Victoria Thayer, CPA

Job title: Manager l Employer: Berndt CPA

What influenced your decision to become a CPA?

Wanting a better understanding of tax and financial statement preparation to better serve our clients. I believe that as human beings we are in this world to use our talents to serve others, and that motivated me to pursue the CPA credential.

How did you complete the 150 hours necessary to take the CPA Exam?

I decided to go back to school to obtain my master’s degree in accounting. The master’s program I chose at Edgewood College was fully remote, which allowed me to keep my full-time job and study on nights and weekends.

What are some dead-wrong assumptions people make about public accounting?

That it’s boring and repetitive! There is nothing more rewarding and exciting than public accounting. Every day is different; each client is a different world, and they present different challenges. Our job as CPAs is to help our clients obtain the financial clarity they need to achieve their business goals.

What’s the best part about your current job?

Being able to work with business owners from my community and to team up with other smart and driven CPAs to deliver excellent service to our clients.

How did you find your first job out of college?

I found my first job by searching online.

What was your first year like?

It was a period of self-search; I knew I needed to try different roles before I found my true purpose.

What surprised you the most when you started your job?

I started my professional career in corporate accounting as a cost accountant. The job’s duties surprised me because they were very repetitive, and there was no client interaction. I was seeing only one small part of the whole financial statement (just a few expense accounts, to be precise).

What’s the best thing about being a CPA?

Being able to serve a wide variety of clients! I think that the pinnacle of being a CPA is becoming that trusted advisor for a client. Working with clients on tax planning, budgeting and forecasting is rewarding because you are impacting their lives and the success of our community.

What do you like most about the organization you work for?

Their support to help me grow as a CPA and as a leader. Berndt CPA has given me the opportunities to get out of my comfort zone to grow, and they have mentored me through it. They are very involved in the community, and they have empowered me to create my impact in the community.

What are your goals for the future?

To grow our firm’s client advisory services, to obtain my CITP credential and to increase financial literacy within the Latin community through organizations like the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce and Midwest Mujeres. I am proud of being Latina, and empowering other Latinos is a key part of my purpose.