Ep.64: Building A Career in Accounting

In this episode of CPA Career Paths, Mike Maksymiw, a seasoned leader in the accounting world, shares his inspiring journey from working at a local firm to becoming a key player in a national powerhouse.

In this video, we’re covering:

00:00 - Introduction to Mike and His Role:
Mike introduces himself and shares his current role in the accounting industry.

01:02 - What Makes a Great Place to Work?
Mike discusses the qualities of a great workplace and the environment that encourages personal and professional growth.

02:07 - Mike's Early Career and Choosing Accounting:
Mike reflects on how he started his career in accounting and what led him to pursue this field.

03:29 - Working with Family and First Job Experience:
Mike talks about his first job experiences and the challenges and benefits of working with family.

04:49 - Landing the First Job After Graduation:
He shares how he secured his first job after graduation and the lessons learned during that time.

07:05 - Overcoming Challenges in Client Communication:
Mike highlights the common challenges accountants face when communicating with clients and how he navigated them.

10:25 - Understanding and Communicating with the Client:
He delves deeper into the importance of understanding clients' needs and effectively communicating to build strong relationships.

13:37 - Chasing Experience Instead of Title:
Mike emphasizes that gaining experience is more important than simply chasing a job title, sharing his own career philosophy.

14:52 - Lessons from Personal Growth:
Mike reflects on his personal growth throughout his career and the valuable lessons he's learned along the way.

17:41 - Leadership Academy and Career Development:
Mike talks about his involvement in leadership development programs and how they shaped his approach to career advancement.

19:16 - Why Mike Moved to a New Firm:
He shares his reasons for moving to a new firm and how it impacted his career trajectory.

20:06 - Transition to a Local Accounting Firm:
Mike discusses the transition from a national firm to a local accounting firm and the changes that came with it.

21:22 - The Desire to Constantly Improve:
Mike talks about his drive for continuous improvement and how it has been a key factor in his success.

22:53 - Learning Through Sports: Mike’s Growth Mindset:
He draws parallels between the lessons learned through sports and his approach to professional development and mindset.

25:03 - Managing People and Being Yourself:
Mike discusses the importance of authenticity in leadership and how managing people requires staying true to oneself.

26:51 - The Turning Point: Breaking Down the Walls of Self-Doubt:
He shares a pivotal moment in his career when he overcame self-doubt and embraced his potential as a leader.

29:04 - Importance of Feedback to Grow:
Mike explains why feedback is crucial for professional growth and how he used it to evolve in his career.

30:48 - Mike’s Advice for Overcoming Professional Barriers:
He offers practical advice for overcoming common barriers in the professional world, especially for accountants.

32:18 - The Journey to Partner at Filamino:
Mike reflects on his journey to becoming a partner at Filamino and the challenges and accomplishments along the way.

33:26 - The Positive Approach to the Merger:
Mike discusses his positive mindset during the merger with Markham and how he navigated the transition successfully.

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