A Day in the Life at Calibre CPA Group-
Jenna, Training & Development Manager
What is your title? Describe what you do.
My title is Training & Development Manager. I oversee continuing professional education (CPE) for our employees, serve as the lead training instructor for the audit department, promote employee career development and coordinate our internship program.
Why did you get into the accounting/audit industry?
Before my role in Training and Development, I was in the Audit Department as an Audit Manager. I always had a curiosity for how businesses operate. When I was taking the basic business classes in college, I saw how much one can learn about an organization based on their financial data. When graduating, I thought I would enjoy looking at the big picture of different organizations rather than one part of one organization, so I decided to give auditing a go and really enjoyed it.
What are three things you do every day? Do you have any morning “rituals”?
I cannot function without coffee in the morning! I fully acknowledge and accept I need coffee and I have no desire to change that. Not a day goes by when I don’t listen to music for at least an hour. I also read before bed (almost) every night.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your job?
I feel the most challenging part of my job is trying to provide trainings that benefit everyone. Each member of our team has different strengths and weaknesses and I really want to make sure what they learn will help them grow in their role and/or as a professional.
The most rewarding part of my job is when I see the material I’m teaching click with my colleagues. When the realization hits, the “ohhh” that comes after is one of my favorite sound bites.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a role like yours? Are there specific character traits or skills/certifications they should possess?
This could go without saying for our industry, but having the CPA is very beneficial. I think one needs patience and understanding. Everyone learns different ways and at different speeds. Having experience helps to provide different examples to help the learner understand the concept. It’s also important to want to help others grow, reinforce their strengths, and build up their weaknesses.
What do you like best about Calibre CPA group?
The people. I am fortunate enough to have built strong relationships with a variety of colleagues from staff to partners across various departments. I know I can go to anyone with a concern, and they have my back.
