I'm going back!

Well I just couldn't stay away. In 2016, I will be returning to my old firm and back into the realm of public accounting. I enjoyed my stay in industry. It was relaxing and a good way for me to take a breath, refocus and learn from the client's point of view. However, I realized this way of life is just too slow for me. I need action! Now had my company gone public and the oil and gas market not sucked right now, it may have been a faster pace job. Since that did not happen, I found myself having trouble staying busy during the day. I took on every possible task I could, none of it tax related. I learned some about book accounting, payroll, India reporting and Census surveys. I learned so much about the client's point of view.  What a client expects, and how they want to be treated. I am also thankful I did have some time to slow down. The first six to nine months I truly loved not being stressed AT ALL! It was nice to have work stay at work and never think about it on off hours. I never worked over 40 hours. The scale was completely tilted on my personal life. So why would anyone want to tilt it the other way.

Well, about July I started dreading coming to work. I was watching the clock tick down to closing time. I liked the people but my job had turned in to data entry and boring. At that point they gave me a person to manage so that was exciting. However after a couple of months, I had processes implemented and everything was running like clockwork. I needed more challenges. I ended up going to a networking event my old firm put on. I walked in and just felt like I belonged. I was energized by people and clients. Some clients never even realized I had left. I just let them think I still belonged. It felt nice.

Soon the new office managing partner and my old partner were offering me a job. It was enticing. However I met with my CFO and let him know I needed more challenges. He offered to mentor me and show me the ropes of a CFO. Wow, this seemed like a great opportunity. I went to lunch with the office managing partner and turned him down. He was disappointed. They had spent the week with essentially a "full court press". I had everyone texting and calling trying to convenience me to come back. However, I felt good about my decision going back to the office. I had a great opportunity in front of me and was excited. The next morning I woke up thinking "what have I done?". I was throwing a birthday party for my daughter that day, so I was trying to get it together, but could not stop crying. I called my dad. He told me don't think about it today, focus on Addison. If they want you that bad, they will still be there in 6 months and you can give this company a shot. That gave me the soothing I needed. I focused on the party and just stopped thinking about it.

Monday I went to work with nothing on my mind. I went about my day and at the end of the day I got a text from the office managing partner. Asking for another chance and laying out all they could offer. They understood how important my family life was and were willing to honor it. They also offered a partnership path with no relocation. That right there was something that really made my ears perk up. Making partner in a big 4 accounting firm, arguably the best in the world, was a BIG deal. And not having to move was even bigger. See before, you had to have a two year rotation to obtain a unique experience. This allowed you to meet other partners and essentially get your name out there so you have enough people to vote you into the partnership. With technology these days it is much easier to get your name out there. Of course this wouldn't be handed to me and there is a lot of work to get there, but by golly it was very enticing.

I decided to hear them out. I spoke again with the office managing partner, others in the Tulsa office and finally the market tax leader. We made a plan and I signed on to give it a whirl. There is no guarantee that I will make partner, but I have a really good shot. If I don't make partner, the other path will be managing director which is also a pretty good gig. My love for staying in Tulsa actually benefits me. Of course my ultimate fear is that I will focus too much on work and fail as a wife and mother. I am going to do my best to balance it all. Tim is on board to help make this happen. I know I will be busy half of the year, with a couple of months being crazy. I am going to do my best to work my butt off when I am at work, so that when I am home I am at home. There will be days where the scale will tilt to work, but you know what, I think I will thrive under the pressure. At least I hope I will. So here is to another go of it! Wish me luck! Lots of prayer for balance and kicking some tail in the business world are appreciated.