Member Appreciation Month

Who has been your biggest mentor or influence in your career?

I’ve been shaped by many people throughout my career. Eleanor Roosevelt’s quotes, like “You must do the thing you think you cannot do” and “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” have always inspired me to lead with courage and openness.

Indra Nooyi also influenced me deeply with her focus on performance with purpose and sustainability. Her reminder that “you can have it all, but not at the same time” and her motto “Please help others rise” guide how I approach leadership—lifting others as I grow.

On a more personal level, Ken Gaudreau was a mentor who changed my career trajectory. He believed in me early on, teaching me that my voice matters and that true leadership is about supporting others. His guidance has stayed with me ever since.

What’s your go-to productivity hack?

Time blocking and prioritization keep me on track. I focus on high-priority tasks first, chip away at long-term projects and accept that not everything needs to be done in one day. Progress over perfection, always.

How does being part of MassCPAs make you feel connected to the profession?

MassCPAs has given me the chance to connect with professionals across the industry and support early-career talent. Guiding conversations, asking thoughtful questions and helping others grow reminds me why I love this profession and the impact we can have on each other.

What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie at heart; the first thing I did after getting my CPA license many years ago was to get my skydiving license (though I haven’t jumped in well over 10 years at this point), and relatively recently I have taken up mountain biking.

What advice would you give to young accountants just starting out?

Stay curious! My favorite part of being a CPA is that I have become a trusted advisor to my clients, and not just “the accountant." This has only been possible due to my continuous learning about what they do and how they do it; once you find an industry niche that you enjoy, read up as much as possible about it and talk to individuals in operations to find out how it all works!

How do you like to give back to the accounting community?

I love doing what I can to help support the next generation of CPAs! Whether its advocating at the State House for an Alternative Pathway towards CPA licensure, my participation in MassCPAs Mentor Match program or giving advice to those that I work with, helping to build careers is an incredibly fulfilling part of my job.

How did you get your start in accounting?

I studied accounting at the National University of Singapore and began my career in audit. What initially drew me to the field was the structure behind double entries—it felt like solving a giant puzzle. That foundation in audit ultimately led me to forensic accounting, where I’m now a manager at Floyd Advisory. I love being able to take that knowledge a step further to uncover and analyze complex financial issues.

What advice would you give to young professionals entering the field?

Take time to discover which area of accounting excites you most. The field is broad—audit, tax, forensic, advisory—and finding a niche that aligns with your strengths and interests will keep you motivated and help build a rewarding career.

What’s your favorite MassCPAs memory or event?

Definitely the ACE program. I really enjoyed connecting with students who are just beginning to explore accounting as a career. Seeing their enthusiasm and the effort they put into their projects was incredibly inspiring—it reminded me of why I chose this profession in the first place.

How did you first get started in accounting?

My dad was an accountant, so naturally, I tried not to follow in his footsteps. I started college as a marketing major, switched to accounting, explored other paths and even took the LSAT. But I kept coming back to accounting—the concepts just clicked. I graduated from UMass Lowell with a BBA in Accounting and a minor in Psychology. For me, accounting feels like solving a puzzle—putting all the pieces together to tell a story.

What advice would you give to young accountants just starting out?

Stay engaged—with your work, your firm and your community. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at first, but remember: your career is yours to shape. Building a sense of belonging was important to me, so I attended events, joined team gatherings and connected with coworkers outside of the office. Getting involved with groups like MassCPAs expanded my network and deepened those relationships. At the same time, protect your balance. I carve out time every day for something just for me—and that makes me more energized and excited about my work.

What’s your favorite MassCPAs memory or event?

In July, I spent an evening with students in the MassCPAs ACE Program—and it was unforgettable. I wasn’t sure how excited high schoolers would be about accounting, but I was blown away. Their curiosity, intelligence and drive were inspiring. It reminded me why I love giving back to the profession. I tutored throughout college, so being part of the ACE Program felt full-circle. It was a powerful reminder of the human side of what we do.

How did you first get started in accounting?

A family friend asked me two simple questions: What are you good at, and what are you interested in? I hadn’t taken an accounting class in high school, but our conversation led us to accounting as a path that might suit me. At a career fair at UMass Dartmouth, I connected with Jack Finning, applied to AAFCPAs after that conversation and have been part of the team since 1997, working with a wide range of nonprofit organizations.

How do you balance work, professional development and personal life?

The CPA profession is deadline driven, so I work closely with our teams and clients to schedule deliverables well in advance of filing deadlines. For professional development, I encourage others to stay curious—pursue technical topics that interest you and invest time in growing your business and referral network. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day work, but building relationships is essential.

On the personal side, I make it a priority. My wife, Melissa, and I plan a few family trips each year with our three daughters, Becca, Allison and Bridget. We also have three dogs, and I enjoy walking them early in the morning. I stay connected with friends, usually around baseball or football games—sometimes including road trips to see them.

How do you like to give back to the accounting community?

Over the past few years, I’ve participated in several MassCPAs initiatives. I’ve joined the annual Fitness Challenge, served as a mentor in the Mentor Match Program and supported the Accounting Opportunities Experience—first at Beverly High School and this year at Chelmsford High. I regularly attend the Connect event and other Society gatherings when possible, contribute to the Educational Foundation, and recently spoke on a nonprofit financial reporting panel at a MassCPAs infoshare. Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep supporting future CPAs however I can.