service focused on churches.  In addition, she just recently added a small-church solution that she calls GoodBooks to her mix of services.  She really does have a unique practice. And don’t miss our short discussion of why she decided to become a CPA, and how happy she is that she made that decision.  There is quite a bit of insight in that very short discussion as well. If you enjoy this episode, please also check out our interviews with Matt Malcom and Craig Fuller. To find out more about Lee Ann’s business, you can visit them online at either of these links:  Bellwether Church Solutions or GoodBooks To listen in on this interview with Lee Ann Crockett, please use the player below:

For this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, we talk about the affect of different types of employment markets on our choices of employment. This came to me as I was shopping in the grocery store during this pandemic time.  I made it to the salsa aisle of my local grocery store, only to find that the dozens and dozens of choices that I usually had were reduced to only two options:  Red or Green.  To my dismay, those where the only two choices I had. If you find yourself needing to find a new job during this crisis time, you may face a similar issue.  You may find that there are less opportunities to pick from depending on your specific background, desires, and your local job market.  It's important to let that feeling pass quickly though and take action, as I discuss in this episode. No matter how limited your options may be, if it's necessary to find something, then it's beneficial to make a decision sooner rather than later. ... red, or green?  

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, we discuss the importance of not procrastinating when it comes to your job search. Even though I personally believe that the economy will bounce back relatively quickly once the COVID situation is under control, that may take longer than we anticipate to fully return.  And in addition to this, job seekers frequently underestimate how slowly an employer may move when hiring.  For these reasons, it's important to start your job search many weeks, or even several months, before you absolutely have to work, particularly in an uncertain marketplace. Demand for accountants is still reasonably healthy, but there definitely are sectors of the economy that are struggling as we all know, and that creeps into the accounting marketplace as well.  If you have been affected and believe that you may as well wait a while before looking, that can be a dangerous decision.  Those that start their search earlier, generally end up with more options.  Starting too late can lead to either not having a good option when you need it, or having to settle for something that won't necessarily be a good long-term fit. "Don't delay, call today!"  :)  

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, we talk about a core truth to the employment market. I had this insight while reading a quote from Michael Hyatt in a newsletter.  The newsletter was meant for business owners, but the concept applies equally to anyone providing a service for compensation... such as all of us that are employed. While the economic market has definitely changed, and even the way we work has dramatically changed in recent days, there is one truth that has certainly not changed.  That truth is that to be successful, we still have to do one very important thing:  provide something of value to someone that needs it.  Whether that is a product you produce, or a service you perform, you must provide value to your customer (employer) in order to continue to thrive. As odd as it may sound to you, I find comfort in this thought.  While everything may be changing around us, the ultimate determining factor to whether or not you (and I) will be successful, remains the same.  We need to provide something that helps others. If we can be of any assistance in any way in your career, please reach out to us.  We are happy to help. Mark Goldman, CPA  

Paul Meissner of 5Ways Group Chartered Accountants, the “From The Trenches” podcast, and Freedom Mentoring, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, The Accounting Careers Podcast. Paul is actually our second guest from Australia, but this time from the Melbourne area.  A previous guest, Ryan Lazanis, recommended we contact Paul for the show and we definitely weren’t disappointed.  Not only is Paul quite a character, he has structured his professional life to integrate into exactly the work / life balance he was looking for.  He is able to spend the time that he desires with his family, plus he is able to work on his golf swing quite a bit!  In a nutshell, he spends about two-and-a-half days in his accounting practice, and then spends the rest of his time on personal endeavors, other business interests (the podcast, mentoring, etc), and golf.  😊 If you’re long-term plans are to leverage your accounting expertise into shaping the perfect work / life balance situation for yourself, this episode is definitely one you won’t want to miss. Other episodes you will find valuable include:  Ryan Lazanis and Matt Malcom To listen in on this interview with Paul Meissner, please use the player below:

For this short CareerTalk episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers podcast, we address a career fact in accounting:  You Have Transferable Skills. If you have been caught up in layoffs, or may be in the future, something to always remember as an accounting professional is that your skills apply in many different industries, not just the one you are in. For instance, if you work in construction accounting, your experience is typically readily transferable to a manufacturing accounting job.  Positions in retail and hospitality often transfer well to any industry with a large labor force or inventory involvement.   No matter what industry you work in, your accounting skills are very transferable.  Debits are still debits, and credits are still credits.  :) If you find yourself needing to transition to something different, particularly if it's not voluntary, remember that fact.  Accounting is a resilient career field.  Everyone needs some type of accounting help, and ultimately you can work in practically any industry. Please listen to the short audio discussion of this topic by using the audio player below, or through your favorite podcast app.  

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast, I talk about a very practical tactic for today's ever-changing economy during the epidemic.  That tactic is to Be Flexible. Hopefully you are just as busy as always in your job, but if you are seeing a slowdown or have been furloughed/laid-off recently, then this is an important concept.  In addition, it also applies to recent graduates and those about to graduate. Just a month ago I would have been the first to say that it's not necessary to "settle" for a job that's not perfect.  The economy was strong, and opportunities were plentiful.  Fast-forward only a few weeks now though and the world has changed. If you find yourself  needing to look for a new position, or your first position, and your ideal situation isn't available, be flexible and accept something close.  Later on when things improve, you can always reassess at that point.  However, if it takes a while for things to improve, you will be a whole lot happier having been working during this time than waiting for the perfect opportunity.  Being a little flexible in a dynamic economy such as this pays off in the long run. As always, if we can be of assistance please let us know.

In another short special 'CareerTalk' episode of Where Accountants Go, we talk about another career-building effort you can do since you may have more time due to a shelter-at-home order or a quarantine:  Expand Your Skills! Now is a great time to learn that skill you always wanted to learn for later in your career.  Whether it's for growth in your own line of work, or even for an eventual move into something different.  You have additional time now - use it for growth!  (Netflix is great, but not exactly a career-builder) Let us know what you think about these mini-episodes.  I can be emailed at mgoldman@mgrar.com. Thanks!

Elena Levario, a CPA with years of experience in the banking world, joined us for this episode of the Where Accountants Go podcast. We originally heard about Elena’s inspiring story while attending a state CPA event, but we didn’t know quite how inspirational it was until we had her join us for the program. Elena originally migrated to the United States from Mexico with her family at the age of 4.  She and her sister were the first in their family to graduate from high school, which was an accomplishment that was highly supported by their mother. Initially Elena actually wanted to be a nurse, and in fact has a degree in nursing.  However, she had to work while in college and during that time realized that she enjoyed business.  She remained at the bank where she worked while continuing her education for a second degree, this time in accounting.  That accounting degree ended up launching her into the career she has today, as an Assistant Controller with a well-respected bank in the Midland / Odessa area. If you have ever felt like you had a few life situations working against you, or that it was “too late” to pursue your dream, you need to listen to Elena’s story.  You will find inspiration in the tale of how Elena’s career has ended up unfolding. If you enjoy this episode, make sure you check out these others as well:  Amanda Aguillard and Shanikwa Davis To listen in on this interview with Elena Levario, please use the player below:

In this CareerTalk mini-episode of Where Accountants Go, The Accounting Careers Podcast, we touch on possibly the most important question you should consider in your career:  What's Important To You?  (!) Whether you've contemplated making a change, or just have a little extra free time at the moment to step back and think about your long-term goals, this truly is an all-important question.  Many people move into a new job, either by choice or not, only to find themselves still lacking the fulfillment they desire.  In times like we are facing now, where many of us have a little extra time to reflect, this is a great question to consider. Seriously ask yourself... What's Important To You?  

In this mini-episode, as we continue in this time of a "new normal" for many people working remotely that didn't before, I address the issue of staying connected. Staying connected is important even if you don't feel you will need to look for something else later on.  It will benefit you now as well - even without an anticipated future job change. And to add to that, it's also a great time to re-establish relationships as well. Listen in to this mini-episode using the player below. (And just a reminder, full interview episodes will still be posted weekly.) Have a great week!

For a short period, we are going to be releasing "fractional" episodes on topics related to your career.  With the uncertainty happening in our world due to the coronavirus outbreak, it's important that we focus on what is truly important in our lives.  Obviously family and personal life are two of the top items, but without some way to continue to get the financial resources you need to continue to provide for yourself and those you care about, life can get very difficult very fast.  Therefore, your career is one of those important items as well. In this episode, we talk about the concept of 'being valuable'.  In uncertain times, it's important to be valuable to those you serve, whether they are your clients or your employer.  Provide enough value, and you become close to irreplaceable, which is a good situation to be in during uncertain times. If we can help you in any way, please let us know.  And as always, I wish you the best in your career.  Stay safe.

Allan Roth, a CPA turned financial planning professional, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast! Allan was suggested to us by a listener of the show, and we were very intrigued when we did a little research on Allan’s business.  If you have ever thought that you could use your accounting background to launch you into the field of investment management, this show is going to be a ‘must hear’. In this interview, we explore how Allan… Started in accounting due to an aptitude test he took while still in high school, Then got into the profession, earned his CPA certification, but then realized it wasn’t for him, So he went back to school and soon after continued his career in Corporate Finance, To then eventually start his own financial advising consulting practice in 2003, which he still operates today. Allan has a unique perspective on investing, as you can tell from the URL for his website – www.DareToBeDull.com.  I think you will not only enjoy this interview, but gain many insights that make you both re-consider how you view your investment planning as well as your career. For more episodes on related topics, check out these episodes as well:  Ben Simiskey and Steve Goodman To listen in on this interview with Allan Roth, please click on the player below.

Ben Richmond, the Country Manager for the United States for the fast-growing Xero software company, joined us for this episode of Where Accountants Go, the Accounting Careers Podcast. In addition to our conversation about Xero and their continuing growth in popularity here in the US, you will also find Ben’s own career progression interesting as he recounts that journey for us during the first half of the show. Ben took a chance early in his career to join a firm in a “Cadet” position, which is similar to an internship or entry—level role.  It was a little risky because it was something he chose to do prior to attending college.  However, the risk paid off in that he was able to gain some incredible experience, and still end up continuing his education to eventually become a Chartered Accountant (CA). The discussion we have about Xero and their ongoing growth is valuable just in itself, but I think you will also find Ben’s early career intriguing as it covers small businesses, public accounting, and even a national corporation during their transition from being a government operated entity to being privatized. We also get into how he met his initial contact at Xero and ended up transitioning to be a part of their sales team, eventually becoming their Country Manager for the US not long ago. In addition to Xero.com obviously, some of the other links you will want to visit include: The Xero Forward Fund: https://www.xero.com/us/forwardfund/ Partner program signup: https://www.xero.com/us/partner-programs/partners/signup/ If you enjoy this episode, make sure you check out these as well:  Kurt Rathmann of ScaleFactor, and Jay Kimelman To listen in on this interview with Ben Richmond, please use the player below:

Dena Jansen, CPA, former accounting firm partner, and the Founder of Dena Speaks, joined us for a second time on this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Dena’s career spans public accounting in small firms, to the “Big 4”, to then a major Austin-based regional firm.  As her career developed in the approximately 15 years she spent in the audit field, she found that it was largely the interpersonal, or people development areas that she enjoyed.  For that reason, she took the bold step of leaving her partner status in public accounting to venture out on her own and build a coaching and speaking business.  That was about where our last episode with Dena began (“Episode 75:  Dena Jansen – It’s All About People”). In this update episode though, we start with a recap of Dena’s career, but delve deeper into the topic of building trust.  Dena is a frequent continuing education speaker in the accounting profession on this very topic, plus she does private training and consulting sessions with firms.  She cites several books as sources for her research, but one book in particular that we wanted to make sure we highlighted is her own!  Since our first podcast with Dena, she has become an author and written “Road To Hope” which can be found in paper form, e-book format, and even Audible editions.  Make sure you check it out at the link above. No matter what point you are at in your own career, you will find value in this episode. For related podcast, make sure you check out these episodes as well:  Dena Jansen (the first interview) and Sarah Elliott To listen in on this new episode with Dena Jansen, please use the player below:

Anthony Pugliese, the CEO for the California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA), joined us for this episode of the Where Accountants Go podcast! Anthony had a wonderful career story to tell, as well as tremendous insight for us on the profession.  If you are curious how an individual could start their career in a traditional staff auditor role, become the Chief Operating Officer of AICPA, and then go on to eventually lead the largest state society of CPAs as their CEO, you will really enjoy this episode. In this episode, Anthony shares… How he started with one of the national accounting firms in an audit position, How his career advanced with Deloitte through several positions across the country, To how he had the opportunity to join AICPA where he served for about 20 years, To deciding to move across the country and join CalCPA, eventually becoming their CEO. Anthony shares his thoughts on what we are doing well as a profession and where we can continue to improve, as well as some of the strategic initiatives there at CalCPA.  This interview touches on many areas.  It was truly fun to record. If  you enjoy this episode with Anthony Pugliese, you will also enjoy these interviews:  Amy Pitter and Natasha Schamberger To listen in on this interview with Anthony Pugliese, please use the player below:

Ryan Lazanis, the Founder of Future Firm Inc. in Canada, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Ryan’s career journey started as many do.  His father was a strong influence in his life, and being an entrepreneur himself, he caused Ryan to naturally have an interest in business and accounting.  However, after a few years in the accounting world, Ryan realized that he enjoyed the accounting business, but not necessarily how other firms performed the work.  It was at that point that he decided to form his own firm built on the idea that accounting could be done 100% in the cloud. That would be quite enough for an interesting story, but Ryan’s journey didn’t end there.  Yes, he formed and built an accounting firm that was 100% cloud-based called Xen Accounting, but then he was fortunate enough to be approached many times about selling the practice.  Eventually he sold to another entity in 2018 that had similar values regarding maintaining their cloud-focused structure. Ryan now owns and runs Future Firm, a Canadian-based company focused on making life better for accountants at other firms by guiding them down the path of becoming cloud-based. If you operate an accounting practice, otherwise work in public accounting, or are considering moving into that space, you will find loads of value in this episode. For more information on Ryan Lazanis and Future Firm, visit www.futurefirm.co Other episodes you will enjoy include:   Joseph Rugger and Jay Kimelman To listen in on this interview with Ryan Lazanis of Future Firm, please use the player below.

Geni Whitehouse, CPA, small business consultant, author, keynote speaker, and really a comedian (!), joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. You are really going to find happiness in this episode.  We start by talking about Geni’s early career as a tax accountant, and even during that part of the interview you can hear the joy in her voice.  We quickly moved into how her career transitioned into the software training and sales business, and then eventually into keynote speaking, training, and small business consulting. After you listen to this podcast, make sure you check out Geni’s website as well for her TEDx talk video, and a link to her book – “How To Make a Boring Subject Interesting:  52 Ways Even A Nerd Can Be Heard”.  I think you will find loads of value in her own resources, as well as the podcast interview of course. Other episodes you may enjoy:  Byron Patrick and Amanda Aguillard. To leave us feedback on our show, or even just ask a question, please click here. To listen in on this episode with Geni Whitehouse, please use the player below.

Wayne Richard, the Chief Operating Officer and a Partner at Bean Ninjas, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. In this episode, Wayne shares how his career started with major corporations in industry such as IBM and HP. He spent many years “climbing the corporate ladder” with Hewlett Packard, until an unfortunate turn of events caused a downsizing and restructuring in his department. However, it ended up not being as unfortunate as many would expect. It was exactly this catalyst that launched him full-time into the world he loves: working with small businesses. Wayne now serves as a Partner and the COO of Bean Ninjas, the company he merged his prior business into, and he fully enjoys his career. If you are curious about the business model of working with remote clients, or even looking for that type of accounting service yourself, make sure you listen to this episode. Wayne is a very humble individual, but you can tell that he is definitely passionate about their services and the flexibility the business model gives him. With 5 kids, flexibility is vital! Other episodes you may enjoy will include: Joseph Rugger and Matt Malcolm To leave us feedback through our audio recorder, please click here. To listen in on this episode with Wayne Richard of Bean Ninjas, please use the player below:

David Cieslak, a CPA and frequent presenter on technology in the accounting world, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. In this interview, we start with David’s early career as a staff accountant with Price Waterhouse, and then move into how he ventured into a partnership with previous colleagues and built an accounting practice.  Along the way as they built that practice, he realized that his true interest was in how technology could help companies run more efficiently, so they further developed that aspect of their offerings.  Fast forward 20+ years, and through a couple mergers David now serves as the Chief Cloud Officer for RKL eSolutions, a larger company that they merged with a few years ago.  In addition, for years he has been a speaker on various technology topics and very deservedly earned the nickname “Inspector Gadget”! You will thoroughly enjoy this story if you… Have an interest in how your accounting background can fast track you into a career involving the latest business technologies, or Have thought about how you could build your own company doing what you most enjoy. David was very open and generous with his insights in this episode.  I’m sure you will enjoy it. Other podcasts that may interest you will include:  Kurt Rathmann and Stephen King. To leave us feedback as mentioned in this episode, please click here. To listen in on this interview with David Cieslak, please use the player below.

Dana Garnett, CPA turned mediator, speaker, and conflict strategist, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Listen in as Dana shares her career journey with us… Starting from a solid foundation with one of the major accounting firms, To 12 years with the multi-national Coca-Cola Company, Through her many roles with Coca-Cola, including several overseas, To taking an “early—out” package and eventually transitioning into her business now, The Mindful Strategy, a mediation and conflict resolution service If you have ever considered what opportunities may arise from a career with a global organization, or conversely are interested in how your accounting background can have benefit in other small business areas, this episode is for you. Other episodes that will interest you include:  Shanikwa Davis and Sandy Smith Leyva For publications that can help you in your career, make sure you visit our Books section. To listen in on this episode with Dana Garnett, please use the player below.

Bridget Kaigler, an accomplished state & local tax expert in the Louisiana area that is also making a difference in the area of helping emerging leaders grow, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. In this interview, we cover how Bridget’s career journey… Started later than you may expect as she was a “non-traditional student”, needed to work to support herself early in life, To how she turned to accounting as a way to provide a better life for her young son and herself, To her entry into the SALT (state and local tax) field happened by accident, but was a blessing as well, Up through her creation of Bringing Leadership Back LLC, an entity she formed to help aspiring leaders grow their leadership skills This is a truly inspiring story, and I hope you take the time to listen to the whole interview.  Bridget worked hard to get where she is, with the help of a few friends of course.  But now she is working hard to help others grow as well.  You may even want to listen twice!  😊 Other episodes you may enjoy on similar topics will include:  Shanikwa Davis and Amanda Aguillard For other publications that can help you in your career, click here. To listen in on this episode with Bridget Kaigler, please use the player below:

Bethany Eggleston, a CPA whose career journey took her into the field of project management, shares her insights on the similarities and differences between the two fields on this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. In this interview, we will cover Bethany’s early years as she became interested in accounting due to a familial influence, and then how her career started with one of the Big 4 firms in an audit position.  We’ll also cover her transition into a position in industry with a publicly-traded organization, and then her eventual move into project management within the energy sector. Bethany also covers… How project management and audit require some of the same skill-sets, What she finds fascinating and enjoys each day about her role in project management, and How getting involved in professional associations such as the CPA Society in your area can help you stay connected and move along faster in your career This episode is packed with insights, and you’ll get a little project management education along the way as well!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. Other episodes you may enjoy include:  Joey Tackett and Paula Gold-Williams To find the publication mentioned in this episode (“49 Tips for Working With A Headhunter”), click here. Please use the player below to listen in on this informative interview with Bethany Eggleston:

Crystal Cooke , Senior Manager of Governance and Talent at the Center for Audit Quality, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. In this episode, Crystal recounts the story of her career starting with a role in internal audit, and then moving into public accounting audit in order to expand the variety of her experience, and then to the AICPA-supported Center for Audit Quality (CAQ). We also discuss the topics of diversity and attaining your certification as well.  Crystal had a wealth of insights to share. If you are… Interested in audit as a potential career choice, or Trying to decide what type of audit role to pursue, or Interested in how decisions are made that affect the audit field as a whole, or Considering whether or not to pursue a certification exam, … then this episode is for you! Other episodes that may interest you include:  Samantha Bowling and Deborah Beams For the career content blog mentioned in this episode, click here. To listen in on our conversation with Crystal Cooke, please use the player below:

We know your time is short during the holidays, so instead of bringing you a full episode, we had just a few items to pass on to you this Christmas Eve 2019. Thank you! First and foremost, thank you so so much for continuing to listen in on our interviews with successful accounting professionals.  It’s hard to believe over 3 years have passed since we first started, and 150+ guests as well!  It’s been fun.  However, it wouldn’t be near as much fun without you – the listener.  Thank you for continuing to come back each week.  We appreciate you. LinkedIn and Facebook While we are on the topic of following the show, make sure you follow us on LinkedIn and/or Facebook as well.  We generally use those two platforms for all our special announcements, so it’s a great way to stay up to date on what’s going on at Where Accountants Go. Our LinkedIn page is:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/where-accountants-go?trk=public_profile_experience-item_result-card_image-click Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/whereaccountantsgo/ 99 cent book! And lastly, if you would like to take us up on our special $0.99 cent offer on the Kindle version of our first book, make sure you do so before December 31st.  The book will still be available afterwards, but the price will return to the normal level until we can do another promotion later on. The Kindle version can be found at:  https://www.amazon.com/49-Tips-Successful-Accounting-Career-ebook/dp/B07HHDFWP3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NRMV2P9YMXCT&keywords=49+tips+for+a+successful+accounting+career&qid=1576851476&sprefix=49+tips%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1 The paperback can be ordered as normal at:  https://www.whereaccountantsgo.com/book/49-tips-for-a-successful-accounting-career/ That’s all for this year.  Please come back in 2020 as we continue to bring you more and more stories of accounting success.  As we always say… there’s more to come.  

Sabine Charles in New York shares her story of starting as a French & Spanish major, to landing in internal audit, to now starting the audit function with a national educational institution!  Plus, Sabine helps others attain the professional certifications they desire through customized, strategic coaching programs.  We discuss all these topics, plus many more career insights, all on this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. If you… Are or have been a “non-traditional student”, having come to accounting later in life, Or are thinking about a career in Internal Audit, Or have had difficulty, or think you will, getting the professional certification you desire, … then this episode is for you! To listen in on our interview with Sabine Charles, please use the player below. Other episodes you may enjoy will include:  Kelly Richmond-Pope and Mansour Farhat For the publication referenced in this episode, “49 Tips For A Successful Accounting Career”, click here. To listen in on this interview with Sabine Charles, please use the player below:

Jay Kimelman, Founder of The Digital CPA, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast.  In this episode, we cover Jay’s career starting in industry accounting roles, through owning a nutritional business, and then to starting The Digital CPA and becoming an Ambassador for Xero. “Let’s take Accounting for fun” Jay shares the story of how he became interested in accounting early in the interview.  His uncle was a partner with one of the national accounting firms, so the field was always of interest to him.  He had the opportunity to take accounting in high school and get college credit for the class, so he and a few friends decided to “take it for fun”.  Per Jay, they were the “jokers” in the class, but obviously it worked out well for him.  He later eventually became a CPA, and fast forward a few years and he has founded several accounting-related businesses! The middle years Prior to starting The Digital CPA though, Jay learned more about business and technology integration through a few experiences in industry.  Jobs weren’t as plentiful in those years in our economy, so he got his first few opportunities through referrals.  However, these experiences have proven invaluable as they gave him the opportunity to take systems that were behind the times in private companies and increase efficiencies by implementing more current technology.  In addition, he was able to learn invaluable skills in the area of management along the way. The Digital CPA Around 2011 Jay went full-time in his Digital CPA business.  For over a decade before that he had done work in that area part-time, but the opportunity presented itself to devote all his efforts to that practice for a while and so he decided to go that route.  And it’s been a fun ride!  Jay does many things these days, including continuing to run The Digital CPA there in Orlando.  They focus on e-commerce clients, which is an area Jay has personal experience with.  In addition, he co-founded Bluewire Strategies with Amanda Aguillard in New Orleans.  Bluewire is a company that helps accounting firms integrate cloud technology for better efficiencies.  He also serves as a Xero Ambassador as well.  The mixture of all of these interests ensure that there never is a dull moment.  He truly seems to enjoy his career. If you find this episode interesting, please also check out the following:  Amanda Aguillard and Robin Thieme For the book mentioned in this episode, click here: “49 Tips For A Successful Accounting Career” To listen in on our conversation with Jay Kimelman, please use the player below.

This week we revisit one of our most popular shows from 2018, “How To Pass The CPA Exam – Tips from 5 Newly Certified CPAs”. This episode was popular for many reasons.  First, all the participants were very recently certified at the time of the recording, so the efforts they went through to pass the CPA exam were still very fresh on their minds.  Consequently, the insight they share is invaluable for those looking to pass the CPA exam themselves. Secondly, the insight wasn’t just fresh, it was truthful.  Our newly-certified CPA guests were very transparent about how much time they truly had to devote to studying, as well as what they truly had to give up in their personal lives while pursuing the exam.  The sacrifices were temporary, but they definitely had to give up a few things in order to get their primary goal accomplished. And lastly, the insights our team shared are meaningful because passing the exam and becoming a CPA really does make a difference in your career and your life.  Although there were items that had to be sacrificed, none of our guests had any regrets.  All of them were pleased they made the choice to buckle down and get the exam passed.  CPA certification makes a difference no matter what area of accounting you work in. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did recording it.  And thank you to the guests as well!  We couldn’t do it without you. For additional career-related resources, please check out our publications by clicking here. To listen in on this episode, please use the player below.  

Delene Taylor, CPA and Marketing Director for Deming, Malone, Livesay, & Ostroff in Kentucky joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. The early days… Delene started her career in accounting because of the positive influence from both her mother and father.  Mom had worked in accounting, and Dad worked in systems with IBM.  Consequently, when she entered college she decided to pursue both accounting and computer science.  However, she found out quickly that she didn’t care for coding, and therefore decided to drop the computer science focus. Delene’s first job out of college was with Arthur Andersen.  She was an auditor on some of their larger client engagements.  To her surprise, the audit role wasn’t something she enjoyed as much as she thought she would.  The particular engagements that she worked on were limited in scope, and she felt like she was always a bother to the client being audited.  It wasn’t something that she could see herself doing for long.  Consequently, it became time to look for something new and Delene moved into industry. A preference for people! After a few years in industry, she decided to move back to her home town and figure out what the next step may be.  A family member introduced her to a prominent accounting firm there, and she joined in somewhat of a floater capacity.  Delene basically would help out on whatever project had a need, and eventually this flexibility led to her having the opportunity to work in firm administration, marketing, and recruiting!  Many years later and after a merger, Delene moved on to take the position of Marketing Director with the local firm Deming, Malone, Livesay, & Ostroff (DMLO) in  Louisville, Kentucky, where she has been since 2013. Social enterprises One of the facets that Delene most enjoys about DMLO is the freedom and support of her involvement with social enterprises such PBC’s and B-Corporations.  In fact, DMLO has won philanthropy awards locally four years in a row, having booked 6,300 volunteer hours with their small team of only 90 employees!  They definitely value community service. If you enjoy this episode with Delene Taylor, you will also enjoy our episode with Harriet Helmle. For the publication mentioned in this episode, click here. To listen in on this interview with Delene Taylor, please use the player below:

Adriana Carpenter, the Chief Accounting Officer for Ping Identity, a company in Colorado that just recently went public, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. From finance major to CPA Adriana knew from an early age that the business world appealed to her, and consequently she started out early in an internship with IBM in the Accounts Payable department. However, due to her dislike of that particular internship, she decided to go the finance route in college instead and initially got her Bachelor’s degree in Finance. After a short time in her first financial analyst role though, she realized that she wanted to be closer to the financial reporting process, so with the support of her employer she went back to school to finish a Masters in Accounting, and subsequently became a CPA as well. Narrowing in on her interests After becoming a CPA and continuing her career in industry for a few years, she decided to move on into the Big 4. For almost 12 years, she worked her way up at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) before eventually deciding to move her career back into a leadership role in industry. However, it was during this time at PwC when she found that the technology sector in particular appealed to her. It was also this experience that helped her hone her team management skills. Ringing the bell! For over 10 years now Adriana has been back in industry, this time in the technology sector. For the first five years of that period she worked with an international technology company helping them rebuild their global accounting team. Afterwards though, Adriana had joined a start-up in the identity and access management field (Ping Identity) that recently went public on the NYSE. Adriana had the opportunity to be part of the team that “rang the bell” to open the markets on the trading floor just a month or two ago. She goes into great detail to help us visualize the experience. It really is cool part of her story. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we did recording it. Adriana shares many insights that will help you further your career, whether you are just starting out or have many years of experience. There truly are some gems in this interview. If you enjoy this episode with Adriana Carpenter, please check out these episodes as well: Sylvester Sly Johnson and Sarah Elliott For information on the publication mentioned in the interview, please click here. To listen in on this conversation with Adriana Carpenter, please click on the player below.

Kecia Williams Smith, PhD and CPA from the North Carolina area, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. A strong foundation Kecia became interested in accounting and overall business at an early age.  As she was about to enter college, it became apparent to her and her family all the opportunities that existed in accounting at that time, and so she made the choice to pursue the field as her career.  As Kecia describes it, she was a “cookie cutter” accounting major, and started in a typical intern role with Deloitte that later turned into a full-time position.  The next 9 years or so with Deloitte gave her a strong foundation in many areas, and also helped her realize where her passions and strengths were – in the audit quality and risk management arenas. An exciting adventure – early days at the PCAOB She received a recruiting call for the PCAOB  after about 9 years at Deloitte. It was just starting up, and the opportunity was to get in on the ground floor as an inspector.  Given her passion for audit quality, it was an exciting opportunity and she decided to take the risk.  Kecia spent many years with the PCAOB as well and worked her way up into an Associate Director role prior to deciding to go back and check off one of her bucket-list items – attaining her PhD. Shaping the future of accounting Kecia landed her first role as a professor at Virginia Tech after completing her PhD.  It wasn’t long until the opportunity to return to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State came along, and she decided to make the move.  She just recently has assumed the position of Director of their Masters of Accountancy program.  A few of the insights that Kecia shares with regards to being a successful Masters student include: Don’t look at your Masters program as simply more classes. They are meant to strengthen and enhance your critical thinking skills Don’t fall into the trap of “just studying enough.” Work to retain the information you learn as well. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it.  You can tell from the audio recording that Kecia has enjoyed every stage in her career, and she is excited about the future as well. Please check out the following related episodes as well:  Kelly Richmond Pope and Mansour Farhat (Click on this link for the publication mentioned in this episode: 49 Tips for Working With A Headhunter, click here.) To listen in on the audio podcast with Kecia Williams Smith, please use the player below:

Brian Kush and Amber Setter of Intend2Lead joined us to discuss strategies for passing the CPA exam on this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. It’s more than just the basic goal… While goal setting is an important part of any passing strategy, our experts Brian and Amber discuss with us the right way to set a goal specific to passing the exam.  Many exam takers will set deadlines and timelines for studying, but it’s important to recognize that every individual’s situation is unique.  What works for one examinee won’t necessarily work for another.  When setting your own personal goals, you need to do more than simply follow a prescribed amount of study time.  You need to take into account what is effective for you personally, and your specific strengths and weaknesses with regards to topics. Visualization Another topic that we get into deeply is the strategy of visualizing what success will look like once you pass.  For many of us, we may have visualized seeing the passing results, but it’s important to go deeper with your visualization.  How will you celebrate passing?   Whom will you tell first?  What will the next day be like for you at work?   Who do you think will be the most happy that you passed?  The more specific you can be in your visualizations of success, the more driven and refreshed you will be as you move towards the goal. Self-care Everyone knows what they need to “give up” or “sacrifice” in order to pass.  We know that there will be trade-offs with respect to how we spend our time.  However, while it’s important to say “no” to many things in order to have the time to prepare, it’s also vital to say “yes” to critical activities as well.  Those activities that are not study related but are still just as critical are those activities that help you feel good about the process and keep you invigorated for the journey.  For some people that may be some family time, or for others it could be physical activity such as going to the gym.  Whatever that item is for you that keeps your thoughts clear and allows you to regain focus, that is just as necessary as following a study regiment.  Yes, you will need to sacrifice some social activities, but don’t cut out so much that your actual study time isn’t effective. I think you will get a tremendous amount of value out of this discussion with Amber and Brian.  They were very generous to spend this much time with us, and I know that it will help many that are pursuing passing the CPA exam. Other episodes you may enjoy include:  Amber Setter and Brian Kush. For the publication mentioned in this episode, click here To find the article by Brian Kush that is mentioned in this episode on the Intend2Lead website, click here

Stefanie Cavanaugh in Austin, Texas, joined us to share her career journey moving from a national accounting firm audit position, to CFO of a small non-profit in only 5 years, to executive-level roles with billion-dollar, publicly-traded companies. It all started in middle school As we began the interview, Stefanie shared that she became interested in accounting at a much earlier age than most.  She had heard that accounting was a good field for women while she was still in middle school, so when she entered high school she not only took the accounting courses, but she also was involved in FBLA and even worked doing bookkeeping on a volunteer basis. Progressing from audit to CFO Her career started as many do, in an auditor position with an accounting firm – Arthur Young in this case.  It was after 5 years with Arthur Young (and then Ernst & Young), that she decided to move into industry.  Her first industry position was the CFO role with a local city symphony.  She much enjoyed the position as she was quickly exposed to all the other areas that are necessary for a small entity to run, such as human resources and IT.  From there, Stefanie decided to change industries and moved into the medical field.  For the last 13+ years she has been in management accounting positions with medical organizations, most of which were undergoing rapid merger and acquisition activity.  Because of that M&A activity, she was fortunate to have her roles continue to grow such that there seems to have never been a dull moment.  Currently she serves as CFO for a rapidly growing medical company advancing the field of less-intrusive surgery. What she’s enjoyed… One of the items I was curious about is what Stefanie enjoyed most about the medical industry.  I understood why she got into that industry, for growth and stability, but I was curious what kept her interested on a daily basis now.  Stefanie very quickly answered that she appreciated being a part of the bigger picture.  Because of the work she performs in the accounting and finance realm, her company is able to continue to make advancements in medical technology and continue to make life better for patients everywhere. I believe the lesson here is that as accountants sometimes we view our role as being too limited.  The reality is that without our oversight of the financial side of an organization, it’s likely nothing else would be successful.  It takes many talents to run a company, and we as accountants play a vital role in the success of any organization. If you enjoy this episode with Stefanie Cavanaugh, please also listen in on: Chris Rosas and Lisa Trefger For the courses mentioned in this episode, please click here.

Anoop Mehta, CPA and President of Science Systems and Applications Incorporated, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Thank you Mr. Miller… As with many of our guests, Anoop became interested in accounting at an early age.  He had many influencers, including his father, but one influencer made a greater impact than you may imagine.  For many accountants, the interest in accounting starts in a high school class.  Anoop’s story is similar, except that he had an extremely dedicated high school accounting instructor.  His teacher, Mr. Miller, not only provided the basic bookkeeping class that many high schools make available, he also allowed students to sign up for a second year of accounting under an independent study program where they could learn about accounting in even more depth.  It was through Mr. Miller’s efforts that Anoop was able to delve deeper into accounting at a much earlier age than normal. Moving up to President This early start in accounting coupled with the influence of his father, also an accountant, solidified his interest in the field.  While completing his education, Anoop took a part-time intern position with one of his father’s clients as their 2nd overall employee.  It was a small business that was just moving out of the owner’s basement into their first office.  By the time he graduated, the company had grown to 20 employees and Anoop was running the office.  Fast forward to today, and through many years of hard work and good fortune the company has grown to over 1000 employees, and Anoop has served as their President since 2015.  The job that started as a part-time internship for a fledgling organization has grown into what many would consider to be the opportunity of a lifetime. The importance of getting involved One of the themes throughout this episode was personal growth.  When Anoop joined SSAI, he was employee number two, and they now have over 1000 employees.  The skills that it takes to grow with an organization at that pace, and to eventually lead it as well, are not all learned in college.  Outside supplemental growth opportunities are necessary in order to keep your interpersonal skills up to par.  For Anoop, many of those external growth opportunities came from being involved with professional organizations such as the CPA Society.  He’s also been active on other non-profit boards, but he definitely attributes some of his growth to his involvement at the Maryland Association of CPAs.  Giving back to the profession by serving in the association is important to him, and it has benefited him personally as well. Other episodes on similar topics that you may enjoy would include:  Paula Gold-Williams and Byron Patrick. For more information on the publication mentioned in this episode, click here. To listen in on this interview with Anoop Mehta, please use the player below:

This is a much shorter episode we produced specifically to highlight the launch of our most recent book:  “49 Tips For Working With A Headhunter”. In this second book, we cover tips for both employers and job seekers.  The purpose in releasing “49 Tips For Working With A Headhunter” was for individuals to understand more about how the industry works from the inside, so that they can get the best results possible no matter which side of the desk they are on. Topics that are covered for job seekers include… The truth about whether or not salary should be discussed How working through a headhunter really works And how to get the best match, among other topics Topics that are covered for employers include… What the fee truly covers and why it really is an investment What to expect in terms of services that should, and perhaps shouldn’t, be provided How to make sure the headhunter really understands what you need And the best part of this episode, is that for listeners that listen to the entire show, we have a special offer at the end!  Please listen to the audio below for a special offer just for our podcast audience.  Or, if you prefer to order from Amazon, please click here. See you next week!  There’s more to come…

Robin Thieme, CPA and owner of KBS CFO in Maryland, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast to discuss her career and building a virtual CFO practice. Always interested in tech Robin starts the interview by sharing with us that she has always, and she means always, been interested in how technology can make life better.  From the time when she was a little girl and played “future house” with her friend, she imagined all the technological advances (translation: gadgets) that may be invented later on to make our lives easier.  It’s no surprise that as she got into her accounting career, she was naturally drawn to learning about how technology could be integrated into accounting processes. Getting the experience Even with the interest in technology, Robin’s career started in a “typical” fashion.  She worked a while in public accounting, and then moved into industry where she gained a lot of the experience she now uses to serve as CFO for several organizations.  Eventually she decided she wanted more control over her time for family reasons, and she started her own virtual CFO practice.  It wasn’t long after that she hired her first team member, and now that team has grown to 12 people in total – including both domestic and international employees. The truth about remote work Since remote work flexibility is such a large discussion in the marketplace today, I took the opportunity to ask Robin about the realities of working remotely, both as a consultant and as an employee.  There are definitely many benefits, but there are also some trade-offs that she mentions as well.  Make sure you listen to the audio interview if remote work is something you are considering either with your employer or as a contractor.  It’s always good to be informed about how something really works by someone that has actually done it before. If you enjoy hearing Robin’s story, make sure you check out these episodes as well:  Joseph Rugger and Carrie Bradshaw. For our publication highlighted in this episode, “Hiring for Accounting: A Comprehensive Guide to Filling Accounting-Related Positions”, please click here. To listen in on this podcast with Robin Thieme, please click on the player below:

Shanikwa Davis of S. Davis Tax Consultants in Braintree, Massachusetts, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Growing up inner city… We start the interview as we do with most, by getting details on Shanikwa’s early career.  Shanikwa started out with an interest in tax due to a fortuitous assignment she had shadowing an executive with an investment company.  However, as her life moved on she had other priorities that necessitated that she focus on providing for her family.  It wasn’t long though and she realized that if she pursued tax as a long-term career choice, she would achieve the life that she wanted for her kids, so she got back into her education and worked towards her master’s degree.  She then eventually attained her CPA. Enrolled Agent too! We discuss this in the interview as well because I found it interesting that Shanikwa is both a CPA and an EA.  As she explains, becoming an Enrolled Agent was a practical move as it allowed her to more quickly represent clients with the Internal Revenue Service.  However, she makes a point in the interview that even though she is now a CPA as well, the EA status is beneficial.  No reciprocity is needed across the US in order to represent a client as an EA with the IRS.  In some cases this may not be true if she only had her CPA certificate.  Therefore, while the CPA certification definitely has it’s advantages, in her case it makes sense to maintain her EA status as well. Lessons learned along the way As we discussed the evolution of Shanikwa’s tax advisory business, we talked a little about the lessons learned along the way.  One of the nuggets of wisdom that she passes on for our listeners is how important it is to learn how to stand your ground in negotiations, particularly for female entrepreneurs.  In Shanikwa’s experience as a woman in business, sometimes you run across clients that are more aggressive about negotiating than you are, and it’s important to remember that the value of your service is the same regardless of how aggressive a negotiator the other party may be.  It sounds like this is a lesson that she’s had several opportunities to learn, but because of that her belief in her value proposition is solid and something that comes more naturally as she has continued to develop her practice. This episode has something for everyone.  Those just starting their careers, those struggling with life issues, and even those later in their careers looking to further develop their own business.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. Other episodes you may enjoy will include:  Amy Pitter and Mariette Martinez (For our latest book, “49 Tips For Working With A Headhunter”, click here!)

Amber Setter, a CPA turned Professional Certified Coach, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. An easy “A” Although Amber ultimately decided to take her career in a different direction, accounting was something that always seemed to make sense and be easily understandable for her.  She loved the accounting courses she took in her early education, and found them to be “easy A’s” as well!  It wasn’t until she started her career and put in a few busy seasons that she decided perhaps accounting itself wasn’t for her.  She had started to realize that it was the people development and personal interaction side of business that she enjoyed. Write your own job description! Fortunately for Amber at this point, she was working with a rapidly growing accounting firm that was open to the idea of moving her into recruiting.  When she approached them about becoming a campus recruiter, they said if you can define the job in such a way that makes sense, we are onboard.  That was her first venture out of being a full-time tax accountant and into the recruiting and development side of the firm… and it worked out well. Starting her coaching business After spending almost a decade with that one firm, Amber decided it was time to venture out.  Fast forward to today and through a few twists and turns along the way, and she has been able to develop her business in such a way that she spends her time doing what she thoroughly enjoys.  She helps individuals face their fears and progress forward in their development no matter what stage they may be in today.  From staff level individuals, to upper management, Amber seems to have a very thorough understanding of the “Inner Game” that goes on inside our own thoughts. I encourage you to listen to this entire interview.  Regardless of what career stage you may be in, I guarantee you will find value. For other episodes on similar topics, please visit:  Sarah Elliott and Brian Kush For more information on the Courses referred to in the podcast, click here! To listen in on this interview with Amber Setter, CPA turned Professional Certified Coach, please click on the player below:

Kelly Richmond Pope, CPA, Associate Professor at DePaul University, and movie producer (!) joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Straight through to PhD Kelly knew at an early age that she was interested in accounting.  She took an accounting class in high school and just seemed to understand how it worked.  Fast forward a few years and she was obtaining her bachelors, masters, and then doctorate degree all in accounting.  After working a short internship with General Electric and then a couple years with KPMG in forensic accounting, she knew she wanted to go deeper and therefore became a professor. Producing a movie As we discuss in the audio interview, Kelly is the first individual we’ve had on the show that has produced her own movie, and it’s even related to forensics!  “All The Queen’s Horses” is a documentary that tells the story of the largest municipal fraud in history.  In total it was over $50 million dollars, and happened in a town of only about 16,000 people.  The movie took about 5 ½ years in total to research and produce.  Although the movie is widely distributed and easy to find, particularly for a documentary, you can find additional details on it by clicking here. Red Flag Mania As if that wasn’t enough, we also get into talking about Kelly’s latest venture near the end of the program.  She has created a video—based ethics game that falls into the ‘edutainment’ area.  Red Flag Mania is a game that can be utilized in college classes to expose students to ethical issues and help them to develop a deeper understanding of such dilemmas.  You can find out more about Red Flag Mania at https://www.redflagmania.com/. For other shows on forensics that may peak your interest, please check out these episodes:  Michele Heyman and Rubik Yeriazarian To listen in on this interview with Kelly Richmond Pope, please click the player below:

Liz Mason, CPA and founder of High Rock Accounting, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Family of Accountants Liz comes from literally a family full of accountants.  She has several family members that chose accounting as a career; however, her career as an accountant started out much differently than you may think.  Liz is a self-described rebel, and tried a few of the other majors before settling on accounting.  As it turned out though, due to the early influences in her life, accounting was just something that came naturally for her.  She easily passed her classes and subsequently easily passed the CPA exam as well. Created an early ‘bot’ We frequently talk about ‘bots’ in the accounting profession now, but 10 years ago taking a process that was manual and making it automated was a very cutting-edge endeavor.  In Liz’s early years with Grant Thornton while she was still an entry-level staff person, she created an automation that cut down a process that typically took close to a day down to only two hours.  She didn’t realize at the time how valuable it would be for the firm, but it ended up getting her a promotion to work at the national office for Grant Thornton.  She also realized how much interest she had in innovation in accounting, and completed a Masters in Information Management shortly thereafter. High Rock, plus, plus… Liz now runs High Rock Accounting, an accounting firm focused on serving clients better through the use of the latest technology.  I say “plus, plus” because she also has recently launched Rebel Rock, Tackle, and has yet another business set to launch in about a year.  She’s focused, as she says, on “…changing the face of accounting.”  She’s determined to make it a better place for young professionals to not only be able to grow their careers, but also to fit within the rest of their personal and family needs as well. Salsa… After you listen to the podcast, make sure you check out the “Hot Accounts” show on Youtube.  In this video series that Liz and her team put out, they interview interesting individuals with a story to tell, and eat progressively hotter salsa as the show goes on.  Don’t worry though if you don’t have too much time, the shows aren’t all that long.  You can only eat so much hot sauce in one sitting.  😊 Liz was a great guest for the show, and I’m sure you will get tremendous value out of this episode. For other episodes that may interest you, check out:  Byron Patrick and Sarah Elliott To listen in on our interview with Liz Mason of High Rock Accounting, please click on the player below:

Amy Pitter, the President and CEO for the Massachusetts CPA Society, and former Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. From Law to Tax Amy’s path actually started in law school.  While pursuing her law degree, she found that she frankly didn’t enjoy the subject matter as much as she thought she would.  However, that all changed when she took her tax course.  She so enjoyed the tax subject matter that she went on to add a Masters in Accounting to her JD, and she started her career with one of the Big 8 national accounting firms. Finding her path It turned out that the Big 8 environment wasn’t as good a fit as she had hoped, so decided to look for something different.  Amy spent some time in industry and real estate development, before landing a position with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.  She thoroughly enjoyed her roles with the DOR, and that further propelled her career into the area of taxation authority consulting.  Along the way she handled consulting projects with the Internal Revenue Service and the Australian Taxing Authority, before landing back in the role of Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Diversity & Inclusion “D and I” is a passion for Amy for many reasons, both personal and professional, and she has been a change maker in that area.  She was a leader in creating a program while at the MDOR that encouraged young minorities to pursue an accounting education path with a local community college that eventually would land them an internship and likely a full-time position with the DOR.  Plus, more recently, she has been a driver in the MSCPA participation in the CEO Action Pledge, which encourages CEOs to sign a pledge to actively work on diversity and inclusion issues in their own organizations.  They have had 10 firms commit to being a part of that best practices sharing program so far, and it’s something that is just getting started.  It will be exciting to see the progress that is made as time moves forward. If you enjoy this episode with Amy Pitter, please check out these episodes as well:  Jina Etiennne (D&I) and Bill Cotter (IRS) To listen in on the interview with Amy, please click on the link below:

Kurt Rathmann, founder of ScaleFactor in Austin, Texas, re-joined us for an update show on this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast! Still feels like a start-up I asked this early on in the episode, because I honestly wasn’t sure if “start-up” was still an appropriate term.  However, while they are already in their 6th year of operation, Kurt agrees that the term still very much applies.  With their high-growth, focus on culture, and constant innovation, Kurt says that they definitely still have the start-up type of environment. 5x employee growth When we originally interviewed Kurt, they had just hired their 40th employee, and that was only about 15 months ago.  When we recorded this update though, they had a total of 230 team members including their interns!  Plus, they now are officing in 3 locations with a shuttle that runs every 30 minutes between them in order to remove the barriers that exist due to not being all centrally located.  And this is all while their new 52,000 square foot facility is being built.  They truly have experienced explosive growth since our last interview. Marge continues to grow up One of the other highlights of this interview was that we discussed Marge in greater depth.  Marge is ScaleFactor’s Artificial Intelligence Controller.  She can handle basic tasks such as responding to requests for information like a tax ID number, but also can handle more involved calculations of items such as burn rate and income or expense questions.  And if that isn’t enough to catch your attention, Kurt says their team views Marge as just starting kindergarten.  She continues to learn more and more every day and they feel that they have only begun to touch the surface. If you have any interest in technology in the accounting field, this update on the growth at ScaleFactor and the original episode with Kurt Rathmann will certainly be valuable for you. Other episodes that may interest you include:  Byron Patrick and Donny Shimamoto To listen in to our interview with Kurt Rathmann, please click on the player below:

Chris Hooper from Accodex joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast.  In addition to being one of the most entrepreneurial guests we have had in a while, Chris lives in Adelaide, Australia, which makes him our first international guest for the show! Making money vs. keeping money Chris always had an interest in business, and happened on accounting as a career by necessity.  After starting his own business in the fitness industry, he quickly realized that keeping money wasn’t as easy as making it, and therefore it would be a good idea to become more educated in that area.  It was at that point that a friend introduced him to accounting. Not your “typical” accountant Chris seems to have always been a “people person”.  From his early self-employment days, to his extra-curricular activities in college, and now to building the Accodex network, it’s evident that he enjoys building relationships.  In addition, he definitely enjoys improving on how business is done.  While Chris definitely has the technical abilities that come with a background in accounting, he sees accounting more as the means to the end… an end of creating improvement in business. Just the beginning Something else that was evident in this interview was that even with all the ground that we covered, this is only the beginning.  Chris is 33 years old, and Accodex is only 4 years old.  While they have seen fast success, it’s truly only starting to scratch the surface of what is possible.  In Chris’ words, “…accountants have the ability to change the world…”, and it’s obvious that Chris has that intention for himself and his companies as well. Other entrepreneurial episodes that may interest you include:  Kurt Rathmann of ScaleFactor, and Stephen King of GrowthForce To listen in, please click the player below:

Greg Ogburn, CPA and Co-Executive Director of the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA), joined us to share his career story with us on Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Starting out early Greg’s career started along a traditional path.  Straight out of college he joined one of the Big 8 accounting firms, and a little later moved to a local firm in the Dallas area.  Not long after that he moved to the Santa Fe, New Mexico area, and decided that it was time to venture out on his own.  Around 1991 he started his own accounting practice and grew it to two offices. Amarillo by morning In 2003 Greg moved back to Texas, but this time to Amarillo, which is located in the Texas “Panhandle”.  As he mentions in the interview, he had to start over a bit because not all his clientele followed, but he was fortunate enough to keep many of them… some of which he continues to service today.  Over the years he has been able to structure his work life to give him quite a variety of duties, from the typical accounting services that you would expect a firm to provide, to handling his family real estate business and serving as Co-Executive Director for the Panhandle Chapter of TXCPA. Serving the profession Although he still very much runs the daily business in his accounting practice, he definitely enjoys the activities he is able to participate in as co-executive director of the CPA chapter.  Their particular chapter has about 500 members and serves 19 counties in the northern “panhandle” section of Texas.  His wife serves along with him as the other co-executive director, but Greg admits that he tends to be more involved in the daily activities at this point .  That is actually part of the appeal of structuring the position in this manner, each individual can fill in as needs dictate. In addition to discussing Greg’s career, we also get into a discussion regarding changes in the profession and thoughts on how the certification requirements may change in the future.  This was a fun and interesting episode to record. If you enjoy this episode, make sure you check out these as well:  Matt Malcom and Natasha Schamberger To listen in, please click on the player below:

Don Maranca, originally our guest for episode number 1 (!), rejoined us for this new episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. An Old Friend… Yes, Don was the very first guest on our podcast, and we asked him back to both get an update and to go deeper on a few topics.  In many of our podcast interviews we have a wonderful conversation, but are limited by time in how deep we can go on various topics.  Don’s show was perhaps the most limited since it was our first episode and we were still learning the ropes, so we definitely needed to circle back and get Don’s insights on growing a business and just a general update on his own enterprise as well. Dramatic Growth! Since we last spoke in 2016, Don’s business structure has change dramatically… and in a good way.  What used to comprise 75% of his business, now only comprises 25%, but it didn’t shrink!  Instead, he has added a new coaching service that has grown incredibly since we last talked, and has now become three times larger than the original practice.  Don’s core business still remains consulting on strategy and systems for businesses, but he has been able to stretch that outside of just working with the business owners themselves, and now works with entire leadership teams. Advice for starting up a practice… We get into quite a bit of depth on what you need to know if you are thinking about starting a business of your own.  We cover common items that surprise new business owners – both good and bad.  Don also has valuable insights for us on what it takes to move from the individual that is technically proficient in an area, to becoming the leader of a business handling those services.  There are definitely some skills that are common, but for practically everyone there is also some growth that is imperative.  Don shares so much on this episode that I almost felt guilty… I received the value of a coaching session from merely doing the interview.  If you find value in this episode for yourself, please check out these similar episodes from other prior guest entrepreneurs:  Sarah Elliott and Mariette Martinez To listen in on our follow-up interview with Don Maranca, click on the player below:

Jim Wallace, the CEO of BPM, a top 50 national CPA firm, joined us to share the story of his career, thoughts on diversity and inclusion, and insights into servant leadership on this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Be A Good Father As with all episodes, we began this one by asking how Jim originally chose accounting as a career.  For Jim, it came down to one simple purpose: to be a good father.  As he discusses later in the program, his father was a major positive influence on his life, and he wanted to be the same for his children.  Accounting as a career choice than ensured he would have both the flexibility he needed as well as the dependability that he could make a good living. Becoming CEO All except a very short portion of Jim’s career has been in public accounting.  First with one of the Big 8 firms, then 25 years with Rehmann as they grew to over $100M in revenues, to becoming the CEO of BPM in 2015, which is one of the largest CPA firms in California.  One of the “secrets to success” that Jim cites is the focus on replacing yourself as you continue to grow.  It’s only through being able to replace yourself that you are able to eventually move up.  Doing so prevents you from getting stuck in any one position, and also proves your abilities as a developer of people. Diversity, Inclusion, & Servant Leadership Diversity and inclusion are a focus for Jim as well as the firm he leads.  Through town hall meetings, measuring engagement on surveys and other analytical instruments, and ensuring that active discussions (or even debates) occur when making important decisions, they are fostering an environment that has diversity of thought as well as a place where people feel comfortable to be themselves. Servant leadership is a core philosophy that was ingrained in Jim from his father, who was a CEO as well.  His father always stressed that in order to be successful, focus on helping others instead of yourself.  By helping others achieve what they desire, you naturally will end up becoming the person that you most desire to be. This episode is definitely filled with great insight on important topics for today, as well as life success in general.  I hope you enjoy listening to the show as much as I did recording it. Other episodes that may interest you:  Paula Gold-Williams and Kimberly Ellison-Taylor To listen in on this episode with Jim Wallace, please click on the player below:

Joey Havens, Executive Partner with Horne LLP, a large, regional firm with a national footprint, shared his time with us on Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. 35 years! With the exception of the first few years out of college, Joey has spent his entire career with Horne LLP – 35 years at this point!  Although Joey describes himself as a natural introvert, he made partner in only 8 years after joining the firm, and then became the Executive Partner in 2011.  You will definitely pick this up in the interview, but it’s worth mentioning here as well:  Joey is a very humble individual, and therefore a great leader.  He didn’t want to talk too much about himself on the show, but we were able to stretch and get him to share some of the details of his career.  It’s really is a good story. Natural introvert One of the key take-aways for this episode is the discussion of how those of us that are typically introverts can use that to our advantage in the business world.  Joey says it better than I would in his interview, but some of the strengths he points out is that introverts process information well, and we make strong connections.  I think many of us would automatically consider being an introvert a hinderance to moving up, but Joey very effectively nullifies that argument and gives us great pointers on how we can use that to our benefit in serving others. Not soft or easy… Another key discussion we delve into is the fact that technical skills are only a small portion of what it takes to be successful in accounting these days.  There are many other skills that Joey cites as being integral to building your career.  Among those are collaboration, anticipatory skills, critical thinking, and of course communication.  In addition, the ability to accept and learn new technology is going to continue to be important as the profession changes.  It’s interesting… although we tend to think of accounting as a ‘numbers’ field, it truly is still all about serving people. I hope you enjoy this interview with Joey Havens.  He was very gracious to take the time to record it, and I think there is something there for all of us. Other episodes that may interest you:  Lindsay Stevenson and Neha Patel To listen to this interview with Joey Havens, please click on the player below:

Amanda Aguillard, founder of three accounting-related businesses in the New Orleans area, and more importantly a mother of two wonderful children, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Paper Paper Everywhere… Even early in Amanda’s career, she wondered if things could be done differently.  She initially became interested in accounting as a profession while in high school, and even competed in the state rally competitions.  It was a very early interest for her.  However, as she got started in the industry, she realized how paper-oriented accounting work was at the time, and it seems like even at that early age she had a feeling that perhaps the work could be done in a more efficient way.  After later getting her Masters degree in Tax, she worked with Deloitte & Touche for a few years before moving on for a job in industry, and then deciding to take a seven-year break from the industry while she worked in an even more important role – being a mom. Returning On Her Terms As with everyone, life changes, and it became necessary for Amanda to return to the workforce.  However, she didn’t want to sacrifice the time she had enjoyed for so many years with her children, so she decided to take on contract work on her terms and build a business from there.  That business became Aguillard Accounting, and has evolved into a remote, niche practice serving primarily real estate brokers and law firms. Tech, and Two More Businesses! In starting her own practice, she became very knowledgeable in Xero, Quickbooks Online, and other cloud solutions.  This eventually took her into the training space as well, and she formed Elefant (pronounced just like “elephant”) with a partner in order to take this knowledge to the marketplace and help other accountants succeed.  In addition, this work has also blossomed into a 3rd business as well, a white-glove tech consulting practice for larger firms called Bluewire Strategies.  Near the end of the interview I asked Amanda, “With all these businesses, how do you maintain balance in your life?”  She noted that none of it could be done without a tremendous team and partners, both of which she has been blessed with. Amanda’s story is a very interesting one.  Not many people would opt for building a business when faced with the necessity of returning to the workforce after so many years, but that is the option she chose… and it has worked out beautifully for her. Other episodes on similar topics that may interest you are:  Joseph Rugger and Jody Padar To listen to this interview with Amanda Aguillard, click on the player below:

Erin Daiber, founder of Well Balanced Accountants, a coaching business specifically serving the accounting profession, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Anything But Accounting This episode started with a little surprise.  Erin told the story of her early decisions that led her to want to become an accountant in the first place.  Interestingly enough, her earliest career decision was that she wanted to become anything OTHER THAN and accountant!  However, it was a very influential professor in an undergraduate course that told her she would make a good accountant, and that she had a natural talent for it, that convinced her to pursue accounting as a profession. Coaching is Important During the first few years of Erin’s accounting career, she realized how important good managers and mentors were to an individual’s development both in her own experience as well as through what she was seeing in the workplace.  Some managers were exceptional, and some not so much.  Through this experience, she decided to hire a coach to help with decisions about her own career, and eventually decided to pursue the same career path herself – that of a coach.  After just a short time in the coaching business, she niched her business down further to specifically service those in her own profession… accounting.  Now Well Balanced Accountants coaches individuals both looking to pass the CPA exam, as well as those looking to advance in their accounting careers. CPA Exam Coaching CPA exam coaching is only about half of what Well Balanced Accountants does, but we focused quite a bit on that service due to how important it is in the career of an accountant.  Erin offers both online coaching programs, as well as one-on-one solutions.  Most of their clients have struggled with the exam in the past and realize that they need to do something differently, and that is where Erin’s service comes in.  It’s not a review course, and they don’t identify or partner with any one review course (although a review course is a great idea!!).  Instead, they provide the motivation, accountability, and strategy that many examinees need in order to get through the exam successfully. If you have struggled to pass the exam, or perhaps want to make sure you don’t struggle too much and get it out of the way quickly, make sure you check out their services at https://www.wellbalancedaccountants.com/  (and yes, if you mention “Where Accountants Go” and use their services, Erin will help to financially support our show – they appreciate the referrals) I think you will enjoy this episode.  Erin provides much needed services, and she thoroughly enjoys her career. Until next time, have a great week!  There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA

Byron Patrick, a CPA whose career has been built in technology, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Learning Accounting through Monopoly! Byron’s was initially influenced to pursue accounting as a profession like many of us were – by taking a high school level accounting course.   He also tells the story of one of his earliest memories regarding accounting – playing a game of Monopoly and actually creating financial statements as a part of the game.  Through this experience, as well as becoming involved with Future Business Leaders of America, he realized he had a definite interest in the profession. Becoming the IT guy Byron’s career was just starting in the late 1990’s when computer systems were becoming more than just a single machine that was used for basic computations.  Systems were being connected and integrated, and he had a natural talent for being able to troubleshoot office computer issues as well as understand how to structure those early networks.  As he got more and more involved in systems work, it left less time for the core audit work that he had initially been hired for.  Through a transition to a new firm, and that firm recognizing both his talent and their need, he became the full-time IT Director at a regional CPA practice. The Early Cloud Byron’s interest in systems led him to co-found a business called Simplified Innovations where they focused on installing systems in other accounting firms.  Over an 8-year period, they grew the business to be servicing over 650 end users with only four internal staff members.  The infrastructure they built to do this was a predecessor to what we refer to as the cloud in today’s terminology. Botkeeper and The Future After a great run with his own firm, he decided to sell his interest to his partner and move on to new challenges.  Most recently, Byron has joined botkeeper, a fast-growing accounting technology company that just received additional funding from the Google organization.  One of the items you need to make sure you listen closely for in the audio interview is our discussion of what the future accountant looks like from a day-to-day perspective.  Our profession definitely isn’t going away by any stretch of the imagination.  In fact, we are becoming more and more important as businesses need individuals not to just prepare the numbers, but to help interpret them as well.   We are becoming more of the translators, or advisors, that we all strive to be in the first place, as opposed to having to handle the more mundane duties such as data entry and other similar tasks.  It is a great and exciting time to be in the profession. And if that wasn’t enough, we also get into a short discussion of Byron’s CPA tattoo…  that was a first for the show! If you enjoy this episode, make sure you also check out:  Jody Padar and Donny Shimamoto To listen in, please click on the player below:

Becoming a CPA has had a tremendous positive effect on my life and career, both in jobs within the core accounting profession as well as in roles where I didn’t even see a number most days, but rather was working more in support of the profession in people-serving positions.  However, no matter what the position or role was, in all cases being a CPA has been beneficial. I recorded this episode for two reasons.  The most practical reason was that we had scheduling issues with a few of the upcoming guests that left a small window where we wouldn’t have an episode.  However, I think that was truly an opportunity being presented to me to record an episode on this particular topic that’s been on my heart recently. About a month ago I was asked to speak at a university event, and as I pondered what would be an appropriate topic for someone with my background to speak on, the subject of becoming a CPA became the clear choice.  I’ve seen it make a huge difference in my own life, and at the same time I’ve seen the struggles and sacrifices that others have went through in order to pass.  It truly is a major endeavor, but it’s one that pays off for the rest of your career.  After delivering that speech, I found that I still needed to talk about a few more aspects of pursuing the exam and the sacrifices that it takes for most individuals to pass, and this episode came into being. If you are yourself working on becoming a CPA, I hope you find just a little inspiration in this episode to keep on plugging along.  You truly can do it. If you are already a CPA and passed long ago, I think you will find some truth in the thoughts I share. And if you aren’t sure whether or not you want to pursue your CPA certification, or are considering whether or not it’s really worth the effort, PLEASE listen to this episode before you make your decision.  In fact, feel free to reach out to me personally and let’s talk about the decision.  It truly is a career-changing move, and although it’s not for everyone, for most it is a course of action that they are forever happy they chose. Other episodes you may want to check out if you are pursuing the CPA certification include: 107: Mansour Farhat – Saving Accounting Students One YouTube Video At A Time 097: How to Pass the CPA Exam – Tips from Newly Certified CPAs! 060 – Insights on CPA Review Courses from our Panel of CPAs Thank you again for being a part of the Where Accountants Go community.  We just recently passed 100,000 downloads of the podcast, and I am so thankful for all our audience members.  Couldn’t have passed that milestone without you! Have a great week!  There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA  

Amy Vetter, author, technologist, and CEO of The B3 Method Institute, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Amy’s earliest influencer regarding accounting was the legacy her grandfather left the family:  He was a CPA.  Her mother talked about her grandfather and how big a part of his life being a CPA was, and it had a dramatic positive influence in her early years.  She saw it as a path for both career safety and security. Launching Into Parenthood and Business Her career started as many do, working a few internships and then joining a national accounting firm – KPMG in her case.  However, after having a difficult pregnancy that resulted in a premature delivery, she decided that she needed additional flexibility and moved on so that she could work from home.  Amy started a bookkeeping service, AV Accounting Services, and attained her QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification. Accounting Tech After about 9 years with her bookkeeping service, she had become well-versed in accounting software solutions and was recruited to work full-time with Intuit.  That started a season in her career where she had the opportunity to not only work with Intuit, but then to move on and work with both Sage and Xero as well.  However, after working for so many years in the technology space, she realized that she wanted to do even more to make life better for accounting professionals.  It was at that point that The B3 Method Institute was born. B3 Business + Balance = Bliss.  Coming from her background in yoga (yes, she owns a yoga studio as well), this is Amy’s formula for happiness and success in both career and life.  She frequently speaks at conferences on the concept of becoming a “cherished advisor”, which is also a term she coined describing the role that we fill when we as accountants are acting at the highest level possible with our clients.  We not only are trusted, but we are cherished for the value we bring.  If you’d like to find out more about both concepts, make sure to check out her book at https://www.amyvetter.com/books. I hope you find value in this episode for not only your career, but your overall outlook on your life as well. For other episodes you may enjoy, please check out Robina Bennion and Mariette Martinez. To listen in, please click on the player below:

Jody Padar, author of “The Radical CPA” publications and founder of New Visions CPA Group, was our guest for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go! Ice Cream and Taxes Jody was influenced to pursue accounting in the same manner as many accountants – she had family in the industry.  Her father had a tax practice, and she helped him out from a very early age.  He knew how to motivate as well… every trip to get the returns processed at Computax meant a trip for ice cream as well!  The reward at the end of the work was a strong influencer early in life, and so accounting was a career interest for Jody from early on. Unfortunate Circumstances Lead to Joy As her career progressed in public accounting during her first few years, she found that she enjoyed and was talented in the tech side of accounting.  She was doing well pursuing a career with CPA firms, when she unfortunately got laid off from a firm due to needing to be out during busy season for the birth of her child.  Obviously this didn’t sit well with Jody, so she became determined to start her own practice and run it in a decidedly different manner.  It’s interesting how life turns out… it was exactly that difficult situation that helped propel her to the success she enjoys today. Life for The Radical CPA Currently Jody spends her time in many endeavors.  She still owns the New Vision CPA Group, but due to having a solid team she has been able to pursue other ventures as well.  She is the author of “The Radical CPA” books, hosts a podcast, and has just joined Botkeeper as an outsourced executive focused on helping them continuing to grow.  She’s definitely busy, but you can tell she thoroughly enjoys the mix and variety.  Her happiness and excitement about her career comes through clearly in this podcast interview.  We had a great time recording it. Other interviews you may enjoy:   Donny Shimamoto and Sandi Smith Leyva To listen in on our interview with Jody Padar, please click on the player below:

Natasha Schamberger, CPA and CEO of the Kansas Society of CPAs, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go! Midwest Girl Moves To The Big City! …is pretty much a direct quote from the audio interview in this podcast.  Natasha is from Kansas and attended Kansas State University when pursuing her accounting degree, but upon completion decided she wanted to move the “big city”.  After doing some initial research, she decided that San Diego would fit her best and made the move.  So although she was from the Midwest, the first few years of her career and some of the key relationships actually started out on the West Coast. 3 Month Vacation After getting married, her and husband thought that it was time to move back closer to home.  However, they realized they had a unique opportunity at this point in their lives given that they had few commitments to tie them down, so they took a 3 month hiatus to Italy!  They even considered a permanent move at some point, but settled on the extended visit / vacation instead and eventually came back to the states. Serving the Profession After returning to the US, Natasha accepted a position at AICPA where she served in various capacities for 8 years, and then eventually moved back home to Kansas and joined the state society of CPAs.  We have several interesting conversations during this interview.  One of the more intriguing topics we touch on is the Kansas Society’s efforts to engage with high school students and acquaint them with the accounting profession.  Kansas is committing significant resources to extending their reach into the high schools, which is an effort I believe will benefit both the profession and the students.  With career decisions frequently being made as early as high school, the effort definitely makes sense for our profession.  The earlier we are able to introduce students to the stability, security, and financial benefits that a career in accounting can help them afford, the better it is for all of us. If you enjoy this episode, please make sure you also check out the following:  John Sharbaugh, and Kimberly Ellison-Taylor To listen in on this conversation with Natasha Schamberger, please click on the player below:

Joseph Rugger, a CPA that has been able to structure his work life to be 100% remote, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Getting Started We start this interview in the same manner as most, with the story of Joseph’s early career.  Joseph started in public accounting, but only stayed for a few years.  As he states, the issue was “99% me, 1% public accounting.”  It just wasn’t the right fit for him.  He was fortunate though in that a friend’s family business needed an accountant, and through that connection he was able to make the move into industry. Predictable, Baby Steps After a few years with the prosthetics business, he decided to approach them about venturing into other interests while still ensuring his job got done.  It started with teaching a couple days at the local university, but then later moved into working remotely a couple days a week.  One of the keys to making the situation work for Joseph was that he outlined how he envisioned getting the job done with this employer, and did so in baby steps.  He did not attempt to go 100% remote all in one move.  It was a long and careful transition to get where he is today. Doing Payroll From The Grand Canyon As you’ll hear in the story, Joseph basically does the same typical accounting tasks that we all would normally do from the office, but he does them from his laptop in remote parts of the world.  This may mean while on a mission trip, or from the bottom floor of the Grand Canyon.  Sometimes (usually) it takes some flexibility and advanced planning to get the internet connection he needs, but that is just part of the advanced preparation.  Other than that, the work is pretty similar to any other accounting role.  One interesting fact that Joseph points out though is that it’s not 100% vacation like many people think it is.  When you are remote, you basically have to be plugged in all the time, so while you have location freedom, it’s that much more important for you to be accessible.  It’s something to think about if you decide to travel the world – that vital conference call could literally be in the middle of the night depending on your time zone.  Even such freedom has a few small trade-offs. This was a wonderful interview with Joseph, and I appreciate that he made the time for it.  When you are 100% remote, practically everything is done through advanced scheduling, so for him to make the time for this interview truly was a gift to our listeners. Other episodes you may enjoy:  Matt Malcolm, and John Garrett. To listen in on this interview, please click the player below:

Tim Gearty, Editor-In-Chief and National Lead Instructor for Becker CPA Review, as well as Managing Partner for Gearty & McIntyre, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Snow Shoveling Is Hard Work Like most of our episodes, we started off by asking how Tim got into the accounting profession.  And like many guests, it came down to a very practical decision for Tim early in life.  He had experienced other ways of making income as a kid (snow shoveling, a paper route, etc), and realized that many of those required a high amount of physical labor.  That was hard work!    So instead, when a family friend suggested he consider accounting as a potential career choice, he felt it would be a more practical way to make a good living. His career started as many do.  He worked for a short while in industry, and then with Peat Marwick Mitchell, a predecessor to KPMG.  After about 3-4 years in public accounting, he decided to take time off for law school. Becoming an Instructor Almost immediately after deciding to pursue law school, he was invited to become a professor due to an emergency need at the university.  He found that he thoroughly enjoyed teaching, and by the time he was finished with law school he found that it wasn’t necessary for him to return to a full-time accounting role at a national firm.  With both his teaching income as well as accounting work that he had picked up along the way, he was actually better off.  Plus, he loved helping others learn, so continuing along the teaching route just made sense. Present Day Tim now spends his professional efforts in three main areas, as managing partner for their accounting firm, providing CPE for Fortune 100 companies, and in his role with Becker of course.  You can tell from the interview that he is extremely passionate about his work, and he definitely enjoys the variety. We couldn’t end the podcast without getting Tim’s insights on passing the CPA exam as well of course.  Make sure you listen all the way to the end.  Tim shares not only some insights into being successful with the exam, but also some of the pitfalls that candidates can encounter these days. If you find value in this episode, please also check out our episode on “How To Pass the Exam” where we interviewed 5 recently certified CPAs on the techniques they used to ensure they passed. Thank you again for joining us.  To listen in on our interview with Tim Gearty, please click on the player below:

Mariette Martinez, an EA (Enrolled Agent) from the Los Angeles area, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast! Runs In The Family… Mariette’s initial interest in becoming an accountant stemmed from her family legacy of entrepreneurship.  Through constantly being around her family of entrepreneurs, she realized how important becoming knowledgeable in finance and accounting was to a business owner.  Because of this, although none of her family were accountants by trade, she decided to pursue accounting as a career choice at an early age. Building a Career Like many do, Mariette worked for an accounting firm during her time in college and gained wonderful experience.  After college, she was recruited into one of the national accounting firms and continued to grow professionally.  Becoming a mom changed her life though, and she decided to start her own business instead of continue down the corporate path.  She worked hard to build her own accounting practice, and in a very short time had her own team that handled bookkeeping, accounting, and tax work. Building a Life As she reached what many would clearly recognize as “success”, she realized that she didn’t get as much joy out of her day-to-day work as she had hoped.  She had a thriving business and was doing well financially, but it didn’t bring the enjoyment that she had expected.  One weekend when she was really feeling the lack of joy, she decided to take a few days off and decide what to do about the issue.  She made a decision that only very brave individuals are capable of making:  she totally transformed her business.  She went from a traditional accounting practice model, to more of an educational and financial coaching model.  That was back in 2014, and today she can honestly say that she has been able to return to her normal, joyful self.  You’ll be able to tell from her passion and energy in the audio interview – she truly does enjoy her work. If you find value in this episode for yourself, please check out these other related shows:  Sarah Elliott, Dena Jansen, and Robina Bennion. Please listen in on this interview with Mariette Martinez by clicking on the player below:

Lindsay Stevenson, a CPA, VP of Finance, and consulting firm owner in South Dakota, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Perseverance & Determination We open up the interview with the story of how Lindsay decided to choose accounting as her career path in the first place, and it’s quite an eventful tale.  Lindsay was very open about how early in life she made some bad choices, the consequences of which almost caused her to not pursue a professional career so-to-speak.  However, it was the determination she had to provide a better life for her family that drove her to go back to school and eventually complete her accounting degree. Moving up… Her career developed as many do.  Once she had her degree she started working in public accounting.  She chose the tax side because it required far less travel than audit, and that was better for her family.  She moved up quickly though and did well in public accounting, even though it was a while before she passed the CPA exam.  She did eventually tackle the exam though and became certified.  Not long afterwards, she decided to change directions and go into industry.  She now serves as VP of Finance for a major bank in South Dakota. Changing the Landscape! Late in the program Lindsay shares that she has a brave goal of changing the landscape of the accounting profession for the better.  She has started her consulting practice, Origin Evolution, specifically with this goal in mind.  Her focus is to work with organizations on their culture and how that is lived out in the workplace.  Her firm is still in the early stages of its development, but you can tell she has a true passion for the larger vision that she is working towards. I think you will really, really enjoy this episode.  Lindsay was very open about her story, and it spans such a wide variety of career topics that there is something in there for all of us. Other shows you will enjoy include:  Kimberly Ellison-Taylor and Dena Jansen To listen in on this truly-inspiring episode, please click on the player below:

For this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast, we were joined by the soon-to-transition CEO of United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County, Lyndon Herridge CPA. Roots in the Commercial World Something that may surprise listeners is that while Lyndon is a very passionate about the manner in which United Way serves the community, he definitely didn’t start out his career with the long-term goal of being a leader in the non-profit world!  His career started as many do in accounting, in the tax and audit space with a firm that eventually merged into EY.  He then ventured out into industry and joined a family office for one of the heirs to the King Ranch in Texas.  This was a tremendous opportunity that he thoroughly enjoyed because it gave him the experience of working with many different types of industries due to their wide variety of holdings.  However, he knew that long-term he wanted to do something different with his career… Moving to United Way Another fact that may surprise listeners is that when he was initially approached about joining United Way, Lyndon declined!  It was quite a while later when he realized that one of his friends in Dallas had joined the organization and was so thoroughly enjoying it that he decided he should reconsider.  He joined the United Way with the intentions to stay only a short time, but obviously that worked out much differently as he ended up assuming the CEO role and has now celebrated his 28th year with the organization! Advice for Young Professionals It may also surprise you that Lyndon doesn’t recommend going directly into the non-profit world right after college.  He recommends that you take some time early on in your career to work in the for-profit world.  Per Lyndon, it not only helps you grow, but also benefits your future non-profit employer as well.  Having the understanding of business processes is very valuable even though non-profits work with a different goal in mind.  For more information on United Way, please click here. Other episodes you may enjoy:  Craig Fuller and Bob McAdams To listen in this insightful interview with Lyndon Herridge, please click on the player below:

Jina Etienne joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go.  Jina has had a tremendous career.  From building her own accounting practice, to serving our profession through working at both AICPA and NABA, to now joining Grant Thornton in the role of Director of Diversity & Inclusion!  Jina very openly shared her wisdom and insights with us on this episode, and we were fortunate to have her on the program. Is It Always This Easy? Jina started her career in accounting because the initial accounting course that she had to take as a business major ended up being a relatively easy subject for her.  After realizing she had natural ability in the accounting, and then hearing that it was a very stable career path, she decided to choose accounting as her career.  She started an internship with Touche Ross, and the rest is history. Opportunities Open Up After a few short years in public accounting, Jina decided to start her own practice.  She operated her firm for about 17 years in total and was very successful.  It was through her quest to continue to grow her practice in a way that suited her lifestyle that she came across the opportunity to join AICPA.  Jina figured that she could have a positive influence on far more people through working at AICPA than she could being self-employed, so she took advantage of the opportunity and went to work with the national association. Several years later she also had the opportunity to serve as CEO for NABA, the National Association of Black Accountants, which was also a position that she thoroughly enjoyed.  You’ll hear it in the audio interview, but having the opportunity for public speaking on topics she is passionate about is something that energizes Jina.  Both the AICPA and NABA positions provided her those opportunities. Diversity & Inclusion Jina currently is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the national accounting firm Grant Thornton.  One of the most educational portions of this podcast episode is the discussion of the difference between diversity and inclusion, as well as the strides we have made as a profession and the challenges that we still face.  Jina is definitely a subject matter expert in the area, and I appreciated the frank discussion we were able to have regarding D&I in our accounting profession.  This interview definitely is more than just a career story – it’s an educational opportunity! Books that Jina mentions in this interview that can help you with your own career include:   “The E-Myth” and “Rich Dad Poor Dad” Other episodes that may interest you include:  Lisa Ong and Sheila Enriquez To listen in on this interview with Jina Etienne, please click on the player below:

Ramsey Womack joined us this week to share his story of starting in the Army, to becoming a partner in a public accounting firm, to shifting into the consulting world in order to get more variety in his daily work life. Born Into Accounting Early in the interview Ramsey shares with us that he was “born into accounting” in that he had many family members that were CPAs in his family.  What’s interesting though is that he had an equal passion to serve our country, which was also something he acquired from his family origins.  For this reason, although he majored in accounting in college, he chose to start his career by serving in the Army for the first four years after college. Getting Back In… Moving back into the accounting world proved challenging initially for a few reasons.  He had a tremendous internship with Arthur Andersen during school, but after he served his 4 years in the Army, Andersen was on the brink of closing at that point.  Therefore, he couldn’t return for a full-time position as he had thought he might initially.  Instead, he started to consider other career paths and started in the management training program with Home Depot.  He made a great living with Home Depot, but it became clear quickly that he would have to relocate in order to get promoted, so he decided it was time to return to his original career choice:  Accounting. Out and Up Being the people-person that Ramsey is, one of his friendships ended up landing him in the office of a local accounting firm.  He was able to get on-board with the firm as a staff person, which was a pay cut at the time since he had been building a different career previously, but it was a move that paid off.  In a few short years, he became a manager with the firm, and then in a few more he was a partner.  After many years with the firm, he decided he wanted to expand his experiences and get more variety in his career, so he joined an outsourced consulting group – WG Consulting in Houston, Texas.  Although he is thankful for the time he spent in public accounting, the consulting world is a good fit for him presently as he thoroughly enjoys all the variety that comes with this type of work. If you are transitioning from the military into civilian life, wanting to move up in public accounting, or even interested in the consulting space, this podcast will be invaluable. Other shows you may enjoy:  Libby King, and Roderick Robeson To listen in on this episode with Ramsey Womack, please click on the player below:  

Robina Bennion, a CPA with a highly specialized business coaching individuals on the key areas of soul, self, and money, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast.  In addition to being a CPA, Robina is a Certified Money Coach (CMC) as well!  This episode is truly enlightening and has something for everyone. Early Career Robina started as many CPAs do.  She encountered an individual she admired greatly at an early age that happened to be a CPA.  It was through that interaction that she became interested in the career path, and after college went into public accounting doing both audit and tax work with a smaller firm.  The variety of experience that she gained while working at smaller firms seems to have served her well. Mergers Although Robina joined the firms we discussed mostly post-merger, we still get into a short discussion of what it takes to be successful at a firm after they have went through the merger process with another CPA firm.  Robina has some valuable insights for us, namely to 1) be open to sharing knowledge, 2) to be open to learning, and probably the most important, 3) to be patient. Coaching for Your Soul… This particular line was what initially caught my attention when I invited Robina on the show.  She is a “relationship coach for your soul, your self, and your money”.  I found that holistic approach to be very intriguing, and couldn’t resist reaching out to her so that we could find out more.  You’ll need to listen to the full episode to get the full picture of Robina’s business because she describes it far better than we ever could here.  However, in a nutshell Robina takes a more well-rounded approach when working with her coaching clients that includes, but is in no way limited to, studying their behavioral patterns when it comes to finances. If you enjoy this episode, you will likely appreciate these interviews as well:  Sarah Elliott and Brian Kush. To listen in, please click on the media player below:

We were very fortunate this week to be able to interview Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, the Immediate Past Chair of the American Institute of CPAs, for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. A Fortunate Turn of Events Kimberly knew from an early age that she wanted to be a CPA.  As early as 3rd grade, she realized that becoming a CPA would be a career that was both stable and financially sound.  Due to a miscommunication though, she ended up attending a university that did not have a formal accounting major path available, so she instead majored in Information Systems Management.  However, this path ended up to work out much better in the long-run.  She still followed her dream and acquired the additional hours she needed to take the CPA exam, and now has enjoyed a career that mixes both her financial & accounting acumen with her strong background in information technology. Failed the CPA exam at first! We include this note as a motivator for anyone that has had difficulty with the exam.  Kimberly was recently the chairperson for the national CPA association – AICPA – but believe it or not she failed the exam the first time.  It doesn’t matter if you fail it once, or a few times even.  Rather it’s important that you learn from the experience and you try again.  If a goal is worthwhile, then it’s worth investing in.  Kimberly very openly shares this ‘failure’ experience in hopes of inspiring those other individuals that are striving to pass the exam and realize that it may take a little more effort than they originally anticipated. Soft Skills Are Important With Kimberly’s technology background, you may find this interesting, but she stressed a few times how important skills like the ability to inspire and the ability to motivate will be moving forward.  As more and more of our routine accounting functions are taken care of by AI, we will be left with the more exciting and interesting parts of our jobs – the parts that require people skills and judgement.  Anything you can do to increase your abilities in these areas will be invaluable as you continue to grow your career in our ever-expanding tech-filled world. If you enjoy this episode, make sure you visit these as well:  Kurt Rathmann and Donny Shimamoto To listen to the full interview, please click on the player below:  

John Bryan, CPA and now high school teacher in the Houston, Texas, area shared his career journey with us this week on Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast! Started at PwC Although he has now been a teacher for 17 years, John’s career started out in the audit field. After moving from internship into a staff position with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and gaining experience for two years, he switched into industry and worked in internal audit for almost an additional decade before making the career change. Happiness While doing community service work through his employer, John found that he enjoyed the school atmosphere and decided to help out by teaching a class at church. He was given a 10th grade class to lead at church, and that further made him realize that he enjoyed teaching. Through an alternative certification process he was able to qualify to teach classes at the high school level and his 2nd career was born. He now teaches Accounting and other business-related courses such as finance and business law at the high school level. The Upcoming Generation… Another benefit of this episode is that John shares some valuable insight on the upcoming generation that will soon be working alongside us. It’s important that we understand their needs and value their perspective. As with all generations, we all have different experiences that are beneficial to helping us move forward in the workplace. I think you will find this episode beneficial and interesting no matter what point you may be at in your own career. John is making a difference in the world, and that always makes for a good story. If you are interested in finding out more about the organization John mentioned, Future Business Leaders of America, please click here: https://www.fbla-pbl.org/ Other episodes that may interest you: Mansour Farhat To listen in on this interview, please click the player below:

This week on Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast, leadership coach Brian Kush, CPA, shared his career journey with us as well as some valuable insights on building a business and building your own leadership skills! “Forced to Learn About Business” As with many accountants, Brian’s career in accounting started with a position in public accounting – audit specifically. It was this experience in auditing that forced him to learn more about business in general and he started to realize where his passions lie from a career perspective.  The overall business acumen that was developed during these formative years ended up being a great foundation for his future career in coaching. Starting A Company After working in audit consulting through a couple different entities, Brian decided to launch his own executive coaching business: Moxie Partners.  Through Moxie Partners, as well as his partnership with Sarah Elliott in Intend2Lead, Brian helps executives with many leadership topics in the workplace including embracing vulnerability, and learning to adopt the ‘learner mindset’ instead of solely the ‘expert mindset’.  It’s through realizing that we don’t know everything that we can continue to learn and grow professionally. Biggest Mistake You need to make sure you listen all the way to the end on this episode, because like all previous shows, we asked the same three questions of our guest. Brian was very open about his “biggest mistake”, and there is a lesson in there for all of us – owners, managers, and associates or staff alike.  We all can learn from the points Brian makes towards the end of this episode. If you enjoy this week’s show, you may want to visit these as well! Sarah Elliott and Dena Jansen To listen in on the interview with Brian Kush, please click on the media player below:

We have a special episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast, for you this week! For this recording, we interviewed five different professionals that are leaders in the internship programs at their respective firms: – Adam Dimick from Briggs & Veselka in Houston – Tim Pike from Howard in Dallas – Sandra Ou from Maxwell Locke & Ritter in Austin – Sarah Markell from PwC in Austin, and – Adam Weingarten from Deloitte in Houston Each of these individuals shared their insights with us on what their firms look for in interns, what the expectations are, and what it takes to be successful. This episode is a little longer than most, but it has incredibly valuable information if you are about to enter the internship stage in your own journey. Expectations I was particularly intrigued by the conversation about what firms expect from their interns. The answers varied a little, but the overwhelming theme was that it truly is meant to be a learning experience.  They expect you to put in your best effort, but they understand that you are still learning at this point in your pre-career.  No one expects perfection… they want you to ask questions. Judgment Errors This was another particularly interesting part of the interviews. I’m not going to give away the details here because I think it’s important for you to actually hear the exact wording from each manager, but suffice it to say that they were very direct in their answers to this question.  If you are entering the internship search or about to start an internship, make sure you listen to this section so you can hear what mistakes to avoid and how to ensure that you have the best internship experience possible. Skills For The Future I didn’t anticipate this, but each manager also gave us great feedback on what skills they feel future interns and students should work on polishing now in order to get their career started in the best way possible and ensure their continued growth. We specifically asked about critical advice they had for future interns, but we ended up with much more thorough answers than we could have anticipated.  There is definitely some great career growth advice near the end on this episode. If you yourself are entering the process, or will be in the near future, make sure you reserve the time to listen to the show. You won’t want to miss any details. Stay tuned until next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA (Other episodes you may enjoy include: 036 Tim Pike, and 040 Wade Beal)

Carrie Bradshaw of CD Bradshaw and Associates in Georgetown, Texas, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go! Maybe Accounting Will Be Easy! Interestingly enough, Carrie actually wanted to be a District Attorney until her senior year in high school. It was that year that she decided to take the high school accounting course because she felt it would be an ‘easy A’ (which is what all seniors want of course!).  However, she found that she had talent for accounting and went on to successfully compete in UIL competitions at the state level.  It definitely was her true calling. Building a career A few family moves landed her needing to find a job in the Georgetown area. Although she thought the discussion was just going to be a practice interview, the conversation with Brown Graham & Company went very well and she joined the firm.  Thirteen years into her tenure, they made her a partner in the firm. January 2017 Over the years Carrie had the burning feeling that wanted to handle the issue of work/life balance differently, and this drive led her to work out an arrangement with Brown Graham & Company and venture out on her own. In January 2017, she launched CD Bradshaw & Associates, and she’s never looked back.  In this episode Carrie discusses many factors to consider when looking to achieve your own personally successful “work/life balance”.  Among other concerns, Carrie points out that one of the most important items to decide first is what is truly important to you.  It’s difficult to achieve ‘balance’ if you don’t have a clear picture of what you are really striving for. For the complete episode, make sure to listen to the audio interview by clicking on the player below: Other episodes you may enjoy: Dena Jansen, and Sarah Elliott

Samantha Bowling from Garbelman Winslow CPAs in Maryland joined us on Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. In this episode, Samantha shares her journey from starting as an entry-level accountant, to becoming the first female partner at the 50-year-old full-service accounting firm. Opportunity For Women In Accounting Samantha initially became interested in accounting in her high school record-keeping course. She had an excellent teacher that influenced her to pursue the long-term goal of becoming a CPA due to high level of opportunity that existed for women in the accounting field.  She initially went the community college route in order to save money and be closer to home, but then moved on and finished her bachelors degree. Garbelman Winslow After graduating college, Samantha interviewed for a full-time position with Garbelman Winslow, a leading firm in their area. From this early point her career however, she knew that she wanted to be a partner.  Through much determination and hard-work over the years, she became a partner with the firm after only a short 11 year tenure.  Though her personal background is heavier in the audit side of the business, their firm provides tax, audit, and general accounting consulting services. Pink Hair! In addition to Samantha’s involvement in the profession at both the state CPA society and AICPA level, we also talk a little about her community interests such as the battle to find a cure for cancer. It’s something she cares greatly about, even to the extent that you can find her most of the time with pink highlights in her hair.  She’s definitely all-in for the cause.  😊 I hope you enjoy this interview with Samantha. She has an incredibly inspiring story! Other episodes you may enjoy: Sarah Elliott, and Holly Raymond To listen in, please click on the player below:

Rubik Yeriazarian, Principal with Briggs & Veselka in the area of Forensic Accounting & Litigation Support, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Targeted the area early on… In the beginning of this episode, Rubik recounts the story of how he came to work in forensic accounting in the first place. He came from a family of accountants, and knew he was interested in “tracking money” early on in life.  He considered math as a possible interest initially, but then realized he didn’t enjoy that quite as much as he thought.  However, he had done well in UIL accounting competitions in school so he decided to choose the accounting career path instead.  As he neared the end of college, he had an internship at KPMG where he met some of the individuals in the forensic area and ended up getting the opportunity for a rotation in forensics.  It was there that his career got started in forensic accounting, and obviously it has worked out well for Rubik. Goldilocks career Rubik uses the term “Goldilocks career” when describing the path he took. He first worked at KPMG, and while the experience was beneficial, it was “too big” for him personally.  He then moved on to more of a boutique firm that had 6-8 employees, finding that that organization was “too small” for his preference after a few years.  It was then that he found the opportunity that was “just right”, which is his current role at Briggs & Veselka there in Houston. Skills you need Given his specialty and the length of time he has worked in it, I wanted to make sure we dedicated some time to getting Rubik’s professional opinion on the skills and characteristics that are vital to preparing for a career in this area. Some of the items that he listed as being necessary for success are: Need to be a self-starter Ability to dig in to the data Ability to communicate with non-accounting professionals (this is key!) And of course, strong skills in Excel Other systems skills such as Python and SQL are helpful, but if you have the items listed above, that makes for a strong start in the forensics and litigation support specialties. Please make sure you listen to the audio file as well below. Rubik shares much, much more than we could ever possibly cover in this short summary. Other episodes you may enjoy include: Episode 038 with Billy Petty, and Episode 082 with Fred Olivares

For this first episode of 2019, we revisited one of our early shows – number 10 in fact! Harriet Helmle, a CPA, the Director of Client Relations with Covenant Multi-Family Offices, and the Founder of San Antonio Youth Literacy, had joined us to share the story of her career journey as well as the very inspiring recollection of how SAYL came into existence. Harriet was a joy to interview, and given her commitment to the community as well as her profession, we figured it would be a great story to re-share as everyone is considering their goals for the new year. Harriet founded San Antonio Youth Literacy during a time of great personal difficulty in her own life.  She was going through health issues that had caused her to not be able to work full-time, but through that adversity she found the determination and motivation to start this not-for-profit organization that helps young disadvantaged children learn to read.  Although they started with just one school, they now serve many campuses and include students from very early ages all the way through second grade.  Without the efforts of all their volunteers, these children would lack the reading capabilities to succeed in school and life. If you are considering how you want to impact the community, whether through a similar program or something entirely different, Harriet’s story will be extremely timely and inspiring for you. And if you decide you’d like to learn more about San Antonio Youth Literacy, please visit http://sayl.org/! Happy New Year! Stay tuned next week for our newest episode of Life In Accounting.  There’s more to come…

In this short episode, I’m taking the opportunity to review some of the publications we’ve recently launched, and talk a little about upcoming episodes in January. We won’t be posting new podcasts during the Christmas and New Year’s weeks due the busy-ness of this time of year, plus everyone’s uncertain schedules. However, we will be back in full force in January with several new episodes that are currently in production and will be finished up in early January. Look for more interesting guests, as well as a few SPECIAL EDITION episodes as well! (I just love creating suspense) In the meantime, if you haven’t yet reviewed all our new publications at Where Accountants Go, make sure you check out these new offerings as well: 49 Tips For A Successful Accounting Career – In this book, available both here on our website and on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle editions, we cover the absolute best tips we’ve received from all our podcast episodes, plus a few insights of my own.  If you are looking for an immediate mailout of a paperback copy, please order here on our own website for the fastest delivery. . Hiring For Accounting – This is an electronic-book for employers that comprehensively covers the process for successfully filling accounting roles.  We cover the nuances of interviews, how to properly handle extending an offer, and even how to help ensure a successful start of the new team member. . 7 Key Tips For Optimizing Phone Interviews (Employers) – This short tips sheet is meant for employers that wish to better use the time-saving technique of phone screening, but without missing out on any great candidates!  It’s an easy, short 2-page read, so it’s sure to have an immediate positive impact on your process. . Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to listen in each week to our Life In Accounting podcast.  I very sincerely appreciate and am humbled by your continued support. See you in January!   There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA

Phil Yaeger of Yaeger CPA Review is our guest for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go! Changing the Industry One of the themes that comes out early in the interview, and then continues throughout, is that Phil definitely feels that instructors should be able to capture and hold the participant’s attention. From the observations he makes early on about his initial accounting courses, to the quality requirements he later set for his own CPA review course, you can tell that keeping the students engaged so that they can better learn the material is of high importance for Phil. Blueprint Another important take-away from this interview is how important the AICPA blueprint is to successfully preparing for the exam. Phil explains it much better than I can here, but suffice it to say that his feeling is that it’s not enough simply to see the blueprint, you need to have an understanding of what’s important for you to learn from that blueprint.  His CPA review course is structured such that you have both the blueprint itself, as well as an explanation of what you must be sure you learn on each part. A Story of Business Success Even if you aren’t preparing to take the CPA exam, you will enjoy this episode if you enjoy hearing about success. Phil mentions it for a few moments near the end, but his four decades in the business have definitely been successful and afforded him opportunities to be involved supporting the community and to meet celebrities along the way that otherwise he would not have been able to.  He’s worked diligently to make a difference in thousands of accountants’ lives, and therefore he’s been able to enjoy some of the rewards that come with helping so many. Other episodes that you may enjoy include: Professor Mansour Farhat & How To Pass The CPA Exam To listen to our interview with Phil Yaeger, please click on the player below:

Chris Rosas, the Vice President of Global Tax & Treasury with Rackspace, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. A Different Path One unique fact about Chris’s career path is that he started in an industry position, and then later moved into public accounting, before moving back into industry in his position now with Rackspace. It’s not unusual to see individuals do internships in industry, but typically the next step isn’t public accounting.  This path worked very well for Chris though.  As you’ll hear in the audio interview, there was much to learn still when he did move to PriceWaterhouseCoopers, but it was definitely a move worth making.  That experience helped him to gain knowledge that he uses in his position to this day at Rackspace. International Tax Another interesting facet of Chris’s career is that he actually started in international tax. It’s extremely rare to start in the international side of tax, but the opportunity was available and he took advantage of it.  It’s turned out to be a very interesting and challenging career for Chris.  He also gets into the discussion of how there is cross-over in his roles in both global tax and treasury at Rackspace.  For many, the connection may not be apparent, but Chris explains how the two roles actually work well together in a global organization. Hard Work and Humility This has come up in a few of our recent episodes, so I wanted to highlight it here since it came up in our conversation with Chris as well. Chris mentions that although he was well on his way with his career when he joined PwC, he had to be humble because there was much he had not learned yet and it became apparent when he joined the global accounting firm. He also discusses how when he was with Clear Channel, he would go to his supervisor’s office at the end of the day and make sure there wasn’t anything else that they needed help with. This additional effort not only helped him gain favor I’m sure, but also got him additional experience on interesting projects that otherwise he would not have been exposed to.  Both a strong work ethic and humility were keys to Chris’s early success. This episode is another one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Other episodes that may interest you: 027: Janice Flynn – Global Corporate Controller for Rackspace and 103: Transitioning from Public to Industry in Tax – Audra Fahey, VP of Tax with NuStar Energy Please listen to the audio by clicking on the player below:

Libby King of Libby King & Associates in Austin, Texas, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. If you’ve ever daydreamed about how you could use your industry accounting background to service clients in a self-employment or contractor capacity, this episode is for you. US GAO One of the interesting parts of this discussion for me personally was actually Libby’s first job out of college. She worked as an Auditor with the United States General Accounting Office.  I had always wondered what a position with the GAO may be like, and Libby shared some of her experiences with us on the show.  There are way to many details to share in the show-notes here, but suffice it to say that one of the organizations they audited was so large that anything under $80 million dollars was considered an immaterial item with regards to the audit.  Truly an amazing experience I’m sure. Her Eureka Moment When asked about how she decided to start her business, Libby said it truly was a “eureka moment”. She was in a position where she was providing value, but she always seemed to feel like she was treated as an overhead item, and that feeling didn’t sit well with her.  It was at this point that she decided to put her prior governmental experience to use and go into business for herself servicing small start-up businesses, including those in the governmental contracting space. Where They Are Today As of the time of this interview, Libby King & Associates has grown to about 15 team members comprised of transactional support professionals as well as management consulting experts. They service clients in the “2 to 10” space as Libby says… two to ten years in business, and two to ten million in revenues.  In reality they service clients outside of these parameters, but it makes it easier to have a guideline for what makes an ideal client for the firm as they continue to grow. Another important factor in the success of their business is a mastery of cost accounting. Cost accounting is highly important when doing business with the government, so it is an area that the team at Libby King & Associates has developed as a core strength.  Ironically it wasn’t Libby’s favorite subject in school, but she’s learned to work around that for the good of the customer.  Other podcasts you may enjoy include Matt Malcom’s episode and the interview with Marcus Dillon. Please listen in on this interview with Libby King by clicking on the player below:  

Professor Mansour Farhat of Youtube fame joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. 34,000 Subscribers & Growing! We usually start at the beginning in the shownotes, but this time we are jumping right to one of the major points. If you haven’t yet found Professor Farhat’s accounting lectures on Youtube and you are an accounting student, or even a recent student, you may be among the minority!  Mansour started his Youtube channel simply as a way to make his lectures in one class available to students at another university where he was teaching as well.  To his surprise though, the channel grew far past just the students in his class and as of this recording he has surpassed 34,000 subscribers to his Youtube channel!  Definitely a testament to how helpful his content is. In Service of Students It’s important to note that all of his material is free… yes, free. There are videos of common courses such as Intermediate Accounting and Auditing, as well as lessons that apply directly to those pursuing the CPA certification.  In total he has over 1,200 videos with accounting course content.  And it’s all free.  It’s simply an additional resource for students that feel they need a different delivery format, or additional instruction, in order to help them better learn the material. Give It A Chance… One of the interesting comments Professor Farhat made during the interview was in response to the final three questions. When we asked him about his ‘biggest mistake’, he went back to one of his early job changes.  He said that he should have given that job more of a chance and stayed longer to see if it could have worked out.  What was interesting to me is that I think we can apply that same philosophy to the study of accounting.  If you are a student and having difficulty with the initial accounting courses, make sure you give the major a chance.  It could be that you simply need to stay a little longer for the concepts to take hold, or it could be that you just need some additional help to learn and retain the material.  This is where Farhat’s Youtube channel comes into play.  Thirty-four thousand other learners have benefited from Mansour’s videos… chances are you will too. To find Farhat content on Youtube, search for “Farhat Accounting” or click here: https://www.youtube.com/user/user10452 Other episodes you may enjoy: CPA Review Course Review, Marshall Pitman To listen to our interview with Professor Mansour Farhat, please click the player below:

Sandi Smith Leyva from the Plano area joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. We explore how her career path started in accounting and has now ended up with her owning companies focused on marketing technology and training.  We also delve into some of her personal pursuits such as traveling around the world co-piloting a single engine airplane, and also visiting over 100 countries! Started in Industry Sandi mentions this at one point, but it’s a detail that may have escaped us otherwise had she not pointed it out. Sandi started her career in bookkeeping roles for private companies, and then transitioned into a position with Frito-Lay in Dallas as an assistant to their Controller.  Although she became a CPA early in her career, she never worked in public accounting and doesn’t seem to regret it.  There is a lesson in here for all soon-to-be-graduates.  Public accounting can be an excellent way to start a career, but it’s just one path.  There are many opportunities in industry that can get you off to a healthy start as well if you find the right position and still continue to pursue certification. Laid Off – A New Beginning In 1992, Sandi was laid off from her job at that point and took the opportunity to start her own business. With her background in IT and training, she got into the computer training business and eventually into website development.  As of today about half of her business is in digital marketing, with another substantial piece being in professional training.  While lay-offs can obviously be difficult, they also can create opportunities that we otherwise may not explore! “What’s Stopping You?” In the later part of the episode, Sandi mentions that the best piece of advice she ever received was actually more of a concept – the concept of “What’s Stopping You?” Make sure you listen in to the entire episode as this occurs near the end.  I think if we all applied the “What’s Stopping You” concept to our own lives, we would all end up achieving many, many more of our dreams than we realize. I hope you enjoy this episode with Sandi Smith Leyva. To find her online, visit www.accountantsaccelerator.com or www.acceleratorwebsites.com . Other episodes that may interest you:  033: Carolyn Newman, CPA & Owner of Audimation To listen in on this episode, please click on the player below:  

Marcus Dillon of Dillon CPAs in Katy, Texas, was our guest for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Building a Firm For the record… the implication in the title of this podcast is 100% solely something I wrote – not a quote from Marcus. I suspect Marcus would feel like that statement is a little egotistical, which is why it’s not something you would hear him say.   As you will be able to tell from the audio interview, Marcus is a very humble individual.  However, you will also notice from the audio interview that he and his team believe in growing a firm that meets the needs of the specific clients they wish to serve as well as the internal employees.  It’s not a firm that values growth simply for the sake if growing.  Purpose is much more important to Marcus than growth. Analysis To Find The Right Firm Another aspect of this interview that you may find interesting is that although Marcus looked for a firm to acquire by signing up for broker newsletters and other announcements, ultimately he ended up going through his own analysis to locate potential merger targets. And it was successful!  He ended up starting his practice by locating the perfect merger partner and working out an arrangement that worked well for both of them.  Sometimes you simply have to take charge of the process yourself to get the best results. Peace The last thing I wanted to highlight about this episode is simply the peaceful, calm attitude that Marcus had during the recording. I mentioned this to him after the interview (offline), but I wanted to note it here as well.  I was extremely impressed about how well they have managed the growth of their firm, and how they have directed that growth.  They’ve done it in such a way as not to let it overwhelm them.  I’m sure they have some very busy times just like all firms, but they don’t seem to be overly stressed by the growth of their firm.  They truly seem to have a sense of peace, which is very refreshing. Other episodes you may enjoy: 030 with Matt Malcom, or 092 with JAG CPAs To listen in on the audio interview with Marcus Dillon, please click on the player below:

Anneliese Schumacher, Director in the campus recruiting function with EY, joined us to share her insights on this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. It Was Meant To Be… Anneliese started her career with a Bachelors in Psychology, and in her search for the right Human Resources role she landed in Tax Operations at Andersen. Shortly thereafter Andersen started going through their turmoil, and she was able to land a full-time role with another Big 4 firm in the portion of the job she most enjoyed – campus recruiting.  At the time of this recording, Anneliese is approaching 15 years with EY! How To Land The Position You Want Much of our interview time on this podcast is dedicated to talking about the campus recruiting process itself, and what it takes to be successful. It’s impossible to cover all the content in this short article, but some of the key points Anneliese mentions are professional maturity, communication skills, and perseverance.  Personally I found the mention of “perseverance” very enlightening.  I don’t think that is a key that we typically think of when it comes to important traits in an accountant, but it makes all the sense in the world.  Make sure you listen to Anneliese’s philosophy on why perseverance is so important in today’s work environment.  It’s definitely one of the ‘nuggets of wisdom’ in this episode. Networking – Values & Dangers Another interesting point was the discussion of networking. Anneliese discusses how networking really does still make a difference in the interview process, but she also mentions some of the dangers of becoming too familiar or informal with the interviewers.  I think all job candidates, not just entry-level candidates, will benefit from this conversation. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we both enjoyed producing it. We wish you the best in your interviews! To listen to our interview with Anneliese, click on the player below:

Audra Fahey, the Vice President of Tax with publicly-traded NuStar Energy, was our guest for this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. It Was Meant To Be… One of the interesting points that came out early in the interview was that Audra was hired right out of school to be an auditor actually. As luck would have it though, she also was offered an internship in tax with the same firm for her last semester in college.  After she graduated, the firm had a need in the tax department and she had enjoyed it, so she ended up starting on the tax side instead.  It was a fortunate turn of events. With Accounting You Can Work Anywhere With her husband being in the military, they were transferred to San Antonio. One of the reasons she had decided to pursue accounting as a career in the first place was that you could work literally anywhere, and that decision paid off with this relocation.  Audra was very quickly hired at KPMG and stayed with them over a decade. Transitioning to Industry… As her position became more and more involved with Sarbanes Oxley work, she decided it was time to transition out into industry. She joined Valero Energy, but in the division that was spun off only a few months later into the newly-formed NuStar Energy, another NYSE-traded company.  It was the opportunity of a lifetime, as she got the chance to build the tax function from the ground-up with NuStar.  Now in her role as Vice President of Tax, she oversees all tax functions including international tax, with the exception of property and payroll taxes, and has a team of 16 highly-qualified professionals. And we haven’t even gotten to the part where she began teaching a Master’s level tax course at a local university! For more details on this successful story of a career built in tax, listen to our conversation with Audra Fahey by clicking on the player below.

Eric Mack, Deputy Senior Financial Officer at USAA, shared his insights and career journey with us on this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Marines Eric enlisted in the service at an early age – 17 to be specific. He did two tours, for a total of seven years, and then decided it was time to move out of active duty as he was newly married at the time.  However, his service didn’t stop there.  He continued in the Reserves for the next fourteen years or so.  We discuss his transition from service in the Marines to his first commercial position with an accounting firm, and he shares some valuable insight there as well.  Specifically, it’s important to find the right organization to transition into, and also that it’s important to remember that although much of your skillset transfers well, there is always more to learn. PwC, then USAA Shortly after starting his accounting career, Eric was fortunate enough to get onboard with PriceWaterhouseCoopers – actually just right after the merger. This move launched him into the financial services and real estate industries.  After about 10 years with PwC, he decided to make the move into industry and joined USAA in their real estate company.  He now serves as a Deputy Senior Financial Officer. Key advice Some of the key pieces of advice Eric shares in this podcast are… Technical skills are important, but development of communication ability is just as important When looking to move into management, serve first, and then the promotion will come Although it’s a temporary sacrifice, becoming a CPA greatly increases your value as an accountant To listen in on this interview with Eric Mack, please click on the player below:

If forensic accounting is an area that interests you, make sure you listen to this episode in its entirety! Steve Dawson, a CPA in the Lubbock area, shares his 30+ years of experience in the forensic accounting area with us on this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of Where Accountants Go. Finding Your Passion The theme of finding your passion comes up numerous times in this episode. Steve initially happened on accounting as a possible career almost by accident.  He started out as a Math major, but realized that wasn’t for him so he changed to a General Business major for a while.  As Steve puts in, he was in the “introductory to introductory accounting” class when he realized that accounting was the right direction to go.  Therefore he quickly changed his major to accounting and the rest is history. Also, as he continued to work in the audit field with Bolinger, Segars, Gilbert & Moss, he realized that it was the forensic accounting area that he most enjoyed. In fact, it was the realization that he wanted to do forensics full-time that eventually led him to take the plunge and start his own firm (Dawson Forensic Group), even though he had attained the position of partner at BSGM by that point. Certified Concealed Carry… One of the areas of discussion that surprised me the most was the danger that can be involved in this type of work. I knew we would be discussing criminal activity, but I thought it would be primarily following a paper trail and involve testifying in court.  As it turns out, Steve’s firm is frequently contracted by law enforcement organizations at all levels, and the perpetrators they are investigating aren’t always the mild-mannered bookkeeper.  Steve’s firm does work that lands them in precarious situations sometimes, leading to the need for the concealed carry certification.  This definitely isn’t your typical accounting job! If forensic accounting is something you’ve considered for your own career, make sure you listen to this interview with Steve Dawson, a true forensic accounting expert. To listen in on this interview, please click on the player below:

As we release this 100th episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of WhereAccountantsGo.com, we are excited to also have just released our first book on Amazon – “49 Tips for a Successful Accounting Career”!  This book launch has been in the works for a long time, so it’s very exciting and refreshing to be able to make this announcement.  But before we get into the details there is something way, way, way more important to address… More Important Things First… Before I talk about the book, I want to say a very sincere thank you to all of our listeners and all of our podcast guests.  As this 100th episode comes out, we have crossed the 60,000 download mark and are actually close to passing the 70,000 download mark as well.  These last 2 years have been an amazing ride!  I’ve been so fortunate to be able to speak with so many successful professionals that started their careers in the accounting field. Thank you to all our listeners for continuing to join us each week to listen in on the vast variety of career opportunities that exist in the accounting world. And a big thank you to all our podcast guests that have so openly shared their insights for the benefit of all of us over the last couple years.  I very much appreciate everyone being so generous with their time, and I’m looking forward to the future guests we will be able to bring on the program because our initial guests were willing to help us out in the early days. And yes, a book! As I mentioned, I’m also very excited to share that our first book was just published. If you enjoy the podcast, you will enjoy the book.  We took the insights that we’ve gathered from all our guest and combined them with some of the items that have come up over time in my own accounting-employment career, and condensed them down into these ‘49 Tips’. You can find it on Amazon by . If you do decide to check out the book, I’d love to hear any feedback you have! Absolutely any thoughts you have would be much appreciated.  Please email me at askmark@whereaccountantsgo.com. Once again… Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to tune in for our weekly podcast. I so appreciate you all.  I love recording each show, and I appreciate that you get value out of the program as well each week. Next week we will return to our normal programming… stay tuned for an incredibly interesting guest in the forensic accounting area. See you next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President Where Accountants Go PS: If you prefer to order direct, please use the Paypal link below. No Paypal account needed! Quantity Personal copy – $14.99 USD This book + “49 Tips for Working With A Headhunter” – $34.99 USD This book + 1 Hour Career Coaching Session $109.99 USD

We get the opportunity to speak with Grant Farrell, ASA, CPA/ABV, CFF, regarding his career progression and how he got into the field of business valuations on this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of www.WhereAccountantsGo.com. The Career Funnel One of the interesting points Grant makes in the early discussion is how being an accounting major in college places you into a “funnel” that assures you excellent career opportunities if you simply take advantage of them. He actually started off in college to be a professional golfer, but then experienced some internal tension regarding his long-term plans, and then later an injury forced the decision that he was not going to be able to pursue professional golf anyway.  It was at this point that he decided to take steps to ensure his long-term career stability – and that step was to major in accounting. Business Valuation Path As we get further into the interview, Grant discusses how he was able to get into the business valuation specialty. It all started with a position with KPMG in audit in the subgroup of “transaction services”.  This early experience positioned him to learn a great deal about business valuation, and launched his career along that trajectory.  He then spent the next decade-plus working in that specialty field. Learning Never Stops While college prepares us well for many facets of our accounting careers, it can’t possibly prepare you for everything. As it turns out, there are many so-called soft skills that are necessary in the business valuation space as well.  When asked about this, Grant basically said that you just have to decide that you will never stop learning.  There is always more to learn as you get deeper into the field.  On the topic of developing soft skills in particular, Grant mentioned one book in particular that individuals should consider – “How To Win Friends and Influence People”.  Make sure to see the link for more details on this well-known book – https://amzn.to/2D0Q3iq To listen in on the interview, click on the player below…

In this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of WhereAccountantsGo.com, we speak with Kim Nourie, CPA of Financial Life Advisors in San Antonio, Texas, about her early career starting at Arthur Andersen, moving through American Airlines, and then later joining her father’s firm in the financial advising industry! Quite the Journey In this interview like most, we spend the first few minutes weaving our way through Kim’s early career journey. And what variety there was!  Kim started at Arthur Andersen, but then moved into a savings & loan institution for a short time, then spent many years with American Airlines.  While the American Airlines portion of the interview was actually not the main focus, that period of time certainly was filled with a multitude of experiences.  Not only did Kim have the perk of being able to travel practically anywhere in the world at that time, she also got to see much of the company itself by virtue of the fact that she worked in internal audit.  It truly was a great experience for her. Becoming an Advisor In the later years of the accounting portion of her career, Kim started to really question what it was that she wanted out of her life overall. She came to the conclusion that she needed to make a major change, and it was then that she decided to join her father in his business – a financial advising firm.  It was a major move though as she went from being a highly-experienced, and therefore highly-compensated, professional in accounting, to being basically an entry-level person in a new field.  However, fast forward now about 20 years, and it was a move that paid off tremendously.  Kim both greatly enjoys the role she plays in the life of her clients, as well as the change of pace that this new career path has afforded her.  It truly seems like the perfect fit for Kim’s personality and life aspirations.  And had she not started in accounting in the first place, it’s something that likely would not have turned out quite as well as it has.  Her accounting background continues to benefit her to this day – even in the tangent field of financial advising. Make sure you listen all the way to the end on this interview though. Kim shares some of her most valuable advice in the last three questions of the podcast.  You won’t want to miss her ‘best piece of advice’ segment! To join us for this interview with Kim Nourie, please click on the player below:

If you are curious about how to pass the CPA exam, this episode is for you! On this week’s episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of www.WhereAccountantsGo.com, we interview 5 recently-certified CPAs and they share their hard-earned insights with us on how to conquer the CPA exam! Party of 5 We were very fortunate that these five newly-certified CPAs shared their time with us – Jill, Eric, Brittany, Anna, & Veronica. We put out the call for new CPAs to come on the program in an effort to help those looking to get certified with some valuable tips, and we received many responses.  Thank you to everyone that responded and offered to assist.  We couldn’t do it without you! What we asked… You’ll need to listen to the audio for all of the content, but among some of the questions that our team of five helped us with were: What is one thing that you did that you feel led to your ability to pass? What were your study habits like? Did you take a review course? If so, which one? What did you find most helpful? Why did you personally decide to become a CPA in the first place? … and several others! The Answers In some ways the answers will surprise you, and in some ways they won’t. One of the items I found very refreshing was the ‘hope’ in their voices.  The resounding message you will hear is that everyone truly can pass, it’s just a matter of some sacrifice.  However, that sacrifice is real, and severe, but it is only temporary… and there are no regrets. If you are looking to achieve the CPA certification yourself, please listen in on this episode as our five volunteer newly-certified participants share what worked for them and what didn’t in their own efforts to become a CPA. To hear these insights on becoming a CPA, click on the audio link below:

Roger Philipp CPA, the founder of Roger CPA Review, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of WhereAccountantsGo.com. From CPA to Instructor Just as with all episodes, we start at the beginning of the story and actually the beginning of Roger’s career sounds very similar to that of a CPA firm owner! Roger started out as an entrepreneur in 4th grade selling candy to his fellow students, and from there realized that he thoroughly enjoyed business.  And with accounting being the language of business, it just made sense to take that direction in college. However, after a few years in accounting he decided that it was time to do something different. It was at that point that he decided to take his previous college professor up on the offer to become a CPA review instructor, and a new career was born. From the Ashes Rises a Leader After many years of being an instructor in his former professor’s CPA review businesses, the review course industry had become much more competitive and unfortunately his employer was not able to continue to make payroll. It was at this point that Roger had a choice to make… continue doing what he loved or go find something new.  Depending on how you look at it, he really did both!  He decided to take what he knew from his many years of instructing experience and form Roger CPA Review in 2001.  With the moral support of his former employer, he was able to scrape together the materials and found that there was definitely still a good market in his area.  Jump forward many years later now, and Roger has what many describe as one of the most entertaining CPA review courses around, thereby making it much easier to remember the materials for those looking for critical assistance with passing the exam. Interested in Roger’s thoughts on best practices, or maybe more details on his own story of success? Make sure to listen in on this interview using the player below:

For this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of WhereAccountantsGo.com, we meet with Josh LeBlanc, partner with Edgar Kiker & Cross in Beaumont, Texas. From Entry-level To Partner Josh truly has a work-your-way-up story and we were honored that he was open to sharing it with our audience. Josh’s personal situation was such that he needed to work full-time in a regular job during college, and therefore he didn’t have the opportunity to search out internships because it would cut too much into his work schedule and consequently the living he needed to make.  When he graduated with his Bachelors degree in Accounting though, then it was time to get very serious about finding that first professional position.  Josh recounts the process he went through, but suffice it to say that he was very systematic in his approach and it paid off.  He started as an entry-level staff member at Edgar Kiker & Cross, and not too many years later he was offered the opportunity to become a partner at the firm. Hurricane Harvey While we spend much of the time in this interview covering career-related matters, we also took the opportunity to get Josh’s own personal viewpoint on the devastation that had been caused by Hurricane Harvey there in the Gulf area of Texas just less than a year ago. Luckily he and his family were spared severe damage from the storm, but none the less the whole area was affected.  Josh tells about some of his experiences gathering supplies, helping out neighbors, and dealing with the business delays caused by the simple lack of water.  It took almost 2 weeks before the office itself had a potable water supply!  They were definitely fortunate to be spared even more significant issues given the breadth of the damage that area sustained.  Some areas got over 60 inches of rain. Please make sure to listen in on our discussion with Josh. We definitely wanted to cover the storm experience given the geographical area and what had occurred, but this is also one of our best career-growth related episodes as well. To listen in on this interview with Josh LeBlanc, please use the player below:

In this week’s episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of WhereAccountantsGo.com, we have the unique experience of interviewing John Garrett, the self-titled “Recovering CPA” that now makes his living as a featured speaker and professional comedian. We invited John on the show for a few additional reasons though. Part of John’s focus is to make we accounting professionals aware of how professionalism can sometimes drown out who we are as individuals.  After hearing John speak on the topic of “What’s Your And?”, we just had to invite him on the show to share his message even further and to go deeper into the subject. What’s Your And? You should listen to the audio for this podcast for a more complete explanation, but suffice it to say that John’s belief is that we as accountants are truly more than just accountants. Who we are as individuals is defined by more than just our professional experience and GPA.  As a matter of fact, the more interesting items such as hobbies, passions, and even simple extracurricular interests differentiate us all much more than our generally similar professional backgrounds. So What? What this means for all of us, whether you are a student just trying to get your first internship or a ‘well-seasoned’ professional many years into your career, is that sharing what makes you uniquely you is actually an advantage in the workplace… not a drawback. John’s belief is that we need to work less at trying to scrub out all the professional explanations of who we are and what we do, and allow some of those more personal and unique outside interests enter into our conversations.  Often times it is exactly those conversations than end up meaning the most. Curious to hear more? In addition to our audio episode, please check out John’s own podcast as well at GreenApplePodcast.com. To listen to the audio interview with John Garrett, please click the link below:

Steve Goodman of Goodman Financial was our guest for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of www.WhereAccountantsGo.com. Success through Focus As with most guest interviews, we spend a substantial amount of time covering Steve’s career progression from starting at EY through building his own investment management business to his vision for the future of the firm. One recurring point throughout the interview though is the importance of focus.  Steve refers to it a few times in the interview, but a large part of the discussion revolves around his own hard-learned lessons involving his own businesses.  Everyone could benefit from hearing Steve recount his experiences regarding learning the importance of focus.  It’s something we all need to be reminded of occasionally. Involvement Another important part of this podcast interview is the discussion of Steve’s involvement with the state CPA Society – TSCPA. Steve has been supportive of the society and their local Houston chapter for a very long time, both from a financial support perspective as well as a volunteer/time commitment perspective.  He even served a term as the statewide chairman in the 2008-2009 time period, a position that requires statewide travel and practically a full-time commitment! Goodman Financial Obviously we also get into a complete discussion of Goodman Financial’s business model, specialties, and experience navigating the multiple ups-and-downs in the financial markets. If you have any interest in the investments area yourself, this will be a very valuable episode for you. Be sure to listen in on our conversation with Steve Goodman by clicking on the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting, a podcast production of www.WhereAccountantsGo.com, we speak with the partners at JAG CPAs in the Houston, Texas area – Joe Gallegos & Shehan Chandrasekera. A Team Comes Together Given that the firm itself is rather young – about 1 year in business at the time of this recording – we wanted to get the story of how the firm was formed and how their team came together. After only one year in business, the firm already has grown to a team of five… and they did it by building from the ground up! Systems and Trust Two of the themes that come out in our discussions are systems & trust. Systems from the standpoint that both partners believe in building strong processes and systems so that the firm can continue to thrive as the client base continues to grow.  Trust from the standpoint that they believe in giving their team the latitude to do their jobs like the professionals that they are.  It truly is a great learning and professional growth environment. Bitcoin and Crypto-Currency Another item that peaked our interest about JAG CPAs was their line of services supporting those businesses involved in crypto-currency. You’ll hear Shehan mention an article on the subject of virtual currency that is pending publishing at the time of this recording, but between our recording date and release date the article had already been published!  Make sure to check out Shehan’s article titled, “Reality Check: Virtual currency and it’s tax ramifications” in The Tax Adviser magazine. Ready to hear more? Make sure to listen in on our conversation with these two progressive accounting firm partners by clicking on the audio player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with retired Air Force Pilot, Bill Heath, a CPA who is the current Vice President of Finance, Human Resources & Administration with the Fredericksburg Conventions and Visitors Bureau (CVB). Bill’s background is quite varied which you will hear all about in this podcast. This is also an excellent episode for those looking to learn more about the tourism industry! Benefits of Working in a Small Town While Fredericksburg generally doesn’t do large conventions, they do host military reunions, large meetings, and many other convention-type events. As a Convention and Visitors Bureau employee, Bill gets to travel to larger, intercontinental cities because tourism is important. He also has the pleasure of working with positive, loyal, and creative people. Bill’s role includes planning, directing, and integrating all aspects of financial, technology, human resource and administrative functions. He also oversees the CVB facilities and Visitor Information Center, and he partners with several other organizations including the local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Commission, industry, and City and County governments to promote tourism and economic growth in the Fredericksburg and Gillespie County areas. Bonus: Bill loves his three-minute commute to the office. It’s hard to beat that! Seven Life Lessons Bill Shares Work hard as a student. Be focused on what you are doing. Become less intense. Accept leadership positions within the community. Be involved and contribute to the community. Take risks. Be excited, get excited, and stay excited!   To listen in on this interview with Bill Heath, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Stephen King CPA, CGMA, and founder of GrowthForce, a leading cloud-based accounting service business for both commercial businesses and non-profits. The Value of Accounting Knowledge and a Diverse Background Early in his life, specifically high school, Stephen learned that accounting was an excellent career choice for several reasons: 1)  He would always be able to find work. People ALWAYS need their books taken care of properly, no matter what the industry is – including rock-n-roll! (Listen to the audio & you’ll see what we mean) 2) If you are trying to get a new position and you know how to read a P&L, you are much more valuable to the company because accounting is the language of business. 3) In accounting, you are key to helping companies increase their bottom line. Also, while there is definitely value for some individuals in staying with the same organization long-term, Stephen decided to take a different route and worked in many diverse organizations. Those included small businesses, one of the Big 4 firms (EY), not-for-profits, and even a position in fundraising! This diverse background has served him well in the consulting industry. What Does Success Look Like Going Forward? As a trusted advisor, Stephen truly is living his dream and feels very fortunate, but he is always adding new challenges and goals for himself. He enjoys continuing to expand GrowthForce. And his one piece of advice for our podcast audience is to get your CPA license. It will give you instant credibility and open many doors along the way in your career. Ready to learn more? Check out Stephen King’s ebook, the CEO’s Guide to Cashflow. To listen in on this interview with Stephen King, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Bob Alonzo, a former analyst with the FBI and a white collar crimes adjunct professor. Joining the FBI Bob began his accounting career in public accounting, and he has been a professor and a soccer store owner as well. Right before he joined the FBI, Bob worked for the Department of Defense where he enjoyed working in many positions such as Inventory Manager, Systems Accountant, and Accounting Auditor and Manager. When Bob decided to join the FBI (it took eleven months to get hired), he began as a Financial Analyst in the San Antonio office. He held many assignments including Administrative Supervisor, Field Intelligence Supervisor – Foreign Language Program Coordinator, and he was on the white collar crime squad team. Transferable Skills Bob learned that many of his accounting skills not only transferred well to the Bureau, but that they were also the skills the Bureau valued highly in their new team members. When you join the FBI as an accountant, you are the finance expert! For example, working as part of the foreign counter-intelligence squad allowed him to use his skills of organizing and presenting information in a way the squad would understand. Accountants are talented at knowing how to analyze, organize, and present information in a concise, professional, and highly impactful manner. While the skills you use are consistent, the cases change, which provides you with variety. As a member of the evidence response team, Bob never knew what kind of case he would be assigned, but he did know that he would be doing the investigative audit. He was expected to analyze the evidence and proceed as he determined was best. It was always an exciting challenge. We hope you enjoy this interview with Bob Alonzo as much as we did recording it! Other podcasts mentioned: Solving Crimes and Other CPA Superhero Topics with Fred Olivares, CPA To listen in on this interview with Bob Alonzo, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Mike Goodfriend, the founder of Goodfriend & Associates in Houston, Texas. From Audit to HR Mike was a Senior Auditor with PwC (he had some great assignments!) when he had the opportunity to conduct a training class for the audit team. While he enjoyed auditing, this class lead him to the realization that he wanted to explore some other options. He returned to school to pursue a Masters in Educational Psychology and while there started a consulting business as well. The first year in that consulting business had its challenges, so when the opportunity to return to PwC in the HR department this time presented itself, he decided to return. Goodfriend & Associates In the late 1980’s, with much more business experience at this point, Mike founded his present consulting firm – Goodfriend & Associates. He works with clients basically as a ‘teamwork engineer’ to maximize their teamwork systems and their business results. This includes training to align roles and responsibilities, and leading teambuilding activities. He uses the Birkman method to facilitate these sessions. Mike also coaches leaders and provides leadership and communication skills training. Leadership technology is ever-changing, and Mike can help organizations navigate those changes. Some of the topics he assists clients in understanding are data analytics, platform disruption, building trust, how to accept others, human factors, and process automation. Another interesting tidbit that came from this interview was the discussion of “Teamwork Sharks”. Teamwork Sharks is a fun activity that help teams learn how to communicate, plan, and discuss business opportunities. You can learn more about Team Sharks here. Mike also has published a book as well – Breakthrough Time. This book will teach you how to advance your business using the same practices demonstrated in this lesson-filled novel about a client that is commercializing a revolutionary technology. Lesson learned: People will only change if they have a strong enough reason to change.   You can learn even more about Mike Goodfriend and his consulting business here. Other podcasts mentioned: Donny Shimamoto CPA – Tech, BI, AI, & Public Speaking! To listen in on this interview with Mike Goodfriend, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  we speak with Isai Sapien, CPA and Chief Financial Officer of Brighton Center – San Antonio. In this fascinating and insightful interview, you will hear how Isai transitioned from a machinist, to a consultant, to a retail owner, to CFO with a large not-for-profit. The True (and Surprising) World of Not-for-Profits While no one will be surprised that it feels good to work with like-minded, passionate people driven to achieve the same goal, and no one will be surprised that for some people an organization’s mission is reason enough to work there, what you may find surprising is the climate of today’s not-for-profit world. For example, at a not-for-profit you likely will need to wear many hats. There is also a true need for talented people who want to have an environment where they can continue to be challenged and continue to learn. Another thing that you might find surprising is that many not-for-profits pay very competitive wages these days!  Things have changed and changed for the better. If you are interested in a career with a not-for-profit, the easiest way to explore one is to volunteer. It is a great way to see what the organization does. You can volunteer in a variety of ways. There are special events and projects, and with enough experience you can even volunteer to be on the board. Three Final Pieces of Advice If you want to open up your career in general, consider these three tips: – Get a mentor or a coach to help you stay focused. – Get your CPA certification. – Get better at public speaking. Consider attending a Toastmasters meeting. It’s important to love what you do! Learn more about Brighton Center – San Antonio here. To listen in on this interview with Isai Sapien, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Roderick Robeson, CPA, who shares how his unique customer service style guides him and drives success in his business. Advice Given and Advice Received Roderick has both received and given some great advice along his career journey. Some of our favorites from this podcast episode include:  – When selecting a position and company (employer), give great consideration towards the culture and find one that will complement your own personality and workstyle.  – Apply for positions with the Big Four. The experience that you gain is invaluable.  – Learn everywhere you go.  – Always be on the lookout for best practices.   Creating a Practice Creating a practice provides a unique opportunity to implement the best practices you’ve learned over time. With these in mind, you will want to begin by making a plan. Planning is obviously a crucial part of starting any business if it is ultimately going to be successful. Creating revenue quickly was specifically a priority for Roderick when starting his practice (as it is for many entrepreneurs), so one of his top priorities was developing his client base. One of the customer service secrets he shares in this episode is that he treats all his customers the way he would treat his Dad, and he also endeavors to make them feel as if they were his only customer. Another tip is to craft a client journey map.  Please make sure you listen to his explanation behind this recommendation. It’s truly very forward thinking. Roderick’s approach to customer service has served him well. He benefits from a having a very high percentage of those clients continue to return year-after-year for ongoing services. He’s definitely doing well on the journey of building a practice that both serves his clients exceptionally well, in addition to providing the lifestyle he ultimately is looking for down the road.   Other podcasts mentioned today: Sarah Elliott, CPA, ACC – Daring to Dream To listen in on this interview with Roderick Robeson, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Holly Raymond, Senior Vice President of Finance with Upbring. Public Accounting Life Holly began her career working in public accounting with one of the Big 4. One of the great things about this type of work is you get to see how companies operate and function from the inside – both the great, and the not so great! Holly calls this the “gypsy lifestyle” because you are working with a new client every other week. Holly started with Ernst & Young. She loved both the people and the work. It was here that she began falling in love with the cultures of not-for-profits. After several years Holly joined Maxwell, Locke, & Ritter and as a mother, she really enjoyed their flexibility and supporting of not-for-profits. Not-for-Profit Life Holly moved to Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) Central Texas later on as a part-time VP of Finance, and BBBS allowed her to contribute as a leader, but in a part-time role, supporting a mission that she was passionate about. A few years later she moved on to her current organization, Upbring, and she couldn’t be happier! She is the Senior VP of Finance over all facilities… she has a team of 20! One of the aspects of working at Upbring that Holly loves the most is working with amazing people who are passionate about what they do each and every day. Surviving Adversity In another key segment of this interview towards the end, Holly shares a personal story of a health scare she had a few years back and how she made it through successfully on both the personal and career levels. Make sure you listen to this episode all the way to the end. There is much we can learn from Holly’s recollection of that period of her life. (Related interviews on similar topics:  Dana McCartney from MLR, and Harriet Helme – surviving adversity) To listen in on this interview with Holly Raymond, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  David Sweeten, CPA and Eric Arroyo, MBA from Business Brokers of Texas share their expertise on buying and selling accounting firms and businesses in general. We have discussed buying practices as a good way to begin or grow a business a few times before (see below), but today we will get into more details of how the process truly works. Buying Considerations Accounting practices are always very valuable, and they will sell. When you have a serious buyer, the sale will happen quickly. When buying a business, make sure to explore these factors: Age of seller Accounting and tax software used Geographical area of the clients What types of clients to you want Fees currently being charged Gross income desired Why Use a Broker? The benefit of using a broker like Business Brokers of Texas is they make sure the deal is fair for all parties. A broker is available to add objectivity to the process. The process can take a while sometimes, and the broker effectively serves as the matchmaker between the two parties. They are very experienced at structuring deals. They control all of the issues so you can continue working. They also maintain the confidentiality of the transaction, which is a big benefit. Another consideration is customer retention. If the transition between buyer and seller goes smoothly, you can retain the vast majority of clients (over 90% typically).   Other podcasts mentioned in this interview: Dale Ross, CPA and Mayor of Georgetown Debra Seefeld, CPA – Building a Practice & Insights on Peer Review, Derek Schriver of Schriver Carmona – The rest of the story… Chris Carmona – Building a Firm and the Importance of Family   To listen in on this interview with David and Eric, please use the player below:  

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  we follow Deborah Beams, CPA through her professional journey from job shadowing with Kathy Kapka, to being a practice fellow, to being a two-time winner on the game show Jeopardy!! The Variety of Audit Deborah has always specialized in audit. She enjoys and has learned a great deal by going into the field to visit clients, which allows her to see what different companies are like. Auditors get to observe many different corporate environments and cultures. Her inventory stories are priceless! From diapers to slot machines to frozen goods, she’s counted them all! Jeopardy! The process for qualifying for the game show “Jeopardy” begins with an online test. Based on your score, you will be invited to then audition. The audition consists of another written test and a practice game where you show off your sparkling personality. Deborah had to get through five auditions in order to land a spot on the show. To be successful, you must be smart, charismatic, and to be honest… a little bit lucky. Some non-disclosure agreements are required by the game show as well as you would expect. You can tell friends that you will be on Jeopardy, and you can tell them the date of your initial game, but you absolutely cannot discuss your level of success on the show.  It’s important to the producers of Jeopardy that the final results are kept secret until the show has a chance to air. Being on Jeopardy was the fulfillment of one of Deborah’s life-long dreams. It’s really a great story… and she won twice! (Other podcasts mentioned in this interview: 015: TSCPA Chair Kathy Kapka – Finding What You Truly Enjoy.) To listen in on this interview with Deborah Beams, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  Fred Olivares, CPA started his career in a rather traditional way. He began his career in Internal Auditing, and in Fred’s case, he was employed by a bank. After hearing an FBI Agent speak though, Fred began some career-based soul searching. Was there more to his career than auditing?? Maybe…. Special Agent – Special Requirements Fred decided to apply with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the FBI. That sounded exciting and he met all the eligibility qualifications. College degree from an accredited university United States citizen Three years of work experience No history of drug use Be able to obtain Top Secret Clearance – this clearance is extensive. Your neighbors, friends, and family will all be interviewed. Once you meet those, you must: Pass the written examination Pass the panel interview The total process can take up to approximately one year. FBI Work – TV Worthy Because Fred was a CPA, he was assigned to the white-collar squad. The FBI has several different squads, and CPAs may work on many different investigations. For example, the bombings that took place in Austin in early 2018 – all agents worked on that case. Fred started in bank fraud with the FBI. This taught him how cases flow through the system. It also taught him how to interview people. He then worked on high-profile and other public corruption cases in San Diego. In McAllen, he worked border corruption and health care fraud. In San Antonio, he worked public corruption cases as well. For Fred, the challenges were new every morning and it allowed him to develop many friendships. Want to hear about some of Fred’s true crime cases? Please listen in on this week’s audio interview with Fred Olivares. To listen in on this interview with Fred Olivares, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  Pauline Le, CPA shares how her career in public accounting led to a career in the not-for-profit world, which then led to a very fulfilling position with a commercial, for-profit company. Whatever you do, do it with excellence! Getting Your Foot in the Door If you want a career in the not-for-profit world, Pauline’s advice to you is to make sure that you completely understand their mission, vision, and values. Once you understand them, ask yourself if they are something that you are passionate about as well. If the answer is, “yes,” you are well on your way to extraordinary success. Hiring and Managing Smart Use all the tools available to you when you are considering bringing a new member onto your team. Don’t stop with simply exploring background, experience, and competency. Take the time to investigate what motivates them and what they themselves need. Life at Birkman International Pauline has been with Birkman for over 10 years now. Currently she is the VP of Finance. She adores working at Birkman because it meets so many of her needs: Passion for learning Variety Providing tangible value to the organization’s bottom line Exposure to different leadership challenges Making a difference in the world Being extremely mindful about your thoughts, actions, behavior, and self-reflection can create massive objectivity. Simply powerful!   To find out more about Birkman and their business, please visit their site at www.birkman.com To listen in on this interview with Pauline Le, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  Kurt Rathmann, CPA and CEO / Founder of ScaleFactor shares with us how his business model, ideology, and management style has created an extremely successful, cutting-edge company that will double in size by next year. Big Firms? Auditing? How Do They Benefit Future Entrepreneurs? Kurt started his post-college (Go Longhorns!) career at KPMG. One of the biggest lessons that Kurt has carried away from working with a Big 4 firm was the value of learning how to interact and communicate with a wide variety of people and personalities. He also learned much from his time in auditing, because you get to see so many aspects of the business and thereby learn about overall operations. Growing a Business Businesses grow when you have a passion for what you are doing. Research your passion. Find the biggest challenge or problem surrounding your field and come up with solutions. Be the one who comes up with new ideas. And when presenting ideas to customers, remember that presentations are enhanced when you can use a story to illustrate how your solution will positively affect their situation. Building the Team… Interestingly, Kurt has found that remote employees don’t work well for ScaleFactor because the arrangement interferes with the synergy of their organization. ScaleFactor thrives in a shared workspace where the creativity and innovation can flow freely. He will be the first to tell you though that it may work for others, it just doesn’t work well for them. Some additional advice Kurt shares is to make sure you discuss successes with your team, but discuss failures even more. Being able to openly discuss issues helps you to quickly learn from those mistakes and enables everyone to grow from the experience. Who are ScaleFactor and Xero? For more information on ScaleFactor, please visit them online at: https://scalefactor.com/ For more information on the Xero software that was discussed in the audio as well, please visit https://www.xero.com/us/   To listen in on this interview with Kurt Rathmann, please use the player below:

Have you ever considered what law enforcement and accounting have in common?  Steve Palomino has! In this podcast, Steve points out the similarities which help us to understand why the FBI and other law enforcement organizations want to hire accountants – and it’s not the math! In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, Steve Palomino, shares what these two fields have in common, including technology and ideas for breaking into consulting. Transitions After retiring from police work, Steve began working as a staff accountant. In addition to accounting tasks, Steve helped to transition tasks from paper to technology. For Steve, this seemingly small improvement resonated with him. He realized that using and understanding technology would set him apart from others by giving him an additional (and attractive) skill set. From there, Steve transitioned to working with a large communication firm. His career continued progressing through working for two of the big four national accounting firms as well. Consulting Steve then decided to begin consulting. He wrote his business plan and got buy-in from his most important partner… his wife. He enjoys consulting because it is a more project-based line of work, and you get to see projects through to their successful completion. Additionally, you get to meet and work with many diverse people. Points to Consider As you consider career options, there is always the route of working for large organizations. With these, you may find security, and for some you may find it too structured. Project work can be interesting, but in cases where the organization has not selected appropriate technology it can be challenging. Self-employment can be fulfilling as well, but it can also bring uncertainty. It is important that you have very strong skills and knowledge in the industry that you want to support.  All career paths have unique advantages.  It’s important to figure out along the way what works best for your own specific needs.  Steve’s consulting business allows him to manage multiple simultaneous projects, which he really enjoys – he likes variety! Other podcasts referenced in this podcast: Donny Shimamoto, CPA – Tech, BI, AI and Public Speaking! To listen in on this interview with Steve Palomino, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, Neha Patel, CPA, CISA shares not only how she made partner at Weaver, but how she has led the Women’s Initiative for the entire firm that has (along with the Culture Committee) created a culture that thinks and speaks candidly about ways to create an amazing workplace. Versatility and Transferability Neha’s background includes technology audit. Being an Austin Longhorn (University of Texas graduate), the trend at the time was MIS. Neha pursued this as her minor, and she became a rarity because she was an accounting major with a technology background. Neha is a firm advocate in sharing with others the versatility that comes with a degree in Accounting because of the incredibly transferable skills that accompany it.  Her diverse background allowed her to join Weaver as a manager, which is unusual given that Weaver generally grows their management team from within. She has been with Weaver now for almost a decade. Traits of Supportive Teams One of the many things that Neha enjoys about her work at Weaver is the opportunity to work within a supportive culture. Neha has noted that a supportive team begins with you and your ability to accurately know yourself. You must know what you need to be to perform at your best. This also includes recognizing when you are stressed and how to diffuse your own stress effectively. Supportive teams include intuitive, curious, and transparent leaders who know how to lead conversations, even when they are sensitive or require courage on one or both parties to openly share information. As a leader, surround yourself with the right people and make sure it is a diverse group. A supportive leader can help to establish a transition plan when work and other items may require a longer, or even an indefinite, transition. Naturally transitioning assignments is most effective when the other team members can pick up work from each other, as needed, and then effectively transfer work back also as needed. Women’s Initiative Another role that Neha fills at Weaver is the Chair of the Inspire Program. Weaver noticed about five or six years ago that women start leaving accounting around the manager ranks, and Weaver wanted to learn more about what they could do to retain women. After all, women enter the field at a 50/50 ratio with men. This was very important to Weaver’s culture as well as the profession in general. Make sure to check out the Weaver Inspire video out to learn more! It is fascinating, and as the name indicates, truly inspiring! Other podcasts referenced in this podcast: Sarah Elliott, CPA, ACC – Daring to Dream To listen in on this interview with Neha Patel, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast,  Donny Shimamoto, CPA, CITP, CGMA shares his career journey, which is unique as it has been heavily focused on technology and business intelligence. Additionally, Donny also reveals what his life is like as a business owner, consultant, and public speaker! Formal Education Donny’s track in college was influenced by one of his early supervisors in an internship opportunity. That individual had a double major in Accounting & Management Information Systems and encouraged Donny to look into a similar path.  After college, his first job was with Coopers & Lybrand and the double major paid off in that he worked in a dual track handling jobs in both financial and information technology audit. If after listening to this podcast you find Donny’s career path interesting, consider Donny’s advice… take an accounting information systems course, a database course, and one basic programming course. A Glimpse Inside of Donny’s World Donny spends his days removing obstacles for his clients and team, and working to understand his client’s goals for their businesses. This breaks down into a few primary tasks: Facilitating discovery meetings Reviewing documents for his clients and his own enterprise Educating and teaching Traveling to consult with clients – about 75% of the time! The Role of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fantastic! When you break it down it is basically automation compiled with a little bit of learning. It is a great analysis tool and pattern detection system. But at the end of the day, you still need an accountant to create the action plan. Find out more about Donny Shimamoto & his business Intraprise Techknowlogies here: http://www.intraprise.us/ Other podcasts referenced in this podcast: Interview with Sheila Enriquez, JD, CPA, CFF To listen in on this interview with Donny Shimamoto, please use the player below:  

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Danielle Supkis Cheek , CPA, CFE, CVA. Danielle has been recognized by CPA Practice Advisor on their 40 Under 40 list for four consecutive years, has been the recipient of the AICPA Outstanding Young CPA Award, and was also named twice as one of the Most Powerful Women In Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor. This podcast is jam-packed with exceptional information including the following: Risk Management for Firm Owners When you own a firm, it is prudent to have a practice continuation plan so that your team and their families can still thrive should something happen to you as the owner. Many firms can make “handshake deals” with like firms. If you are unable to find a like firm, you may need to look to a larger firm to step in if it is ever needed. No matter which way you go, make sure that you have a plan in place. Accounting is for the Cool Kids Some people think of accounting as dull, but not Danielle! She finds it exciting, which is why she teaches part-time at Rice University. Danielle really enjoys teaching a variety of classes and sharing with students the cool stuff you can do in accounting. She shares with students the emerging technologies and show them how exciting accounting can be. (Not to mention it has a great deal of job security mixed in!) Entrepreneurial Accelerators Danielle has taught in four accelerators in Houston, which is becoming a huge start-up community. In Houston, these accelerator programs are usually run through the Universities and the Texas Medical Center. Accounting knowledge is needed with many of these start-up technology companies. To listen in on this interview with Danielle Supkis Cheek, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Dena Jansen, CPA who candidly shares from her heart what she has learned as she has grown throughout her career from her first internship with Arthur Anderson to beginning her own business, which allows her to follow her dream of encouraging and inspiring others, igniting their curiosity, and arming them with confidence. Things Worth Looking For Dena started her career while still in college – she’s always worked. She graduated college and began working with a local firm who she connected with by way of one of her professors, Dr. Robert Freeman, with whom she worked as a graduate assistant. She enjoyed the government accounting and it was flexible enough to allow her to study for the CPA exam. When they left Lubbock, Dena joined Deloitte and she continued to grow. An interesting thing that she learned was that she really loves and enjoys people. She also learned that you need to find a niche early in your career, along with the importance of finding out who the other experts are. Dena will tell you that she was very fortunate to be surrounded by accomplished and supportive women who demonstrated positive ways to balance work and home life. The Partner Life Dena left Deloitte and joined Maxwell, Locke, & Ritter (MLR) because she was ready for something new and different. She began serving not-for-profit clients quickly after joining the firm. She agreed to become a partner after three years and loved every minute of it. She did some soul searching before accepting the role. She talked to people and she asked many questions. She felt safe and supported by the other partners in the group and so she felt it was the right move. At MLR they believe that you should do what you are best at, so one partner’s day may look completely different from another partner’s day. Accounting is built on trust so we need to have the technical competencies established, but we must always honor that it truly is a people business. We should spend time building people and managing relationships with our teams, our clients, and new prospects. Networking for Introverts Build your network one by one. Go in with a goal and meet one person. Make one quality connection at a time, and your network will grow. To connect with Dena, visit www.DenaJansen.com To listen in on this interview with Dena Jansen, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Juan Carlos Almanza, CPA, CTA, CVA, of Almanza CPA Firm, PLLC, a San Antonio accountant and businessman who has enjoyed tremendous growth in his practice over the last few years. Growing Up on Both Sides Juan Carlos grew up in both Mexico and Texas. He was a Texas student by day and he lived in Mexico in the evening. This diversity gave him the natural ability to be flexible and see different points of view. He knew early on that he wanted to study accounting. Raising the Bar Juan Carlos worked for two firms early in his career. He was doing some bookkeeping as side hustle (two clients), and he had a friend who designed a website for him for this side work. Unfortunately, moonlighting was not permitted by his employer. Juan Carlos was told he had to make a choice – his employer or his side work. Juan Carlos followed his instinct and decided to leave his employer, and within a few hours of that decision he was able to get additional work that allowed him to continue to develop his business. Building an International Business Headquartered in San Antonio, Almanza CPA Firm expanded their international tax business to include two cities in Mexico. Further expansion included creating a real estate company as well which houses Almanza CPA Firm.   Get a vision for your life, base your life on principle, and then everything will fall as it should.   Other podcasts referenced in this podcast: Interview with Don Maranca (CPA) & Owner of JDSM Enterprises Essay referenced by Juan Carlos in the interview:  “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen To listen in on this interview with Juan Carlos Almanza, please use the player below:  

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Dana McCartney, CPA a Tax Partner with Maxwell Locke & Ritter (MLR) out of Austin, TX. An undergrad graduate of Texas A&M, Dana was originally pre-med but switched to accounting as she saw it as a better long-term fit for herself. Dana then obtained her Masters in Taxation from the University of Denver. Life at MLR Dana started with MLR as a part-time employee, and over the years her schedule and workload gradually increased and she became a full-time employee. She works remote approximately three days a week and works from the Austin office two days a week. Remote working options are commonly supported at MLR. MLR has approximately 100 employees and they work primarily with closely-held middle market companies and high net worth individuals. They are the largest local accounting firm in Austin. Working with an Award-Winning Firm          MLR was named as one of the “2017 Best Firms For Women” by Accounting Today. Dana feels that the family-friendly flexibility of MLR is what helped the firm to achieve this honor. As long as employees take care of their clients, MLR doesn’t mind where people work from or their exact day-to-day schedule. Employees are basically responsible for setting their own schedules. Supportive Affiliations MLR has an affiliation with a firm out of India for some data-entry portions of their work. This is successful because they view the Indian firm as part of MLR. MLR spends time training the group which helps to make them a truly integrated part of MLR. Community Involvement MLR is very supportive of associates participating in community and volunteer activities as well. Dana served on a local PTA both as a President and as a Treasurer, and she is currently serving on the Board of Directors for The Final Acts Project. Other podcasts referenced in this podcast: Ryan Bartholomee, CPA/CFO – Career, Family & Volunteering To listen in on this interview with MLR Partner Dana McCartney, please use the player below:

In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we speak with Edie Cogdell, CPA and Comptroller at the University of Incarnate Word. Edie will address questions such as which certifications are most valuable in accounting, and whether to consider first pursuing public accounting or industry early in your career. Education and Early Career Edie obtained a double major – Accounting and Finance from Baylor. Her first position after graduation was working as an Auditor for Arthur Anderson in Houston (one of the big eight at the time). She was offered this position because of her participation in mock interviews that were set up through the college. Edie had the opportunity to explore many different roles and types of organizations as her husband was transferred frequently in his job with the State of Texas. These public accounting roles provided a great foundation for her current role as Comptroller at University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), a role which she has held for almost 20 years. Life at UIW A unique aspect of UIW’s accounting group is that they manage multiple entities and divisions within the university system, including two schools in Mexico! A key accounting skillset that is used at UIW is fund accounting, which is different than typical commercial, for-profit accounting. Fortunately, Edie’s background had provided ample opportunities to work in fund accounting. Although Edie is the Comptroller, accounting is only a part of her job. Managing people is a larger aspect of her role. Managing People Edie manages a large staff. She found that volunteering, specifically with the Texas Society of CPAs and the San Antonio CPA Society, provided her with invaluable leadership experience. She has served in a variety of roles including serving as the President of the San Antonio TSCPA Chapter as well as being on the Executive Board at the state level. Additional Volunteer Work In addition to her volunteer work with the Society, including projects like Blue Santa and the Fun Olympics programs, Edie is passionate about and enjoys her volunteer time with Por Vida Academy.   (Other podcasts referenced in this episode include: Bobby Rios, CFO – Success in Work and Community) Are you considering pursuing a certification??  Find more information here! Listen in on this episode with Edie Cogdell through the player below:

What does it take to become an investments expert? In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, Doug Ward, CPA, and Chief Investment Officer for USAA shares his insight on this and other career-related topics. Doug began his career in real estate. This was his chosen career at the time, but with changes in that field in the mid-80s he decided that he needed to find a field that would create a more secure future for himself. He got a double degree from UTSA in Finance and Accounting to ensure he was always marketable. However, his real estate experience paid off in that it helped him land a job at USAA. He worked as an account representative during the day and continued to pursue his education in the evening. Following graduation, Doug obtained his CPA license as well. A Day in the Life of a Chief Investment Officer Once he began working in investments with USAA, he found great joy in managing the organization’s assets. Doug’s days include the meetings that we would expect, but they additionally include paying close attention to world capital markets and economic releases while serving his five internal clients. He synthesizes client needs with the markets to ensure that asset allocation is where it needs to be. Building Your Resume What does it take to become an investments expert?? Doug recommends the following: Build a well-rounded foundation in finance and market knowledge Understand financial statements and ratio analysis Obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation Develop and maintain relationships Have open lines of communication, especially with your leadership team Do what no one else wants to do Prepare yourself for the position that you want long before there is a need for it The work you do and the relationships you build will help you carve out your dream career. To listen in on this podcast interview with Doug Ward, please click below:  

Is it possible to completely change careers and built a successful new career in accounting? What is the difference between working for a public accounting firm and the public-sector? What certifications are most desirable? In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, Amy Barrett, CPA shares her expertise on these topics as well as her experiences transitioning from Macy’s to public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) to the public-sector with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Auditing in a Public Accounting Firm Public accounting and auditing allows you to learn about different industries and company performance styles. You can see what works well and what may need improvement. Amy focused on higher education while she was with Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) in the Boston office. She got her first experience with investment auditing there. She moved to Austin later and decided to leave public accounting at that point. Auditing with the Public Sector Amy accepted a position in Internal Audit with the University of Texas after leaving public accounting. It was a challenging transition because she moved from a large organization with a strong culture that was for-profit to a not-for-profit government organization. For the past ten years now though Amy has served as the Chief Audit Executive at the Teacher Retirement System (TRS). TRS manages assets into the billions. The role has changed during her tenure, which she enjoys.  She encourages her team to pursue and maintain the CIA certification. Other certifications that are helpful include the Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Internal Auditing: A Collaborative Endeavor Internal audit is auditing done within an organization, which allows you to work with the same people every day in a collaborative environment. Focused on strategy, compliance, and improvement ideas, internal auditors use recent information to determine if things are operating the way the team envisioned. This provides great value to the organization. Good auditors ask a lot of questions to understand the environment fully. To listen in on this interview with Amy Barrett, please click below:  

What is it like to be the CFO of a smaller organization? In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, Ryan Bartholomee, CPA shares his insights and experiences as the CFO of Shenandoah Petroleum Corporation. Early Career Decisions Following his dad’s career path, Ryan knew early on that he wanted to pursue his CPA. Ryan attended and graduated from Abilene Christian University. His undergraduate degree was actually pre-med, but then he decided to sit for the CPA exam quickly after graduating. His original thought was to possibly work in the medical industry as a financial professional, but after college he ended up selecting a public accounting auditing position instead with Elms, Faris & Company LLC. While all the organizations that offered him positions were attractive, location was a big factor for Ryan. He wanted to work near his family and therefore chose Elms. Character Displays Early After about three years, he was recruited to become the CFO of Shenandoah Petroleum Corporation. What is interesting about this is that he was sought out due to the traits he displayed as a young man. His piano teacher’s husband remembered Ryan when he was looking for someone for a CFO role. It’s truly a strong testimony that our character is remembered long after we have moved on. CFO Life in a Smaller Organization Shenandoah Petroleum Corporation is a diverse organization with many holdings. In addition to the traditional CFO duties such as treasury tasks, financial reporting, and strategic planning, working in a small company requires that Ryan wear many hats. It is not uncommon for him to help with IT or HR depending on what is going on at any given time. Volunteering Ryan believes that volunteering with TSCPA has been critical in his development. He serves or has served in numerous positions, and while his volunteer efforts take up some of his free time Ryan could never imagine his life without volunteering. Ryan’s philosophy is that you always gain more from volunteering than you can ever give. At the end of one’s life, we never say we wish we had volunteered less! Click below to listen in on this wonderful interview with Ryan Bartholomee:

In the fluidity and unpredictability of today’s market, what are the best practices that you can employ to build your reputation as a person of high value and excellence? In this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, Clay Killinger, a highly-regarded finance & accounting executive that has spent his career with publicly-traded firms such as Valero Energy and CST Brands, provides personal insights and experiences that have helped him — and will help you — to do just that. Walk in Integrity If you really want to make yourself invaluable to your employer, it begins by walking in integrity. Always do excellent work and be a team player and leader people can count on and trust. Fearlessly ask for additional responsibilities. Do not wait for projects to be assigned to you. Rise to Challenges When you start asking for more responsibilities, keep in mind that these tasks and projects will be challenging and require a great deal of effort on your part. Execute these tasks with the highest degree of proficiency and ethics. And realize that there may be times (sometimes professionally, sometimes personally) when you may miss the mark, but during these times it is imperative that you carry yourself well. Develop Networks Develop your networks. This is not a forced activity, but it occurs naturally with every interaction. Develop, strengthen, and maintain both your internal (at your current employer), as well as your external networks. Sometimes we focus on the external network so much that we neglect our internal networks. Remember that the people that you work with daily may move on to new opportunities and may find new opportunities for you along the way. By walking in integrity, rising to challenges, and developing networks you will make yourself so valuable that your employer may find themselves with no choice but to promote you! Please join in on the audio podcast interview below with Clay Killinger :

Miss Fiesta 2017 and recent UTSA graduate Carla Juarez, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast to discuss her insights for landing a rewarding position in accounting as well has her experience becoming Miss Fiesta 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. Mastering the Recruiting Process Be aware of how the recruiting process works. Carla knew that she would have to interview but was not aware of the formal “recruiting season” so she missed out on a few interviews initially. However, once she realized what was happening Carla applied for every position that she saw in Handshake, UTSA’s student career portal.  She landed five interviews and accepted a position with PWC. Get involved The highly desirable positions generally go to the students who are involved in activities that provide leadership experiences and stem from the individual’s passion. Carla was very active in student government, which gave her the leadership experience that employers are looking for in employees. She encourages current students to get involved as well. Don’t simply attend classes… it isn’t quite enough. Miss Fiesta The largest component of the selection process for Miss Fiesta in San Antonio is a community service project. After completing the robust application, you are interviewed. If you are then selected to continue on after the interview, you attend two weeks of training and you learn about the responsibilities of the Miss Fiesta role.  You also attend Fiesta events. You are then interviewed on stage and the winner is selected based on the highest score.  The process has become more developed over the years and it truly is an honor to be selected to represent the City in this position. Carla’s community outreach platform for her time as Miss Fiesta is education, which includes a book drive targeted toward the second-grade level. For more information on the Miss Fiesta program itself or Fiesta San Antonio, please visit them online at:  https://www.fiesta-sa.org One theme Carla wanted to leave with our audience is a concept she has lived her life by: Be proud of who you are! Have a great week! There’s more to come…  

Stewart Goodson, Executive Director of Tax with Ernst & Young (EY) joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast to discuss how EY is using robotics! Early Background Stewart knew after the first day in his high school accounting course that this would be his career path. After high school, Stewart worked full-time and went to UTSA full-time.  Upon graduation he joined EY because he liked the people and the culture, and he has been at EY ever since. He enjoyed working with the clients and he knew he wanted to focus on tax.  Since 2000 he has been in the role of Executive Director. Setting a Path When computers were becoming common place, Stewart saw that this was going to be a valuable tool so he became the tax department’s technology champion. The firm decided to put in a network, and while he wasn’t a computer programmer, Stewart knew how to ask the right questions and this led to his team doing the initial design. Robotics! EY has been involved with robotics for about three years. It all began with data analytics. Two of the key systems that EY uses are Blue Prism and Automation Anywhere. These are software programs that are used to perform certain repetitive tasks that don’t require critical thinking skills. Robotics are increasingly being used for internal processes that involve administrative tasks, and external client processes such as in the sales tax field. Soon robotics will be used more expansively in auditing as well. Since bots can focus on outliers, it will be very helpful in the audit realm. Recommendation for Students College provides you with a great foundation, but in addition you should learn as much as you can about data analytics and how/why it is used. Leadership skills are also key – make sure you develop them as well.  Volunteering is a great way to develop these skills. For more information on the organization that Stewart volunteers with and mentioned in the podcast, please click here to visit their website: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio Have a great week! There’s more to come…

Sarah Elliott, CPA, ACC, who was named one of 2017’s Most Powerful Women in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast to discuss what can happen when you dare to dream. When the Shoe Fits….and the Hard Hat Doesn’t Sarah studied Chemical Engineering in school, but after taking an Introduction to Accounting class, she felt it was a better fit than engineering so in Spring of her senior year of college she changed her major to accounting. Graduating with 186 hours, she took her CPA exams as quickly and went to work for one of the Big Four. Sarah joined the Austin PWC office in the auditing group, and she stayed with them for ten years. Her longevity with one company provided her with great experiences and benefits, such as career progression, cool accounts, and the opportunity to explore many other responsibilities. When Sarah left PWC (a gamble on her part), she joined a smaller company. She made partner, which was her goal, and she stayed for approximately four years.  But then she wanted more… Daring to Dream Sarah started to deeply contemplate her dreams. She asked herself what truly brought her joy. What really resonated with her soul? Who could she be if she had the courage to do what lit her up?  Fueled by her volunteer experiences with AICPA, she found her passions and she founded three companies. Living the Dream Sarah and her partner, Brian Kush, PCC, CPA started Intend2Lead – an innovative leadership development firm specializing in coaching, training, and consulting. She also owns Ellivate Coaching, a one-on-one coaching and masterminding organization for women entrepreneurs. Sarah’s vision continued to grow and she created the Ellivate Alliance as well. This group strives to give women the confidence and courage to pursue entrepreneurship. The alliance provides: Inspiration, Practical know-how, & A safe community of like-minded women  . Sarah’s Advice… Pay attention to what lights you up and follow your heart!  

Dr. Holmes PhD, CPA and Dr. Lui, PhD, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast Two professors with the prestigious Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas have conducted research regarding student perception and engagement in the accounting field and professional organizations. Their findings were presented to the San Antonio CPA Society in a report entitled, Student Perceptions of the Accounting Profession and Professional Associations. Their findings are fascinating, especially for people who hire recent graduates or want to increase student and young professional participation in professional associations. This report is a must-read for anyone in these roles or with similar responsibilities. For Employers… You already know that young professionals are not likely to stay at your firm for ten years, let alone their entire career, so what can you do to attract and retain the best and the brightest? These days employers providing excellent working conditions are an expectation, not a bonus feature.  Keeping employees, especially ones new to the field, will depend on providing career building opportunities. Younger professionals want to make a difference. They want to be involved. They want opportunities to advance. Be the employer who creates an environment that challenges and develops these talented new accountants. For Professional Associations… As a volunteer with a professional association, you probably have a goal in your strategic plan to attract and increase student involvement. Set yourself apart from other organizations by presenting the association as a place to improve, learn, grow, and network. Provide quality education and professional networking opportunities. Remember that people entering the field may transition to self-employment faster than previous generations. The networking opportunities presented by professional associations should be emphasized. For Students… The large accounting firms are looking for higher-level, critical and analytical thinking skills. Routine accounting tasks are now being outsourced. Broaden your business acumen and skills.  Join and get involved with professional organizations.  Actively work on increasing your network.  And most importantly, follow your dreams!  (To download the full report, please click here) We’ll see you next week!  There’s more to come…

Shannon Badger, CPA and Jonathan Badger, CPA of Badger and Badger LLC, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast In this podcast, you will hear the story of two CPAs who ventured out to start their own unique practice. Some may find their path risky as they had two young children (and a third on the way), but the Badgers felt called to do so and that it was definitely the right decision for them. Listen in as Shannon and Jonathan share what went well and the lessons they learned in their first few years. Begin with Vision Shannon and Jonathan tell us that establishing your vision is key. They had a limited vision initially, and they feel like they paid a little bit for it later on. This vision (and financial need) caused them to accept pretty much any client; big clients, small clients, and in a huge variety of industries.  This course of action taught them the importance of honing in on their niche. It’s taken them about 3 years to do so, but they’ve been able to better focus now on the areas that they feel are their true strengths where they bring the most value to their clients. Announce the Business as a Business The Badgers also coach listeners to be intentional about communication. Tell all your friends and family that you are starting your business. This is important so people don’t view it as side hustle and incorrectly assume that their needs will come as a lower priority. Staff the Business As the business grew, Shannon and Jonathan needed to find additional help. One of the lessons they want to share is that it can be a challenge to find the best-fitting team members. They found that they hired reactively and too quickly in the beginning. Now they have refined that process and the long-term outcome has benefited both their clients and their team. Their advice is to slow down and be more proactive in the search process. Know the skills, work styles, and demeanor that is going to work best with your vision. For example, in public accounting, a person is required to work on multiple accounts quickly, so it’s important to make sure that the person you hire understands how that aspect as well. Grow Your Business Find your champions and nurture those relationships. Nurturing key relationships is Badger and Badger’s primary marketing tool. Interestingly enough, they have found that over 70% of their business originated through just a small number of key referral sources. Five Tips for Couples You’ll have to listen to the audio version for these particular tips so you get the full context, but it is definitely worth it. Jonathan and Shannon share their tips for balancing work and marriage to ensure both are successful. Thank you for joining us. We’ll see you next week!  There’s more to come…  

Sheila Enriquez JD, CPA, CFF, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast! Education and Early Career Sheila came to the US on a student visa with only $500. Her mentor at Mercy College suggested that she take some accounting courses, pursue a CPA, and work as a graduate assistant in their department.  This initial influence got her started on her journey into the accounting profession. She pursued her MBA and passed the CPA exam after earning a Master’s degree. Her first job in accounting was actually as a fractional CFO (!) with a consulting firm that provided accounting and risk management consulting. Law and Forensics Law was an interest of Sheila’s, and she did well on that part of the CPA exam as well. She began attending Roger Williams University in Rhode Island where she had received a scholarship. While working and attending law school, she found that doing both concurrently benefitted her pursuit of law knowledge. She decided on this route because she enjoyed using both her law knowledge and her accounting background in her work life. Landing in Texas Sheila and her family moved to Texas to be closer to loved ones, plus the lower cost of living didn’t hurt. She decided to accept a position with Briggs & Veselka Co.. The company was true to their word and allowed Sheila a flexible schedule. She has enjoyed continued success with the firm, becoming a partner in 2010 and steadily moving up.  She was recently elected to be the managing shareholder effective October 2019. Community Involvement Sheila will tell you that Briggs & Veselka is a group that encourages participation in the field both at the local level as well as the state level. The firm advocates fostering excellence, inspiring confidence, making a difference, and discovering the best in themselves and others. Community involvement with professional groups is an excellent way to develop leadership skills and network with like-minded professionals. In fact, Johnny Veselka (retired partner at Briggs & Veselka) encouraged her to initially get involved with the Houston CPA Society where she now serves on the board. Sheila also shares her hopes for the profession near the end of the program, but you’ll need to listen to the audio for all of those insights. I hope you enjoy listening to the episode as much as we did recording it! We will see you next week! There’s more to come…

Sylvester ‘Sly’ Johnson, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Career Growth After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree from Notre Dame University, Sly went into public accounting as a staff auditor for Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC), which gave him exposure to several industries.  He felt that the public accounting background would give him a good start to later transition into industry, which he did – but only after reaching the Senior Manager level with PwC. After several discussions about a few roles, PepsiCo offered Sly a corporate auditor role in Dallas on a two-to-three-year job rotation plan, which would allow him to learn more about other aspects of their industry. After this he accepted a finance manager role with the Food Systems, which eventually spun off and became Yum Brands. During this time, he became responsible for supply chain and he noticed that many of his peers had their MBAs and thus began pursuing his MBA as well. After completing his MBA, Sly began looking for opportunities that were more aligned with CFO specifications and requirements. He found a role with the Dallas Morning News which allowed him to bring his family to Dallas.  A while later he was recruited to assume the role of Comptroller for 7-Eleven. After 7-Eleven, Sly worked with a start-up as well as another organization going through bankruptcy proceedings before joining Bob Evans, a national restaurant chain based out of Ohio. More recently though, Sly was recruited to join the well-known, privately held restaurant chain of close to 800 locations – Whataburger in San Antonio. Sly’s Management Philosophy Be a good listener. This skill builds credibility, accountability, & decision-making skills. Take the time to get to know your team. Learning about team members holistically will build camaraderie and strengthen their commitment to each other. Provide opportunities that will result in success. Have fun, recognize team members, and celebrate successes. . Career Advice Apply critical thinking skills, Bring new ideas to the table, Network inside the firm, Be a team player, Take risks, Assume accountability for your actions, Never stop learning, …And always remember to enjoy the opportunities and the moment!

A panel of recently certified CPAs joined us this week for a special episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast to explore a variety of popular CPA examination review courses. Thinking of pursuing the CPA exam? You definitely will want to listen to the insights that our panel shares on several of the popular review programs available in the market. Meet the Panel Bryan Morgan, CPA with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Austin will be sharing his thoughts on the Becker CPA Review.  (Note: Make sure to check out Mark’s first interview with Bryan here: Where Accountants Go podcast archives.) Josefina Castillo, CPA will share her thoughts on the Wiley CPA review course. Michelle Herring, CPA, will share her thoughts on the Rogers CPA Review. Claude Nchanji, CPA, with USAA in San Antonio will share his thoughts on the GLEIM CPA Accounting Review program. Preparation As an added bonus, all of the panelists share their strategies on how best to prepare for the exam as well. Some of the items discussed are the proper amount of time to prepare, registration strategy, and even how to fit the preparation time into an already-busy schedule.  We won’t tell you it is easy – but our guests go into great depth on how they were able to achieve passing the exam. There is also a short discussion of which part was the most difficult.  You’ll have to listen to the audio for the final answers – but suffice it to say it was NOT unanimous! Certifications in general Certification can make a big difference in your career trajectory. If you are looking into possibly pursuing the CPA exam, or any accounting certification exam for that matter, please visit our Groups & Certifications page on the WhereAccountantsGo.com site as well for links to all the accounting related certifications available in today’s market. We hope you have a great week!  There’s more to come…  

On this week’s Thanksgiving 2017 episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast, we take a moment to thank you and to reflect on a few of this year’s guests who instrumentally give back to the accounting community. Giving Back We are so blessed to have had amazing guests on our show, and this Thanksgiving we encourage you to revisit these five excellent podcasts featuring some amazing community leaders. 029 Bob McAdams: Becoming Managing Partner, Merging a Practice, & United Way!  Bob is a retired partner from BDO who is currently serving as Senior Vice President at the United Way of Bexar County.  Bob additionally has given much back to the profession itself through serving at the state level with both TSCPA and the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. An excellent Thanksgiving-themed episode is episode 047 Lisa Trefger, CPA – Analytics Where All the Fun Happens. Lisa’s community involvement commitment includes 100 Women Who Care, Dress for Success, and the Women’s Energy Network. In episode 049, our guest Joey Tackett shares how he went from humble beginnings to become a partner with one of the Big 4 firms. Make sure to check out this episode: 049: Joey Tackett – From Humble Beginnings to Becoming a Big 4 Partner. As we think about Thanksgiving, episode 027 Janice Flynn, Global Corporate Controller for Rackspace, is a great reminder of how family can shape our careers. Make sure to listen to Janice’s interview. If you want to explore not-for-profits, listen to this episode – 024 Craig Fuller, the Executive Director for Daily Bread Ministries, and a CPA. Craig’s interview will definitely give you an attitude of thankfulness! Feedback “Life in Accounting: Where Accountants Go podcast” wants your feedback as well! We would love you to email us your feedback, guest suggestions, or topic suggestions! Please contact us anytime at info@whereaccountantsgo.com Thank You On this holiday, all of us at Where Accountants Go wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!  

Belicia Cespedes, the youngest CPA ever, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Doors and Windows Belicia was home-schooled her whole life. The goal of the education program was learning how to learn. Learning how to self-govern her education helped to prepare her for the CPA exam. After she graduated high school (at the age of 13!), Belicia began taking extra classes. She took a business class, which included some accounting – and she loved it! After taking a year off for fun (taking business classes, playing sports, and so on), Belicia attended Community College, participated in CLEP Testing, and took online classes to prepare for the CPA exam. She graduated from college at 16, and immediately began getting ready to sit. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to specialize in, but she knew the license would open plenty of doors – “and windows”. Tips for Passing the Exam Know your learning style. Belicia took tons of notes and used Wiley CPA Excel. It’s a very complete course. She also took three to four weeks to prepare for each exam section. The first two weeks she spent eight hours per day studying and spent longer time as the exam date drew closer. When she felt discouraged her mom encouraged her by reminding her that she was going to be studying this field for a while so she should do her best, and that brought Belicia encouragement. Discovering Accounting Options Ever since Belicia started testing for the CPA exam, she knew that she wanted to find a special accounting niche that wasn’t focused on general assurance or tax. She researched, attended several AICPA conferences, and talked to tons of people about what they were doing. Forensics, auditing, and not-for-profit were some of the specialties that stood out to her. While she was interning with PWC, she asked to try several projects and she fell in love with Forensics. Belicia currently works for PWC in the Forensics department. She loves this role because she promotes justice and directly helps her clients through crisis situations. Sharing Joy No matter how long you have been in this profession, you can bring joy to work every day. Don’t look at things like an inconvenience, rather look at them as an adventure.   Note: To learn more about Forensics, be sure to revisit these two Life in Accounting podcasts: Billy Petty – From Law Enforcement to Accounting Michele Heyman, CPA – Building a Forensics Accounting Practice    

Carl Chilton, one of the founding partners of Long Chilton, LLC, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast From Accounting to Aviation Carl became interested in accounting as a college sophomore when he took an elementary accounting course. He found that he related to the course and thought it made sense. Carl’s intention was to continue to the next level course, but life – specifically World War II – got in the way. Carl joined the military, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant and becoming a pilot. He was assigned to a bomber crew and deployed to Europe where he flew many missions. Upon his return, he returned to school and decided to re-take that elementary accounting course, and then take numerous other accounting courses. Back to Accounting After graduating, Carl began teaching at Brownsville Junior College (now Texas Southmost College). During this time, he attained his CPA. Bill Long reached out to Carl and asked Carl to do some part-time work for him. After about a year or two, Bill asked Carl to partner with him and Long Chilton, LLC was established. Carl enjoyed working with the clients. He spent time consulting with them – particularly helping them with running their businesses, and of course, doing their taxes. Carl stayed with Long Chilton, LLC for thirty-seven years. The Biggest Challenges The biggest challenge of starting a business was getting connected and becoming well known within the community. Carl and Bill got involved with community groups, such as the Rotary Club, which allowed them to meet many people. In the beginning it was also a challenge to build up their revenue stream, but over several years Long Chilton was able to build up a substantial client base. A Novel Idea In addition to his other accomplishments, such as being a past president of the Texas Society of CPAs, Carl is also an accomplished author who has written many books. When he entered accounting, he joined the American Institute of CPAs and began contributing small articles to their Journal of Accountancy. From this, Prentice Hall (the publishing house) contacted him and asked him to contribute a chapter to a book in development. Prentice Hall then asked him to write an entire book, which Carl did. This book was Successful Small Client Accounting Practice, and it sold more than 26,000 copies in the United States. His only fiction book, Harlon Blake, CPA, is based on many of situations and incidents he encountered while working at Long Chilton, LLC. Carl’s Advice to You Carl wants you to know that to build a successful practice, you want to get to know as many people as possible. Networking is key!

Valerie Covey, County Commissioner for Williamson County, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast A Chance Conversation Covey shares how a conversation with a high school teacher helped to shape her decision to enter the field of accounting. She went to Schreiner College and enjoyed basketball immensely before transferring and graduating from the University of Texas in Austin. After graduating from the University of Texas and obtaining her CPA, Valerie’s first post-college job was in auditing with Ernst & Whinney (which later became Ernst & Young). Early Career and Life Path During the next six years, Valerie worked her way into a management position. Valerie and her husband Mark then started a family. Valerie stayed home to raise the kids, but kept her CPA license active during this period. The Covey family moved to Georgetown, and in 2003, Valerie took a part-time position with a CPA firm (which quickly turned into a full-time position) working for Tom and Linda McDaniel. From Accounting to Politics In 2003, Tom decided to run for County Commissioner and Valerie was his Campaign Manager. Tom won the election, and then with Tom’s encouragement Valerie ran for District Clerk in 2006. A week before the primary Tom passed away. Valerie lost the race for District Clerk, but she was okay with this because she was available to work with Linda and help her through the next busy season in Tom’s absence. Valerie was then asked to run for Tom’s position as County Commissioner. She won the election and has since served in that capacity. Valerie is currently a full-time commissioner and she keeps her CPA license as well.  A Public Servant’s Passion and Lessons Thinking about exploring politics? Valerie offers some words of wisdom: It may be helpful to run first for city or county office before running for state or federal office. Keep in mind that the political environment can be brutal. People don’t trust government, which means that integrity is the most important trait you can possess (which of course is vital for all CPAs!). Communication is also very important. If you don’t tell people what is happening, the void is filled with inaccurate information. Valerie finds helping people, trying to restore trust in government, getting to know lots of people, and learning about numerous topics very rewarding.  This experience has helped her improve her skills. The bottom line for Valerie is the chance to make a difference. Valerie’s final thoughts: Being in politics requires that she pulls from her accounting skills to be successful.  Get your certification. It opens doors and provides opportunities.

Ben Simiskey, CFP and CPA/PFS of PLS Advisory was our guest on this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Where the fun is… As with most interviews, I asked Ben how he ended up pursuing accounting in the first place. His answer was a little different than we typically hear though. Ben started out as an electrical engineering major and it just didn’t seem like the right field for him. However, his college roommate was an accounting major and seemed to be getting many job interviews, along with being invited to several fun professional events. Accounting seemed to be more appealing based on what he was seeing, so he decided to change majors and go into accounting instead. Diversifying his experience Ben started out in a ‘typical’ accounting role – joining Deloitte in their Chicago office as an auditor. As his career progressed though, he realized he had an interest in financial planning. After leaving Deloitte and spending a few years with a consulting firm doing valuations and forensic work, he decided to pursue his interest and move into the financial planning world. Eventually he formed his own firm – PLS Advisory in Houston. Volunteerism A good part of the second half of the interview is dedicated to talking about the various areas where Ben donates his time. In addition to the ministries of his church, he also has served on many committees with the Texas Society of CPAs (TSCPA) as well as serving as being a Den Leader with the Boy Scouts. You will need to listen to the audio to hear the passion in his voice, but it is very apparent that he has structured his life in order to be able to make service a priority. As a side note for those that may be interested in helping out with the Scouts, Ben mentions that it doesn’t take much more than a couple hours per month. Not bad given the positive impact that you can have in that short a time. I hope you enjoy this episode. I really enjoyed recording it with Ben. Make sure you listen all the way until the end as well – his ‘mistake’ question response is something you can’t miss. I wish we had more time to cover that in this episode. Looks like we will need a part 2!!! Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

Lisa M. Ong from PriceWaterhouseCooper’s Office of Diversity joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting, The Where Accountants Go podcast. Career and so much more We started this interview as we always do – discussing our guest’s career journey from the time they decided to become an accountant up to the present day. However, I got much more than I anticipated with Lisa. We get into some depth on diversity and how it is truly more than just numbers. Lisa recounts the story of how she initially was interested in accounting because it is “the language of business.” She enjoyed learning how businesses worked and therefore audit seemed like it would be a good fit. After interviewing with all of the Big 4 firms, she chose to accept the offer from PwC because she felt it matched her interests the best. Harness the power of wishing out loud Lisa attributes many of the opportunities that she has been fortunate to have to the practice of “wishing out loud”. You’ll need to listen to the audio interview to get the full meaning of this concept, but it obviously has worked well for Lisa. She’s had a variety of opportunities with PwC and has thoroughly enjoyed her career path. College credit for this podcast? Lisa gets into enough depth on topics such as the Gardenswartz & Rowe Diversity Wheel and blindspots training that you’ll feel like you’ve attended a brief but interesting lecture. It’s clear that she truly is very knowledgeable in the area of diversity in the workplace. She shares PwC’s online resource on blindspots training with us as well – https://www.pwc.com/us/en/about-us/blind-spots.html I hope you enjoy this episode! You can definitely tell Lisa has a passion for her role there at PwC. Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

Marshall Pitman, Professor at the University of Texas in San Antonio, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast Cold weather & a tough economy Marshall recounts how he got started in the teaching profession and how he made his way to Texas from Illinois where he initially attended college. Suffice it to say that desiring warmer weather, along with a touch economy at the time, as led to accounting students for a few decades now being influenced by Marshall for the better. In a nutshell, Marshall decided to pursue his advanced degrees due to a tough economy at the time, and then later after he was teaching at DePaul University for a while he thought it was becoming time for a warmer climate, which led to him moving to UTSA in South Texas. “What did you see in me” One of my favorite parts of this interview is when Marshall tells the story of a lunch he recently had with a previous student. At one point the former student asked him, “What did you see in me?”  You’ll need to listen to the audio for the full conversation, but the end result was that the belief Professor Pitman showed in this student’s potential led to them pushing themselves and eventually becoming the Director of Tax for a large Fortune 500 company today. Public accounting decision Another of the valuable take-aways from this interview is the discussion, and even analysis, of opportunities in public accounting. You’ll hear Marshall make a comment that public accounting isn’t for everyone, and he also shares his own decision to get out of public accounting early in his career. However, he also mentions doing some consulting work and that if he had it to do all over again he may have stayed in public accounting for a while longer. I really appreciated his openness on the topic, and I think that if you are thinking about that path yourself there is much to gain from listening to Marshall’s take on the profession. Obviously this episode is appropriate for those considering the path of educator as a career, but overall it has many nuggets of wisdom for students and up-and-coming professionals alike. Thank you for joining us. Stay tuned next week for another everyday hero from the profession! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

Paula Gold-Williams, a CPA and the CEO for CPS Energy, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. From accountant to CEO For those not in south Texas, in order for you to have some perspective on the interview CPS Energy is the electric utility that serves San Antonio and the surrounding area.  The annual budget for 2017 is in excess of $2½ billion.  So naturally, with a CPA being the CEO of such an important organization we had to request an interview. Paula started along a fairly traditional path.  She was influenced to try accounting by her bookkeeping teacher in high school – Mr. Ramirez.  From there she went through school and ended up starting in an audit position with Ernst & Whinney, or EY as it is known today.  Over the years through her diligent effort and by following the philosophy that saying “yes” to opportunities even when there is some ambiguity involved, she has worked her way through the ranks to controller, then CFO, and now CEO at CPS Energy. Evaluate opportunities holistically Paula makes a few comments in the interview regarding moving laterally, or even taking an occasional step back career-wise.  I asked her about how she made those particular decisions, or how she knew it was the right thing to do so-to-speak.  She shares with us in the interview that she’s always felt that it’s important to evaluate job opportunities not just on the title, but more holistically in regards to what the job encompasses and what it may lead to.  I believe the exact quote was, “there are opportunities everywhere.” Don’t let your mistakes paralyze you Make sure you listen all the way to the end where Paula shares the advice of not letting mistakes paralyze you, as well as the details of one of her biggest mistakes.  She passes on to our listeners everything she learned by going through that unfortunate mistake.  It not only benefited her personally to learn that lesson from the long-term standpoint, but continues to benefit others such as ourselves through her transparency and willingness to share the story. I hope you enjoy this episode.  I was very honored that Paula made time for us to record it. Stay tuned for next week’s episode!  There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed?  Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

David Porter, CPA/CMA/CGMA is this week’s guest on Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast! “What’s the toughest major?” As you are going to hear from the audio interview, David has built his career by never shying away from a challenge. In fact, that willingness to accept a challenge started early in his career when deciding what to choose as a major in college. He asked his advisor what the toughest major was in the business school, and accounting was the response… so he chose accounting. Staying curious & helping organizations improve David’s career started along a common path, working at a CPA firm for a few years until moving out into industry. However, by staying curious, asking questions, and offering to help be a part of the solution, he was afforded opportunities to work in adjacent areas in roles such as the VP of Business Process at Cessna, VP Human Resources at Harland Clarke, and shorter-term positions as CFO and CEO at a few venture-capital backed organizations. “Hanging out the shingle” After many years leading organization through process improvement and change management initiatives, David decided to start his own consulting practice – David Porter Advisors. He focuses on executive level coaching, with some team coaching mixed in as appropriate. He consults with his clients on their people, processes, and key performance indicators (KPIs). For more information, please visit www.davidporteradvisors.com. If you have an interest in getting involved in change management, the core business processes of a large organization, or potentially starting a consulting practice, you are really going to enjoy this episode. We will see you next week!  Stay tuned – there’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

Clay Rich, Director of SEC Reporting with the Match Group, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Creating opportunities Clay started his career with EY working with their aerospace and defense clientele. However, one of the keys to his success comes out pretty early in our interview. That particular book of business wasn’t quite large enough to keep him busy 100% of the time, so he was able to make himself available for other engagements outside of that specialty as well. Saying “yes” to these additional engagements along the way helped Clay to broaden his experience. Making the best of a tough situation When he decided to look for his next opportunity he interviewed for several positions, one of which was a position involving SEC reporting in the oil & gas industry. Although he had little experience in either area, he was able to convince the hiring manager that he had enough related background to be able to figure out what he would need to learn, and that he would do it quickly. That hiring manager giving him the opportunity helped launch him into the SEC reporting field. Finding the right ‘Match’… Unfortunately the position in the oil industry ended due to tough economic times and they filed bankruptcy. It was a difficult time personally as Clay and his wife had their 3rd child on the way, so he wasted no time looking for a new opportunity. Based on his now strong background in SEC reporting, he was able to join the Match Group as their Director of SEC Reporting in 2016. The Match Group is the parent company to many online dating-related sites such as Match.com and Tinder. You’ll need to listen to the audio for all the details, but suffice it to say that Match has a very attractive environment for those looking for a more casual / informal working environment. Results and deadlines matter of course, but they get the work done while still being able to squeeze in a game of ping-pong or one of many other games in the office. It sounds like a great place to work. I hope you enjoy this episode of Life In Accounting. Clay was very generous with his time and didn’t spare us any of the details of his journey and how he has grown his career thus far. We will see you next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

Joey Tackett, partner with the Big 4 firm Deloitte in Houston, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Humility & graciousness You will notice several times in this interview that Joey makes reference to his upbringing and how hard his parents worked to give him a good start in life. I mention it several times near the end of the podcast, but it is worth mentioning here as well… Joey is a very gracious and humble individual and it is apparent throughout the interview. He really does appreciate the opportunities that have been presented to him through his years with Deloitte. Path to Partner Joey’s path to partner started with an internship. He interned twice at Deloitte and decided to accept their offer for full-time employment. He spent 5 years in the New Orleans office, and then had the opportunity to join their national office in Connecticut. After a couple years in Connecticut, he returned to Houston and later was admitted as a partner in their audit practice. Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20… Joey was very generous with his answers to my questions regarding advice for younger professionals. You’ll have to listen to the audio for all the different thoughts he shares regarding how to be successful in the accounting profession, but one such piece of advice is, “Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20.” Many times we can get caught up with comparing our success so far in life to other’s successes when they have been in the profession for much longer than we have. It’s not fair for us to do that to ourselves, and ultimately serves no positive purpose. I hope you enjoy this episode. Joey also shares advice in the areas of how to build trust, how to develop your communication skills, and how to get out of your comfort zone. He truly was generous with his time. Stay tuned next week for another weekly episode with another everyday hero in the accounting profession. See you soon! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

John Clamp, CPA and currently the CFO for Alamo Area Council of Governments, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. The logical career choice… John’s career has been extremely unique, having taken several ‘less-traditional’ paths… real estate, two terms on the city council, and even sales of aviation fuel!  However, it all started with a very logical career choice. Right at the beginning of the podcast John explains that his decision to pursue accounting was a very simple decision – he had a family and needed a secure living. Accounting was a smart choice. Opportunities in real estate John’s experience in real estate started with the fortuitous chance to work with Robert Callaway, a local real estate developer. Shortly afterwards he was able to get onboard as a real estate accountant at the largest private employer in San Antonio – USAA. After 13 years at USAA, he decided it was time to go out on his own and build a brokerage. City Council & politics We spend a substantial amount of the interview discussing John’s service to the community as a city councilman for 4 years. He talks about his experience “block walking” in order to get out the vote, as well as a discussion of his run for County Tax Assessor Collector, a campaign that unfortunately wasn’t successful at the time. If you’ve ever considered getting into politics this episode will be very valuable. John is very transparent about his experience with both serving in that capacity as well as what it took to get there. …And this doesn’t even start to touch on the details of his current role of CFO with AACOG, getting his MBA from UTSA, or his previous experience as Executive Director of the Hotel & Lodging Association. You’ll have to listen to the audio for those details. Stay tuned for our episode next week with another everyday hero from the accounting community. There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Lisa Trefger, CPA and recently the Director of Business Analytics for Nustar, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. “Where all the fun happens” I invited Lisa on the show for several reasons, one of which was to discuss the field of business analytics in the accounting profession. I think the quote above from Lisa says it all… business analytics is a certainly a technical field, but also a very interesting field in that the numbers tell you a story of what the true drivers are for an organization. It’s a field that Lisa really enjoys and feels blessed to work in. Qualifications Although we discuss many aspects of Lisa’s career on the podcast naturally, I definitely wanted to get into how one may be able to prepare to move into analytics for those that may want to direct their career that way. According to Lisa there are obviously many good paths that can get you there, but a role where you get to see the ‘big picture’ such as in public accounting is very beneficial, as well as becoming a power-user of Excel. Given that the roles are focused on data analysis, getting an MBA can also go a long way to prepare an individual from an educational standpoint. Community Involvement I knew going into the interview that Lisa donated some of her time to helping the nonprofit community, but I had no idea how involved she was. She credits Nustar with giving her that flexibility to be able to spend time in the community, but obviously she has been proactive about getting involved. Some of the organizations she mentions are Dress for Success & Career Gear – https://sanantonio.dressforsuccess.org/ Women’s Energy Network – https://www.womensenergynetwork.org/ 100 Women Who Care   She also makes a book recommendation towards the end – “The Go Giver” by Bob Burg. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did when recording it. Lisa really was a pleasure to interview. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com Enjoyed the episode but haven’t subscribed? Click the orange ‘subscribe’ button – https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ – to be notified first of new Life In Accounting content!

Bill Cotter, Special Agent In Charge with the Criminal Investigations division of the Internal Revenue Service, joined us for this week’s exciting episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Opportunity Bill recounts the story of how he decided to apply with the IRS at the beginning of this episode. In a nutshell, the economy was somewhat tight at the time and a friend suggested that he try the IRS as a possibility. He was accepted into the ‘Exam’ division, but then quickly had the opportunity to move into criminal investigations. It’s been a whirlwind of variety since then. You’ll have to listen to the details, but it includes tours in Washington DC, New York, and Germany. Master Your Craft I asked Bill about his thoughts on what led to some of his success in moving up within the Service, and just like in most organizations, he credits it to putting in the effort to learn his job to the best of his ability and then coupling that with the effort needed to get the job done well. He also noted that a high level of attention to detail is important in the criminal investigations division, which makes total sense given the nature of the work. More opportunities We also get into a discussion of the other career options for those of us with accounting background within the IRS. Among them are positions as Special Agents, Revenue Agents, and of course many involving technology. A minimum of 15 hours of accounting is required for the majority of these roles, which is typical for an accounting major. If you have an interest in a position with the IRS, Bill also notes that it pays off to try to get onboard before age 37 because the Service has a generous retirement benefit that requires 20 years of overall service before their mandatory retirement age of 57 years old. This episode really was intriguing to record. I had no idea of the variety that someone could experience while working with the Internal Revenue Service. Happy listening! Join us again next week as well – there’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you! Feedback on the show?  Please email us anytime at info@whereaccountantsgo.com.  We love feedback!

Dale Ross, CPA with Ross & Champion CPAs as well as Mayor of Georgetown, Texas, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Recession proof career As with most interviews I started with how Dale decided to pursue accounting as a career in the first place. Dale recounts the story of how it actually was later in life that he started on his accounting degree – at about age 30. He was looking for a career field that was in high demand, where he could potentially be self-employed, and that was recession proof. He concluded that since tax filing was a necessity of life, he would become a CPA. Building a business It was always Ross’s goal to build a larger business than just a single-owner sole proprietorship, so early on in the 2nd year of his practice he acquired two different firms in order to quickly grow his client base. Ross & Champion currently sits at about 9 employees overall and focuses on the tax side of the business. If you have an interest in acquiring a practice as a part of your growth strategy, Ross gives some valuable insight into that process as well as how to prepare to go into business in the first place. Mayor of Georgetown Ross has just started his 2nd term as Mayor of the City of Georgetown, and actually served on City Council prior to that. It’s an interesting story of how he became involved in politics. You’ll have to listen to his exact recollection of the events on the audio interview, but suffice it to say it all started because of a driveway. If you happen to be in that geographical area, Dale talks a little at the end of the podcast about the Williamson County Historical Museum (http://williamsonmuseum.org/) and their upcoming Cattleman’s Ball. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle with local museum supporters in the Georgetown area. Also, please check out some of Dale’s other media appearances on behalf of the City of Georgetown: • NBC News – http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/republican-mayor-texas-clean-energy-no-brainer-n769056 • National Geographic – http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/from-the-ashes/videos/renewable-energy-for-the-people/ Stay tuned, we have another everyday hero scheduled to share their story with us next week. As I always say, there’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Debra Seefeld, CPA & Partner with Seefeld & Company in Houston, Texas, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. 10 years into her career… Debra’s interview has an interesting start in that she worked in industry under a CPA for about 10 years before deciding to pursue her accounting degree. She had great respect for the individual she worked for and therefore became interested in becoming a CPA herself, which was a major investment of time given that she was about 30 years old and had already started her family. The Business of Accounting This term comes up several times throughout our interview. Debra has always been interested in the business of accounting itself, such as how firms operate and why they work the way they do internally. It was this interest that led her to accept a position out of college with a local firm over an offer that she had with one of the Big 4 accounting firms. The decision worked out well for her though. She stayed there for about 12 years, with most of that being at the management level. Peer Review, building a practice, & volunteerism All these topics run together in the interview. Debra has incorporated peer review into their practice as one of their offerings, but that line of business has come from her interest in the ‘business’ of accounting as well has her volunteer efforts at the state level. Whether or not the topic of peer review interests you, I think you will find some of her insights about building a firm very valuable. Also we talk a little at the end about Executive Women’s Alliance, an organization there in Houston comprised of executive ladies that serve the community by providing mentorship to school age girls that are potentially at risk of not being able to perform to the best of their ability in school due to extenuating circumstances. I hope you enjoy this episode. It’s packed with a lot of variety. See you next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Josh Bauerle, an Ohio CPA that serves many clients including podcaster John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur On Fire, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. “CPA on Fire” Josh started his career by trying several different roles – cost accounting, financial advising, and public accounting – before deciding that developing his own practice was the ideal fit for him. He came from an entrepreneurial family, so although he and his wife had just become the parents of twin boys (!), the risk didn’t thwart his determination. He talks a little about the early years, but it was when he started working with John Dumas of Entrepreneur On Fire that his technology clientele seems to have started to grow exponentially. As of the timing of this interview, almost all of his clients have some type of online business – with many being in the e-commerce sales industry. All Remote! One of the more interesting parts of this interview is when Josh gets to talking about the make-up of his current clientele. Due to the nature of how his practice has grown, he doesn’t actually serve any local clients. All of his clients live in other cities. Therefore, the majority of their interaction is online via portals or Skype. In fact, even his contracted help is all remote. He has three team members that assist him with servicing his clients, all three of which work remotely. Positioning & branding One of the leading reasons we wanted to interview Josh was for his leading edge view of positioning and branding. Josh has built a unique practice focused on serving clients in a specific industry, and in a specific way. It can be difficult for many entrepreneurial CPAs to differentiate themselves in the market, so I think you will find this discussion with Josh very enlightening. Make sure you listen closely – you may even want to take notes. Although Josh says he isn’t particularly tech-savvy, he does list a few tools he uses as well as processes that work well for him in this remote-based practice. I hope you enjoy! See you next week. There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Connie Clark, CPA with Faske Lay & Company in Austin, Texas, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Meant to be a CPA Connie’s career actually started in the information technology industry, but after her husband’s career led them to move to Austin she re-evaluated her situation and decided that it was time for a change. A friend of hers suggested that she consider becoming a CPA, and since she only needed a few courses in addition to the MBA she had already received she decided to pursue getting certified. She passed all four parts of the exam in only 5 months – she obviously had found her calling. The power of connection Connie quickly became involved in the local CPA Society and it was there that she received some of the most consequential advice of her career – “someone will hire you on your terms”. She was a new mother and was concerned that she may not find the right opportunity in public accounting, but a staff member at the CPA Society gave her that very advice. And sure enough, she did find the right employer to work with her on a part-time basis. Becoming a partner Since then, she has moved to Faske Lay & Company in Austin and become a partner in that practice. Faske Lay is a very service-oriented firm that looks at technology as a competitive edge. You will have to listen to the audio for the full discussion, but Connie touches a couple times on the fact that they put a high priority on training and technology at their firm. Being involved in the community is also very important to Connie. She is involved with the Rotary Club, their local Chamber, and the Chisholm Trail Community Foundation. One of the upcoming events at the Foundation that she supports is the ‘Fast Pitch’ award for non-profits that need funding. More information is available at www.chisholm-trail.org. Connie is a very genuine, transparent individual. This episode really was a pleasure to record. I hope you enjoy it. See you again soon! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Carol Severyn, CPA and EVP with Frost Bank, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Celebrating 24 years! Carol started working in the financial institution industry while in college and later moved into an audit role with a CPA firm.  After a short time with the accounting firm, a former professor of hers recommended her to Frost Bank for a Senior Auditor role – which obviously has worked out well given that she has just had her 24th anniversary with Frost. Commit yourself I asked Carol about the ‘secret to her success’ so-to-speak since she has had a very fruitful career there at Frost. She mentions two key items in that discussion. First of all, it’s important to find an organization that is a good match for your own personal value system. And secondly, once you find that organization make sure you are fully committed career-wise. Step up for new assignments, volunteer for new challenges, and give it the proverbial 100%. This type of commitment is what led Carol to be approached about moving into management with Frost in the first place. Volunteerism Carol has been involved in many efforts focused toward helping others. She is one of the founders of the internship program at Frost – a program that gives soon-to-be accounting graduates the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in Internal Audit. She also is active with the nonprofit Any Baby Can and serves on their board. Any Baby Can helps parents of children with serious healthcare needs. More information can be found at www.anybabycansa.org. I was fortunate to be able to interview Carol for this episode. I hope you enjoy it. She shares a lot of valuable insight. See you next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Wade Beal, a Senior Associate in the Campus Recruiting function with PwC (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast! PwC While the purpose of this episode was to give some insight on the process to prospective interviewees, I wanted to start with some background information on PwC and what makes them unique. Wade covers several important points including how he’s found the culture to be ‘true’ to how it was originally represented to him personally, which is obviously refreshing, as well as a few of the more unique benefits that PwC offers it’s employees. ‘Own’ your own development I also found this comment from Wade very enlightening: “own your own development”. Wade makes the point that it’s not only important to achieve a good GPA, but that it’s also important to be responsible for your own continuing development from a soft-skills perspective. We all know that leadership ability and the ability to manage relationships over time makes a difference in your ability to continue to progress within any firm. Surprising comments Make sure you listen all the way to the end as well because Wade shares some surprising, and very useful, advice on doing pre-interview research as well as post-interview follow-up. It’s not just the standard advice that you typically hear. He has some very useful pointers for those getting prepared for interviews, whether on campus or otherwise. I hope you enjoy this episode. You’ll hear it in Wade’s voice yourself, but it’s worthwhile to mention here as well – Wade definitely loves his job. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

This week’s guest on Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast is … me! We’ve been wanting to launch a new free service for our audience and are taking the opportunity between our guests’ vacation schedules to start our “Ask Mark” career question hotline. Special Edition! We will be continuing our regular interview format after the July 4th holiday, but in the meantime are launching our new ASK MARK service to answer any and all career related questions you may have. Whether you are wondering how to get a raise, how to get your foot in the door for an interview, or how to answer the most challenging interview question you’ve ever heard, simply email askmark@whereaccountantsgo.com or fill out the ‘Contact Us’ form on the www.WhereAccountantsGo.com website, and we will not only respond to your question with a detailed email response, but we will include it in a special edition podcast where we will address all the emailed issues in one Q&A show. All anonymously of course. The hard questions Please don’t hold back on the questions – the harder the better! The magic of handling these issues through our podcast is that you will be able to get your question answered, no matter how difficult an issue it is, plus you will be benefiting the larger community by sharing out your issue to others in our audience that may have the same challenges. I look forward to hearing from you on some of your most challenging career issues – simply email AskMark@WhereAccountantsGo.com. Stay tuned in July for the next set of interviews with everyday heroes in the accounting community. There’s much more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Billy Petty from Heyman & Associates in Austin, Texas, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Part 2! If you haven’t listened to episode #037, you may want to go back and hear that as well. Billy is one of the expert consultants on Michele Heyman’s team, our guest from the last episode. Billy spent over 20 years in various law enforcement roles including working in the Austin Police Department and for the Sheriff’s office. At one point he decided he would apply for a promotion, and that effort took him into the financial crimes area and then later into the white-collar crimes department. Networking works! While attending an educational conference for Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), he met Michele Heyman and they discussed the possibility of him coming on board with Heyman & Associates. A couple years later when he was approaching retirement from the police force, he decided to take Michele up on the offer to join their firm. All I can say is Wow! Billy discusses some really interesting cases from both his time in forensic accounting with Heyman as well as his time in the white-collar crimes unit. I won’t get into the details in this summary, but he goes into the stories on million-dollar-plus cases he has been involved in over the years. It’s definitely a very interesting interview. Billy also discusses the different career options that are available to accountants in the forensic area as well as law enforcement, so make sure you stay tuned until the end. There are many, many more opportunities than I realized for sure. I hope you enjoy this episode, and make sure you go back and listen to #037 with Michele Heyman as well. They really go hand-in-hand with regards to giving an overview of the forensic accounting field. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Michele Heyman, owner of Heyman & Associates in Austin – an accounting firm that specializes in forensic accounting, business appraisal, & fraud prevention, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast! It started in high school… Michele first contemplated pursuing accounting as a profession when her high school accounting class was visited by an audit partner that talked to the class about his career path. The way he described auditing work appealed to her, and it sounded like accounting could give the successful individual a comfortable lifestyle, so she decided to pursue it. She attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, and took the public accounting route and became a CPA. Becoming self-employed Although it was audit that first attracted her to the profession, she initially worked in tax. Over the years she worked off-and-on in audit while doing tax work as well, until she eventually decided to start her own practice in 2011. Starting with only 2 clients, she’s grown the firm to over 300 clients today. Forensic accounting We cover quite a bit of ground in the area of forensic accounting on this podcast. Michele explains that the majority of their work is in the area of investigating employee theft, but also mentions that some of the engagements involve partner/shareholder disputes and divorce cases. If you have an interest in the investigation side of audit, this episode will give you a great overview of the forensic accounting field. Michele definitely enjoys the practice, particularly the client-service aspect of forensics. If you enjoy this interview, make sure you stay tuned for our next episode as well where we interview one of the experts on Michele’s team, prior law enforcement officer Billy Petty. See you next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Tim Pike, Audit Partner with Howard LLP, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. It was too much paperwork… In an interesting initial twist to this interview, we learn that Tim actually started out to be a physical therapist early in life. However, when he interned in the field he realized that there was more repetitive paperwork than he really wanted on an ongoing basis in the physical therapy profession so he decided to look elsewhere. We laugh a little in the interview given that he settled on accounting after deciding that he wanted less paperwork… but truly what it was that drew him to the profession was the higher level of diversity in servicing client needs overall. What it means to be “Partner” I felt that one of the most valuable parts of the interview was the discussion of what it truly means to be a “partner” in a CPA firm. Tim discusses how many people initially simply think of it as a managerial and profit sharing position, but in reality it means that you are an owner in the business. We also discuss what it takes to be successful as a partner in a firm, and among other items Tim highlights that communication and listening skills are two of the most important attributes. Trust your gut When you get to the ‘biggest mistake’ portion of the audio interview, you are going to hear Tim be very transparent and open about an audit issue he faced early in his career. Given the business climate we have had in recent years, I really appreciated that he shared this story. If you are considering going into public accounting of any kind, audit or tax, there is a good lesson to be learned from his experience. Make sure you don’t miss that part of the interview. Stay tuned in the next couple weeks as we do a 2-part series on forensic accounting as well. We have two individuals joining us from an Austin area firm to share their experience in that field. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Bette Williams, CPA of Austin, Texas joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Paving the Way As you will hear in the interview, Bette started in the profession in the 1950’s when the opportunities for women to enter and progress in accounting were much more limited to say the least. Bette took her initial accounting courses at Texas A&M at a time when women were not allowed to register unless they were registered with another college as well. Plus, she recounts how during her early days in public accounting it was a challenge to move up because women participating in business development activities (golf, etc) was not quite as accepted as it is in the present day. Exam before degree Another interesting detail of this interview for me personally was that Bette actually passed the CPA exam prior to attaining her degree. The requirements to sit for the exam were different at that time, and she actually had only completed an Associates when she originally sat for and passed the exam. It was a few years later that she actually ended up finishing her Bachelors degree at the University of Corpus Christi. And yes, basset hounds! Obviously we go into a good amount of detail about Bette’s career including her time at Touche Ross and then the experience of starting her own firm. But I wouldn’t have done this interview justice if I hadn’t asked about her rather successful hobby of breeding award-winning basset hounds. Bette has been to Westminster several times, and still to this day co-owns one of the leading showing basset hounds at AKC shows. There is much, much more that I could put in this summary of the show. In fact there are many highlights that I haven’t touched on such as awards, the scholarship, and several others – way to many to include in this write-up. You’ll have to listen to the audio to get the full experience. Bette is an amazing individual. I hope you enjoy the interview. There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Kelly Noe, a PhD CPA & CGMA that is currently serving as the Interim Director for the School of Accountancy at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, joined us this week for Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. “I’ve been a lucky person” In this episode, Kelly recounts the story of how she decided to become an accountant in the first place – a process that started with the influence of her grandmother. At 11 years old, she was paid $5/hour to help in her grandmother’s firm with basic bookkeeping related tasks. And 5 years later when she got a job working as a cashier in a grocery store, she realized that she was going to be making less than she did at the age of 11… so maybe accounting was a good career to consider! It was at that point that her direction was set. Why don’t you come teach? After working several years in the profession, including in a CFO position for a hospice, she made the choice to stay home and raise her family. She decided after a while though that perhaps a part-time position was in order so she applied at Stephen F. Austin University for a role in their accounting department. While speaking with the individual on the phone however, they convinced her to apply for a different position that was also open – the position of part-time faculty for the accounting program. She so much enjoyed teaching that she took some time off to obtain her doctorate degree in accounting and then returned to the university for a tenured position later on. Much more to the story… There’s much more to all the details of Kelly’s journey than we can possibly cover in this written post, so please make sure to listen to the audio version for all the nuances. Kelly also goes into her involvement with the East Texas Chapter of TSCPA, several insights for accounting majors and potential accounting majors, and even a very interesting mistake she made in one of her first jobs. She’s very open in the interview. Another item Kelly highlights towards the end is her involvement with the Humane Society, a cause very near-and-dear to her heart. In fact, the local office is having a golf tournament coming up on June 16th if you would like to participate in order to support the organization. Details are at: http://www.angelinacountyhumanesociety.org/dog-days-of-summer-golf.html I know you will enjoy this interview. It was a pleasure to record. Have a great week! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Carolyn Newman, the owner of Audimation Services in Houston, Texas, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Bachelors in Speech! As with most of our guests, I asked Carolyn to recount the story of how she got into accounting in the first place. Carolyn tells the story of how her options were a little limited when going through school, and she actually initially majored in Speech. It was her first boss though that influenced her to consider getting an accounting degree. She had started in a payroll role and moved into cost accounting, and it was that manager that advised her that her options would be limited without the formal accounting education. It was at that point that she decided to return to school and get her MBA in Accountancy. Systems training… It was at another juncture in her career that education once again made a difference. Carolyn was progressing in an audit career as information systems auditing was becoming more and more important. She decided to go ahead and get the additional training that it would take to become a systems audit expert, and that ended up launching her career forward in that specialty. When her firm at the time, Seidman & Seidman, required that she move to a different office, she decided to strike out on her own and start her own practice – a move that eventually led to forming Audimation. Audit + Automation As Carolyn states in the interview, Audimation is a name she created by combining ‘audit’ and ‘automation’. She had been working in the audit world and using IDEA software in her own practice, and eventually became recognized as a subject matter expert in the use of that software as a way of automating data analysis and audit functions. So as that part of her practice grew, she eventually decided to move away from providing the traditional accounting firm services of tax and audit and instead go full-time with the software business – a choice that has paid off well for Carolyn. Audimation currently employs about 40 people and continues to thrive. This interview is yet another that really has something for everyone. Carolyn shares insight that is helpful to individuals in both public and industry accounting, as well as those looking to build a successful business. It was an honor to be able to interview Carolyn, and I’m sure you will get a lot of value out of the episode. Until next week… there’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Michael Berlanga, CPA, owner of Resolutions Now and recent Republican candidate for the Bexar County Appraisal District, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Humble beginnings… Michael got started down the road to become an accountant at a young age. Although his original thoughts were to go to seminary, his father passed away unexpectedly when Michael was only 14 years old and therefore he decided he needed to get through school and into a career as quickly as possible. Accounting ended up being that career choice. Moving fast… You will likely catch onto this theme early in the podcast, but just in case you don’t, Michael definitely isn’t one to sit still or be satisfied with moving at an average pace. He graduated in 3 years from Central Catholic High School, graduated from college in 3 years as well, and then left public accounting around the age of 24 due to feeling “burned out” because he felt like he wasn’t able to move up as fast as he felt he should. This drive led him into pursuing self-employment in both real estate and accounting services as a method of speeding up his career progression and going at his own pace. And eventually… politics! About 10 years ago Michael was approached by a pastor friend about running for City Council, a move that led him to making the connections that landed him as a Senior Advisor to Texas Representative John Garza for a little over a year. That activity eventually expanded into taking the chance on running for a state senate seat as well as the county tax assessor-collector position. While neither campaign panned out, there are definitely some insights you can gain from the story of the experience that Michael shares. Christian Business Chamber Michael also serves as the President of the Christian Business Chamber of Commerce, a San Antonio based organization. You’ll pick this up during sections of the interview as well that continuing to grow this organization that is a blend of two very important areas of his life, faith and business, is high on his priority list. I wasn’t clear if he would continue to pursue political offices, but it was obvious that growing the Chamber was going to be an ongoing pursuit. There are several insights about career, business, and overall life in this episode. I hope you enjoy. There’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Rick Mangum, CPA, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. I invited Rick on the show for several reasons, but primarily for the discussion of a venture he was involved in that was backed by private equity where he served as the CFO on the executive team that built the company for eventual sale. The company we are referring to was Vidacare, a medical device company that sold to Teleflex just a few years back. Golf wasn’t going to work out… As with all our interviews, we started with the question of how Rick decided to pursue accounting as a career in the first place. Interestingly enough, Rick started out as a golf major but when he realized that wasn’t going to work out for him as a long-term career option, he decided to look into accounting. Taking risks… Although his career started in a more ‘traditional’ manner with his first job being at EY (Ernst & Whinney at the time), he later got into roles that were higher risk / higher reward with his moves to Clear Channel and later Vidacare. Both organizations were going through substantial changes internally, and both included ownership transitions. This change of direction with his career correlates to the time that he decided to pursue an MBA, much later in his career than many do. It was this exposure as well as the knowledge that came through the program that allowed him to be more comfortable with riskier moves and also equipped him with the knowledge necessary to take on more dynamic roles. Selling for $300 million… You will need to listen to the audio for this episode to get all the details, but in a nutshell the Vidacare organization was doing around $20 million in revenue when he joined them, moved up to $70 million as Rick and their executive management team worked on refinements within the organization, and then eventually sold for $300 million to Teleflex a few years back. Vidacare is a great story of inventing a needed product, taking it to market, and then reaping the rewards. I hope you enjoy all the career insights that Rick provides throughout this episode. He has some great stories and has learned much through his experiences. Stay tuned for another exciting guest next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Matt Malcom, Owner of Malcom Accounting Services LLC, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Mom Lied to Me! One of the most humorous parts of this interview comes in the very first few minutes. As is our tradition I started with asking about how Matt came to decide to pursue accounting as a career, and the direct quote from Matt was, “It came from a lie from my mother!” Obviously he said this in jest, but it made for a great start to the show. I don’t want to give away the punchline of course, so you’ll need to listen in to hear the full story. It’s definitely original! Regional / national firm experience Matt also shares how he started his career with the predecessor firm to Cohen Reznick, and built up his knowledge base and experience over a 15 year period with that firm. It’s experience that continues to benefit him today, and although he had left full-time employment with the firm, he continues to work with them on contract projects and has for years. Self-employment After many years with the national firm though, Matt decided it was time to look into other options and decided to take some time off to consider what may be a good next step. To his surprise, he ended up having several opportunities to continue to work on projects on a contract basis both with his previous firm and with new referral clients, so he decided to setup his own practice – Malcom Accounting Services. As you will hear in the interview, it’s a decision he’s been very happy with. While he admits to working weekends occasionally and I suspect a few other off-hours, he appreciates the schedule freedom that self-employment has afforded him. It works very well with his family life. I hope you enjoy this episode. As you will hear, Matt is a very straight-forward and transparent individual. He was a pleasure to interview. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Bob McAdams, Retired BDO Partner, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Becoming Managing Partner… Bob’s story is interesting for several reasons, but one of the most interesting points for me was that he was recruited off campus while at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio by Bill Chumney Jr., and eventually became Managing Partner at that very firm – Carneiro Chumney & Company. Several years later, as many of the partners were approaching retirement age, the firm merged with BDO – one of the largest national firms in the United States. A Leader in the Profession In addition to being a leader in his firm, you will hear in the interview that Bob had a desire to make a difference in the profession overall as well. He’s been active for many, many years with the TSCPA organization, but the opportunity to get even more involved presented itself when he was approached about serving on the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy as their Treasurer – a position that he currently holds. A job anyone would want… I joke about it a little in the interview, but there’s some truth to this… now that he’s retired from BDO, Bob has the job that pretty much anyone would want. Around the time his pending retirement was being announced, he was approached by the CEO of United Way in San Antonio to join their organization in an operational role. It’s not an accounting position, but his years of operating an accounting firm and consulting with clients definitely come into play. Bob currently works about 25 hours per week on a flexible schedule helping the charities that United Way supports operate more efficiently by providing consulting services on their general operations – a fun position that further fulfills his desire to serve the overall community. I know you will greatly enjoy this episode. Bob is very insightful and open about his journey. If you would like to look into volunteer opportunities through the United Way, please visit http://www.volunteersanantonio.org/. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Jesse Dominguez, CPA and CFO for the Texas Trucking Association, joined us this week on Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Middle school! We generally start out the podcast interview finding out how our guest had decided to pursue accounting as a career, and as you can guess we get many different answers. Jesse’s was a first though. Jesse became aware of the profession in middle school when a couple CPAs visited their school for a short presentation. Jesse admittedly doesn’t remember many of the details of the talk, but obviously it made an impression on him and he decided to take accounting in high school and major in it later at St. Edwards in Austin. Staying the Course… One of the items you will notice about Jesse’s career in the interview is that he’s been with the Texas Trucking Association for 20 years. Over that time his role has changed, both in title and responsibilities. His story is a good example of how sometimes it makes sense to look for growth within your own organization and give it 100% in order to be the natural choice when those opportunities do become available. Diversification and service You’ll hear towards the end of the interview that while the CFO role obviously comes with a high level of responsibility, Jesse has made sure that he remains well-rounded through other service efforts and side business projects. He’s very active with the Texas Society of CPAs, has served as Treasurer at his church for many years, assists another local Austin business as their part-time CFO, and he maintains a small tax practice servicing clients on the side. It sounds like he definitely doesn’t get bored.  Jesse is another good example of how you can grow a very successful career through positions in industry. I hope you enjoy this interview… there’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

We were fortunate to have Janice Flynn, the Global Corporate Controller for Rackspace, join us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Staff Auditor, to VP, and onward… Janice’s career has followed the path that most of college students dream of. She started in an internship, her boss referred her into an audit position, she worked for national accounting firms, and now most recently large corporations – progressing with each step along the way.  However, she’s very quick to point out that she has had the good fortune to work for some truly exceptional managers. It’s those managers that she credits with providing her with all of the opportunities she has been blessed with. Empowerment As we got to the point in the interview where we were discussing Rackspace itself, one of the observations Janice made was that Rackspace is highly efficient when it comes to the implementation of new ideas, particularly given that they are an organization of over 5000 employees at this point!  Empowerment of their employees, or ‘Rackers’ as they are called, is key to this efficiency and it’s an important competitive advantage in the technology space. Balance & Priorities Obviously any rapidly-progressing career comes with the necessity of having clear priorities. Janice comments towards the end of the podcast that one of the primary reasons she has been able to continue to advance in her career is that she has an amazingly supportive partner in life – her husband.  Without his unwavering support, she would not have been able to have the career she has been blessed with.  This support, along with the advice she received early on in her career that ‘you have to prioritize what you love’, has been key to maintaining balance along the way. Janice was very kind to share her time and insight with us. This episode is golden if you are searching for how to have a successful, progressive career and achieve reasonable balance in your overall life. Enjoy! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Wendi Christian, VP of Corporate Administration with Script Care, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Interesting fields I asked Wendi to share her story with our audience because many accountants look to get into related fields such as information systems audit and risk management as their careers move forward, and Wendi has done just that. Wendi started her career in public accounting, but then over time moved into internal audit, IT audit, and risk management roles as those opportunities became available.  Since the biggest obstacle to making those types of changes in your career typically is just getting someone to give you a chance, I thought Wendi’s experience in navigating through those different roles would be priceless for people looking to make a change. Association involvement & certification One of the themes you are going to hear throughout the interview is how pursuing related certifications and getting involved in professional associations helped Wendi advance into those rather interesting related fields. Although already a CPA at that point, she had an interest in systems and internal audit and therefore decided to get the CISA certification in order to better position herself for later opportunities – a strategy that ended up working out very well for her. Full circle… Another concern individuals have occasionally about making such a change is whether or not they will be able to return to a traditional accounting role if for some reason they don’t like the new area. Wendi’s career has actually come full circle, with her current role including more traditional accounting duties similar to her earlier career.  However, the systems and risk management experience she received better positioned her for this upper management role at Script Care – the VP of Corporate Administration. I hope you enjoy this episode. Frequently you will hear me reference “everyday heroes in accounting”.  Wendi truly is one of those individuals. I hope to have you join us again next week. There is much more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Ed Polansky was our guest this week for Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Those in Texas will recognize Ed’s name. Ed has served as TSCPA Chair several years ago, worked in the national firms for many years, founded his own firm, eventually merged it into Weaver, and now post-retirement is publishing children’s books! A typical, non-typical beginning… As I’ve learned through many of these podcast interviews, Ed became interested in accounting through a non-typical route, which is actually usually the way it happens. (Does that make sense??) Ed was actually initially interested in Math as a course of study, but as it got more and more advanced, he wasn’t convinced that math at the higher levels had as many practical applications as he would prefer, so he decided on Accounting instead. Through working initially for a sole proprietor, and then later at Arthur Young (EY), he realized that a firm size somewhere in the middle was likely the best fit for him.  Therefore when the time was appropriate, he founded the firm that became Polansky McNutt & Perry, and then a few years back merged it into Weaver. Growing & merging a firm If either of these topics are of interest to you, you will enjoy this podcast. Ed goes into good detail about the early years at Polansky McNutt & Perry, as well as into some of the details around the time of the merger.  Both are very enlightening for those looking to grow their career in public accounting. Publishing a book This episode is also very interesting if you’ve ever thought of publishing a book, whether accounting related or not. Ed published “Oscar the Osprey” not long ago and is considering a 2nd and 3rd book as well.  It’s an idea he actually had very early in life, and now the dream has come to fruition.  If you would like to find out more or order a copy, please visit www.oscartheospreybook.com I hope you find this episode as pleasurable to listen to as I did recording it. See you next week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Craig Fuller, the Executive Director for Daily Bread Ministries, and a CPA that was in public practice for 30 years (!), joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Transition… One of the reasons I asked Craig to join us on the show is that I always find it intriguing how accountants use the skills they gain on the job and through their education to benefit other areas of their life – and in this case a 2nd career.  Craig’s career started in a ‘typical’ sort of fashion in that he majored in accounting and worked in a public accounting firm.  However, after about 30 years in the industry, he decided to make a career change and go into full-time ministry, which launched him along the route that eventually led to his current position as Executive Director for Daily Bread Ministries in San Antonio. Being your own boss A substantial amount of this interview is dedicated to discussing how Craig started a practice in Dalhart, Texas, and ran that practice along with a partner initially for about 30 years. If you are considering ever going out on your own and either starting or purchasing a practice, this episode is yet another you should consider listening to.  Craig shares quite a bit of insight into his journey during those years. 6 million pounds of food…. I didn’t realize until interviewing Craig exactly how large Daily Bread Ministries had become. Currently they distribute over 6 million pounds of food to about 125 local ministries in an effort to assist those organizations with performing their missions.  In addition, DBM hosts training courses in order to further serve those ministries and help them with operational decisions.  If you would like further information on Daily Bread, please visit their website at www.dbmsa.org. I hope you enjoy this episode. Whether you may be considering starting your own firm, or even considering transitioning out of a typical accounting role in order to use your accounting skills elsewhere, this episode will be of great value. Have a great week!  There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Melanie Geist, partner with Ridout Barrett & Company, a CPA firm in San Antonio, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Peace Corp! While it’s not the main point of the interview, one of the interesting elements of Melanie’s background is that she took a short time off to travel with the Peace Corp right after college prior to returning to the states to start her professional career. The Peace Corp stationed her in Nicaragua, a destination she feels fortunate to have been given, and it was there that she formed some life-long relationships – one of which landed her in San Antonio and jump started her career! Ground floor opportunity… She returned to the US and decided on San Antonio partially because she was invited to join a start-up accounting firm ran by Steve Porter CPA, which eventually became Porter & Geist. It was a tremendous opportunity in that it took advantage of some basic skills Melanie had gained in a part-time job during college, but at the same time opened her up to much more opportunity due to the newness of the firm. Buy-out & merger… As her partner neared retirement, Melanie decided to move towards buying out his interest and they came to an agreement. As luck would have it, she also had attracted the attention of the larger firm of Ridout Barrett & Company and was approached shortly thereafter regarding possibly merging her practice into theirs – which was a good opportunity in that it gave her access to more tools and systems at a much faster pace than she would have experienced building them on her own. But it doesn’t stop there… I wouldn’t be doing this interview justice if I said it was all about business strategy. While there certainly are some very valuable lessons in the interview about growing a firm and overall business, Melanie gives so much detail about her personal history and the choices she’s made along the way that there really is something in this interview for everyone, regardless of what stage of life you are in. I hope you enjoy this one. It was fun to record. See you next week… there’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

John Sharbaugh, the recently retired CEO of TSCPA, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. A unique guest… John was a different guest for us in that he didn’t start his career in the profession, but he has had a unique opportunity to study the accounting profession for a period of over 30 years. These 3 decades of involvement with the accounting profession are made up of employment with two state CPA societies prior to Texas (namely Florida & North Carolina), 12 years with AICPA, and then most recently 17 years serving as CEO for the Texas Society of CPAs. Trends in the profession John touches on several factors influencing the profession and goes into depth particularly in the following three areas: technology, globalization, and demographics.  We’ve had a few guests that touched on the demographic changes, but we haven’t had any guests as of yet comment on technology to the extent that John does in this interview, not to mention globalization as well. Personal concerns John touches on a few ideas for his plans post-TSCPA, but primarily emphasizes his intent to serve the organization as long as needed in his new role – Managing Director of Governmental Affairs, thereby allowing the new CEO to fully transition into her role before tackling long-term plans for the governmental affairs position. Make sure you listen in until the end – John shares some valuable insight into personal communications during the “biggest mistake” section of the interview.  All of us could use to be reminded of this occasionally in our work lives. I hope you enjoy this episode. I was honored that John would take the time out to share with us, and you won’t regret spending the time to listen in… it’s packed with value. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

This is a first for us… Derek Schriver of Schriver Carmona & Company, the partner of Chris Carmona – a previous guest, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. The rest of the story… After interviewing Chris Carmona a couple months back, I found the story of how they began that firm so interesting that I thought it would be beneficial to get Derek’s input as well on how they decided to start the firm as well as his own career journey of course. And for the record, Derek said Chris got the details “99% correct”.  You will be able to tell from both interviews that Schriver Carmona & Company definitely has a healthy culture and an impressive record given that it’s only been 6 years since they formed the company and acquired their first practice. Acquiring a practice… This interview was different in that I took the opportunity to find out many more details about the practice acquisition process and how they made those decisions. If you are considering starting your business by acquiring an existing practice, this episode will be extremely valuable.  Derek shares insight on the important items to consider when looking at a practice such as the transition timeline, make-up of the team, etc. He was 28! It will surprise you after you listen to all the detail that Derek shares, but at the end you will hear Derek reference the fact that he was only 28 years old when all this started with the acquisition of the first firm. You’ll also hear that his background was primarily audit, and that the practice they acquired was primarily tax-based.  Derek truly removes all the excuses from anyone thinking about following in his footsteps… except that of hard-work.  He definitely references the need for a strong work ethic, particularly in the early days. I hope you enjoy this episode. It’s a gold mine if you are considering ever starting your own firm. Here we go… enjoy! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Our guest for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting was none other than Bruce Howard, Career Advisor at Texas State University… and a former Accountant! A humble beginning in Accounting Bruce has come full-circle in that he originally graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) with his accounting degree. He started his career at Tesoro in a ‘rotational program’ where he was able to try out several different departments, and ended up choosing to work in corporate accounting.  Similar to our previous guest Bill Schneider that has built his career at AT&T by continuing to grow internally, Bruce worked his way through approximately 10-12 different roles in his 21 years at Tesoro and much enjoyed the experience. Developing the Accounting Workforce After his tenure at Tesoro, he changed the direction of his career and moved into the workforce development field. Since then he has worked in marketing and recruiting for a CPA firm, worked as an Associate Director in Career Services at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), and now serves as Career Advisor & Liaison to the McCoy School of Business at Texas State University.  Career choices One of the primary reasons I wanted to get Bruce on our show is to discuss how to make all the choices that are necessary when starting your career. We spend much of the time on the podcast discussing how to choose between the different choices of accounting careers, as well as how to position yourself to get the job opportunities you want. Bruce truly is servant-minded and I feel like you will get tremendous value out of this episode, particularly if you are considering accounting as a career or trying to figure out the best route to take early on in your professional life. We’ll see you next week! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

David Holt, CE instructor and owner of HoltCPE, shared his time with us on this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Since David generally gets paid for speaking on some of these topics, I very much appreciated him taking the time out to record this podcast. 24 years David’s entrance into the continuing education world started when he began teaching in-house classes for the CPA firm he worked for early in his career. He enjoyed teaching and so he expanded into providing courses after-hours while still working during the day, and then eventually went full-time into the business in 1993. Handling ethical dilemmas… We talk quite a bit in this episode about how to prevent ethical situations from arising in the first place, as well as how to navigate the issue when they unfortunately do come up. One of the comments I found most valuable is that David talks about how to make the situation a win-win by treating the situation as one where you are protecting the individual from getting into trouble, as opposed to turning it into an adversarial conversation. Proudest moment – Not what you may think… I rarely mention a guest’s ‘proudest moment’ in the show-notes, but in this case it’s something that definitely warrants inclusion on this page. I’ll let you hear the details from David himself in the recording, but suffice it to say that helped a family friend through an addiction issue that may have ultimately saved their life.  (As a side note, TSCPA has an assistance program as well to address these needs.  Visit the site for the Accountants Confidential Assistance Network at https://www.tscpa.org/advocacy/acan for details.) David was very open and transparent in this podcast and I hope you benefit from the frank discussion. We hope to have you join us again soon… there’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Bill Schneider, Director of Accounting Policy at AT&T in Dallas, joined us for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Moving on up! One of the more rare aspects of this interview versus others is that we typically talk about the guest’s job changes as they have moved to different employers throughout their career. Bill is different though in that he’s invested the last 25 years of his career with the same company – AT&T – and it has paid off.  I was hoping to get some insight from Bill on how to manage one’s career when you want to stay at the same company but still continue to grow, and he definitely delivered in that area.  Bill shares some wisdom on how to better facilitate getting a variety of opportunities presented to you while still remaining at the same organization. Involvement Bill also talks quite a bit about the value of being involved in your professional association. Bill’s a little different from our previous guests in this respect as well – he’s actually been a leader in two state organizations – the Georgia Society of CPAs as well as TSCPA. Make sure you stay tuned until the end of this episode. When we get to “The Final Four Questions”, Bill shares a story of a management mistake he made earlier on in his career and what he learned from it.  I know I definitely found the insight valuable, and I’m sure you will as well. If you would like to contact Bill for further information, he can be reached through LinkedIn or at the email address he shares near the end of the interview. Here we go!  Enjoy… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

The incoming Chair for TSCPA, Jim Oliver, joined us this week on Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Not Being Afraid of Risk If you’ve interacted with Jim before, this may surprise you somewhat. Jim is a very conscientious, caring, and seemingly cautious individual, but if you look at his career he has taken several calculated risks that ended up working out well for him in business. Although he references “five or six” other ventures that failed, he successfully built Financial Life Advisors into a well-recognized and respected financial planning organization, as well as Jim Oliver & Associates, a successful niche CPA firm that recently merged with Calvetti Ferguson out of Houston. Jim’s role in the newly-merged organization is that of a Partner in their High Net Worth Practice, which matches his pre-merger specialty. TSCPA – Growth Through Service Although Jim worked in public accounting prior to starting his practice, he worked entirely in audit and then started a practice comprised primarily of tax work. It was at this point that he decided to get involved with TSCPA in order to expand his tax knowledge through both continuing education and through volunteering in tax-related committee work such as representing the Chapter on call-in radio programs answering tax questions from the public. The upcoming years with TSCPA In this episode Jim talks about some of his goals for these next few years of service to TSCPA. His overarching goal though is to help TSCPA move forward in the direction as desired by the members.  Among his planned efforts are: 1) continuing to facilitate student relationships, 2) strengthening outreach to the Big 4 firms, 3) expanding communications with the Chapters, and 4) serving as a resource in any way needed by the new CEO of TSCPA – Jodi Ann LaFreniere Ray. So much more to say… Although Jim is a very humble individual, he is also a very accomplished individual. There is much more I could write about his career in particular, but in order to get the best value out of the insight he shares it’s best to hear it for yourself in the audio podcast. I know you will thoroughly enjoy our interview with Jim. Please enjoy… there’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

Mark Rich, CPA & Director of Investments with Kimbell Art Foundation in Fort Worth, was our guest for this week’s episode of Life In Accounting. This episode was a little different in that while we talked about Mark’s career journey, we also took a deep dive into the demographic statistics of the CPA profession in Texas. Volunteer efforts Mark has been involved heavily in the Accounting Careers Education committee for the Fort Worth Chapter of TSCPA. In this capacity, he has been instrumental in getting professionals to do career-potential presentations at both the community college level as well as at the four-year universities. In addition, Mark volunteered to do a demographic analysis of the CPA workforce in Texas for the purposes of analyzing how baby-boomer retirements and the entry rate of millennials into the profession may ultimately affect the workforce. There are several conclusions that can be drawn from the analysis, and Mark goes into some of those possibilities in the audio interview. The importance of a positive influence… Another theme that flows throughout this interview is the importance of a positive career role model. Mark has had the benefit of many role models in both his professional and personal life. His grandfather, father, two uncles, and even his twin brother are CPAs, not to mention a few in his wife’s family as well.  Plus, he credits much of his recent professional development to his boss at the foundation – Brenda Cline. This episode contains more analytical discussion than our typical shows, but the implications are important to consider – even for your own personal career. If you would like to reach Mark for more information, he can easily be reached through LinkedIn (Mark Rich – Dallas/Fort Worth area) I hope you enjoy! Have a great week! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

We were very fortunate to get on the calendar of the current TSCPA Chairperson – Kathy Kapka – for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast. Finding Your Calling at 50 This episode is about much, much more than just this topic, but one of the facts I found interesting about Kathy’s journey was that like many people, she tried out several career paths – tax, audit, governmental related accounting, etc – before finding what was truly the best fit for her – teaching future leaders in our profession. It was while developing the Internal Audit function at the UT Tyler campus that the Dean asked her to teach a course.  She was resistant at first – she was an auditor, not a teacher – but she decided to give it a shot.  It wasn’t long until she realized that the day she looked forward to the most each week was the day that she taught that one course on campus.  It was at this point – at about 50 years old – that she found her true calling. TSCPA Her involvement with TSCPA started purely as an effort to educate herself further on GASB. As she got more involved at the chapter though, she was eventually asked to serve in one of the appointed roles at the Executive Board level which ultimately led to being nominated several times for the TSCPA Chair position. Important Mentors Kathy credits several people with helping her along in her journey. Among those mentioned are Barbara Bass, Fred Timmons, and Jeff Gregg.  Barbara was the individual that originally encouraged Kathy to become a CPA in the first place, and has since remained a great friend.  Fred & Jeff are both dedicated TSCPA volunteers as well as colleagues in the profession and helped Kathy as she grew in her involvement with the CPA association. Kathy is an extremely personable and transparent individual. If you would like to contact her for further information, she can be reached at kkapka@uttyler.edu. I know you will thoroughly enjoy this interview. There’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com PS:  If you would like to find out more about UT Tyler’s online programs, please visit the online portal at http://online.uttyler.edu/.  Have a great week!

Our guest this week was Chris Williams CPA of the CPA firm Williams Crow Mask (WCM). WCM is a 3rd generation firm in San Antonio that was built on the core purpose of “having a positive impact”.  It was clear throughout our interview that the positive impact Chris referred to was not just on the outside community, but within the firm as well as evidenced by the high number of long-term employees WCM has been able to retain. “I’m flattered, but no thanks” Chris comes from a family of CPAs – his grandfather, father, and mother were all in the accounting profession. However, and perhaps because of this, Chris initially avoided accounting as his career of choice.  His career actually started in the investment industry.  After joining an investment advising firm and becoming introduced to tax preparation through that position, he eventually decided that it would be a good opportunity to join his family’s practice as a part of a succession plan as well as to take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time with his parents. “Surround yourself with good people and try to learn from them” One of the themes that flows throughout the interview is that Chris very much appreciates the opportunity to work with their team each and every day.  He’s very sincere about how fortunate he feels to be a part of the leadership of this firm that was founded by his grandfather in the 1950’s. “Try to improve yourself everyday” Another philosophy that is very apparent with Chris is that although the firm is decades old, he definitely doesn’t now, and likely never will, feel they have “arrived”.   Chris is a big believer in constant learning and working to improve yourself on an ongoing basis. I’m sure you will thoroughly enjoy this episode. If you would like to contact Chris, he can be reached at 210-684-1071, or by email at cwilliams@wcmtexas.com. Have a great week! There’s more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

John Bruce, Tax Partner with the San Antonio office of BKD, joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting. John’s story is an excellent example of achieving success through hard-work and investing in yourself. Finding your purpose John actually started as an Engineering major early in his college career, but after getting through the first couple years he didn’t feel that engineering was going to be his true calling. Instead of immediately switching to a different major though, he took some time off from school and went to work for a golf course.  This experience helped him to realize that he should buckle down and finish his education, so he worked with a counselor at the university and determined that accounting would be a better major to consider. Obviously that ended up being the right choice! Insights John shared several professional insights in this interview. Among them was that young professionals should be ready and willing to continue to invest in their own learning.  We are in an industry that is constantly changing, and it takes an investment of time (sometimes personal time) in order to keep up. John is a very customer-focused individual as well and shared another favorite quote: “Don’t tell me why we can’t; tell me how we can.”  This is a prime example of the positive, solutions-oriented attitude that has served him well through the years – eventually landing him a partnership role at a regional firm. I hope you enjoy this episode – it truly is packed with insight into what it takes to be successful in the professional world. If you would like to contact John for more information about BKD or his own personal journey, John can be contacted at (210) 341-9400. Until next time… there’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content. Thank you!

I’ve been wanting to interview the shareholders at ATKG about their unique take on CPA firm culture and how that fits into their overall strategy in the market for quite some time. When Accounting Today recognized them … again… as one of the “Best Firms To Work For” nationwide, it became even that more important that we get them on the show. In this episode, I interview both Melanie Kirk and Teryn Grater of ATKG on their personal backgrounds as well as their philosophies about business and running a successful accounting firm. Client selection… Among the many aspects that are involved with running a successful firm and retaining your best people, one of the core issues Melanie and Teryn believe is key is to make sure your clients fit with your overall firm culture. While there is a part of them that wants to assist every client, and we all know there is always plenty work, they realized years ago that they wouldn’t be the perfect fit for everyone.  And if they did accept any and all business, then it would have a detrimental effect on their team members.  Consequently, ATKG has endeavored to stay true to their core business and only accept those clients that they truly feel are a good fit both ways. The team is key… A consistent theme throughout this interview is that their team is key to their success. They realized while still a very small firm that if they wanted to grow and take good care of their clients, having the right people on board and minimizing turnover was a necessity.  As you will hear throughout the session, they go to great lengths to create an environment where all team members are appreciated and feel comfortable continuing to grow their careers with the firm. For further information on any of the organizations mentioned in the program, please visit any of the links at NAWBO, EO, or Women’s Global Connection. Also, more information about ATKG can be found at http://www.atkgcpa.com or by contacting Annette Goodson, their recruiting manager. I hope you enjoy! Have a great week, Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content.  Thank you!

Chris Carmona, partner at Schriver Carmona and Company, was my guest for this episode of Life In Accounting. “Do you want to buy a practice?” Chris started Schriver Carmona and Company in 2010 when he was contacted by his now partner, Derek Schriver, by email asking him if he was interested in going in together to buy a practice from a sole proprietor that was retiring. Six months, and one SBA loan later, Chris and Derek were in business. “Knowing how to run a business” One of the insights that Chris shares in the interview is that although technical proficiency is obvious important in the accounting profession, knowing how to actually run a business is at least as important once you take the step to go out on your own. Personnel issues, strategy issues, and creating the culture you want become front of mind as you work towards growing the firm of your dreams. Family Chris credits much of his success to his positive family role models – his grandfather and his uncle. His grandfather was positive role model with respect to being a great encourager throughout life, and his uncle Mark Carmona has been a prime example of achieving balance between all the aspects of life that you hold dear. Engagement advice… I don’t want to spoil the story, but if you don’t listen to the end you will be missing out on a great story of how Chris approached proposing to his wife. It’s not exactly a blueprint of the perfect proposal, but it’s a story you certainly don’t want to miss. Non-profit interest Chris has been involved in the non-profit community for a while, and if you would like information on the two organizations he specifically mentions in the show please visit KIPP or Guide Dogs of Texas. He can also be contacted at ccarmona@scc-cpa.com. Until next week… there’s more to come! Mark Goldman CPA President – Where Accountants Go www.WhereAccountantsGo.com markg@whereaccountantsgo.com   If you found this episode beneficial and haven’t subscribed yet, please visit https://whereaccountantsgo.com/blog/ and click on the orange “Subscribe” button in the upper right hand corner to be notified every time we post new content.  Thank you!

Harriet Marmon Helmle was our guest for this 10th episode of Life In Accounting, The Where Accountants Go podcast. Harriet’s story would be interesting enough if we only covered her career, but what makes it vastly more intriguing is how she founded a local charity while dealing with a medical issue that caused her to have to endure multiple surgeries earlier in her life. An interesting start… Harriet’s career started outside of accounting, in retail operations. She found that the operational side of retail wasn’t quite her calling, but was swayed to stay with the Joske’s company by her boss who convinced her to try out the accounting department. It was only later in life that she started to pursue the CPA exam, a feat she took on while not able to work due to a medical challenge. When she returned to work, she joined PwC, eventually moved into industry, and later on joined Covenant Multi-Family Offices where she serves as “Client Relations”, a role she thoroughly enjoys. San Antonio Youth Literacy Harriet credits her entry into the non-profit world to Dr. Jesse DeLee. While feeling very down about her medical situation during a follow-up appointment, Dr. DeLee challenged her to identify 1 person a day that she would not trade places with, and figure out how that person could be helped… for 30 days.  She realized through this process that everyone she was identifying had 1 major issue  – they couldn’t read.  It was this experience that drove her to found SAYL, an organization that has turned into a reading program serving school districts in the San Antonio area. Many others… There are many organizations that have benefited from Harriet’s drive to give back to the community. Way to many to list in fact.  We do discuss a few others on the program though – Haven for Hope and Girls Inc – so we wanted to provide those links as well. A request… If you are considering finding a spot to donate your talents during this upcoming year, please consider one or more of these organizations. One of Harriet’s dreams is for SAYL to enlist 7,000 more volunteers for just 1 hour per week – a number that would allow them to service every child in need in San Antonio. For more information on SAYL, please contact Executive Director Deborah Valdez at 210-299-1533 or through their website at http://www.sayl.org/ You are welcome to contact Harriet as well for more information at harriet.helmle@covenantmfo.co, or harriet@svpsa.org – her latest non-profit building endeavor (Social Venture Partners) I hope you enjoy this wonderful story. There’s more to come… 🙂   Find us on Youtube as well!  

Susan Hough of PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) joined us for this episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast.  Susan’s career has spanned public accounting, private industry, consulting, and now even business development – an area that she excels in.  We learned a lot about Susan’s career journey as well as her foundational beliefs in this interview. I actually liked accounting… One of the quotes that caught my attention was that she had taken an accounting course and “actually liked it”. I found that both humorous and insightful.  It’s difficult to know what may appeal to you and become your true calling until you try a few things.  Accounting has obviously ended up being an excellent career choice for Susan. “If you don’t like it, you can always quit!” After 20 years at USAA, she decided to take big risk and do something entirely different. She was considering accepting a new role in business development with RGP, a consulting firm, when she sought advice from her friends and family.  The consensus from her friends and family at that time can basically be summarized as, “if you don’t like it, you can always quit”, so she decided to try the role.  It worked out very well and she led the San Antonio office for several years.  As it turned out, Susan truly enjoyed the people interaction that came with the position.  It fit well with her strengths. Most recently Susan has transitioned to a new challenge leading the business development efforts for the newly opened PwC office in San Antonio. In this role she is responsible for developing relationships in the local market for all service areas for this national accounting firm. Susan readily admits that passing the CPA exam was a difficult endeavor for her, but one that has definitely paid off. Another quote from Susan in this interview is, “Life is not a spectator sport,” – you have to be responsible for your own growth and development if you wish to continue to move up and achieve success in your career. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I enjoyed being able to record it and bring it to you. (If you would like to contact Susan directly, she welcomes you to call her mobile at 210-416-7595 or email her at Susan.Hough@PwC.com ) Until next time, there’s more to come…   Find us on Youtube as well!  

This week we did a special format just for Thanksgiving. Instead of interviewing a VIP in the accounting world, I chose to do something I’ve been needing to do for a while now… beg for feedback!  🙂 I very, very sincerely appreciate all the listeners to the Life In Accounting podcast as well as the users of the Where Accountants Go site. Since launching on October 1st, we have had 700 unique visitors to the website, and over 1000 downloads of our podcasts!  I’m very humbled by how fast the listenership has grown. Feedback One thing that would be very helpful is to get your feedback on both the podcast and the website itself. I’ve built the site and podcast in an effort to provide a unique service to the accounting community, but I know there is much, much more we can do with it.  If you could give us feedback on some of the following, it would be much appreciated and highly valued: What have you found beneficial? What improvements would you like to see? How did you find us? If there was 1 thing you would like to see going forward, what would that be? Any other thoughts you have… Thank you very much for considering giving us your thoughts. I can be emailed directly at markg@whereaccountantsgo.com. Thanks-giving… I also shared a thought on Thanksgiving and how you can take advantage of this time of year to make a difference in both your own life & career as well as the lives of others you know. Please listen to the podcast for details.  It’s a borrowed idea, but well repurposed I believe to serve you in this Thanksgiving time of year. Once again, please don’t be shy with your feedback. Email me at markg@whereaccountantsgo.com, or feel free to use the contact form on the bottom of this page to send us your thoughts as well. Next week we come back with another personal interview with a VIP from the accounting community, so stay tuned! There is more to come… Mark Goldman CPA President Where Accountants Go

One of the joys of being involved in associations is seeing new professionals getting started in their careers and still making the time to give back to the community. In this episode, I interviewed both Bryan Morgan and Sara Vargas about their experiences serving in the Student Auxiliary for the San Antonio CPA Chapter, as well as how they navigated their own internship opportunities and successfully landed at a national accounting firm. Paying it forward… Sara & Bryan were instrumental in the creation of a mentor program for community college students in the San Antonio area that were going to be transitioning to UTSA. Being that both them were ‘non-traditional’ students and had transferred in from community college, they realized that having someone to guide you on the right path was extremely helpful in making that transfer. With the support of the SACPA staff, Bryan and Sara created a program whereby students already far along in their pursuit of a CPA-qualifying 5 year degree at UTSA could mentor and guide community college students transferring in from several of the different schools around San Antonio. By participating in this mentorship program, the community college students were able to get more thorough information about the opportunities that exist in accounting, as well as ensure that they were making an educated decision about their choice to pursue the CPA certification route. Internships… Advice that Sara & Bryan share on having a successful internship includes: Have confidence in yourself, Keep your attitude in check, and Ask a lot of questions! Since their internship experiences eventually landed them positions at prestigious firms, it sounds like it is advice that works! I hope you enjoy this episode. It is somewhat longer due to having multiple guests, but the variety of information that comes along with the expanded format is well worth the time to listen. If you wish to contact either Bryan or Sara about their experiences or for details on the mentorship program, please email us at info@www.whereaccountantsgo.com and we will get you in touch with them ASAP. Until next time – there’s more to come!   Find us on Youtube as well!  

We were able to interview Blythe Arguez from the talent acquisition team at the national accounting firm – RSM for this episode. Blythe’s career started in finance actually, and then she figured that accounting would be a better fit for her long-term career and she ended up deciding to go back to school to finish out the requirements to sit for the CPA exam based on her job prospects with Deloitte at the time. Finding your path… Blythe’s story is an excellent example of trying several different areas over time in order to find out what the best fit is for your long-term interests. She started in financial planning, moved into tax with a national firm, tried third-party recruiting for a while, and then settled into a position with Padgett Stratemann (now RSM) where all her experience and strengths mesh well with the duties and responsibilities she handles in talent acquisition. Pursue your CPA… One of the pieces of advice Blythe passes on is to make sure that you fully understand the coursework and other requirements necessary to become a CPA when going through school, and that you pursue it immediately without letting time pass after graduation. Although she pursued it later on due to her background being in finance initially, she admits that it was difficult to get back into proper study habits and do what was necessary to get the exam passed.  It was an important achievement, but it definitely came with some sacrifice. Start early… Another piece of advice Blythe passes on to students is to get started networking early. Don’t wait until you are right on the cusp of needing to secure an internship.  Start going to career fairs early in order to educate yourself on how they work and start to meet some of the people that you will later need to know in order to get your career started. Blythe was definitely very forthcoming with her own story and I hope that you are able to take away some nuggets of wisdom for your own career. If you would like to contact Blythe, the easiest approach is to connect with her on LinkedIn or message her through the service. Have a great week!   Find us on Youtube as well!  

In this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast, I sat down with Michael Tompkins, CPA, of CPA Tech Group. Michael’s career transition… Michael started at his parent’s CPA firm in Houston but quickly moved into systems work. He has degrees in both accounting and information systems from Texas A&M, which made it easier for him to enter the IT arena.  After working in IT audit for a few years with Deloitte, he felt a calling to start his own IT consulting firm in New Braunfels when visiting family and decided to start CPA Tech Group in 2013. We’re all in sales… One of the nuggets of wisdom that Michael shares is that we all are in sales in some way or another, and particularly if you are self-employed. Many people start a business by building infrastructure and overhead prior to making the first sale.  Michael is a believer in quite the opposite – building the sales first. Michael’s friend – Mr. Wonderful… Well maybe friend is too strong a word, but Michael does share his experience meeting Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank. While attending a peer group workshop – the benefits of which we could do a whole separate podcast on – he was able to hear insight and advice from the Shark Tank investor himself. Michael talks about many other professional issues such as the value of certification as well as how to improve your public speaking ability, but it’s difficult to summarize a 30 minute show in just a few show notes. It’s best to listen to get the full context. If you are interested in speaking with Michael or finding out more about his company and service, please visit his website at www.cpatechgroup.com.  His company helps CPA firms handle manage their information technology needs in both San Antonio and Austin. I hope you enjoy. We have more to come soon!   Find us on Youtube as well!  

In this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast, Bobby Rios joins us from Bartlett Cocke General Contractors in San Antonio. Bobby serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Bartlett Cocke and is very active in the community as well. In this episode, Bobby shares his journey from getting into accounting “by chance” 🙂 , through several increases in responsibility, to eventually becoming the CFO of this large general contractor. In addition to his professional career, Bobby serves on the board and as a volunteer for several non-profit organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the Children’s Bereavement Center, and Schreiner University. I hope you enjoy the interview with Bobby Rios. It is a story of how you can achieve a successful career as well as balance giving back to the community in a highly meaningful way. If you have an interest in the 5K fundraiser for the Chldren’s Bereavment Center he mentions, you can get details at: http://cbcst.org/event/brew-ha-roundup-10k-run-5k-walkrun-and-kids-walkrun/ Here it is… enjoy! Find us on Youtube as well!  

Welcome Hector Hernandez to Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Hector was an excellent guest to interview. He shared career-related insight that has contributed to his own success in the many facets of his professional life, but also some general life philosophy that has served him well also over the years. Hector’s career started in industry – in fact in cost accounting – then took him into public accounting with Arthur Andersen. After that firm disbanded he faced a decision – what did he want to do with his career going forward? Join us for this episode of Life in Accounting where Hector shares his decision to go into financial planning and his career leading up to that, as well as a few words of wisdom about the power of ‘saying yes.’ To reach Hector Hernandez directly, you may email hhernandez@moneyconcepts.com or call 210-325-0717. Stay tuned for another interview podcast shortly… there’s more to come! To listen to this interview, please use the player below or Youtube.

Our guest for this episode was none other than Professor Dennis Elam of Texas A&M’s San Antonio campus. Professor Elam is well-known amongst accounting professionals in San Antonio, and was hired to teach the first accounting courses that were taught at this particular A&M campus. Dennis has a very interesting story that spans several facets of accounting, as many careers do, and is a big believer in certifications as well – a feeling we both share. I hope you get some insight into your own career and possibly future choices as you listen to this episode, and if you would like to know more about Professor Elam feel free to contact him at dennis.elam@att.net or visit his blog at: http://professorelam.typepad.com Thank you for joining us for this episode of Life In Accounting, the Where Accountants Go podcast. Please check us out on Youtube, or you can listen to the podcast through the player below:  

Welcome to the first official interview episode of Life In Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast! In this episode Don Maranca, a CPA and the owner of JDSM Enterprises, shares his journey from becoming a CPA, through a career in public accounting, industry, and several types of consulting, until eventually he started JDSM Enterprises, a business located in San Antonio, Texas. But it doesn’t stop there… Don also shares some wisdom for those considering starting their own business, whether it would be an accounting-related business or in an entirely different field.   If you are in public accounting – this podcast is for you… If you are in industry – this podcast is for you… If you are in consulting – this podcast is for you… And if you are self-employed or are considering it – this podcast is for you as well! Don was very open about his journey and shares quite a bit of insight that he gathered along the way.  I hope you enjoy the interview! For more information on Don Maranca and JDSM Enterprises, please visit http://jdsmenterprises.com/ Thank you! Mark Goldman, CPA President Where Accountants Go   Find us on Youtube as well!   

Thank you for joining me for the inaugural edition of “Life in Accounting: The Where Accountants Go podcast“! This episode is a little different than the future episodes of the show. In future episodes, we will interview everyday heroes in accounting from all walks of life.  However, in this episode I try to answer some of the questions that may be on our visitors minds such as: What is ‘Where Accountants Go’ exactly? Who is it for? Is it simply another job board? Why a podcast??? … and many other questions that may be on your mind as you peruse the new site. Overall, I hope that the Where Accountants Go site and the Life In Accounting podcast can be a resource to you in many, many aspects of your career. Thank you again for joining us! Mark Goldman CPA President Where Accountants Go