The lifelong Garden State resident recently married and has eyes on attending Baruch College for a Masters in Taxation, but in the meanwhile, she’s soaking up the early career experience. Besides, as Krauss explains below, she doesn’t quite have the future mapped out just yet. All she can do for now is heed the knowledge gained while at Touro—much of which she outlined in a memorable essay for the Touro Accounting and Business Journal (TAB) on “How Every Great Company Listens to the Voice of the Customer”—observe how it applies in a professional setting and go with the flow from there. 

Touro: How has working at First Healthcare called on the accounting education you received while in school?

Sarah Krauss: It’s like background information. You’ll never fully know something unless you work with it, but it’s definitely very helpful to come in knowing things and how everything applies in the workplace…. I’m doing accounts payable, so I take care of all the bills and any random problems that come up in connection with a bill.

Touro: Was there a period or moment in your life when you had the epiphany to pursue accounting?

SK: I always enjoyed math and numbers and logic. I recently started getting interested in business. In 12th grade, my high school [Bais Yaakov d’Rav Meir] had a Touro freshman center, and [they were] giving background on all different majors. When he was describing accounting, I was like, “Oh, that sounds like me.” [It was] the logic of it, and that everything should basically have an answer. And that’s what you’re checking, really—that everything matches.

Touro: Your TAB article focused on how a lot of satisfying customers and clients is common sense. Why do you think that gets overlooked?

SK: Most of it comes down to decency and common sense, but more of it is going the extra mile for the customer. In addition, not everyone has basic decency and/or common sense, and some can't even figure it out. If [managers] are a little bit more removed than the rest of their employees, then they’re not really grounded in what [customers] are looking for. Always make yourself approachable to anyone who’d ever want to come over to you, and make sure you always have people who you can trust to tell you what everyone else is looking for and if they’re happy or not. Basically, just be nice to everyone.

Touro: Do you have any image in your head of a possible five or 10-year plan for your career?

SK: When I graduated, I had this feeling of, “Oh my gosh, where do I go now?” The ideal job for me would be a work environment I enjoy—a position where others depend on me and trust me to do what should be done…working with people I like and hopefully not too much stress. 

Touro: What are the most important parts of your life outside of work to make sure there’s a balance?

SK: I would like to make a difference to people. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, I like reading novels and I like learning and knowing random facts. I make it a point to be kind and courteous to everyone I meet, I make time for those who I care about, and I keep my eyes and ears open all the time to make sure I don't miss anything interesting…. The most valuable thing I’ve learned is to treat people with respect everywhere you go, no matter what their position is or yours.