Family ties.

• Position: FinalEntry - Nella Ebert recently was honored at California. Certified Public Accountants - Interview

Nella Ebert recently was honored at CalCPA's Celebrating Women CPAs event as one of the profession's trailblazers, and while she inspired a room of 300 that day, she has been inspiring others to follow in her footsteps for years--including her children.

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Ebert's daughter, Gina Levy, is a solo practitioner--like her mother--in Los Angeles (mom's practice was in San Marino); and Ebert's son, James Ebert, is a CPA and lawyer at Kitagawa & Ebert in Irvine. Between the three of them, they boast more than 100 years of service to the profession.

What do you believe are the keys to a successful career?

Mom: 1. Being an independent thinker. 2. Joining an accounting professional society like CalCPA and becoming involved in the society and in other business organizations. 3. Listening to clients and being their friends professionally.

Daughter: The willingness to learn and to work hard is probably the most important. Always seek out new ways of doing things, smarter, better, faster.

Son: I think writing is an important skill for CPAs. Too many accounting undergraduate programs do not focus enough on training prospective CPAs to write or communicate effectively.

What is one thing you look for when hiring a new employee?

Mom: I believe that personal and professional honesty are the most important assets.

Daughter: The willingness to learn and the ability to innovate. The best professional relationships exist when people are learning from each other.

Son: A positive attitude toward work--including a strong work ethic.

What advice do you have for young CPAs?

Mom: Develop a professional attitude and a good speaking ability.

Daughter: Don't limit yourself. Find what...