Blackburn, Childers & Steagall has four core values: Balance, we before me, premier service, and stewardship. Each core value that BCS possesses can be related to a Bible verse, such as balance for instance; “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Mathew 6:33. As a firm, we embody balance by prioritizing God, family, and work – in that order. Within the realm of these three priorities, we can also embody balance, be it by strengthening our relationship with God by balancing our time better with the community and our church, prioritizing our loved ones’ needs alongside our own when at home, and navigating various and growing responsibilities while at work.
During my time at BCS, I have been graced with the understanding and application of balance in my work environment by taking on tasks across departments. Although my responsibilities primarily lie with assurance related commitments, I extend my knowledge and capabilities to our tax department throughout the year as well. Working on both assurance and tax related engagements has earned me the title of “crossover.” People sometimes wonder what being a crossover looks like for me, and if it can be overwhelming. I’m sure for some professionals in the accounting world, being told you will be tasked with prioritizing completely different obligations across departments might be a bit jarring, but I have numerous reasons why not only is it not overwhelming, but veritably the most preferable arrangement I could have asked for.
By far, one of my favorite things about being a crossover is getting to work with people I would not typically interact with. Each department brings different perspectives, expertise, and approaches to solving problems. By building relationships across teams, I have been able to reinforce my communication and collaboration within BCS and create a more connected work environment. My strengthened communication skills have catalyzed my efforts to cultivate stronger relationships with coworkers and clients alike.
Working in both assurance and tax has significantly improved my overall understanding within the world of accounting and broadened my perspective by helping me see how concepts learned in one area apply to the other. The skills I have developed in assurance, such as compiling and analyzing financial statements, evaluating internal controls, and staying up to date on the latest accounting standards, have all enhanced my ability to identify and understand tax issues. Likewise, my experience in tax has deepened my knowledge of tax laws and regulations, helping me better understand financial reporting as it relates to tax positions.
While reflecting on my primary reasons for why I prefer working as a crossover, I am brought back to balance. For most of the year, my time is delegated to various assurance related tasks. A majority of my work with the tax department is done during the busiest time of year for tax, which is from February through April. Splitting my time between departments in this way has made me stronger when it comes to managing responsibilities, prioritizing tasks effectively, and remaining adaptable as deadlines and client needs shift throughout the year. Rather than viewing these dual roles as competing priorities, I have learned to see it as an opportunity to integrate knowledge and collaborate across departments. From balancing my relationships, communications, and knowledge within BCS as a crossover, I’ve sharpened my skills and have become better able to serve my community both in and outside of work.
