Teresa Mackintosh, CPA – 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 for women are virtually unlimited in terms of our profession today. Whether your goal is to make partner in a firm, be an entrepreneur, or some other function of business – accounting provides a powerful foundation for understanding the metrics and cadence of “how business works.” Accounting tells a story about a business, and becoming a good storyteller can be endlessly leveraged in your future.

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

As Millennials quickly become the majority of the workforce, firms need to evolve their expectations of the historic path to success and staff retention, whether the staff is female or male. Understanding what professionals want, need and expect is critical to a firm’s success in today’s world. Firms can benefit from providing a more efficient and tech savvy environment that empowers staff to utilize the best aspects of being a digital native and enables flexibility and an integrated approach to life management.

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

“When Millennials Take Over” by Jamie Notter and Maddie Grant is both compelling and insightful as it describes the expected changes in successful business/management models as Millennials become the largest active generation in the workforce in 2020.

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

The ultimate goal of just about everything we do at Wolters Kluwer Tax and Accounting US is to make contributions that improve the accounting profession. In my role, I am constantly studying the trends of the profession and speaking with our customers about their experiences to ensure that we’re bringing forward the most innovative advancements and current technologies that improve professionals’ workflows so they can do their job best and remain focused on client services.

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

I’m an advocate of a variety of charitable events that benefit the communities of our Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting US offices across the country. In addition, I’m very supportive of STEM education initiatives in my local Dallas community. With my background in the information, technology and software industries, I know first-hand that there are tremendous opportunities available in these areas — and this will only grow in the future. The teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in K-12 schools is a critical first step in encouraging the next generation to pursue STEM career paths.

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

The accounting profession will experience a major demographic change with Baby Boomers retiring and Millennials rising into decision-making roles. The evolution of technology will continue to transform how professionals work, deliver client services and achieve better work-life balance. And the Millennials who are accustomed to embracing and adopting technology will serve as enablers of this.

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

I’m fortunate to be in a position that drives the development of technology and expertise that helps accounting professionals operate smarter, quicker and more effectively so they can achieve their goals. I’m always looking for ways to push the envelope and offer new and innovative ways for professionals to streamline and improve the way they perform tax functions. Our offerings directly impact the way professionals work, enhance client service delivery, and afford professionals the opportunities to do more with their valuable time.

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.

Greg LaFollette has taught me a tremendous amount about our profession. Coming from a firm and then transitioning into the technology side was a brand new world. Greg was my boss for a few years along the way and he refreshed my appreciation and empathy for the tools and processes that firms were using, which was arguably behind other similar professions. He was and continues to be one of my biggest supporters and on the flip side provides valuable constructive criticism just as generously. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had his steady influence over the last 15 years.

 

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