Janice O’Reilly Honored as Woman to Watch

AAFCPAs is excited to announce Janice O’Reilly, CPA, CGMA will be honored as a recipient of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs’ (MSCPA) 10th Annual Women to Watch Awards. These prestigious awards honor women who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession, their organizations, community, and in the development of women as leaders. Janice will be recognized in the Experienced Leader category.
As a partner in AAFCPAs’ consulting division and head of the Managed Accounting Solutions (MAS) practice, Janice’s enthusiastic leadership has enabled the MAS practice to thrive. She is a charismatic leader and collaborative senior finance and business executive with an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving, and extensive global operating experience.
“Janice is a passionate individual who brings years of proven business experience to our fortunate clients who benefit from her pragmatism, judgement, and high energy,” said Carla McCall, AAFCPAs’ Co-Managing Partner.
Janice has been a career-long advocate and regular speaker on the topic of retaining and re-entering women in the accounting profession. When asked “Why?” Janice reflects on an unforgettable comment made 24 years ago while attending a women CPAs networking event, where someone remarked about the issue of “women deserting the profession.” “Just because people have transitions and families, doesn’t mean they’re deserting,” says Janice. “It means we need to be accommodating to attract and retain women.” At the time, Janice was balancing her new family commitments with her career, and had recently transitioned from Deloitte to a part-time role at a Venture Capital firm.  She credits this remark as being a pivotal driver in her career, and the impetus of her efforts as a leader of workplace initiatives to provide opportunities and exposure for professionals in transition.
When former stay-at-home mom Linda Gable, CPA decided to return to corporate tax after several years raising her family, she knew it would be a challenge. “I had been consulting, but had a resume gap in corporate tax experience, and I just wasn’t getting interviews. When I did, I would be asked if I was sure I wanted to work full time,” said Linda, who is now a Tax Manager at Mimecast. “It was frustrating, because why would I be putting myself out there if I didn’t? I was introduced to Janice O’Reilly through Bentley University’s Fast Track Job Search Group, and she had faith in me and my skills, and hired me full time at TechTarget. My story is not unique. In fact, it’s very common for women professionals today, and leaders like Janice are critical. She worried less about me having the latest technical skills, and instead focused on my aptitude. Janice was a key to my reentry into the accounting profession, and I will always value her mentorship as I re-acclimated.”  
Janice served as CFO & Treasurer at TechTarget, Inc. (“TTGT” NASDAQ) from 2011-2016. Women CFOs are still very much a minority in the US, especially in publicly traded companies. Janice recalls that she would participate in roadshows and investor conferences nationwide with 1,000 people and be one of only 7 women in attendance. When leading equity transactions, including TTGT’s secondary offering, she recalls being at the table with the 28 professionals involved—lawyers, bankers, accountants—and she was the only woman. Her female finance team members at the time asked “are you nervous to be the only women?” She says “I grew up in a house with 5 brothers, and my mother died when I was a teen. I am used to a male-dominated environment.” The fact that her team members asked her this question only motivated her further.
“Janice’s diverse background as public company CFO, an angel investor, board member, consultant, president, and Treasurer make her pragmatic advice highly sought-after by our growing client base,” adds McCall. “AAFCPAs is thrilled because our clients greatly benefit and appreciate her unique perspective to increase the effectiveness of many business dealings, and she accomplishes all with her proven style of genuine care and authenticity.”
Janice will share the stage this year with AAFCPAs’ Manager Tracy LeMaire, CPA, MBA, who will be honored in the Emerging Leaders category.
This year’s winners were selected by a panel of past award recipients and MSCPA leadership, and will be recognized at the Women’s Leadership Summit on October 25 at the Westin Waterfront, Boston. AAFCPAs will host tables at the event and our proud team will lead the standing ovations!
Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA was honored in 2013 in the Experienced Leader category. Katie Belanger, CPA was honored in 2014.