Meet Michelle Hewitt, our Employee Spotlight this month! As an Assistant Controller, Michelle handles all aspects of financial and accounting operations. Michelle brings over 18 years of progressive experience in non-profit environments; she excels in streamlining finance systems, ensuring organization and accuracy, and is skilled in managing day-to-day transactions and financial preparations for companies already on the right path. Michelle holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Eastern Oregon University and is a member of the Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society. Join us as we delve into 10 insightful questions to get to know Michelle better!
1. What’s your favorite way to relax after a busy day at work?
On any given day after work, I like to unwind watching something in the sci-fi genre. It’s been a bit hard getting anything decent these days, so I often watch old Stargate, Falling Sky, or Red Dwarf reruns. On weekends I like to play World of Warcraft in the mornings with my mom, go to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park, and during the summer months, we like to do the occasional bit of camping.
2. What initially drew you to Optima and the industry?
My very first official accounting position after I earned my bachelor's so many years ago, was in a small accounting office where we (the boss, myself, and one other co-worker) each had different clients we serviced. It was where I began earning my non-profit accounting knowledge. After many years of working for specific non-profits, I was very intrigued by the idea of returning to having multiple clients, and (in the world of today) the work from home, work-life balance that offers. I haven’t been disappointed!
3. What does a perfect day for you look like?
I would get up, go for a hike in the woods along a trail, or down by the water. If I had to work, I would then work from home, if I didn’t then I would have a day of projects around the house and property to do. In the perfect world, with the perfect day, I live close enough to my daughter for her to come over for dinner.
4. What's your favorite quote?
“Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it; those who fail to learn history correctly…why they are simply doomed. ”Archem Dro-hm, “The Illusion of Historical Fact” CY 4971 (Andromeda Sci-Fi TV Series). I like this one because it’s a take off of a real quote we’ve all heard, and one that seems very relevant these days. I have trouble with quotes. I see ones I like all the time, but rarely remember them long 😊
5. What advice would you give to someone starting in your field?
Give serious consideration to what type of accountant you want to be from the beginning. Don’t just go where the flow takes you because you’re good at math and liked the accounting classes. If you do this, you might well end up wasting a lot of time going after a license you don’t need, or worse, you will end up bored and wishing you’d chosen a completely different career. There will be long days of staring at numbers and spreadsheets, be sure you’re up for it!
6. What was your dream job as a child?
I’m not sure I remember having a dream job as a child, but as a teen, I was working on becoming a CPA just like my favorite aunt and uncle.
7. If you won $1 million, what would you do with it?
I would pay off debt for myself and my daughter, spread a bit around to family, and buy a piece of property either up near Mt. Shasta or near the Olympic National Forest in WA.
8. What is one skill every person should have?
The ability to speak in public and to groups. The scariest class I took in college was my public speaking class! Yet, it’s also the only class that, to this day, I still say I’m so glad I took! It has helped me more in business and my career than I think most people realize it would.
9. What makes you feel most fulfilled?
Traveling! Exploring new places, cultures, and foods! My daughter and I have been to Scandinavia (with my dad), Mexico, and Costa Rica together, and we’re going back to Costa Rica later this year. It just feels wonderful exploring, new places and old (I love ruins)!!
10. What do you feel is the most important trend or development in the accounting industry right now?
I think using AI and other more powerful tools to give different types of visualization to the data. Visualizations that even non-accountants can understand, and that are interesting enough to keep their attention.
