What led you to choose a career in accounting?

Growing up I always enjoyed numbers and math. What I appreciated about accounting is that it offered numerous avenues to pursue beyond being an accountant and that it provided valuable skills for running a business. I felt that the core skills I would learn in the accounting program—reading financial statements, understanding components of profitability—are essential to every business and could enable me to enjoy a fulfilling accounting career or pivot into a finance role.

Can you describe your career journey- where did you start and what were the steps from there to your current role as a tax partner at PwC? 

Once I earned my accounting degree and passed the CPA exam, I started off at PwC in the asset management tax industry. Early on in my career, I focused on hedge funds and then I went on to servicing mutual funds, private equity funds and fund of funds. Today, my clients are a diverse array of funds that exist in the industry, and I strive to help them through transactions, with tax structuring, as well as with tax compliance.

I started as a first-year tax associate with limited experience and have been fortunate to be able to develop into a partner who has a diverse array of roles and responsibilities, including overseeing a team that works with me, and delivering training and educating within PwC and at industry conferences.

I have had the opportunity to speak on a wide range of tax topics relating to the asset management industry. Some topics I cover include current industry trends, how the shifting market conditions can impact funds, tax planning ideas and tax complexities. Fund managers and investors want to know about tax implications because it can impact the bottom line.

Can you share a day in the life of a tax partner?

No two days are the same. As a tax partner, I tend to juggle numerous responsibilities, including overseeing compliance, assisting clients with structuring and transactions, and overseeing an internal team responsible for delivering to clients.

I could have my day planned out and a client may call asking for assistance on a pending transaction that needs immediate attention, so I’ll pivot and reprioritize my day. I spend a lot of time with clients on unanticipated work when they are working through deals.

I also really enjoy having the opportunity to spend time training our staff, recruiting and sourcing talent and staying up to speed on the latest trends in the fund world. On any given day, I try to be focused on a number of these initiatives.

What professional achievements are you most proud of?

Number one is the gratification of being able to become a partner. This was the culmination of years of hard work and contributing to the industry, to the firm, and to our clients. I’ve been fortunate to have several incredible mentors and a fantastic team who have significantly contributed to this success. I’ve also been excited to publish articles in industry publications to bring an idea or solution to the industry that may not have been previously explored.

What advice do you have for other women who seek leadership roles in corporate America? 

There is a tremendous amount of opportunity today for women who aspire to be leaders. There are also role models for women to emulate who have paved the path. I have looked to them for guidance throughout my career. My advice is to find a mentor—having a mentor is key for individuals seeking a leadership role, and something I’ve been fortunate to have throughout my career. I continue to rely on mentors to share ideas, seek advice or obtain a second opinion.

I also recommend that women lean into opportunities that are in front of them and not let opportunities pass them by. Perhaps just as important as raising a hand for opportunities that come your way is to create the opportunity itself.

My final recommendation is to become a trusted advisor. Clients will call for tax, financial reporting and accounting issues, but are they reaching out to me for business issues outside my specialty? For example, over the last year, many clients have been struggling with their back-office strategy and employee retention. Should they require people to come into the office five days a week or do they adopt a hybrid work model? Because I have exposure to a large client base, some clients value my abilities to benchmark and bring a perspective on topics outside of my core competency.

If you become a trusted business advisor to your clients, it can make your relationships broader and stronger. It can lead clients to come back for more assistance and can help you to continue to succeed.

How did your Touro education play a role in your current success?

It played a significant role. The person who helped me get my first job at PwC was another woman at Touro. Because of Touro’s effective accounting program, I felt well-prepared for the CPA exam and for success in the field.