Sally Glick, MBA – 2015 Most Powerful Women in Accounting

 

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Click here to see the other honorees of the 2015
“Most Powerful Women in Accounting” awards.
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What advice would you give to female college students about the opportunities for women in the accounting profession?

The opportunities are great today, and I believe the trend is toward increasing, not decreasing, chances at success for women as leaders in the profession. Although women have really only been present in the corporate business community since World War II, the coming millennial generation will puch the envelope and will force equality in a way that the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers were not able to do.

What advice would you give accounting firms on ways in which they can better retain and advance more qualified female staff?

All young employees entering the workforce today, and especially women who may be juggling a range of responsibilities – including caring for family as well as developing a professional career – will require much more flexibility in scheduling and will appreciate the options of working virtually or part time without being left behind or judged as less than professional . Many firms already are moving towards these changes but all too often there is a stigma attached. These will have to be offered as legitimate alternative work styles.

What is the name of one book that has been a great influence to you?

“Emotional Intelligence” – I love the studies that indicate how important the ‘soft skills’ are – for those who want to rise as leaders in their firms. I also liked “Givers and Takers” which exposes a philosophy of sharing that I have tried to embrace.

In what ways do you participate in the professional community to change/improve the accounting profession?

I am very active in the Association for Accounting Marketing – and in helping elevate the status of marketing and business development within the accounting profession I am (I hope!) to impact the profession. I also interact closely with our accounting association, PKF, as chair of our Family Business Community of Practice – bringing resources and ideas to our CPA members to help them be even better in their role as family business advisors. Additionally I am active at the NJSCPA and am a monthly presenter for CPA Academy, focusing on the importance of understanding the differences in gender and generational communication and leadership styles and how to incorporate those differences into a successful and productive firm.

In what ways do you participate in your local community to help others?

I am active in both the business, civic and noonprofit communities in NJ. I am on several boards, including the executive committee of the Center for Nonprofits, and I am currently the President of the Association for Corporate Growth – NJ; previously I served two years as President of my Temple as well. Combining my efforts, and recognizing my specific support of the nonprofit community ovides a balanced perspective of my contributions.

What changes do you foresee in the accounting profession of the near future (3-5 years)?

I think the profession will continue to embrace diversity, attracting more women and minorities and the leadership within the firms as well as at the state chapters and AICPA will be forced to reflect those changes. The acceptance of more informal schedules and the need to identify new ways to be profitable within firms’ evolving framework will take as place as well, because the changing workforce will bring a change in attitude and demands.

How do you see yourself participating in shaping the future of the accounting profession?

I anticipate that a marketing and business development philosophy will continue to play an ever growing role in the firms of the future – becoming essential – and being recognized as a complement to the client service philosophy that dominates most firms today. They are both critical approaches and must be blended for any firm’s sustainable success.

Describe one person who has been an important mentor to you and how that person helped shape the direction or focus of your professional life.

I will proudly give the same answer this year as I did last year. My father, Harold Leftwich, who died July 9, 2015, was my number one mentor and my first “boss.” As a solo practitioner, he asked me to help build his practice. He had time to serve clients, but no time at all to attract new business. In the years before AAM, he and I built a substantial practice based on my interactions and involvement in the community and his high quality client care and technical expertise working with small, family-owned businesses. Together we were very successful and he taught me everything I needed to do my job and interestingly, not much has changed for me over the decades.
 

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Click here to see the other honorees of the 2015
“Most Powerful Women in Accounting” awards.
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