Company: CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Title: Consulting and Accounting Solutions Team (CAST) Client Leader
Length of FEI sponsorship: 2 years
Length of FEI membership: 8 years
FEI Leadership involvement: Past member of the membership committee and current member of the programs committee
Work email: [email protected]
Work phone number: (813) 598-6236
Tell us a little bit about your career, educational/professional background and how you got to where you are today.
I graduated from the University of Florida in 2000 and have lived in Tampa since then. I’ve worked in both public accounting and private industry, but I prefer the variety of public accounting, the top-notch training and all of the different people you get to meet. Throughout my public accounting career, I’ve audited a variety of companies from startups to multi-billion-dollar entities.
In July 2018, I accepted a leadership role in our rapidly-growing consulting team at CLA in Tampa. We specialize in helping companies with large-scale accounting projects, workflow demands and vital interim financial roles.
What is one piece of information you wish someone had told you when you first started your career?
I wish someone had told me to always be yourself. I think my current firm does a great job with this through our coaching process and I often discuss this with staff and students.Public accounting can be very stressful if you are being pulled in different directions, especially directions that take you “off course” from your long-term goals. I always think “what do I want to be doing 5, 10, or 20 years from now?” and try to ensure that I’m working towards achieving those goals each day.
Do you think it takes a certain kind of personality to thrive in your field? What traits are most important?
In order to thrive in public accounting, you have to have a positive attitude and a good work ethic. You also have to be an effective leader. The best leaders that I’ve seen have a “servant leader” mentality. Servant leaders inspire action by seeking ways to help their clients and teams achieve their goals, rather than putting the focus on themselves. The best servant leaders are optimistic, confident, supportive and decisive, and motivate others through their selfless actions. People want to work with those types of leaders. Those types of leaders also develop their teams very effectively.
What is your best networking tip?
I have a goal to meet two to three new people at each networking event. I then follow up with those two to three people to schedule a one-on-one coffee or lunch to get to know them better. In public accounting, it’s all about developing and deepening relationships. That’s one of the aspects of my job that I really enjoy.
What are some of your personal hobbies outside of work?
I have 6 children under the age of 14, so my “hobbies” are watching them grow up and coaching or attending their events. All of my kids play soccer and a few other sports during the year, so keeping up with them is almost a full-time job. When I do have extra time, I enjoy travelling, cooking, exercising, playing golf and watching Florida Gator football and basketball.