ROCK Employee Spotlight: Kirsten Deaver, Accountant

Kirsten Deaver showing off her stellar ice skating skills!

WHAT LED YOU TO ROCK?  I had been looking for entry level accounting positions or internships while I was still in college without much success (who knew you needed 2-5 years of experience for an “entry level” position?). I stumbled upon a posting for an accounting assistant at ROCK and applied, assuming I’d have similar results as my other applications. I was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong! I initially began working part-time as I finished my degree, and upon graduating accepted a full-time position.

WHAT IS THE MOST SATISFYING ASPECT OF YOUR JOB?  Being able to give the necessary information and/or reports that clients or colleagues need when they ask for such items.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING ACCOUNTING AS A CAREER?  Spreadsheets are going to be your best friend. Start getting familiar with them sooner rather than later.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING AT ROCK?  Jumping on the bandwagon with my coworkers, I’d have to say the people and overall culture. Regardless of the matter at hand, there is always someone willing to lend a hand to help get everything sorted out.

WHAT BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY TRAIT DO YOU MOST ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS?  Having strong attention to detail and pattern recognition skills. In accounting, the smallest inaccuracy can throw everything out of balance, so it is important to have the attention to detail to ensure that doesn’t happen. Pattern recognition skills make it easier to catch any potential mistakes, in addition to making it easier to learn the standards for any new assignments.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED?  Fake it ‘till you make it.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?  Depends on what stage of life you would’ve asked me in! As a young child, I probably would’ve said something crazy like singer or actress. In later childhood to teenage years, I had wanted to be a forensic scientist or an actuary.

TELL US ONE THING (AT LEAST!) THAT IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?  The current top of my list is to go to New York during the winter so that I can ice skate at Rockefeller Center, and probably catch a Broadway show while I’m in the area.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT WOULD SURPRISE US?  I am an avid collector of different hobbies. Over the years I’ve tried drawing, sewing, embroidery, rug-making, punch-needling, and probably a number of others that I’m forgetting. My current go-to hobbies are crocheting (primarily stuffed animals) and ice skating. Roller skating is the next planned addition to my hobby-collection once I get a pair of skates!