UCS: Could you provide a brief overview of your career journey after graduating from the Kelley School of Business? What positions or roles have you held?

Anne-Marie: I joined the tax department of Phillip Rootberg & Co as an associate in September 1990. We merged with CBIZ in 1998. I became a Tax Managing Director in 2000 and have led the Tax Department ever since. I am also a co-Tax Practice Leader in our Chicago office.

UCS: What inspired you to pursue a career in your current industry? Was there a specific experience or moment that sparked your interest?

Anne-Marie: I took my first tax class at IU taught by an amazing professor, Peggy Hite. This class definitely sparked my interest in tax. She gave me an A+. I recently reached out to her letting her know I am still in the tax profession and I thanked her for leading me to my ultimate career path. She was so thankful that I reached out and she said she gave very few A+ as a professor at IU.

UCS: How did your education at Kelley prepare you for your current role?

Anne-Marie: My Kelley education provided the best foundation for a very long and successful career. The tax class led me to my destined profession.

UCS: What specific skills or knowledge from your Kelley education have been most valuable in your career?

Anne-Marie: The initial tax skills led me to my career path. The overall professional skills that a Kelley degree provides and the rounded I-core experience really prepares you to think as a business leader in your chosen field.

UCS: Can you share a highlight or accomplishment from your professional journey that you are particularly proud of?

Anne-Marie: My passion has always been advocating for my staff and their work-life balance, especially for women and new parents in our field. I proactively created our “paperless” process many years in advance of COVID to help our staff work from home when needed. Then COVID hit and we were well prepared to quickly shift and work from home. We now offer hybrid to all of our staff and we are flexible depending on the needs of our individual staff.

UCS: What advice would you give to current Kelley students who are considering a career in your industry?

Anne-Marie: Since internships are now the path to a full-time position in the accounting field, take the time to thoroughly research the companies you are interested in and ask the tough questions to see if it will be a good fit for you. Consider having multiple internships to experience different fields and companies to see what you like best.

UCS: How has networking and building connections played a role in your career advancement? Any tips for students on effective networking?

Anne-Marie: Networking with fellow IU alumni is a fun and easy way to network. I also have many clients that simply started as my friends since their tax needs increased as they grew older and got involved in more complicated tax areas. I have also found joining activities that bring you joy and letting people know what you do, can definitely lead to opportunities down the road. Strive to make a couple of key referral contacts who will refer work to you and vice versa. I have a key estate planning attorney and financial planner who refer me new clients year after year and I do the same for them.

UCS: Have you pursued any further education or certifications since graduating from Kelley? If so, how have they contributed to your career growth?

Anne-Marie: I received a M.S. in Taxation from DePaul in 1995. This gave me a solid tax foundation to continue growing in my tax career.

UCS: In your opinion, what are the current trends or challenges in your industry that students should be aware of?

Anne-Marie: The tax field is always evolving and becoming more advisory. The utilization of AI will be emerging in the years to come to those who learn how to use it effectively.

UCS: Can you describe a typical day or week in your current role? What are the main tasks and responsibilities you handle?

Anne-Marie: A typical day involves responding to several emails and attending meetings with staff, clients, regional and national offices, etc. During tax season, I am more focused on the final high-level tax review of my clients and making sure we are addressing their tax issues and offering tax solutions for their future. I am a co-Tax Practice Leader in our Chicago office who focuses on scheduling work, preparing the annual reviews for our staff, running our tax department weekly meetings, assigning staff mentors, leading change in our office, and proactively seeking feedback from our staff.

UCS: How do you maintain a work-life balance in a demanding industry? Any strategies or tips you would like to share?

Anne-Marie: I proactively advocated for work-life balance well before COVID in our office and continue to advocate it for our staff. I like how tax season is a set time frame so I can plan my vacation time around our busy tax seasons. We offer a hybrid work schedule which definitely helps with our work-life balance.

UCS: Is there anything else you would like to share with current Kelley students who are exploring different industries and career paths?

Anne-Marie: Use the Kelley network to reach out to professionals in your field of interest through Linked In to seek their advice. Visit the office of jobs you are interested in to feel the culture to see if it is a good fit for you. Utilize all of the opportunities you have at Kelley while you are there to find the perfect job for you.