Jenny Bolsky

Title: Partner Company: Miller Kaplan Arase City: North Hollywood Specializations: Fraud, employee benefit plans, nonprofit organizations. Joanna (Jenny) Bolsky has 30 years of experience in governmental and public accounting, including 25 years in financial statement audits for tax-exempt organizations. She is also a Certified Fraud Examiner. She began her career as an auditor for the Department of Defense and joined Miller Kaplan Arase in 1990. Jenny founded the Employee Benefit Plans Committee for CalCPA’s Los Angeles chapter, and currently serves as chairwoman of the California Board of Accountancy’s Qualifications Committee. She has an MBA from Woodbury University in Burbank. Question: Why accounting? Answer: I was attracted by the versatility; it meant that I would be able to carve my own path while also making a difference in my clients’ businesses and lives. Favorite part of the job: I have met and been able to work with some of the most interesting people and organizations. Working with nonprofits that do incredible work in our community, and getting to know the dedicated individuals that make their missions a reality, is extremely uplifting. Biggest challenge: The long hours resulting from an annual deadline crunch. At the end of the day, the satisfaction of helping our clients through their challenges makes it all worthwhile. How does your personality make you good at accounting? My patience enables me to sift through large amounts of information, calmly process client requests and manage deadlines; I just remember to take it one step at a time. How has your gender affected your career? I am lucky that I’ve never felt that my gender affected my career path. I know that many women can’t say the same, so I remember not to take my experience for granted. I want to help make sure that the next generation of women have this same opportunity, so I try to participate in a number of boards and committees so that there is always at least one female voice within a decision-making body. Any changes in the workplace in the #MeToo era?  Our firm has always been conscientious of the topics behind the #MeToo movement (meaning, before it was a movement), so there haven’t been any major changes except that perhaps it has made everyone a little more vocal. I think we were always aware, but the #MeToo movement gave people – men and women alike – permission to talk about it a more openly. Impact of tax reform: Our firm is using tax reform to benefit our clients by educating them on how best to take advantage of the new rules. Biggest challenge for clients: I am concerned that my nonprofit clients’ contribution levels will decline due to the new tax rules. How is the accounting industry changing? An onslaught of increasingly burdensome rules and regulations. Changes you would like to see: I would like the standard-setters to seriously consider the administrative burden that new rules generate for smaller businesses and tax-exempt organizations. Advice to executives looking for an accounting firm: Talk to the professionals you’ll be working with directly so that you can get a feel for the way they communicate and their compatibility with your organization. Advice to people considering a career in accounting: Consider your long-term goals and plan your path accordingly. There are many different careers in the accounting profession. Whichever one you choose, make licensure a priority. – Helen Floersh