Inside the minds of young CPAs.

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MODERATOR:

PETE MARGARITIS, CPA

Accounting faculty, Ohio Dominican University

Frequent speaker on generational issues, networking and communications

PARTICIPANTS:

JORDAN BERKOWITZ, CPA

Employer: PricewaterhouseCoopers, specializing in financial services industry and real estate

Former OSCPA student ambassador at Cleveland State University

ASHLEY COOK, CPA

Employer: Abercrombie & Fitch, business analyst for information technologies

Former OSCPA student ambassador at Ohio University

LACEY DANGLEO, CPA

Employer: Crowe Horwath, specializing in financial institutions auditing

Former OSCPA student ambassador at Ohio University

JESSIE KINSLEY, CPA

Employer: Commercial Metal Forming, specializing in financial accounting

Former OSCPA student ambassador at Youngstown State University

LAURA LACHMILLER, CPA

Employer: Financial Express; specializing in tax and financial services support

Former OSCPA student ambassador at University of Toledo

KATE MATZ, CPA

Employer: Owens Coming, external reporting financial leader

Former OSCPA student ambassador at University of Toledo

LINDSEY WIERWILLE, CPA

Employer: Plante & Moran, specializing in audit

Former OSCPA student ambassador at Bowling Green State University

They're everywhere. Corporations and accounting firms across the state are filled with the often misunderstood staff members known as "young CPAs" and the Millennial generation. They have been hailed as both the conquering heroes bringing ambition and drive to replace the Baby Boomers, and the alien host forcing unwanted change on organizations everywhere. Catalyst gathered a group of young CPAs to see what makes them tick and what they are looking for in the profession and their employers.

PETE: Let's start off with a question that intrigues me. What do you wish older generations knew about your generation?

JESSIE: Occasional feedback is very much appreciated. I started in public practice at Cohen & Company, where I received continuous feedback through evaluations, usually after each job in addition to annually.

When I first switched to industry, I asked a coworker about evaluations and feedback. With a laugh she said, "When you get your paycheck on Friday, that's good feedback." Some people from older generations give feedback only when required instead of viewing it as a continuous process.

JORDAN: I'm in public and I also get a lot of feedback. After every job, I receive a review of my activities and performance.

For my generation, I think feedback is important, especially candid feedback. We want to know where we stand and if there's anything we can do better. If we need to fix or change something, we want to know as soon as possible so we can take care of it.

LINDSEY: I wish the generations before me would be more open to change, especially when it makes the project easier or more efficient.

During an internship at a smaller CPA firm, I noticed the generation before me resisting change. They were too attached to the comfort of their old routine even though it was inefficient. The other generations...

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