I AM THE VSCPA

MEDIA MAVEN >> Two minutes with Vivian Paige, CPA

Vivian Paige, CPA, is a lecturer of accounting at Old Dominion University, her alma mater, where she primarily teaches income taxes. Prior to that, she maintained a CPA firm based in Norfolk but with clients all over the country. Her interests have led her to participate in several committees of the VSCPA including the Legislation Tracking Committee and the Tax Advisory Committee. She was the primary author of the 2014 revision to the Legislators’ Tax Guide, an annual product of the VSCPA Task Force of the same name. Her interests in politics and policy find her a frequent guest on radio and television and she writes a weekly guest column for The Virginian-Pilot.

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT ... Lifelong learning. There’s always something new and interesting to learn. And it doesn’t have to be workrelated.

PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THIS BUT … I used to make my living singing and playing the piano six nights a week. When I started my firm, I didn’t have a single client. I had to make a living somehow!

IF I WEREN’T AN ACCOUNTANT, I WOULD BE … A professional football referee. Or at least I would have been if I were younger!

MY ADVICE TO FELLOW CPAs IS … Develop strong personal relationships with your clients. Don’t be afraid to let others see different sides of you. And, most importantly, take some time for yourself.

I NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT … My cell phone and my debit card.

I WISH CPAs KNEW … To not be afraid of embracing the future. We have come a long way since the days of 10-column spreadsheets, adding machines and historical cost financial statements. Much lies ahead — carpe diem!

I’M A CPA BECAUSE … I had a dear friend and mentor who advised me to pursue it, although he never had done so himself. He said it would make a difference as I built my reputation. And he was right. n