In this edition of Beyond the Numbers, Bernadette Grattan, Founder & Recruiting Director at The Resource Link, is joined by Erin Leonard, an Accounting Consultant.
Was the Overtime Worth It
Erin reflected on her early career and realized it was worth it. She said, “Hindsight is everything, but when I look at 22-year-old Erin slaving away in public accounting, I would tell her that it’s definitely worth it.” She elaborated on her past uncertainties, “I spent some part of my 20s, wondering if I was working too much and was it going to be worth it? My friends who were in a different career field didn’t have to put as much time in. Maybe they weren’t as settled into their career as I was. I felt like, ‘am I missing out’ or ‘should I be doing more?’”
Erin then described her attempts to balance her work and personal development: “I tried to do both. I was studying for the CPA exams while working during the busy season and all of that. I was asking myself if this is even worth it?”
With 17 years of experience behind her, Erin now confidently said that her efforts paid off. She stated, “I’d say yes! My return is a little bit later, which is after 17 years. Maybe my friends in their 20s are about to extend their 20s a bit longer than I did. My face will thank me for it.”
TL;DR: Erin advised accountants that her hard work and sacrifices in her early career were worth it. She confirmed that her initial dedication has paid off and has allowed for the life and flexibility she has now.
Focus on Personal Interests, Not Just Career Milestones
Erin emphasized the importance of identifying the aspects of the job that resonate with you. “I like seeing the big picture. I was like many CPAs who are focused on which experiences I need to build in my resume to become a Controller or a CFO. I wasn’t focusing on what I liked or the people I was working within those experiences,” she admitted.
Reflecting on her past experiences, she added, “I had experiences in M&A, system implementations, and consolidations. Those are all great. But what did I actually like about those experiences?”
She discovered her preference for non-monotonous work, problem-solving, and interacting with different people. “What I liked about all of that is that it wasn’t monotonous. In accounting, you’re doing the month-end close all the time. I did not enjoy that.” Erin then listed her preferences as she explained, “I enjoyed doing projects, solving problems, and interacting with different people in the companies I was working for.”
She particularly enjoyed talking to others and learning about company structures. “I enjoyed talking to people, which probably isn’t a stereotype of typical accountant quality.” Erin then described her proactive approach: “I always volunteered to do the fraud and ethics questionnaires. I love sitting and talking to people, figuring out how their companies were structured and how they got to whatever role they were in.” Erin has been able to use that skill and interact with others, “I’ve used that to get myself in the rooms that I shouldn’t be in just because I’ll talk to anybody.”
This self-awareness now influences her approach to choosing consulting projects. She commented, “Now, when I’m trying to build the consulting projects I want to take on, the type of people I want to work with, I realized that those are the things I like.” She reiterated her preferences: “I like projects, solving problems, and talking to people.” She concluded with her current approach, “I don’t usually take on work outside of those things because I know it won’t be gratifying.”
TL;DR: Erin advised focusing on what you like about your work and not just building your resume. She discovered her preference for project-based work, problem-solving, and interpersonal interactions over monotonous tasks. This self-awareness now guides her choice of doing consulting projects, which are more gratifying for her.
The Value of an Accounting Foundation
When Bernadette asked about her love for accounting and its value to her career, Erin expressed, “I love accounting because I want everything to fit together and make sense. You can do that through accounting and numbers.” Reflecting on her current life stage, she added, “I’m at my life right now where I have a young family. I appreciate the flexibility that it has provided me.”
Erin contrasted her current flexibility with her earlier career demands as she explained, “Going back to what I said earlier, I was working 80 hours a week, studying for the CPA exam, and sitting in the audit room. There wasn’t any flexibility there.” Highlighting the payoff of her early efforts, she continued, “But because I put that time in on the front end, now I’m able to take on work when I want. I choose my clients. I pick the type of projects I want to do and the industry I want to work for. That’s why I love accounting. I’m grateful for my career so far.”
She also noted that accounting provides exposure to various aspects of business: “In accounting, you get to see a little bit of every part of the business.” She then elaborated on the potential opportunities this exposure can provide, “If you’re not going to be an accountant in the long run, at some point in your accounting career, you’ve worked with a marketing manager, a product manager, or someone out in the field building something because they have to come to you for their numbers. That could also be a good way to see if there’s something else out there for you.” She added an example, “Maybe you’re not going to be an auditor, but you’ve worked for a client in some other part of the business, and it can give you a little inside loop to what you want to pursue.”
TL;DR: Erin loves accounting for its structure and the career flexibility it now provides her. She shared how working hard in her early career has enabled her to achieve a work-life balance and have the flexibility to select the projects she wants. Additionally, accounting has allowed her to learn various parts of the business which may open doors to other career paths.
Flexibility and Redefining Success
Bernadette revealed that Erin is speaking from a cabin in Pinetop, as she commented, “You’re in a nice cabin up in Pinetop, enjoying your time, right? I hope you don’t mind that I share that. Because you went to public accounting, got your CPA, had your work experiences, and worked really hard at the beginning, and it has enabled you to spend some time out of the Valley when it’s 110 degrees here.”
This prompted a discussion about how Erin’s definition of success has evolved. “I defined my personal success by my title for so long. I was thinking I needed to become a Controller or CFO by this age. I needed to make this type of money by these milestones. And, if I wasn’t a CFO of a Fortune 500 company, what am I even doing with my life, right? But now, I’m in Pinetop on a Wednesday, playing pickleball with my kids at summer camp, and I still have work to do.”
Erin now finds fulfillment in balancing work with personal life as she stated, “It was a big reframe for me, but there are different definitions of success. Because I worked that hard early in my career, I can do what I’ve been doing now. I’m very grateful for it. It took a lot of work to get there. I feel very lucky for all those years of hard work and being able to work part-time at the rate that I can charge to still do the things I want to do.”
TL;DR: Erin is speaking from a cabin in Pinetop. She shared how her definition of success has changed. She previously aimed to become a CFO or Controller and make a certain amount of income and achieve various work milestones. Now, she finds fulfillment in balancing work with her personal life. Her early career efforts in accounting enabled her to work flexibly, enjoy family time, and still maintain a successful career.
Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities in Accounting
When Bernadette asked for advice for staff and senior accountants and those who are working on their accounting degrees, Erin encouraged, “Stick with it. Get your CPA. Go into public accounting and soak it all in. Public accounting is hard. It’s a grind, but you are exposed to many types of businesses doing many things in different ways. You can take from each one of those clients and build that in your career, even if it’s not in accounting. We get a bad rap, but you can make it what you want it. I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job with that lately. I hope someone else can take something from that and apply it to their career trajectory.”
TL;DR: Erin advised staff and senior accountants and those working on their accounting degrees to stick with it, get their CPA license, work in public accounting, and gain diverse experiences. You can take from each of those experiences and build the career you want.
ABOUT Erin Leonard, CPA: Erin began her career in public accounting at RSM US LLP (formerly McGladrey LLP) as a Senior Associate in Consulting, providing risk advisory and financial services. She then moved to Ernst & Young.
Her subsequent roles included Financial Analyst, Assistant Controller, and Regional Controller at Hunt Construction Group; Director of Finance and Accounting at Urban Umbrella Scaffolding; and Regional Controller at Kustom US. Throughout her career, Erin has demonstrated expertise in financial management, analysis, auditing, reporting, and adaptability across different sectors.
Erin’s early career choices have allowed her to slow down and spend time focusing on family, while doing project work she enjoys.
Learn more or reach out to Erin on LinkedIn.
ABOUT Bernadette Grattan: Bernadette is the founder of The Resource Link, a specialty accounting and finance recruiting firm based in the Phoenix area. Since 2002, she has been providing a personalized approach to recruiting and a commitment to making great matches for long-term success. This means taking the time to understand the needs of employers looking to hire and discover career goals with those who may be seeking their next career opportunity. Before recruiting, Bernadette worked in public accounting.
If you are looking to hire or considering what is next, learn more at LinkedIn
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