Do You Have a Vision?

Do You Have a Vision?

By Valerie Hughes, Senior Tax Associate at KPMG

On Feb. 19, 130 educators, students, accounting professionals and a good dose of humor mingled at Wolfert’s Roost Country Club.

Educator’s Night is a forum presented by the Northeast Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs, used to inform college students about the myths and realities of life as an accountant, this year with the help of Jim Snack, a professional speaker and magician from the HUMOR Project.

The evening began with an informal discussion among participants and a panel discussion moderated by Union College professor Don Arnold. A number of new accountants and a partner in a local firm shared their expectations and the realities of the accounting profession.

The speakers recounted their personal experiences from school when they decided on the viability of accounting as a career choice. Many spoke of the encouragement they received from their family, friends and faculty members to pursue a degree where jobs are available and the opportunities are vast. The following panelists generously participated in this event: Chris Kelsey, Bollam, Sheedy, Torani and Co.; Christi Paul, Lurie & Co.; Mike Lurie, Lurie & Co.; Melissa Bezio, Dorfman-Robbie; and Jeremy Noble, Pryba, Tobin & Co.

The discussion promoted becoming a CPA as choosing a profession that is greatly admired and respected.

Chris Kelsey was amazed at how much responsibility, diversity and client interaction he was given during his first year as an accountant. Even though long hours are sometimes required, Christi Paul, a partner in Lurie & Co. and a mother of two, stated that remaining flexible is key. Paul, who been with the company for over ten years, enjoys the challenges and growth opportunities she has been given.

The students also learned that accountants are not necessarily boring. One panelist swore he has never worn a pocket protector.

Jim Snack, a professional speaker and magician from the HUMOR Project, provided the entertainment for the night. Snack’s presentation consisted of four main points: self-awareness, visualization, teamwork and “the big picture.”
Working together, we can achieve common goals and objectives, Snack believes.

He illustrated his point telling by a story of the formation of a new company. Four volunteers from the University at Albany, Brendon Augustine, Darwin Jones, Ed Mullen and Nishant Phandis, were selected from the audience. Four chairs, the foundation of the organization, were arranged close together. Each chair faced a different direction, illustrating that we may all have different goals and aspirations for ourselves. The company, however, needs to have members that work together as a team for the good of the organization. As each man was instructed to lie back on the closest person’s lap, a commingling of bodies formed. The men were instructed to look up: “We are taking this company to the top!” As in many organizations, this “company” was expected to work more with fewer resources. One by one, the chairs were removed from underneath the participants. Surprisingly, all four men remained in their formation, as if the chairs were still there.

When these four young men sat in their respective chairs at the front of the room, they had no idea what they had been volunteered for. What they walked away with was a clear understanding of working together to benefit the entire organization.

Thanks to members of the Northeast Chapter’s Educators Committee for their dedication to this event: