Celebrating Strong Women Leaders in Tax

Happy International Women’s Day! Each year I look forward to this opportunity to celebrate and share the accomplishments of women inside and outside of Deloitte. It’s a reminder to champion identity, build community, and demonstrate allyship.

We have made important progress on the advancement of women at Deloitte and I take great pride in the accomplishment of achieving gender parity on the Deloitte US board and being consistently ranked as a best place to work for women.

Strong female leaders are mainstays at Deloitte – something I am immensely grateful for as the father of a strong, independent daughter. This year, I’m delighted to shine a spotlight on two of our rising female stars: Courtney Moser and Meghan Gora.

Courtney, a senior manager on our Tax Technology team, and Meghan, a senior manager on our Global Employer Services team, were selected from many talented candidates to represent Tax as part of Deloitte’s prestigious Ellen Gabriel Fellows program. Named after our first women’s initiative leader, the Ellen Gabriel Fellows program provides deep immersion into projects that focus on Deloitte’s organizational strategies, operations, and culture and exposes participants to our top leaders, giving them a better understanding of how decisions are made at the highest levels of our organization.

Today, I’m honored to share a bit more about these incredible women, including their advice to other women pursuing careers in tax:

How long have you been with Deloitte?

Courtney: I joined the firm in 2006. I am a double boomerang – I left briefly to join a small firm, and quickly realized that it wasn’t for me. Later I left for about three years, when my kids were babies, during which time I started a small business to keep my mind busy.

Meghan: I joined Deloitte four years ago after eight years at another Big Four accounting firm.?I was impressed by Deloitte’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and dedication to giving back to the communities it serves.?

Why did you decide to join the tax profession?

Courtney: During my Master of Accounting program I found the tax courses very interesting – particularly tax strategies and partnership taxation. It helped that I had some really entertaining and engaging professors in those classes. I was drawn to the complexity and planning aspects of tax.

Meghan: I gravitated toward accounting and tax because I enjoy the problem-solving involved. I also wanted to do something with an international aspect, though it was not clear how those two would come together.?Starting with a college internship, I have worked in the global mobility tax space, assisting both individuals with their cross-border tax obligations and their employers in navigating the complexities of an internationally mobile workforce.?After that internship, I realized that it was exactly what I wanted to do – a combination of complex problem-solving and helping others experience life-changing global opportunities.?Global mobility is my professional specialty and a personal passion. I am grateful that my career in tax has provided opportunities to expand my perspective and work with teams and clients around the world.?

Did you receive a stand-out piece of advice in your career that had a strong impact on you?

Courtney: A few years ago, one of my mentors told me not to confuse my level with my authority. It helped me realize that I didn’t have to have a specific title to influence others – even those several levels above me. What really makes a difference is having something to say and saying it well.

Meghan: “Career advice” that I think about often was not intended as career advice.?When I played soccer, my dad would tell me to “anticipate” constantly: anticipate how the players would move, anticipate where the ball would go, and then find a way to get there.?I have found this concept to be just as applicable in a business setting.?In my career, anticipating the needs of those around me, questions that will arise, and how I can help solve problems all position me in the best way possible to serve and bring out the best in my colleagues and for my clients.?

What guidance would you offer to junior female colleagues who are considering the many ways they can progress in their tax career?

Courtney: Find people you admire and connect with them to hear their stories and advice. Spend some deep focus time thinking about who you want to be and continuously re-evaluate and calibrate as you go. It’s a big firm and there are many paths to a satisfying career!

Meghan: I would offer the same advice to all genders.?Hard work is necessary and important. No matter how busy you are, schedule time to take a step back and look at the big picture for you and your teams.?We can be reluctant to take time away from our other work, but these moments of reflection are motivating through busy times and a reminder of our purpose.?What are your strengths and what do you want to be known for??What support does your team need to grow??Whose perspective can help you broaden your own??As you consider these questions, know that no one can do this alone. I have had tremendous mentors over my career who have helped me bounce ideas around and provided invaluable guidance and opportunities.?Don’t be afraid to reach out for support when you need it, and don’t hesitate to be that support for someone else.

Courtney and Meghan are valued leaders within our Tax practice, and they have my deepest gratitude for all they contribute to our clients, their teams, and to the future women leaders they are inspiring along the way! This Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, I invite you to recognize the strong, empowered female friends, mentors, or colleagues who deserve to be recognized. Tag them in the comments below!

#IWD2022?