In this edition of Beyond the Numbers, Bernadette Grattan, Founder & Recruiting Director at The Resource Link, is joined by Marc Petrine, President of Spellbinders Paper Arts. Read/watch how Marc shares valuable lessons from his journey from accounting graduate to company president in our latest Beyond the Numbers interview.
The Power of Certifications: Build Your Professional Arsenal
When asked for advice for his younger self, Marc emphasizes the critical importance of collecting certifications throughout your career. “Get the certificate.” While it’s easy to tell people you’re proficient in various skills, having formal certifications carries more weight, especially with those who might not understand the technical aspects of what you do.
For accountants specifically, Marc advocates for pursuing both CPA and CMA certifications. “What is it, 6 months of your life that you spend learning and studying and rehearsing for it, but it’ll pay benefits forever.”
This investment in professional credentials can open doors throughout your career. His advice extends beyond accounting certifications – if you’re taking an Excel class and there’s a certification option available, take it. These credentials become powerful tools in your professional arsenal.
Network Before You Need It: The Art of Relationship Building
Perhaps Marc’s most emphatic advice centers on building relationships early and consistently. “Grow your rolodex,” referencing Harvey McKay’s book “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty. He emphasizes that networking shouldn’t be limited to other accountants – lawyers, investment bankers, and professionals across industries should be part of your network.
“When you go to a conference, get business cards, follow up with everyone. Every single meeting, lunch, dinner, cocktail party, introduce yourself… find something out about them and follow up.”
He suggests maintaining these connections through simple gestures like birthday emails or quarterly check-ins. This approach ensures you’re building a robust professional network long before you need it.
Speaking the Language of Business: The Accounting Advantage
One of Marc’s key strengths, as noted by his private equity partners, is his ability to “speak the language of business, which is money.” He draws an interesting parallel:
“The captain of a ship can put his hands on the deck of the ship and know which way it’s moving… A good finance person can put his hands on the desk and really understand how the company is behaving.”
This financial acumen gives accounting professionals a unique advantage in leadership roles. As Marc explains,
“It’s such an advantage to sit in a meeting where they’re talking numbers, and you’ve got a marketing person and a salesperson and a technology person and you’re the only person in there that really understands how this is gonna end up telling the story at the end of the day.”
Building Your Personal Brand
For those aspiring to advance their careers, Marc emphasizes the importance of personal branding, particularly for introverted accountants. He recommends using required CPE hours strategically by including marketing classes and personal development courses. “You are the brand,” he states, suggesting that consistent brand representation can yield “dividends over the next 20 to 30 years, tenfold.”
In today’s changing workplace, Marc notes that traditional work values still matter. He emphasizes the importance of being present, showing enthusiasm, and maintaining a positive attitude.
“There’s no substitute for hard work, there’s no substitute for showing up on time and being ready and absolutely excited about work.”
This commitment to excellence becomes part of your personal brand.
The Promotion Paradox
Marc offers a counterintuitive piece of advice for those seeking promotion: being the best at your current job might actually hold you back.
“Being the best at your job might not be the best thing to do because they can’t lose the best person at that job.”
Instead, he advocates for modeling yourself after the role you want next.
He also emphasizes the importance of being proactive about advancement:
“You don’t get the order unless you ask for it in sales.”
This means clearly expressing your career aspirations and demonstrating readiness for greater responsibility. For introverted professionals, this might be challenging news, but Marc insists that you can’t rely solely on your work speaking for itself.
Embracing Change and Growth
Throughout his career, Marc has thrived in dynamic environments. “I’m kind of an agent of change,” he reflects. “Whether your company is getting bigger or getting smaller, I’m great. I’m the person you want in that role.” This adaptability, combined with his financial expertise, has been key to his success in leadership positions.
His career path has included various industries and roles, primarily in smaller, entrepreneurial environments. This diversity of experience has contributed to his ability to lead effectively and adapt to different business challenges. For Marc, the excitement comes from being part of organizations that are evolving and growing, rather than maintaining the status quo.
This article is based on an interview from our Beyond the Numbers series, where we speak with industry leaders about their career journeys and advice for accounting professionals.
ABOUT Marc Petrine: Marc currently serves as President of Spellbinders Paper Arts. Overseeing strategy finance, HR, IT, and supply chain for two private equity-backed companies.
Marc’s diverse background spans leadership roles in manufacturing, education, and petroleum distribution, along with entrepreneurial experience as a business owner. Earlier in his career, Marc gained entrepreneurial experience as the owner of a successful billiards business and served as a faculty associate at Arizona State University, teaching Intermediate Accounting.
A Certified Public Accountant, he holds an MBA and BS in Accounting from Arizona State University.
Check out his LinkedIn profile: https://linkedin.com/in/marc-petrine-994159
ABOUT Bernadette Grattan: Bernadette is the Founder and Accounting & Finance Recruiting Director of The Resource Link, Inc., a specialty search firm she started in 2002. Bernadette takes a personalized approach to understanding the hiring manager and job seeker’s needs. This enables her to make long-term placements in accounting, finance, and executive roles. The Resource Link distinguishes itself through high-touch customer service, candid insights, and ensuring an excellent match by connecting top talent with companies aligned with their career passions.
If you are looking to hire or considering what is next, learn more at theresourcelink.com or https://linkedin.com/in/bernadettegrattan
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