CFO of Girl Scouts Nation's Capital offers tips and insights from her career journey

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In our August webinar, Q&A with a CPA: A Day in the Life of a Nonprofit CFO, Jessica McClain, CPA, chief financial officer at Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, shared her experiences in the profession and offered practical tips for excelling in accounting.

Financial expert and master storyteller

More than just crunching numbers, McClain shared that being a CFO for a nonprofit organization is about mastering the art of storytelling and bringing the numbers to life.

McClain collaborates with multiple departments, including program management, fundraising, human resources, marketing and communications. Part of her job includes explaining to staff the effects of the departments’ decisions on the organization’s future.

To support and advance the organization’s mission, she strategically allocates resources by working closely with department leaders to uncover the financial implications of their programs and initiatives (such as community outreach efforts, annual fundraising events, employee benefits programs and public awareness campaigns).

“As a CFO, I’m not just a guardian of the finances,” McClain said. “There’s more to it than that. I’ve become a storyteller. Telling a narrative is how I help the organization grow and collaborating with departments [shows] how their decisions today shape our future.”

A rewarding and fulfilling career

McClain began her career at a Big Four firm where she was provided experience working through complex financial scenarios with various businesses and industries. She was able to collaborate with senior-level staff, learning best practices and techniques for accounting and auditing.

"Big Four was a great place to start for me, and I'll never forget the time I had when I was at KPMG. What’s important is working for an organization that supports you ... that allows you to do interesting work that challenges you while helping you learn and grow,” McClain said.

Following KPMG, McClain worked for the federal government conducting audits. And, as she continued her career path, she decided to earn Not-for-Profit (NFP) Certificates I and II from AICPA®. Not-for-Profit Certificates expand expertise in nonprofit accounting, providing learners a thorough understanding of NFP financial practices, regulations and reporting requirements.

This journey led to McClain’s current position at Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital.

What it takes to be a successful CPA

“When people ask what it takes to be successful [in accounting], there is a focus on your technical skills. You have to understand the technical aspect of what you’re doing,” McClain said. However, a fulfilling career involves more than technical skills.

As you move through your studies, begin internships and then step into fulltime employment, here are tips to keep in mind:

• Network: There is power in having connections with established CPAs and other professionals.
• Embrace a growth mindset: Continue to learn beyond your academic career.
• Communicate clearly: You’ll need to talk with clients (and others who do not have your level of knowledge about accounting and finance) in a way they can understand.
• Be a visionary: Look ahead to anticipate challenges and identify opportunities.

Building soft skills, including the ability to adapt, communicate clearly and think critically are very important to become well-rounded. Successful CPAs embrace a growth mindset, learning from every experience and charting new paths for professional development.

Discover the real-world benefits of being a CPA

Hear from Jessica McClain directly and see if you agree with which Girl Scout cookie is the favorite in the Q&A with a CPA: A Day in the Life of a Nonprofit CFO. When you click the link, you’ll be prompted to log in or create a free account. Then, you can find archived webinars under the ‘Past Events’ tab.