Her Story
About Alena
I always was an accountant - I was an accountant in Russia, and when I moved here to the United States to study, I had to start everything from the beginning because I had to redo everything. My mom was an accountant, so I kind of followed her steps. As a single mom and immigrant with no support in this country, my daughter has been the reason why I keep going. When I transferred to the U.S., I had a degree from Russia where I got my master's, but I had to get my bachelor's here, so I went back to get my master's at Florida International University. I started later compared to my peers because I was with a small baby, trying to work and go to school at the same time. I was always like, why am I so behind? Everyone is getting their CPA at a younger age, and I'm already older. But the best career advice I received was not to be in a rush and to take my time. I just love helping people. I feel like being in public accounting, I contribute and help people. My main area of expertise is Global Family Enterprise - we help ultra-high net worth individuals who have some international component in their taxation. Either they were international and moved here, or they're a U.S. citizen who moved to live abroad, so we help them to optimize their taxes. I was lucky enough to work closely with great people who pushed me and helped me. I have mentors and I'm very grateful for them because they really helped me and contributed to my development. Getting my CPA has been my most notable professional achievement so far, and having the opportunity to be in the field where I want to be and to be able to help our clients and feel like I'm contributing to this world.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say that probably my daughter, because I'm a single mom and an immigrant, having no support or anything in this country. She's the one who always keeps me going, the reason why I keep going. Being a single mom in a country that I just moved to, with no support system, she has been my motivation to achieve everything I've accomplished so far.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received was not to be in a rush and to take my time. When I moved here with a small baby, trying to figure everything out, I was working and going to school at the same time. Everyone was getting their CPA, and I was here with the baby trying to work and go to school, and I started later compared to my peers. I was always processing like, why am I so behind? People go to school when they're younger, and I'm already older. But I learned to take my time and enjoy the ride. I knew I would get there eventually, but I had to remind myself not to rush through everything.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say work hard, keep following the dream, and love what you do. I do love what I do. It's a very interesting job and a very rewarding job, but you have to pay your dues. During tax season, the work-life balance can be challenging, but it's worth it because you learn so much. Every day is so different because you get to work on different clients. It's a great opportunity because you work so much and you grow and learn so much - it's all worth it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge is sometimes the work-life balance during the tax season, especially with a daughter. You can't always work the 15-hour days. In my area, it's like 2 months in the spring and 2 months in September and October, so you can manage it, but it's challenging. At the same time, it's a great opportunity because you work so much and you grow and learn so much. It's all worth it because you learn so much, and every day is so different because you get to work on different clients.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are making sure that I bring some value to people's lives, that I contribute and am able to help people. Integrity, honesty, and reliability are essential, especially in our field. Hard work is also very important to me - it's something you can count on in this profession.
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