Celebrating Women's History Month/Industry Month
March 21, 2024
This March, we're featuring women CPAs who inspire us with their unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions to the accounting profession, every single day.
Donna Abelli, CPA
Faculty member at Ricciardi College of Business, Accounting & Finance
Bridgewater State University
What made you choose accounting/what do you like most about your role?
Initially I chose accounting because of doing well in my high school accounting class and liking the teacher. I stayed in accounting because I realized and experienced the vast opportunities available in this profession – any industry, numerous positions, ability to advance and to pivot. From working as a partner in public accounting, to CFO, to consulting and now higher education, teaching accounting and sharing my passion for the profession with students is unbelievably rewarding.
Do you have any advice for women in this industry or students looking to study accounting?
To women, the accounting profession has evolved and is accommodating to both career and life’s cycles offering flexibility throughout. To students, accounting is more about logical thinking than math and when courses get tough keep the end game in mind – a career full of possibilities.
Marni Kaufman, CPA, CFE, ABV
Senior Manager
Floyd Advisory LLC
What made you choose accounting/what do you like most about your role?
Both of my parents are CPAs, so I grew up familiar with the profession. I’ve always enjoyed math and logic, and when I started taking accounting courses in college, I liked working with numbers. In my current role, I appreciate that each day presents a new set of challenges. I'm never bored, and there's always something new to learn.
Do you have any advice for women in this industry or students looking to study accounting?
Once you've determined that accounting is the ideal career path for you, create a plan to obtain your 150 credits and CPA designation. Establishing a schedule and developing a study routine will assist you in mastering the course material. If you don't succeed on your first attempt, persevere! What matters is that you ultimately acquire the credential, not how long it takes you to do so.
Maria Connell, CPA
Founder & CEO
360 Finance, LLC
What made you choose accounting/what do you like most about your role?
I realized early on that accounting was a natural fit for me, given my affinity for numbers and a knack for business. Thinking back, I can note my earliest roles included being class treasurer during middle school and I was the go-to banker for any Monopoly game I ever played! By high school, I was on the path and happily applying skills while enrolling in every finance and accounting class offered.
I learned that I would have opportunities to make a positive impact at any company I worked for and that scope included the potential of extending globally. I remain grateful to my teachers, guidance counselors, family and friends who encouraged me to answer this calling.
Connecting with people, cultures and community through accounting and empowering decision making that fuels prosperity remains appealing and in place today! At the core, these are fundamental parts of accountancy and why I’ve enjoyed my various roles in industry. Now that I’ve launched my own business, I have the added benefit of ultimate work life balance. And this is especially fulfilling to my controller tendencies!
Do you have any advice for women in this industry or students looking to study accounting?
Self-advocacy! This is at the top of my advice list, especially for women as we still have progress to make in this traditionally male-dominated industry. Ask questions and be prepared to answer when opportunity knocks. Networking, leveraging community resources and seeking a mentor also come to mind. Make a plan to obtain your CPA license and stay up with continuing education as this is not a stagnant field. There are many options within an accounting career.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to pivot! One of the truths that my paternal grandmother shared early on still resonates loud and clear: "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."
Kelly Mann, CPA, MBA
Co-Founder & CEO
AuditMiner
What aspects of your role do you find most rewarding, given your perspective and experiences as a woman?
Hands down, the most rewarding part of my gig is empowering other women to climb higher and dream bigger. I'm all about handing over the keys to success—whether it's mastering the art of negotiation (like encouraging them to ask me for a bigger paycheck) or just carving out their own space in the career universe.
Have you faced specific challenges in your role as a woman, and if so, how did you overcome them? Were there any particularly gratifying moments in overcoming these obstacles?
I really lead with my heart, so sometimes it is difficult for me to make tough decisions or have difficult conversations that I know someone else may not like. I find that I will hold an important decision until my head, gut and heart are all aligned on the best course of action. Finding my voice and owning my decisions has been one of the most gratifying professional developments for me.
Emily Kerwin, CPA
Financial Controller
Scipher Medicine
What made you choose accounting/what do you like most about your role?
I chose accounting because of the opportunities it provides to learn all facets of a business. When I started in public accounting, my favorite part was helping my clients be more successful. As a controller at a start-up, I am responsible for constantly improving our procedures to make us a better company. I love wearing multiple hats and really having a pulse on the business.
Do you have any advice for women in this industry or students looking to study accounting?
Always invest in yourself! Constantly be your biggest advocate and enhance your skills and knowledge. Investing in your own personal development will pay off in the long run. Additionally, make sure you always speak up and share your opinions and concerns. You have a unique perspective that is valuable to any company.