How did you get into your field?
I was first introduced to tax in a high school business class. One of our projects was to prepare a simple tax return. I studied the instructions and completed a form 1040, and the exercise totally captivated me.
I also took computer information systems classes at the College of Lake County during high school. It was my first introduction to coding.
Thanks to these two early experiences, I decided to go into accounting/tax and logic. I pursued a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a master’s in tax from University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. I was the first in my family to earn a graduate degree. This career path turned out to be a great choice for me, and I still enjoy it to this day.
What led you to Corptax?
My first job out of college was at Deloitte & Touche in Chicago, and that’s when I attained my master’s degree in Tax.
I initially became familiar with Corptax software when I worked for a Corptax client, Zurich American Insurance Company. After that, I continued to work in the industry. Then Corptax contacted me, and one thing led to another.
Tell me about your position at Corptax?
I’m a Senior Tax Analyst at Corptax. I do research and testing for Colorado and Puerto Rico, and I do logic for Missouri, Pennsylvania, and cities in Kentucky and Michigan.
My job is half research/testing and half writing code to maintain calculations. I enjoy both sides of the job. Looking ahead to the next few years, I believe everything will be fully digital, so having logic skills will make me more effective.
What is one thing that surprised you about Corptax?
I was pleasantly surprised by the great management team and how much they care about our interests and making our jobs even better.
I feel comfortable communicating with my manager—expressing a concern, asking questions, or making comments. I know our input is appreciated and taken into consideration. Additionally, Corptax provides various ways I can continue developing my technical skills, such as learning new programming languages and advancing my soft skills.
What’s your philosophy of life?
Over time, I have found that self discipline and delayed gratification are helpful in improving one’s life.
Self discipline helps me stay organized and focused. Delaying gratification helps me understand what may be worth postponing now in order to achieve my goals. It seems in society today, some people want instant gratification. But I believe that understanding the value of patience is key to a balanced life and helps a person prioritize his or her goals.
What lesson has your work life taught you?
It’s important to do something that you really like. It makes life easier and much more enjoyable. Plus, having a good attitude and being humble makes all the difference in the world.
I also strive to be approachable and down to earth. These attributes help me develop successful working relationships and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
What are some challenges or opportunities you see developing in the next five years?
In the next five years, software technology will expand, and many of the skills needed—coding, testing, and researching, for example—will be in high demand. Also, many companies will move to a remote working model for their employees or provide hybrid arrangements. I’m excited about the changes in the industry and how it constantly evolves.
