A Day in the Life at Calibre CPA Group-
Justin, CAS Senior Manager
What is your title? Describe what you do.
As a senior manager in the Client Accounting Services department, I primarily function as the outsourced CFO or Controller for my clients. My key responsibilities include providing financial strategy and planning, stakeholder communication, financial reporting and compliance, budget management, oversight of the accounting operations and internal controls, audit preparation, and team supervision.
Beyond my client-based duties, I work closely with the CAS department leadership to handle a number of administrative responsibilities for the firm. These include scheduling of department resources for client engagements, assessment of client realization and staff productivity, recruitment and development of talent, and developing tools to leverage AI technology to improve the delivery of services to our clients.
Why did you get into the accounting/audit industry?
I had a bit of an odd journey finding my way into the world of accounting. I started undergraduate school declared as a biotechnology major. Accounting 101 was a mandatory elective course, and I ended up getting over 100% on every test without even really trying that hard. Meanwhile, I was struggling to pull Cs in the organic chemistry course even though I was really applying myself.
The dean of the business school, who was also my accounting professor, approached me one day and explained I was outperforming the Accounting and Finance majors in her classes, and she asked me to consider switching majors. I made the change to be an accounting major and finance minor and never looked back!
What are three things you do every day? Do you have any morning “rituals”?
Every morning starts with taking my two dogs, Bella and Sadie, on a walk while my husband Ryan makes coffee. We all spend a little time together on the couch while we watch the morning news, have a small breakfast, and sip our coffee before diving into the day.
I am pretty religious about going to the gym after work to exercise for about an hour to an hour-and-a-half. I find it to be the best way for me to reset my day, clear my head, and relieve any stress from earlier on. A great majority of my friends go to the same gym, and I enjoy the social aspect of running into my friends, even if its just for a quick interaction like a smile or wave in passing.
I end most evenings by getting ready for bed and listening to an audiobook. I wish I could say I listened to something for personal development or nonfiction, but it’s usually something light and fun.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of your job?
Functioning as an organization’s CFO/Controller comes with many challenges, but also many opportunities to feel rewarded in your work. I love the challenge of improving the efficiency of the processes and procedures for my clients and developing younger staff to have the ability to identify and recognize the potential for improvements as well.
When my clients are financially successful, performing their missions, and excelling at whatever it is that they do; I too feel like I share in that success and that is very rewarding for me.
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?
Possessing the appropriate level of technical accounting and interpersonal skills is certainly critical to success in a role such as mine. Almost just as critically, I believe possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and being self-driven are necessary traits that help determine success.
The advice I would give would be to seek out a mentor that understands how to navigate the career path you wish to achieve. The best case scenario being that your mentor has a similar work style or personality characteristics that are aligned with your own.
What do you like best about Calibre CPA group?
One of the best benefits Calibre has to offer is the autonomy and flexibility provided to perform your work. I also really appreciate the supportive and collaborative culture we have in the CAS department, it really feels like we are all a little family in a way, and we all have each other’s backs. Calibre has also provided me with many opportunities to challenge myself professionally in unique and unexpected ways, like the recording of the podcast Counting on Calibre.
