An Emerging Leader’s Perspective: ONE piece of advice I would have wanted when I started my career…

I was recently honored at the MSCPA’s 2018 Women’s Leadership Summit as an Emerging Leader/2018 Women to Watch Awards—which was a great honor, especially since many colleagues from AAFCPAs along with my Mom, Dad, and husband Mat were there to celebrate this success!
This recognition lead to a significant realization for me: I may be a role model or mentor to someone. The transition from mentee to mentor was subtle and surreal. My husband said to me: “Don’t you realize the younger staff are watching you?” It occurred to me that people could be looking up to me even though I may not realize it, and so I now have new responsibilities.
I began my career at AAFCPAs in 2010 as a staff accountant with a plan to soak in as much as possible, and to seek out a variety of work experiences immediately. I did rotations in tax, nonprofit, government, and employee benefit plan audits, and eventually commercial audits. For me, commercial audits were the intersection of my passion and function. I am especially passionate about advising closely-held companies, including early growth-stage companies where I feel like I provide real value as a business advisor. I get to know the owners who are focused on growing their companies. Additionally, there is no one-size-fits-all for commercial businesses; each client and industry are unique! I love learning about their nuances, and what inspires these entrepreneurial leaders.
I would not have confirmed my passion as early on without seeking out exposure to all that the firm had to offer.
In preparation for the panel discussion at the Women’s Leadership Summit, I was asked to think about: ONE piece of advice I would have wanted to know when I started my career that would have helped me along the way.
Continue reading about the one piece of advice that Tracy LeMaire, CPA, MBA, Manager would have wanted to know when she started her career. >>>