In this edition of Beyond the Numbers, Bernadette Grattan, Founder & Recruiting Director at The Resource Link, is joined by Kelly Damron, Accounting Professor/Chair at Grand Canyon University (GCU).
Advocate for Yourself
One of Kelly’s key pieces of advice is the importance of self-advocacy. This practice can help maintain positive relationships within the firm and ensure your side of the story is heard.
“I probably would have documented a lot of my interactions with my colleagues, especially my peers. There were a couple episodes where I didn’t have a documentation. I didn’t write things down. And then they would go tell somebody something that didn’t happen at all.”
Find the Right Mentor
While many companies assign formal mentors, Kelly suggests seeking out informal mentors as well. If you don’t click with your assigned mentor, look for someone you connect with naturally. This could be a colleague just a year ahead of you or someone you work with on a project. Having a trusted sounding board can be invaluable for navigating career challenges and opportunities.
“If you’re not connecting with that formal mentor, then find an informal mentor. There’s probably somebody on a project that you connect better with, share some of your concerns, your thoughts, your frustrations, whatever it may be, so that they can help you figure out how to handle a situation.”
Embrace the Versatility of Accounting
Kelly’s journey from considering a switch to finance to falling in love with tax accounting illustrates the diverse paths available within the field. She highlights that accounting is the language of business, offering insights into company performance and informing crucial business decisions. The variety of career options – from tax and audit to forensic accounting and financial analysis – ensures that accountants always have opportunities for growth and change.
“Accounting is the language of business. We should love it or appreciate it at least. If you can understand accounting, you can understand the relationships between the accounts and what that information is telling us about how well the business is performing.”
Tips for New Accounting Professionals
“Be a good team player as it just makes the workplace better.”
About Dr. Kelly Damron, CPA: Kelly, is an accounting professional and educator with over 25 years of experience spanning academia, public accounting, and private industry. As the current Accounting Chair and Associate Professor at Grand Canyon University, she leverages her Ph.D. in Advanced Accounting and over two decades of diverse professional experience to shape the next generation of accountants.
Her career journey includes roles as a Senior Tax Accountant at CBIZ/Miller Wagner & Arthur Andersen, Consultant at Deloitte & Touche. Kelly transitioned to academia full-time in 2010, bringing a wealth of practical experience to her teaching. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a published author, having written about her personal experiences with infertility and IVF.
Read her full bio at: https://linkedin.com/in/damron
ABOUT Bernadette Grattan: Bernadette Grattan 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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