• First Job
• Getting Started
• Challenges
• What I would change
• Marketing
• Women in Accounting
• Inspiration
• Life Balance

What was your first job ever?

I had a paper route with my little brother at the age of eleven. I made seven dollars a month. I babysat on weekends for fifty cents an hour. The first job I ever had punching a clock was when I worked for a Spokane Music Company putting together hymnals. I use to walk around a big table putting one page on top of the other. I was a collator.

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How did you get started in Accounting?

Back in the early 70’s I bought my first house and they had a first-time homebuyer’s credit for 10%, which I didn’t know about. By the time I found out about it the statute of limitations had expired. I vowed never to let that happen again. I tried taking my taxes to a CPA and she didn’t put my mortgage interest on my return, so I decided maybe I should start doing this myself.

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How has the profession changed since you started your career, and what are the biggest challenges women in accounting face today?

When I started, I used carbon paper to make the copies of the tax returns I typed on an old electric typewriter. I hand typed one page at a time. Then I got my first computer and made my own tax program on a program similar to Excel called TWIN.

I used overlays to copy the numbers onto the forms and then copied them on a copier at the local print shop. Getting my first copier was a real boon for my business. It meant I didn’t have to pay a per- copy charge and take time away from my practice at the printers every day. I was one of the first companies to offer electronic filing in the state of Idaho. Now in California, I have a fully networked office. The biggest challenges women face in accounting today haven’t changed since I started in accounting decades ago. They still are “proving” themselves to the public.

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If you could change anything about your career path, would you, and if so, what would you do differently?

I believe that where I am now is where I was destined to be. I was destined to help people be financially well. I was destined to create an environment of trust and confidence that clients could come to with real world business management problems. I discovered along the way that I’m in the business of solving problems.

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What steps have you taken to market yourself or your business? Which of them seems to be the most effective and why?

I have a sign that can be seen a quarter of a mile away that says “TAXES” on a tall sign that is at the edge of the business strip mall I occupy. I have an ad in the local yellow pages under accountants and tax preparation. I usually run newspaper ads during tax season. My son made an A-frame sign for me that I put out on the highway in front of my business that has gotten me several clients.I have a neon sign in my window that says, “Income Taxes”. But, I depend mostly on referrals. My clients have been very loyal to me. I appreciate their business and their referrals—it’s the most effective.

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If you could offer one bit of advice to other women in the accounting profession, what would it be?

Listen to your gut instincts. You’ll know when a situation is beyond your scope. Learn to say “No” to these. It’s hard at first to turn away business, but it’s wiser to turn down the lemons so you have time for the cherries when they ripen.

What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by the thought of being able to help people. Jesus is my Father, Brother, Mentor, Friend and God. I smile when I think about how He has guided my life.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

Like most professionals I schedule everything in my life. During busy tax seasons, I have even had to schedule lunches with my husband. My family has always been very supportive of me in growing my tax practice. They all chip in during tax season. My husband does the cooking and does his own laundry. All of my friends in the accounting field wish he had a single brother.

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