Full Name: Dan Araya
LinkedIn: Daniel Araya, CPA
Job Title: Managing Director
Company: Growth Track Accounting LLC
Industry: Accounting/Tax
Select one career level:
Director
Can you explain what type of education and background experience someone may need to work in your job?
I would say someone needs at least their CPA license - that’s usually industry standard for my line of work. As far as experience, I would say as much technical experience as possible, but also try to get as much client facing experience as possible. People who are very good at dealing with clients, and bringing in business, are the ones who make it to the top. Everyone can be good with people, even if you’re introverted, it just takes practice to maneuver social settings. I also recognize that, for some, it takes a level of courage as well. For example, with sales I wasn’t always good because I don’t like to push people, and I find it awkward speaking with a totally random stranger to try to sell them something. This creates an inward anxiety/fear. I had to have my “why” in the back of my brain to motivate me to push forward despite my anxiety/fear. Why am I doing this? What is my end goal? What is my vision?
Describe your day-to-day duties in 200 words or less.
Depends on the season. During tax season, I’m grinding out about 13 hours a day, 7 days a week on tax duties (preparing, reviewing, filing, emailing, phone calls). During my off season that’s when I try to catch up on other activities - like admin work and marketing/sales activities. I also have random client projects that may come up. I try to do planning and analysis as well during my “off season” to try to set myself up for a better year going forward. For example, this year my website needed a lot of work to supplement my marketing activities, so that was something I was working on.
Please write your 3 favorite parts about your job.
Freedom - I am an entrepreneur
Helping people and making them feel good/secure about their financial & tax lives
Stability
Who are some teams that you collaborate/work with?
I have a business partner, and also a bunch of professionals in my network. I especially enjoy collaborating with those other professionals on ideas.
What are some of the challenges that you face within your role?
All responsibility falls on me. When you’re dealing with taxes especially, you’re dealing with a certain level of liability. If I make a mistake, for example, and a client is hit with IRS penalties - that mistake is completely on me. The client is angry, and I have to deal with it. Also, if a client sues (which hasn’t happened to me yet), they’re suing me and my company. To be honest, the liability aspect always gives me anxiety, but it comes with the territory.
In any company, when you’re at the top, the responsibility falls on you. Doesn’t matter if it was the “associate’s fault” - ultimately, you are the one who’s going to have to deal with the consequences. But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained! If I wanted to live a comfortable life with zero liability, then I’d never get anywhere.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about your job?
Most tax accountants are specialists. I think a lot of people assume that since you’re a tax accountant, you automatically know everything about tax law. It’s like assuming that a liver doctor knows how to perform plastic surgery. I do know how to interpret/read tax law, so I can find answers if need be, but I definitely don’t know everything :)
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