Educational Background: MBA, St. John’s University; BA, Brooklyn College

Professional Associations/Memberships: NYSSCPA, AICPA, STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, NAEPC (The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils)

Hobbies: Walking

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Click here to see the other honorees
of the 2012 “Most Powerful Women
in Accounting” awards.

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Q&A:

Studies show that more women than ever are graduating with accounting degrees, but few are pursuing, or staying in, public practice careers. What do you think may be causing them to think public accounting careers are not as attractive as other careers?

In our most recent search for young professionals to join our firm, we found that amongst all the applicants, 45% were women. My opinion is that women are joining the profession.

What advice would you give to these college students about the opportunities for women in the accounting profession?

There are plenty of opportunities, just like their male counterparts, women have to be committed to the profession and strive to get their CPA designations as quickly as possible after they graduate.

If you were asked as a consultant to give advice to firms, would you have any recommendations on things they could do to better retain and advance more qualified female staff?

• Provide training (technical and soft skills)
• Give feedback throughout the year
• Flexible work schedules
• Challenging client engagements

 

Do you think that there is still a glass ceiling in accounting firm senior management and partner levels, or that the profession has moved to a mostly gender neutral state?

The profession has moved to a more neutral state.

Do you think being a woman in the accounting profession has made career advancement more challenging than it might have been for a male in the same situation?

No, not at our firm Gettry Marcus.

What solutions have you found successful in managing work-life integration. the balancing of your career with your personal, family and social life?

Managing expectations and setting goals. If you have realistic and attainable goals and work hard to achieve them, work/life balance automatically falls into place.

How mobile are you regarding your work? How have mobile devices and apps impacted your productivity and work-life balance? (Spending less time in the office?)

Technology has had a tremendous impact on our industry. It’s not only mobile devices, it’s the ability to connect and do work from almost any location in the world.

What single piece of technology could you absolutely not live without, and why?

Blackberry – I have 24/7 access to the office.

What is your favorite professional mobile app, and why?

QR Code – allows access to information I am interested in quickly and without much effort.

What do you like to do when you actually have free time without any obligations to work or family? (Examples: reading, wine and movies, tv, art, travel, exercise, cooking, etc).

Relaxing at the beach and walking.