Dawn W. Brolin, CPA, CFE - 2017 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Honoree

Dawn W. Brolin, CPA, CFE – 2017 Most Powerful Women in Accounting Honoree

Professional Credentials: Certified Public Accountant & Certified Fraud Examiner

Employer: Powerful Accounting, LLC

Title: CEO/Managing Member

Website URL: www.powerfulaccounting.com, www.dawnbrolin.com

Twitter: @dawnbrolin

Education (Degree/school): Masters Degree, Accounting from Eastern Connecticut State University

What opportunities do you feel women in accounting have now that they didn’t have when you started in the profession?

I believe that the opportunities for women in the accounting profession have never been better. With the advancements in technology and volume of niche work, it is allowing practitioners to specialize in any area of this field provides even larger opportunities. No longer is this about gender but rather about intelligence and perseverance.

How important is work/life balance and what suggestions do you have for those who are struggling to attain this?

It is important that we all continue to strive for work/life balance. With the technologies available to us today, this should start becoming easier and easier. Being a Mobile Monster and implementing systems will get people their life back in so many ways. Mobile technology is imperative to attain this goal.

What is the most difficult part about being a women in the accounting profession?

Honestly, I don’t find that being a women in the accounting profession is difficult. I have had a very small amount of men who want to be the “in charge” of a project or discussion. I don’t take that as an insult, rather, I take it as an ability for me to learn more about people and allow others who may feel the need to be in the spotlight, have that opportunity.

Many of us have paved the way and proven through our hard work, dedication, and education that we are competitive in the industry. I believe women have a native instinct to get things done with accuracy and determination. I love being the smart woman in the room!

How do you see yourself participating in shaping the future of the accounting profession?

I will continue to encourage other practitioners to identify the area within the industry that they can put 100% of their passion behind. Once you find what you love to do, you will do it forever. I, myself, have found my passionate niche in tax resolution and fraud/forensic work. It has changed my perspective and opened my eyes to the endless possibilities and has convinced me that I am pursuing exactly what I want to do for the rest of my career. I will bring anyone with me on this journey who has the same passion.

Looking back at your career, what would you do differently given the knowledge you have today and how can women who are entering the benefit from that knowledge?

I am not sure I would do anything different other than finding my niche a little earlier than at 47 years old. The journey I went through was challenging and I learned a lot about what I didn’t want to be and what I didn’t want to focus on. I would say to anyone entering this industry to take a serious look at what you are passionate about and pursue it. Don’t think about making a million today, get into a niche, build your skills and knowledge and the money will follow.

Please share any other comments or insights you would like to share with our readers about what has driven you to be a person who is recognized as a leader in this profession.

I want to be a role model and encourager to all practitioners in the accounting profession. My goal is to inspire others and help them acknowledge that they can be anything they want to be, it just takes HARD WORK. In 2008, Leslie Capachietti was teaching the first Advanced Desktop Certification and I attended her course in Boston, MA. At the end of the course I asked her how I could start speaking for Intuit like she was. She changed my life as she helped me get involved in the Trainer Writer Network and from that, I built an amazing relationship with a solid and respectful company. I will never be able to repay her for that. And therefore, I want to do the same for others, Pay It Forward!