Member Spotlight: Julie DeCourcey-Bell
December 27, 2023
Julie DeCourcey Bell
Staff Accountant, McDonald Jacobs, PC
Was it worth it to get your CPA credential?
Definitely. I think getting my certificate showed my employer that I was serious about my future career as an accountant, and I can feel that they respect me for the work I have put in. I also learned a lot about accounting standards (leases, for example) through the process of studying for the exams that I could immediately apply to my job.
Who inspired you along the way?
My former boss, a Controller at a small business in Clackamas, is the one who actually encouraged me to go back to school and pursue my post-baccalaureate accounting certificate. Without that suggestion, I don't know that I would have made the leap of going back to school and pursuing public accounting. I also could not have completed the exams without the support of my husband. I took four months off from working to study full-time and take all of the exams.
What do you love about your job?
I love working with nonprofits in the city I grew up in. It's inspiring to see all the work they are doing to make the world a better place, and it adds so much value to my job. I also love being in assurance, because it is really team oriented. I feel there is a good balance of time spent working independently and collaborating with my colleagues.
How has being an OSCPA member benefitted you?
It has given me the opportunity to stay informed about changes in the industry, and be part of the local accounting community. I especially look forward to the annual Not-for-Profit conference that I have attended the last two years. My company, McDonald Jacobs, specializes in tax and assurance services for nonprofits, so it's always very beneficial, and I get to see some familiar faces.
What advice would you give a new CPA?
I'm pretty new myself, but I would say, be mindful of the CPE you participate in. It's not just about getting credit for the requirement, but finding topics that are really applicable to your position or niche in the industry. If you take the initiative to learn about a new standard or specialized engagement software, you increase your value as an employee in your company.