Cathleen Anderson runs her way to better client relationships
Cathleen Anderson is an avid runner of 5k’s and half-marathons. So much so that one time she actually them in consecutive days.
Cathleen received her BS in Business Accounting from Indiana University and then went to work for a payroll processing company in her hometown of Elkhart, Indiana. She later moved to Pennsylvania where she worked in public accounting and earned her CPA. And for the last 14 years, she’s been at Burnham, working her way up to Tax Manager and Retirement Plan Administrator.
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Cathleen and her family before the Bob Bard 5k in Quarryville, PA. |
Cathleen running the Amos Herr Honey Run in Landisville, PA. |
Jason cooks up great coworker relationships
Jason Kalies grew up on a small family dairy farm in Wisconsin so he appreciates cultivating the land for fresh food. Then one day he decided to share his homemade salsa and marinades with a team visiting from out of town and deep coworker relationships were made.
In this episode, we talk about whiskey, the Circus Parade in Milwaukee, growing up on a dairy farm and why baking is better than cooking -- not necessarily in that order. Jason is currently a senior manager at big 4 accounting firm - having spent over 15 years in the accounting world in both public accounting and industry.
After graduating from St. Norbert College outside of Green Bay Wisconsin, Jason started working at PwC. He later worked for a bank for several years before returning to public accounting a few years ago.
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Jason's links
Jack-of-All-Trades uses stories to connect with coworkers
I've been friends with Dave Gilbertson for almost 15 years, since we both started at PwC. He is known among his friends and coworkers for several things -- being Louie Anderson's tour manager one year, writing a published book, playing an inning of minor league baseball, interviewing the Dali Lama -- you name it , Dave has probably done it or talked his way into it.
Currently, Dave is the Vice President of Corporate Strategy for Kronos Software so I appreciate him making some time to talk about that one time he was in an elevator with Louie Anderson and Larry King and the hilarity that ensued.
After starting his career as an accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Dave Gilbertson has served in a variety of senior executive roles within the private equity, strategy consulting and software spaces. He graduated from Georgetown University and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
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Dave's links
Jason creates stronger client relationships with CrossFit
Over the last few years, 
Jason Blumer has really gotten into CrossFit. And not only has it helped him get in better shape, he's also realizing there are many parallels to running your own business. So he's able to tell clients that there's no sitting down for breaks if they really want to meet their goals.
Jason is now the Chief Innovation Officer of his own firm, Blumer & Associates, CPAs. In this episode, we talk about overcoming fear and what made him want to start his own firm over 12 years ago.
Jason graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC with an accounting degree and went to work in industry, eventually becoming a Controller for a few years before switching over to public accounting. He left all that in 2003 to run his own firm. That wasn't enough so he created the Thriveal Network, a supportive community for accountants who have their own firms.
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Jason's links
Jerry's client and coworker relationships are tailor made
Jerry Folly-Kossi is a sharp-dressed man. And that isn't by accident. When he isn't busy as a financial analyst in the Business Valuation and Litigation Group at Hemming Morse, he's running his own custom menswear company, Swell Attitude.
We talk about how his fashion was influenced by growing up in Paris with his family originally from the Ivory Coast. And when he isn't designing custom men's clothes, he's practicing martial arts or playing soccer in a very competitive league with former professional players.
Jerry graduated from UCLA with BA's in both Economics and Political Science. He later went on to receive his MBA from the Graziadio School of Business & Management at Pepperdine University. Before joining Hemming Morse, Jerry worked for numerous Fortune 500 companies in the field of Investment Banking, Consulting and Accounting, namely Ernst & Young, Merrill Lynch and Burr Pilger & Mayer.
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Jerry's links
Bob uses fantasy football to score a lot of points with clients
Bob Lung talks about how being a fantasy football expert has lead to some fantastic business relationships. But he stresses it doesn't necessarily have to be fantasy football, his secret is tries to show a genuine interest in others.
Bob is now a Controller at a company near Akron, OH but he started his career at Ernst & Young, so he's got great perspective of both public accounting and industry. In this episode, we talk about how in 1985, he was keeping fantasy football scores using Lotus 1-2-3! And you'll never believe the story about his time hanging out with Al Davis, the former owner of the Oakland Raiders.
Bob graduated from the University of Akron but definitely doesn't fit the stereotypical mold of a CPA -- which makes him the perfect green apple.
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Bob's links
Andrew McArthur talks about how his homebrewing and air guitar competitions create stronger bonds with coworkers. Through he stresses it isn’t important to have a “cool” hobby — you should share no matter what your hobby or passion is.
I’ve known Andrew since my first day at PwC. He now works in Investment Risk Management at an Asset Management Firm in Denver, CO. In this episode, we talk about our first training at PwC, moving into the Internal Audit side shortly thereafter and how an accounting degree can lead to a diverse career path — many times not even doing traditional accounting at all.
Andrew graduated from UCLA with a major in Business Economics and a minor in Accounting. After 5 years with PwC in their advisory services division, focusing on Risk and Controls projects, Andrew made the move to an asset management firm where he has been working in various roles over the past 12 years.
He still has his active CPA license, although his career has gone many directions other than accounting.
John talks with
Andrew McArthur
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Andrew pours ingredients for his latest home brew beer. |
Andrew wins this regional Air Guitar Competition. |
Greg jokes his way to better client relationships
Greg Kyte is a very busy man. When he isn't being a Comptroller (he was able to give himself whatever title he wanted), he is performing at comedy clubs and delivering CPE no one in the audience will soon forget.
He definitely took the unconventional route into accounting. After graduating from the University of Washington, Greg moved to Utah and became a middle school teacher. Listen to the hilarious reason he left teaching and what it was about accounting that pulled him in. Greg provides some great insight on why "soft skills" are so important for accountants and how they've specifically impacted his relationships with clients. You'll also get some bonuses like one of his first jokes on stage and what it probably means if you hear "strawberry" in a doctor's office.
Greg really, really likes degrees: he has a secondary education teaching credential from Brigham Young University, a degree in accounting from Utah Valley University, an MBA from Utah State University, and took one philosophy class from Harvard Extension School. He likes to brag that his Harvard GPA is 3.7.
Oh, yeah, and he's also a CPA.
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"The Dancing Accountant" dishes on how she stands out to clients
Nancy McClelland loves dancing so much, when she decided to start her own firm, she called it The Dancing Accountant, LLC. She shares some great insight into how opening up to her clients about her hobby makes her seem more human and less intimidating.
Being a professional 1960's Go Go Dancer was something that Nancy had always wanted to try. Shortly after a milestone birthday, she realized that it was now or never, so she began taking classes in Chicago. Just four short months later, she was asked to join The Janes Go Go Troupe and began performing at events all over the city -- including at one of her client's venues!
Nancy graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and went straight to work as the Business Manager at the Ann Arbor School of Performing Arts. Someone along the way gave her a CCH Tax Guide and that's when she realized she should get her Masters in Accounting, pass the CPA Exam and start her own firm.
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John Garrett introduces you to The Green Apple Podcast
“Recovering CPA” John Garrett introduces you to The Green Apple Podcast. He shares his vision for the podcast and shares a little bit about himself.
After graduating from Notre Dame, John started at PwC in St. Louis. He worked hard to pass the CPA Exam, get promoted to Senior Associate and even be selected to work on the firm’s largest Financial Services client. Out of all of those resume-building things, wait until you hear what a PwC Partner remembered about John over ten years after he had left the firm.
Every Wednesday, John will be interviewing accountants that have hobbies and passions outside of work — ranging from something simple like watching movies to something crazy like skydiving.
He is doing this in hopes that as a profession, we begin to open up a little more to see each other as multi-dimensional and embrace the unique skill set that each of us has developed outside of work.
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One of my first times on stage at The Funny Bone Comedy Club. |
With Tom Griswold after being a guest on The Bob & Tom Show. |
On stage at Caroline’s Comedy Club in New York City. |
Interview links
Sponsors
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Subscribe to The Green Apple Podcast!
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Transcript
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Hey there! I’m John Garrett and this is the first ever episode of The Green Apple Podcast! I’m so excited to share my vision for this podcast and a little bit about myself.
Episode 2 will kick off my interviews with some awesome accountants who stand out at work by being unique — like a green apple in a red apple world. Why apples? Well since I’ve got the time, I looked up the characteristics of apples and they are very similar to those of accountants — durable, long shelf life, and grow round over time. Ok, that one might’ve cut a little too close to the bone for some of us.
And before I forget, I wanted to let everyone know you can see show notes and listen to all the episodes at GreenApplePodcast.com. You can also participate in my research survey — it’d be super cool if you did, it seriously takes less than two minutes — and contact me if you’d like to be a featured guest. I’d love to have you — yes, you — on my show — even if you work in tax!
That’s right, because every Wednesday, I’ll be interviewing accountants that have hobbies and passions outside of work — ranging from something simple like watching movies to something crazy like skydiving. I’m doing this in hopes that as a profession, we begin to open up a little more to see each other as multi-dimensional and embrace the unique skill set that each of us has developed outside of work.When I first started at PwC after graduating from Notre Dame, I realized quickly that on paper, we were all the same. We all went to college and have an accounting degree. Most of us, including me, have even passed the CPA exam. We all park in the same parking lot and walk the same path to work carrying our identical logo’d computer bags. But what makes you stand out has nothing to do with any of that. While we’ve been taught to believe that it’s completely unrelated to your job, your hobbies or passions are actually what makes you stand out and we all need to recognize the unique skills you’re bringing to the table.
Each episode will cover my guest’s story and how it has impacted their career. And I’ll be bringing one to you every Wednesday morning so your commute on that day just got a little better. You’re welcome!
I’ll have my guest introduce their episode so you’ll know who I’m talking with and what we’ll be talking about — just like I did for this one. Then I’ll ask them how they got into accounting because I’m always curious to hear that story. If you’re like me, I didn’t always want to be an accountant. I started college wanting to be an engineer. But a D in Physics and my birthday on April 15th, so it was pretty obvious accounting was for me! Besides, engineers are nerds. Am I right or what?
Then next we’ll dig deeper into their hobby. How did they get into it? What does it involve? What skills have you developed by doing this hobby? Now for me, that was standup comedy. I first went to a comedy club when I was at a training for PwC in Los Angeles. A few of us rented a car and went to the Improv Comedy Club in Hollywood. As it happens sometimes, most of the comedians were very, very funny but a few — were not. And that’s when I realized, “I could be as not funny as that guy.” My confidence was boosted when I got back to my home office and thought, “I am the funniest person in this department!” What I didn’t realize is being the funniest accountant is kind of like… driving the fastest minivan. So knowing I wouldn’t be the worst person that ever tried standup, decided to go up at the Funny Bone in St. Louis. For several years, I used to work all day and then go to the comedy club to perform at night. Eventually, I was good enough to be actually get paid and then take vacation days to fly and perform across the country. I’ve been a repeat guest on The Bob & Tom Show and my CD is in regular rotation on SiriusXM Radio. It’s pretty cool. And now look, I’ve got my own podcast!
The next thing we’ll discuss is whether they talk about their hobby at work. And if so, did they do this on purpose or did it just happen? We’ll talk about how this has benefited their career. Whether it’s stronger friendships with co-workers or stronger relationships with clients, you’re going to hear some inspiring stories.
And most importantly, I ask each of my guests — what are some barriers that keep people from sharing their hobby at work? This is meant to encourage all of us to find a way to quit acting like what you think an accountant should be and to open up and create deeper relationships based on what you enjoy doing.
The last segment, which is my favorite part, is where I’ll ask 17 quick questions to truly get to know my guest. Pressing questions like, “Star Wars or Star Trek?” or “Boxers or Briefs?” or “Movie that makes you cry?”. You know, the real questions that determine whether or not we can be friends — and if you say Rudy, you get some serious bonus points.
So to close out this episode, let me share with you why I started The Green Apple Podcast. As I travel the country speaking at firm all staff meetings and accounting conferences, I meet some really cool accountants. And this might be hard to believe but the thing that makes them really cool has absolutely nothing to do with accounting. And I’m sad when I hear that many of them are reluctant to share with their co-workers or clients for a variety of reasons — and I’ve heard them all. Personal talk isn’t billable or I’m scared of being different or my coworkers don’t care what I’m passionate about or I’m not going to bring it up since no one else does the same hobby as me. Hey, I did comedy. Do you think anyone else in my office did the same thing I did? We’ve all been there and I know many of you are thinking this right now.
That’s why this podcast exists. I want to keep generating valuable content to share with you the stories of many of our peers, accountants who have shared their hobbies and passions at work and the impact it’s had on their career — starting with me.
I never thought much of it at the time but this can have a profound impact on your career. You see, ten years after I left PwC, I was invited to speak at a Town Hall all staff meeting. A Partner who I had never worked for. A Partner who I didn’t even recognize his name, noticed the list of speakers and pointed me out, telling the meeting planner “I know John Garrett. He’s the guy who did comedy at night.” Ten years later. I had worked so hard to pass the CPA Exam. I was placed on the largest financial services client PwC had. I was promoted one of the first in my start class. Trying so hard to build my resume. And all this guy remembered was my hobby — telling jokes at night?
Was I the best one in my start class? Obviously not, now I tell jokes for a living. But who does he remember ten years later? Me. Therefore, what you doing now so coworkers and clients will remember you ten years from today?
But don’t just listen to my story. Like I said, each week, we’ll have a new accountant sharing their stories with you. All the way from Partners to CFOs to Interns and everyone in-between. Some of them might even work for the same firm or company as you or have the same hobby. I sincerely hope that these episodes encourage you to not be afraid to be unique — to be that green apple.
I really appreciate you subscribing to The Green Apple Podcast! If you find value in this podcast and the message we’re trying to spread here, please share it with your friends — and co-workers — because I realize those aren’t always the same group of people. If you’re listening on iTunes or Stitcher, please subscribe, rate and leave a review. If you’re generous enough to help me out with that, I’ll send you a free digital download of my comedy album currently in rotation on SiriusXM Radio. Just copy and paste your review into an email and send it to me. You’re welcome number two. Man, I’m such a giver.And, more importantly, if you or someone you work with is known for their hobby or passion — no matter how simple or crazy it might seem, let me know by visiting GreenApplePodcast.com. I truly enjoy hearing from each of you and I’d love to have you on as a guest.
I’m so excited for you to listen and then go out and be… a green apple.