Wise Words from Women CPAs

Every quote is powerful and useful. I have learned from each one. Insights for success from the 2018 AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor Most Powerful Women in Accounting:

Karen Abramson - Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting

• Never ask your team to do more than you are willing to do yourself. It’s one of the best ways to create hard-working, loyal and dedicated teams who will stop at nothing to ensure success.

Danielle Supkis Cheek, CPA, CFE, CVA - PKF Texas

• I personally always think though priorities. My family always comes first, but after that is my professional integrity. Integrity is the foundation of the CPA profession.

Susan Coffey, CPA, CGMA – AICPA

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Lynne Doughtie, CPA – KPMG

• Always let your values guide you. Know who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re willing to fight for. 

Abby Dupree, CPA, CGMA - Carroll and Company

• Everyone is different. Respect others’ ideas and differing opinions. You will never grow and learn if you can’t listen to what others have to say.

Jennifer Elder, CPA, CGMA, CSP, CMA, CIA, CFF - The Sustainable CFO

• Find the positive - there is always a solution if you think creatively!

Sarah Elliott, CPA, ACC - Intend2Lead, LLC

• Find something to appreciate in almost any situation. It’s incredible to experience the powerful shift gratitude can make in your life.

Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA - Oracle

• I believe “To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required”. I have been very fortunate and it is my responsibility and obligation to pay it forward to help the next generation of leaders.

Cathy Engelbert, CPA.CITP – Deloitte

• Developing and investing in others is one of the most valuable things any of us can do. Prioritize people over tasks!reJulie

Julie Gustavsson, CPA.CITP - Keiter CPA

• Ask for forgiveness, not for permission. Trying new approaches is a prerequisite for survival in the modern business environment, so why not try something different? If it doesn’t work, then at least you tried.

DeAnn Hill, CPA, CGMA, PFS - DeAnn Hill CPA

• Be true to yourself. Each day do your best. When your head hits the pillow at night, it is a great feeling to know you have done it up right without compromising your person.

Jenni Huotari, CPA - Eide Bailly

• Every time you say yes to something, you say no to something else (whether you think you do or not)

Kacee Johnson - Blue Ocean Principles and AICPA

• Work with people you enjoy being around, on projects you believe in. Life is far too short to do anything else!

Tamera Loerzel - ConvergenceCoaching

• There is enough in the world to share and be generous, without fear of not getting my fair share or not being rewarded for my efforts or knowledge. When I give generously – whether it’s my time, resources, knowledge, love, more than enough for everyone shows up in return.

Samantha Mansfield - CPA.com

• There is always something new to learn. Take every opportunity to ask questions and find what you can learn from every interaction and experience.

 Gail Perry, CPA - CPA Practice Advisor

• Focus on goals. You can deal with day-to-day changes or setbacks or even leaps forward as long as you know where you’re going.

Elizabeth Pittelkow, CPA.CITP, CGMA, DTM - Litera Microsystems

• “Let us not grow weary of doing good.” Be the reason other people succeed, and always do the right thing.

Amy Pitter - Massachusetts Society of CPAs

• Leave every person, interaction, project, whatever better than if I had not been there.

Natasha Schamberger, CPA - Kansas Society of CPAs

• Always arrive with a smile, have fun, and be authentic

Lindsay Stevenson, CPA, CGMA - 1st Financial Bank USA

• Be bold. Say what you believe and share your dreams, it’s amazing what can happen when you say it out loud

Amy Vetter, CPA, CGMA - QuickStart Training, Inc.

• Have the courage to live a life true to yourself, not what others expect of you

Jennifer Warawa - Sage

• I firmly (and passionately) believe that the likelihood for an individual or company to be successful is largely dependent on their ability to differentiate themselves from others

Kathy Watts, CPA, CHC - Horne LLP

• Be transparent and truthful. You build credibility with clients, team members, family and friends if you are open and honest – don’t shy away from the truth.

Sandra Wiley - Boomer Consulting, Inc.

• Well behaved women rarely make history.

Jennifer Wilson – ConvergenceCoaching

• BE UNSTOPPABLE. If you want to raise a family AND have a big job, do it! If the environment isn’t supportive, but you have an insight or truth to speak, speak it anyway. It will make a difference for someone.