Angie Grissom – 2017 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Honoree
Employer: The Rainmaker Companies
Title: President
Address/City/State: 1801 West End Avenue, Suite 800 Nashville, TN 37203
Website URL: https://therainmakercompanies.com/
Twitter: atgrissom
Education (Degree/school): BS in Accounting, MBA work Middle Tennessee State University
What opportunities do you feel women in accounting have now that they didn’t have when you started in the profession?
I think the sky is the limit for women in accounting. Firm leadership is now understanding, more than ever, the importance of having women in leadership positions and heading up major firm initiatives. Women bring tremendous talent, results, diversity, empathy and passion into their roles. Women are CEOs, Managing Partners, Directors of Consulting, Tax, Assurance, Growth-you name it. The trick is to align yourself with the firms who embrace it and believe it and support it!
How important is work/life balance and what suggestions do you have for those who are struggling to attain this?
I like to look at it as work/life integration. I think of it as how we can weave our professional responsibilities and relationships into the rhythm of our life while having a fulfilling personal life and managing our personal responsibilities at the same time. Finding what works is critical to enjoying your life. Most people struggle with it then create a balance that works and then something happens to throw it off (big project, life event, health event). Life is like this. Our lives are many times designed in a way where our primary child raising years overlap with our primary career building years and this creates a strain. The key is to find what works for you at the time and then readjust as necessary. The best advice I can give is to find out what keeps you at the height of engagement. (For me, it is healthy eating, enough sleep and occasional splurges like a massage or a trip.) Fully engage, set goals and be accountable and forgive yourself when it is not perfect. Then, repeat.
What is the most difficult part about being a women in the accounting profession?
Although families are sharing more and more of the home responsibilities, childcare and overall family organization tend to fall more on the shoulders of women many times. Women are task masters and tend to be well-organized so this is naturally the case. The balancing act can make it difficult but again, I believe that more responsibility is being shared with the spouse than ever before.
What is the best part about being a women in the accounting profession?
Being in the accounting industry is exciting for women and men-all involved! Our industry is having an impact on business around the world. We are advising business owners and executives and leading them to success in many cases! We are creating cultures where we help grow the capabilities of young leaders and talented professionals. Women can do anything they set their minds to! So much opportunity exists in the industry.
How do you see yourself participating in shaping the future of the accounting profession?
Speaking to groups at conferences, training engagements, writing articles and blogs, development of curriculum around goal setting, empowerment, communication, creation of content, programs and tools that help people to be the most effective possible in their roles-these are the things I love. If an audience member can take one good idea and apply it, I have done my job.
Looking back at your career, what would you do differently given the knowledge you have today and how can women who are entering the benefit from that knowledge?
That’s a tough one. I appreciate learning lessons as they come and growing from them. I am happy with the work I have done and many of the decisions that I have made as I think it is all part of the journey. There are certainly times when the journey is difficult to enjoy and times when it is a lot of fun and very fulfilling. In terms of advice to my past self, to my future self and to others, it would be “ Work hard, be curious, strive for excellence, relationships are critical, lift others up-always.”
Please share any other comments or insights you would like to share with our readers about what has driven you to be a person who is recognized as a leader in this profession.
I am driven to be successful and to help others be successful. I am passionate about people becoming the absolute best versions of themselves and enjoying the journey. Everyone can impact others in a positive way. When you allow others to shine and assist them in doing so, you will also shine.
Learn more about the 2017 Most Powerful Women in Accounting.
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