Claire Stanislawski, CPA

I attribute my success to perseverance, resilience, and a commitment to never giving up. Earning my CPA designation was not easy, and there were times when I had to step back, regroup, and approach my goals differently. When I returned to the process, I fully committed myself and saw it through to completion. I also credit my mother as one of the greatest influences in my life. She demonstrated extraordinary work ethic, determination, and selflessness while balancing work, family, and community involvement. Her example taught me the value of dedication, perseverance, and giving back to others.

My mother and I were actively involved with Team In Training, raising thousands of dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through half marathons and marathons. Although she ultimately passed away from complications related to blood cancer, her strength, generosity, and commitment to helping others continue to inspire me every day.

The best career advice I have ever received is that success is not determined by how quickly you achieve your goals, but by your willingness to persevere when challenges arise. Early in my career, while pursuing my CPA designation, I attempted to balance graduate school, part-time work, and CPA exam preparation all at once. The workload became overwhelming, and I made the difficult decision to step back and reassess my approach. Rather than viewing that pause as a failure, I learned that sometimes success requires patience, self-awareness, and the courage to adjust your plan. When I returned to the process, I was fully committed, remained focused, and ultimately earned my CPA. That experience taught me that resilience and determination are often the greatest predictors of long-term success.

I would encourage young women to seek mentors both within and outside their organizations. Having trusted advisors from different perspectives can provide valuable guidance when navigating workplace challenges, career decisions, and professional growth opportunities. External mentors can be especially helpful because they can offer objective advice and insights that may not be available within your immediate work environment.

I would also encourage women to advocate for themselves. Many talented professionals are capable of delivering exceptional results but hesitate to communicate their accomplishments and aspirations. Confidence is essential. Speak up, share your ideas, pursue networking opportunities, and build meaningful professional relationships. Your voice, experience, and contributions have value, and you should never be afraid to make them known.

One of the greatest opportunities in my field is helping clients plan for long-term success through strategic financial management. I enjoy providing fractional CFO services, developing financial projections, building budgets, conducting variance analysis, and improving operational processes. These services allow business owners to spend less time managing financial details and more time focusing on growth, innovation, and achieving their goals.

Another significant opportunity is helping organizations become more efficient through process improvements, financial planning, and stronger decision-making frameworks. By providing clients with clear financial insight and strategic guidance, I can help them better prepare for future challenges and opportunities.

Accountability is one of the most important values in both my professional and personal life. I take pride in producing high-quality work and being responsible for my commitments and outcomes. When mistakes happen, I believe it is important to acknowledge them, learn from them, and use those experiences as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Communication is equally important. Clear, consistent communication helps build trust, strengthen teamwork, and ensure that expectations, priorities, and deadlines are understood. I also value collaboration and being a supportive team player. Whether working with clients, colleagues, nonprofit organizations, or community groups, I believe success is built through reliability, honesty, accountability, and strong relationships.