Bio
Cathy is a partner in Armanino’s Tax practice. She works with a range of clients and industries, including advertising, distribution, contractors, food service, health care, real estate, startup and wholesale, among others. She authors tax updates and frequently speaks to various audiences on tax topics.
Experience
I actually took two days’ worth of career testing evaluations in college because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The test results said that my career path should be hospital administration or public accounting. I thought about hospital administration, took the GMAT — master’s-level entry testing — and did fine, but I didn’t want to continue my education. So instead, I chose public accounting where I could leverage my math and quantitative skills, as well as my passion for client service, to be the best CPA possible.
I tend to look at tough decisions no differently than any other decision. I analyze the pros and cons of a situation and then make a confident and clear decision with quick implementation follow-up. Occasionally, I may regret my decision, but this process allows me to continue moving forward and help many of our clients or myself, depending on the situation.
I find unlimited self-employment income for workers, lawyers and those who have pass-through entities extremely unfair. It’s an unfair burden on taxpayers in the Social Security and Medicare tax system.
You may not know just by looking at me, but I love to laugh and be silly.
When I received my master’s degree in tax. My whole family — parents, children and husband went to graduation and afterward had dinner at Tony’s, a five-star restaurant. It was during Hanukkah, so we brought our menorah and candles and lit them while toasting to my newly acquired degree. It was such a wonderful and proud time for me. To receive a degree when I was married with two kids and working hard — and receiving a 4.0 GPA — was challenging and rewarding.
Do your best and forget the rest. Don’t underestimate the return on the investment for you to show you care for your clients.
